A first look at Nikon’s best mirrorless lenses for wildlife photography
In the last few years, Nikon has led the way in innovation for wildlife photography lenses. With several revolutionary designs, Nikon mirrorless photographers now have four high-quality options for different budgets on the Z mount.
Whether you are looking for the extreme reach of the Nikon 800 PF, versatility of the Nikon 400mm f/2.8, the lightweight of the Nikon 400 f/4.5, or the incredible zoom range of the Nikon 100-400mm, Nikon photographers have excellent options for all kinds of photographers.
In this blog post, we will analyze Nikon’s mirrorless lenses for wildlife photography and see some sample photos from some incredible wildlife photographers, so you can decide whether they are right to add to your kit.
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Nikon Z 100-400 Specifications
Focal length: 100 – 400 mm
Size: 98 mm x 222 mm (3.9 in. x 8.8 in.)
Weight: 1435 g (3 lb 2.7 oz) (with tripod collar), 1355 g (2 lb 15.8 oz) (without tripod collar)
Maximum aperture: f/4.5-5.6
Minimum focus distance: 100mm - 0.75 m (2.46 ft), 135mm - 0.78 m (2.56 ft), 200mm - 0.8 m (2.63 ft), 300mm - 0.87 m (2.86 ft), 400mm - 0.98 m (3.22 ft)
Price: $2,699.95
Summary
This is Nikon’s first 100-400 mm lens. It is lighter, smaller, and sharper than Nikon’s other lenses within this range, such as the 200-500 mm and the 80-400 mm. The new Nikon 100-400 mm seems to be a great versatile lens that will likely be some people’s favourite choice due to its excellent zoom range.
Although you lose some focal length compared to the 200-500 mm, you benefit from an excellent minimum focus distance to help with close subjects. In other words, this new lens almost has macro capabilities. One of the reasons I love my 300 PF is its 1.4 m/4.60 ft minimum focus distance. Well, this lens’ is nearly half of that!
Given all its pros, it’s difficult to find many cons other than the price. At nearly $2,700, it is far more expensive than both the Nikon 200-500mm and 80-400mm, and even Sony’s FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS ($2,499) and Canon’s ultra-budget Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM ($649.99).
A wildlife photographer’s perspective: Mark Bernards
Mark Bernards, a Canadian wildlife photographer based in Ottawa, Ontario, has been shooting with the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S on the Nikon Z6 II since August 2022.
American black duck | Nikon Z6 II + 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | ISO 450, 1/320, f/5.6 @ 400mm | Credit: Mark Bernards
Coming from the Nikon 200-500mm, Mark had wonderful things to say about the lens’ size and weight. “Being smaller and well-balanced makes the Nikon 100-400 really nice for carrying on long hikes and shooting sessions, but also for shooting at much slower shutter speeds.”
“The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S’ has sharper and cleaner rendering than the Nikon 200-500mm, and perhaps even better image stabilization,” adds Bernards. “Although I find the autofocus speed comparable to the 200-500mm on my Nikon D500, it’s definitely more accurate and reliable than the DSLR combination.”
“The Nikon 100-400mm’s two function buttons will be very convenient when I begin to use them to engage the autofocus with one and enable digital magnification with the other,” states Mark.
“Although this lens is not super budget-friendly, if you can afford or justify the expense, the Nikon 100-400mm is a great option, especially for photographing larger wildlife subjects.”
Check out more of Mark’s wildlife photography on Instagram, Flickr, and his website.
Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 Specifications
Focal length: 400mm / 560 mm (with built-in teleconverter)
Size: 156 mm x 380 mm (6.2 in. x 15 in.)
Weight: 2950 g (6 lb 8.1 oz)
Maximum aperture: f/2.8 / f/4 (with built-in teleconverter)
Minimum focus distance: 2.5 m (8.21 ft)
Price: $13,999.95
Summary
The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is the first lens of its class to integrate a built-in teleconverter. This unique lens allows you to easily switch between 400mm and 560mm, while only giving up a stop of light.
This new Z lens significantly improved over its predecessor, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, which was heavier at 3800 g (134 oz) and lacked the built-in teleconverter. It also has a great minimum focus distance for a lens of this focal length and weighs nearly the same as my 300 f/2.8 VR II, while having more focal length.
Honestly, this is my favourite Nikon Z lens without having tested it myself. If I had the budget (and if I could stomach it), I would likely purchase it as a central component of my kit to replace my Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR II.
A wildlife photographer’s perspective: Ray Hennessy
Ray Hennessy is an American wildlife photographer who, as of 2021, lives on the road in a camper van, photographing wildlife all over the United States. His style includes the creative use of lighting and cutting-edge compositions. He has been shooting with the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S on the Nikon Z9 since April 2022.
Atlantic puffin | Nikon Z9 + 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S | ISO 400, 1/250, f/2.8 @ 400mm | Credit: Ray Hennessy
Hennessy, who previously used the Nikon 500mm f/4, had great things to say about the new lens. “Using the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is like having two super telephoto, high-end prime lenses in one.”
He adds that having the built-in teleconverter helps avoid the decision to bring an external one: “I can effortlessly flick between 400mm f/2.8 and 560mm f/4 without having to take my eye off the viewfinder.”
“As a wildlife photographer, the main reason to buy this lens is its versatility; it’s light, well-balanced, silent, and sharp,” explains Hennessy.
Check out more of Ray’s wildlife photography on Instagram and his website.
Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
Nikon Z 400 f/4.5 Specifications
Focal length: 400mm
Size: 104 mm x 234.5 mm (4.1 in. x 9.3 in.)
Weight: 1245 g (2 lb 12 oz) (with tripod collar); 1160 g (2 lb 9 oz) (without tripod collar)
Maximum aperture: f/4.5
Minimum focus distance: 8.21 ft (2.5m)
Price: $3,249.95
Summary
The successor of and intermediate option between the Nikon 300 PF and 500 PF seems to have the benefits of both without sacrificing the lesser rendering of the phase fresnel element.
The ingenious design of this lens makes this an incredibly light, small option at 400mm, whose minimum focus distance is between the Nikon 300 PF (1.4 m/4.60 ft) and 500 PF’s (3.0 m/9.8 ft) and the same minimum focus distance as the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S.
For users new to Nikon’s previous super-light telephotos or looking for a native portable wildlife prime for the Z system, this new 400mm should be a shock to the senses in the best way.
A wildlife photographer’s perspective: Carl Pawlowski
Carl Pawlowski, a Canadian wildlife photographer based in Scarborough, Ontario, has been shooting with the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S on the Nikon Z6 II since July 2022. He had this to say about his experience with the lens.
Common loon | Nikon Z6 II + 400mm f/4.5 VR S | ISO 500, 1/2000, f/4.5 @ 400mm | Credit: Carl Pawlowski
“The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S’ size and weight are incredible for someone as mobile and active as me. This is true for hiking long distances, camping, canoeing, and as a dad who often has kids with me,” says Pawlowski.
“The 400 f/4.5’s image quality, rendering, autofocus, and sharpness are all a massive improvement over my previous Nikon 200-500. It took some getting used to a prime lens with reduced flexibility for composition, but it also allows me to focus on what’s in front of me.”
Carl has also added both the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. In his words, “the autofocus and sharpness are maintained at 560mm f/6.3, with a noticeable drop off at 800mm f/9.” He adds that stopping down to f/10 or f/11 gets decent results, considering the size and weight. Carl also shares that the lens’ minimum focus distance of more than 8 ft isn’t a deal breaker, but it could be better.
“The biggest thing holding me back is the Nikon Z6 II’s autofocus, as we all know,” he chuckles.
Check out more of Carl’s wildlife photography on Instagram and Flickr.
Read more: Is the Nikon 300 PF the most portable lens for wildlife photography? (Review)
Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Nikon 800 PF Specifications
Focal length: 800mm
Size: 140 mm x 385 mm (5.6 in. x 15.2 in.)
Weight: 2385 g (5 lb 4.2 oz)
Maximum aperture: f/6.3
Minimum focus distance: 5m (16.41 ft)
Price: $6,499.95
Summary
The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S is an unprecedented lens due to its extreme focal length, size, weight, and price. Compared with the older Nikon 800 f/5.6, this lens is far cheaper, lighter, and smaller.
Its only trade-off is a ⅓ of a stop of light and different bokeh due to the phase fresnel (PF) element. If you ask me, that is well worth nearly $10,000 in savings over its predecessor. (Yes, the Nikon 800 f/5.6 costs $16,299.95!)
Despite the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S’ benefits, you should know that this is a specialized lens due to its extreme focal length and minimum focus distance. This means it is less adaptable to diverse situations, contrary to a zoom lens.
Too much focal length is a real thing. The longer the focal length, the harder it is to manage heat distortion and camera shake, making your images softer. These caveats can be overcome by the lens’ excellent vibration reduction, improving your handholding technique and adjusting your settings (especially aperture and shutter speed). Still, they do not always work with such an exotic lens.
The lens’s minimum focus distance can also be quite limiting if you work with nearby subjects, rendering it useless with animals within 5m (16.41 ft).
In summary, obtaining an 800mm lens at this weight, size, and price is a steal relative to its much larger and more expensive predecessor. That said, it is still a costly lens that will be out of most people’s budgets. In my opinion, is too specialized to suit the needs of most wildlife photographers.
A wildlife photographer’s perspective: Steve Perry
Steve Perry is an American wildlife photographer who produces excellent reviews of flagship camera gear and educational tutorials. He tested a pre-production model of the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S on the Nikon Z9 in April 2022 and has been shooting with the lens throughout the rest of the year.
Perry shared some insight on the ergonomics of the Nikon 800 PF: “It seems every bit as durable as Nikon’s big primes and more robust than the 300 PF and 500 PF lenses.”
He was also impressed by the lens’ focusing abilities. “The autofocus was easily on par with other big primes I’ve used from Nikon, Sony, and Canon,” he said. “Mounted to the Z9, it seemed to grab targets as quickly and accurately as any high-end lens I’ve used.”
Perry was also a fan of the vibration reduction. “I’m tentatively going to say that this is the best stabilization I’ve used with any lens from any brand,” he says. “This lens begs to be used handheld. The combination of size and weight also allows you to use the lens in tougher and tighter spots where you may not have considered using an 800mm before.”
Lastly, Perry points to the innovative nature of this new lens. “It breaks all the rules and is far more affordable than the big glass options, while offering what really seems like the same level of performance.”
Check out more of Steve’s wildlife photography on Instagram and his YouTube channel.
Compare Nikon’s Z lenses
Here’s a comparison table that covers the main features of Nikon’s wildlife photography lenses.
In conclusion
Nikon’s new mirrorless lenses for wildlife photography push technological boundaries to provide wildlife photographers with never before seen technology. Though they provide fantastic performance, their enormous cost is limiting for beginner photographers or those on a smaller budget.
At the very least, you would have to spend $2,700 for a 100-400 zoom, which is not something many people can justify. In addition, users would need a Nikon Z mirrorless camera if they do not have one already.
Unfortunately, most of Nikon’s mirrorless cameras, barring the Nikon Z9, are not optimal for wildlife photography, especially action. The Z9 is the only camera with excellent autofocus, but it’s too expensive for most wildlife photographers.
Let’s hope in the near future Nikon develops some new cameras that are more affordable, without sacrificing performance for wildlife photographers.
F-mount lenses are far from dead
As wonderful as these new Nikon mirrorless lenses for wildlife photography are, they are very expensive compared to their older F-mount relatives.
The older DSLR lenses still provide excellent quality at far better prices. I have owned and used several of them to get some of my best photos. I also reviewed a few, like the following:
Nikon 300 PF, the most portable lens for wildlife photography.
Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S, the best prime lens for wildlife photography on a budget.
Nikon 70-300mm, the best beginner lens for wildlife photography.
Nikon 200-500, which I used for a few years, is a great budget lens for wildlife photography, with an excellent zoom range for less than $1,400.
Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR II, one of the best prime lenses for wildlife photography.
All in all, it’s important to remember that you don’t need the newest, most expensive, or even best lens to take incredible wildlife photos. It’s best to work within your budget to obtain the gear you can afford without breaking the bank to focus on improving as a wildlife photographer!
Want to become a better wildlife photographer?
If you are interested in learning more about the technical and artistic side of photography to take your photos to the next level, check out these awesome tutorials that can help you take amazing wildlife photos!