Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

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NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S compared with NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

	NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S	NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
Overview
Released
Released	February 2022	July 2022
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	400 mm	400 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/4.5
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	25 elements in 19 groups, including seven elements in four groups in the built-in teleconverter	Nineteen elements in thirteen groups
Special elements
Special elements	Two ED elements, two fluorite elements, one super-ED element and one SR element	One ED, two Super ED and one SR element
Coatings
Coatings	Meso Amorphous Coat, ARNEO Coat and fluorine coating on the front element	Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/2.8–22 without the built-in teleconverter; f/4–32 with it engaged	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 6°10′ at 400 mm and 4°30′ at 560 mm; DX 4° and 2°50′ respectively	FX 6°10′; DX 4°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	–	At launch, memory recall supported Z9, Z7II, Z6II and Z30 with updated firmware; Nikon stated other models would follow through firmware updates
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Built-in 1.4× converter selects 400 mm or 560 mm; also compatible with Nikon Z TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x converters	Nikon Z TC-1.4× and TC-2.0× provide 560 mm and 800 mm focal lengths respectively; Nikon warns AF performance can deteriorate with subject, brightness and focus position
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2.5 m	2.5 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.17×	0.16×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silky Swift VCM autofocus with internal focusing; FULL and infinity–6 m focus limiter positions	STM stepping-motor autofocus; internal focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Maker minimum focus 2.5 m; Cameralabs measured approximately 2.41 m, retained separately from the maker figure	Nikon specifies a 2.5 m minimum distance and 0.16× maximum reproduction ratio. Camera Labs measured 2.36 m and 1:5.6 on its sample; main figures retain maker specifications
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maker maximum reproduction ratio 0.17×; Cameralabs measured approximately 1:3.9 with the built-in converter engaged	–
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR rated 5.5 stops under CIPA conditions on an FX camera in NORMAL mode, with or without the built-in converter; Synchro VR supported on Z9	Lens-shift VR with voice-coil motors; 5.5 stops CIPA on an FX camera in Normal mode, or 6 stops with Z9 Synchro VR
Video features
Video features	Maker focus-breathing compensation claim; Cameralabs nevertheless observes visible breathing on the Z7	Nikon describes suppressed focus breathing and smooth exposure changes; Camera Labs measured a visible 9% magnification change from infinity to 4.1 m
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	46 mm	95 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	156 mm	104 mm
Length
Length	380 mm	234.5 mm
Weight
Weight	2,950 g	1,160 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Configurable control ring, L-Fn controls, Memory Set button and Fn ring for focus recall, A–M switch and lockable built-in converter lever	L-Fn and L-Fn2 buttons, silent control ring and memory-set button; focus limiter selects Full (infinity–2.5 m) or infinity–6 m
Filter detail
Filter detail	46 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Maker sealing around movable barrel parts and mount gasket; dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed under all conditions	Weather sealing and mount gasket; Nikon does not guarantee dust and drip protection in all conditions
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 156 mm maximum diameter × 380 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 104 mm maximum diameter × 234.5 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Maker approximately 2,950 g; Cameralabs measured 2,936 g including tripod foot, plus 232 g for the hood	Approximately 1160 g without tripod collar, 1245 g with it
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Rotating tripod collar and foot; Cameralabs notes that the standard foot lacks an Arca-Swiss profile	Removable tripod foot; Camera Labs reports no Arca-Swiss groove
In the box
In the box	LC-K105 front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HK-42 hood, LN-3 strap and CL-L3 case as listed by Nikon UK; Japan lists LN-3 or LN-4 strap	LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-105 hood and CL-C5 case
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Canada specified late February 2022 retail availability; January's announcement date is not used as the on-sale date	Nikon Japan gives 15 July 2022; Nikon USA announced July 2022 availability