Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens

The NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is Nikon’s flagship professional super-telephoto lens for elite sports, wildlife and action photography. Its bright f/2.8 aperture delivers extraordinary subject separation and low-light performance, while an integrated 1.4x teleconverter instantly transforms it into a 560mm f/4 lens.

Advanced S-Line optics, rapid SSVCM autofocus and 5.5-stop Vibration Reduction provide the speed, detail and reliability demanded by photographers working at the highest level.

⭐ Key Benefits

• Professional 400mm f/2.8 super-telephoto prime

• Built-in 1.4x teleconverter creates a 560mm f/4 lens

• Teleconverter engages without removing the lens

• Fast SSVCM autofocus system

• 5.5-stop optical Vibration Reduction

• Premium Nikon S-Line optical performance

• Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat

• Fluorite, Super ED, ED and SR optical elements

• Approximately 2,950g total weight

• Memory Recall and customizable Fn controls

• Magnesium-alloy construction

• Weather-resistant professional design

• Rear 46mm drop-in filter system

🔭 Two Professional Focal Lengths in One Lens

At its standard setting, the lens provides a bright 400mm f/2.8 combination ideal for professional sports, wildlife and low-light action.

Moving the teleconverter switch engages the integrated 1.4x converter, immediately providing 560mm f/4 performance. The photographer can switch focal lengths without removing the lens, exposing the camera sensor or taking their eye away from the action.

This capability is especially valuable when subjects move quickly between near and distant positions.

🌙 Bright f/2.8 Maximum Aperture

The f/2.8 aperture gathers substantial light, supporting faster shutter speeds for freezing rapid movement in dim conditions.

It also produces strong subject separation and smooth background blur, allowing athletes, birds and wildlife to stand out clearly from complicated environments.

When the built-in teleconverter is engaged, the lens becomes a 560mm f/4 while retaining excellent optical performance.

⚡ Silky Swift Autofocus

Nikon’s Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor provides extremely fast, accurate and quiet autofocus. Its responsive performance is designed for subjects that accelerate, change direction or briefly appear within the frame.

Paired with the advanced subject-detection and tracking systems of cameras such as the Nikon Z8 and Z9, the lens forms a powerful professional action-photography system.

🛡️ 5.5-Stop Vibration Reduction

Built-in optical Vibration Reduction provides up to 5.5 stops of stabilization, helping maintain a stable viewfinder image and reduce blur caused by camera movement.

The stabilization remains effective when the built-in teleconverter is engaged. Sport VR provides a more natural viewfinder experience while panning and following unpredictable action.

🔍 Flagship S-Line Optics

The complex optical design consists of 25 elements in 19 groups, including the seven elements used by the built-in teleconverter.

Specialized elements include:

• Two ED glass elements

• One Super ED glass element

• Two fluorite elements

• One SR element

This combination controls colour fringing and maintains exceptional resolution, contrast and clarity at both 400mm and 560mm.

☀️ Advanced Anti-Reflection Coatings

Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat suppress reflections caused by light entering from different directions.

These coatings help retain contrast when photographing backlit wildlife, stadium action beneath powerful lighting or outdoor subjects with the sun near the frame.

A fluorine-coated front element helps repel moisture, dirt and fingerprints.

⚖️ Designed for Professional Handling

At approximately 2,950g, the lens is remarkably manageable for a 400mm f/2.8 with an integrated teleconverter.

Strategic use of fluorite elements and a magnesium-alloy barrel helps reduce front-heavy handling. The center of gravity is positioned closer to the camera, making the lens easier to pan, carry and reposition rapidly.

🎯 Memory Recall and Fn Ring

A dedicated Fn ring works with the Memory Recall function, allowing a frequently used focusing position to be stored and recalled instantly.

This is particularly useful for:

• A goal or finish line

• A bird’s nest or regular perch

• A base or fixed field position

• A known stage or performance mark

Customizable function buttons placed around the barrel remain accessible in horizontal and vertical orientations.

🎛️ Professional Controls

The lens offers direct control over essential shooting functions:

• Built-in teleconverter switch and lock

• Customizable L-Fn buttons

• Fn ring with Memory Recall

• Programmable control ring

• Focus-mode selector

• Focus limiter

• VR mode selection

• Rotating tripod collar

These controls reduce menu use and keep the photographer focused on rapidly developing action.

🌦️ Built for Demanding Assignments

The magnesium-alloy barrel provides strength while keeping weight under control. Extensive sealing helps protect the lens from dust and moisture during outdoor professional use.

The durable construction is designed for sideline sports, remote wildlife locations and other demanding working environments.

🎥 Professional Video Performance

Quiet autofocus, a clickless control ring and reduced focus breathing make the lens well suited to professional sports and wildlife filmmaking.

The built-in teleconverter allows videographers to change from 400mm to 560mm without stopping production or disturbing a carefully balanced support system.

👤 Ideal For

• Professional sports photographers

• Wildlife and bird photographers

• Photojournalists covering major events

• Motorsports and aviation photography

• Outdoor and field sports

• Professional wildlife filmmaking

• Photographers working in low light

• Agencies and organizations requiring flagship telephoto performance

🆚 Compared with the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

Choose the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S for:

• A substantially brighter f/2.8 aperture

• Built-in 1.4x teleconverter

• Immediate access to 560mm f/4

• Faster flagship SSVCM autofocus

• Stronger background separation

• Superior low-light action performance

• Advanced professional controls

Choose the 400mm f/4.5 VR S for:

• Significantly lower weight

• Smaller size and easier portability

• Extended handheld shooting

• Travel and backcountry wildlife photography

• A more accessible route to premium 400mm performance

The 400mm f/4.5 weighs approximately 1,160g without its tripod collar, while the 400mm f/2.8 TC weighs approximately 2,950g.

🆚 Compared with the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

Choose the 400mm f/2.8 TC for:

• A wider native field of view

• Brighter f/2.8 performance at 400mm

• Greater flexibility for larger or closer subjects

• Sports played at medium-to-long distances

• 560mm reach with its converter engaged

Choose the 600mm f/4 TC for:

• Greater native reach

• Small or exceptionally distant wildlife

• Field sports photographed from long distances

• 840mm reach with its built-in converter engaged

🆚 Compared with the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm VR S

Choose the 400mm f/2.8 TC for maximum light gathering, faster professional autofocus, stronger subject isolation and flagship image quality.

Choose the 100-400mm when zoom flexibility, lower weight and easier travel are more important than f/2.8 performance.

📦 In the Box

• NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens

• LC-K105 front lens cap

• LF-N1 rear lens cap

• HK-42 lens hood

• CL-L3 lens case

• LN-3 lens strap

🧰 Suggested Kit Pairings

Complete your professional super-telephoto system with:

• Nikon Z9 for flagship sports and wildlife performance

• Nikon Z8 for high-resolution professional action photography

• Heavy-duty monopod for sideline and field use

• Carbon-fibre tripod with a professional gimbal head

• Compatible 46mm drop-in filters

• Replacement lens foot or Arca-compatible support plate

• Weather protection for camera and lens

• Extra EN-EL18d or EN-EL15c batteries, depending on camera

• High-capacity CFexpress memory cards

• Professional carrying case or backpack

🏪 Why Buy from Cameragraphics?

Cameragraphics is an authorized Nikon dealer with professional photographers on staff who can help you configure a complete super-telephoto system for sports, wildlife or professional production.

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

Cameragraphics — Serving Auburn Since 1974.