The comfort and versatility of zooms compared to the higher quality that fixed focal lenses usually offer. An eternal debate or, rather, two different teams that respond to different priorities. And within the zoom category there are some that, despite not having a good reputation and being called the wildcard option, the truth is that they can be a good travel option or to always have very long focal lengths on hand without the pocket or the weight of the backpack suffers too much.
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They are the so-called all-in-one or all-terrain vehicles and they move between moderate angles and interesting teles and, yes, they usually sacrifice brightness and some quality in exchange for a contained size and weight. It is a range that has always been very successful and that now Nikon has wanted to take to its maximum expression with the new Nikkor 28-400 mm f4-8 for its full-format Z cameras.
And all this for less than 1,300 euros, so we were very curious to try it. We have mounted it on a demanding Nikon Z8 and, as always, in the video we tell you the highlights and here we summarize some points and also share a few sample photographs at maximum resolution.
Un zoom 14x
We could consider this Nikkor as the heir to that 28-300 f3.5-5.6 that was introduced in 2010 for full-frame SLRs and that still enjoys a good reputation. In addition to the change to a mirrorless bayonet, the zoom is stretched to 400 mm, with a 14x zoom which, if we are not mistaken, is the longest to date in an optic of this type.
The luminosity of f4-8 is one of the most obvious tolls of such a range. Furthermore, there is much more f8 than f4 in the range of this zoom which, in fact, from 190 millimeters onwards it already has that maximum aperture of f8. The f4 only remains a few millimeters (it doesn’t even reach 35 mm) and at 50 mm we are already at f5.6.
It weighs only 725 grams, which is very good for such a zoom. It is partially sealed, uses 77 millimeter front filters and has the usual design of these Nikon optics which, say the ill-considered, is very reminiscent of Tamron lenses.
Although luminosity can be a limitation in some shots, it must be recognized that having a 28-400 millimeter in your hands gives a lot of play when facing almost any type of scene. Versatility, in fact, is one of its best assets, which makes it ideal for traveling with a single optic or for taking on nature photography, from landscape to birds, at a very reasonable price.
And although this f8 aperture is very far from what is expected from a telephoto lens of a certain level, it must be recognized that a notable blur is achieved at the longest focal lengths and that current cameras can shoot at very high sensitivities without any problem. . The minimum focusing distance, by the way, is 20 centimeters at the wide angle and 1.2 meters at 400 mm.
Image quality
Another interesting detail is that it has an optical image stabilizer. The official data speaks of up to 5 steps or 5.5 with stabilized bodies, but the tests we have done are somewhat less optimistic, with about 4 steps of improvement. Which aren’t bad at all either.
As can be seen in the sample photographs, vignetting is very evident at both ends of the optics at maximum aperture, even with the in-camera automatic correction system.
For the rest, the truth is that the lens performs very well. Always, of course, within what is expected from such a zoom. The level of detail is high in the center of the image throughout and the corners are not bad at all in wide angle, although you do notice that they fall as the zoom is stretched.
There are also no major problems with aberrations, distortion or reflections and the focus – we have tested it with a Nikon Z8 – has also responded very well.
Nikon 28-400 mm, is it worth it?
The answer is relatively simple because we are facing a single objective. That is, Nikon users who want the longest range all-in-one available, here is the answer.
A lens that for about 1,250 euros offers what it promises or, rather, what is expected of it. Very versatile in terms of focal lengths, moderate weight, correct quality and a luminosity that is the worst in this agreement.
Obviously, those who prefer fixed focal lengths have nothing to do here. We are talking about the mother of all zooms, designed to put it on the camera and forget about changing optics anymore. The advantages are obvious and if we are aware of the drawbacks, it can be a good idea for a certain type of photography or for going on a trip.
