Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S | NikonNIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | February 2022 | October 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 400 mm | 35 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.7 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Macro lens | – | Yes |
| Optical construction | 25 elements in 19 groups, including seven elements in four groups in the built-in teleconverter | Eight elements in seven groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Two ED elements, two fluorite elements, one super-ED element and one SR element | One aspherical ED element |
| Coatings | Meso Amorphous Coat, ARNEO Coat and fluorine coating on the front element | – |
| Aperture detail | f/2.8–22 without the built-in teleconverter; f/4–32 with it engaged | At infinity f/1.7–16; at 0.16 m focus distance f/3.2–22 |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 6°10′ at 400 mm and 4°30′ at 560 mm; DX 4° and 2°50′ respectively | DX 44°; Nikon Canada gives 52.5 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | Full frame | APS-C |
| Compatibility | – | Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 2.5 m | 0.16 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.17× | 0.67× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | Silky Swift VCM autofocus with internal focusing; FULL and infinity–6 m focus limiter positions | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Maker minimum focus 2.5 m; Cameralabs measured approximately 2.41 m, retained separately from the maker figure | Minimum 0.16 m measured from the focal plane; UK maker states 7.2 cm working distance from the front of the lens |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum reproduction ratio 0.17×; Cameralabs measured approximately 1:3.9 with the built-in converter engaged | Actual maximum reproduction ratio 0.67×; Nikon describes this as life-size equivalent in 35 mm/FX format, rather than an actual 1× ratio |
| 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 both reviews; camera-body stabilisation depends on the body |
| Video features | Maker focus-breathing compensation claim; Cameralabs nevertheless observes visible breathing on the Z7 | Suppressed focus breathing and quiet focusing; silent control ring |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 46 mm | 52 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 156 mm | 70 mm |
| Length | 380 mm | 72 mm |
| Weight | 2,950 g | 220 g (better) |
| 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 | Customisable control ring for focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO; no physical AF/manual switch, as noted by Amateur Photographer |
| Zoom design | – | Internal focusing keeps total length unchanged |
| Filter detail | 46 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread | 52 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| 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 drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 156 mm maximum diameter × 380 mm from the mount flange | Approximately 70 mm maximum diameter × 72 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Maker approximately 2,950 g; Cameralabs measured 2,936 g including tripod foot, plus 232 g for the hood | Approximately 220 g, lens only |
| Lens hood | – | Optional HN-43, sold separately |
| Tripod mount | Rotating tripod collar and foot; Cameralabs notes that the standard foot lacks an Arca-Swiss profile | – |
| 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-52B front cap and LF-N1 rear cap |
| Release detail | Nikon Canada specified late February 2022 retail availability; January's announcement date is not used as the on-sale date | Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained |
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