Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens

The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S combines substantial telephoto reach with premium S-Line image quality, fast autofocus and powerful stabilization. Its flexible zoom range makes it an outstanding choice for wildlife, sports, aviation, outdoor events and compressed landscape photography.

Despite reaching 400mm, the lens remains portable enough for handheld shooting and travel. Excellent close-focusing capability and compatibility with Nikon Z teleconverters make it one of the most versatile telephoto lenses in the Nikon Z system.

⭐ Key Benefits

• Versatile 100–400mm super-telephoto zoom range

• Premium Nikon S-Line optical performance

• 5.5-stop optical Vibration Reduction

• Fast and quiet multi-focus autofocus system

• Excellent 0.38x maximum reproduction ratio

• Minimum focusing distance as close as 0.75m

• Compatible with Nikon Z 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters

• Inner Balance Technology for comfortable handling

• Customizable control ring and function buttons

• Information display for convenient setting confirmation

• Weather-resistant professional construction

• Fluorine-coated front element

• 77mm filter thread

🦅 Flexible 100–400mm Telephoto Reach

The broad zoom range lets photographers quickly adjust from medium telephoto framing to tightly composed distant subjects.

At 100mm, the lens works well for portraits, landscapes and larger nearby subjects. At 400mm, it provides the reach needed for wildlife, field sports, aircraft, motorsports and subjects that cannot be approached closely.

On a Nikon DX-format Z camera, it provides an angle of view equivalent to approximately 150–600mm, offering even greater apparent reach.

🔍 Premium S-Line Optics

The advanced optical construction uses 25 elements in 20 groups, including six ED and two Super ED glass elements. These specialized elements minimize colour fringing and maintain sharpness and contrast throughout the zoom range.

Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO Coat help control flare and ghosting when photographing backlit subjects, stadium lights, sunrises and other challenging scenes.

🛡️ 5.5-Stop Vibration Reduction

Built-in optical Vibration Reduction provides up to 5.5 stops of stabilization, helping produce sharper handheld photographs at slower shutter speeds.

VR is particularly valuable when working at 400mm, photographing in fading daylight or tracking subjects without a tripod. A dedicated Sport mode provides a more stable viewfinder image while following fast, unpredictable movement.

⚡ Fast Multi-Focus Autofocus

Two stepping motors operate together as part of Nikon’s multi-focusing system, delivering fast, accurate and quiet autofocus.

The system responds smoothly when tracking birds, athletes and vehicles while remaining quiet enough for ceremonies, performances and video recording.

⚖️ Inner Balance Technology

Nikon’s Inner Balance Technology helps maintain a consistent center of gravity as the lens is zoomed. This gives the lens predictable handling when shooting handheld, panning with moving subjects or working from a monopod.

The zoom mechanism also provides smooth, controlled focal-length adjustments without excessive changes in balance.

🌸 Remarkable Close-Up Performance

A minimum focusing distance as close as 0.75m and maximum reproduction ratio of 0.38x at 400mm allow the lens to capture surprisingly detailed close-ups.

This combination of close focusing and long working distance is excellent for flowers, insects, reptiles and small wildlife that may be difficult to approach.

🔭 Teleconverter Compatibility

The lens is compatible with Nikon’s Z teleconverters for additional reach:

• With the Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x: 140–560mm f/6.3-8

• With the Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x: 200–800mm f/9-11

Autofocus and Vibration Reduction remain available, although performance can depend on the camera, subject and available light.

🎛️ Professional Controls

Controls located directly on the lens provide quick access to important shooting functions:

• Customizable L-Fn and L-Fn2 buttons

• Programmable control ring

• Focus-mode switch

• Focus-limit switch

• VR mode selection

• Lock switch for transport

• Lens information display

These controls reduce the need to enter camera menus while photographing fast-changing situations.

🌦️ Built for Outdoor Assignments

Professional weather-resistant construction helps protect the lens when working around dust and moisture. A fluorine coating on the front element makes fingerprints, dirt and water droplets easier to remove.

The removable rotating tripod collar provides balanced support when using a tripod or monopod.

🎥 Telephoto Video Performance

Quiet autofocus, effective stabilization and smooth focus transitions make the 100-400mm an excellent option for wildlife, sports and documentary filmmaking.

The balanced design helps when working with video tripods and fluid heads, while the customizable control ring provides convenient adjustment of selected exposure settings.

👤 Ideal For

• Wildlife and bird photographers

• Field and outdoor sports photography

• Aviation and motorsport photography

• Nature and compressed landscapes

• Outdoor events and performances

• Travel photographers needing flexible reach

• Close-ups of flowers, insects and small animals

• Professional telephoto video production

🆚 Compared with the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II

Choose the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S for:

• Twice the maximum focal length

• Greater wildlife and outdoor-sports versatility

• Higher close-up magnification

• Teleconverter compatibility for up to 800mm

• Better portability than carrying several telephoto primes

Choose the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II for:

• A brighter constant f/2.8 aperture

• Better performance in dim venues

• Stronger background separation

• Faster shutter speeds for indoor sports

• Internal zooming and lighter construction

🆚 Compared with the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR

Choose the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S for:

• Premium S-Line optical quality

• A brighter aperture at the telephoto end

• Faster professional autofocus

• Teleconverter compatibility

• More comprehensive controls

• An included tripod collar

• Better performance for dedicated sports and wildlife work

Choose the 28-400mm f/4-8 VR when maximum all-in-one versatility and reduced lens changing are the priorities.

🆚 Compared with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Choose the 100-400mm for its smaller size, lower weight, wider starting focal length and excellent close-focusing performance.

Choose the 180-600mm when maximum native reach is more important and most subjects will be photographed at longer distances.

📦 In the Box

• NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens

• LC-77B 77mm front lens cap

• LF-N1 rear lens cap

• HB-103 lens hood

• Removable tripod collar

• CL-C3 lens case

🧰 Suggested Kit Pairings

Complete your telephoto kit with:

• Nikon Z8 or Z9 for professional wildlife and sports

• Nikon Z6III for a versatile high-speed hybrid system

• Nikon Z50II for an approximately 150–600mm equivalent field of view

• Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x for additional reach

• Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x for occasional extreme-distance subjects

• High-quality 77mm circular polarizer or protective filter

• Sturdy monopod or tripod with an appropriate telephoto head

• Extra batteries and high-speed memory cards

🏪 Why Buy from Cameragraphics?

Cameragraphics is an authorized Nikon dealer with professional photographers on staff who can help you choose the right lens, camera body and support equipment for your photography.

We specialize in Nikon’s current mirrorless system and do not stock DSLR products, allowing us to focus on the latest Nikon Z cameras, lenses and accessories.

Cameragraphics — Serving Auburn Since 1974.