Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4

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NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S compared with NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4

	NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S	NikonNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4
Overview
Released
Released	February 2022	September 2024
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	400 mm	50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/1.4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/16
Optical construction
Optical construction	25 elements in 19 groups, including seven elements in four groups in the built-in teleconverter	10 elements in seven groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Two ED elements, two fluorite elements, one super-ED element and one SR element	One aspherical element
Coatings
Coatings	Meso Amorphous Coat, ARNEO Coat and fluorine coating on the front element	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/2.8–22 without the built-in teleconverter; f/4–32 with it engaged	f/1.4–16
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 47°; DX 31°30′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	–	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras
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	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2.5 m	0.37 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.17×	0.17×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silky Swift VCM autofocus with internal focusing; FULL and infinity–6 m focus limiter positions	Multi-focusing system; stepping motors; automatic or manual 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	Minimum 0.37 m from focal plane; no separate AF/manual distance published
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maker maximum reproduction ratio 0.17×; Cameralabs measured approximately 1:3.9 with the built-in converter engaged	Maximum 0.17×
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	No optical VR, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer; camera-body stabilisation depends on the body
Video features
Video features	Maker focus-breathing compensation claim; Cameralabs nevertheless observes visible breathing on the Z7	Suppressed focus breathing, quiet focusing and clickless control ring
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	46 mm	62 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	156 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	380 mm	86.5 mm
Weight
Weight	2,950 g	420 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	Separate manual focus and customisable control rings; no physical AF/manual switch or function buttons, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer
Zoom design
Zoom design	–	Internal focusing keeps lens length unchanged
Filter detail
Filter detail	46 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread	62 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Maker sealing around movable barrel parts and mount gasket; dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed under all conditions	Designed for dust and moisture resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 156 mm maximum diameter × 380 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 86.5 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 420 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	–	HB-115 included
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Rotating tripod collar and foot; Cameralabs notes that the standard foot lacks an Arca-Swiss profile	–
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-62B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-115 hood
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 USA states late September 2024 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. The co-marketed f/1.8 S is not treated as its predecessor