2024 Travelers' Choice
Stay Up To Date On All Things
Backcountry Journeys
Backcountry Journeys
Our Photography Community
Our Blog
From articles on the latest camera gear, to trip reports from our latest expeditions, our blog is meant for all interested in travel photography.Our Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Our Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.Community Testimonials
We're proud to foster an amazing group of photo travelers, and here you can find their stories from their past adventures.About Backcountry Journeys
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys
If you're considering a photography tour, hear why Backcountry Journeys delivers the best experience in the industry.Frequently Asked Questions
If you're new to photography tours, or new to BCJ, you can find our common travel questions here.Fitness Levels
Our trips vary on physical intensity, and by reviewing our fitness levels, you can find out which trips may be more challenging, or aligned more closely with your comfort level.Meet The Crew
We've built an amazing team of experienced guides, and dedicated office staff that elevate your travel experience. Get to know their backgrounds, and hear their stories.Travel Desk
You can review our various payment, and travel policies here, along with resources regarding international travel.Gift Certificates
Give the gift of photo adventure! We offer gift certificates that can be applied to any of our upcoming tours.Loyalty Program
We reward our frequent photo adventurers with exclusive discounts on amazing photography tours.Contact Us
If you need to get in touch with our office staff, or have additional business inquiries, you can find our information here.Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP - THE BCJ TRIBE
JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP - THE BCJ TRIBE
New Release: Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
New Release: Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
by Matt Meisenheimer
With big releases at the end of Q4 2021, Nikon has finally filled out the Z series lens lineup with very formidable lenses. Many are considered the best in their class and Nikon continues to impress with their quality output for the Z series.
The monster release of the Nikon Z9 foreshadowed that high-end, telephoto offerings would be coming soon for the Z system.
The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S development was announced near the Z9 release, but now it’s official, the first super-telephoto prime for the Z series is released. The 600mm f/4 Z should follow soon, and an 800mm Z is also in development.
All these super teles are niche and ultimately purchased by very few but they happen to be extremely important for certain genres of photography – one of those being wildlife photography.
This new Z 400mm f/2.8 is an exciting lens for many reasons and it continues to keep the bar high for Nikon’s mirrorless lineup.
The monster release of the Nikon Z9 foreshadowed that high-end, telephoto offerings would be coming soon for the Z system.
The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S development was announced near the Z9 release, but now it’s official, the first super-telephoto prime for the Z series is released. The 600mm f/4 Z should follow soon, and an 800mm Z is also in development.
All these super teles are niche and ultimately purchased by very few but they happen to be extremely important for certain genres of photography – one of those being wildlife photography.
This new Z 400mm f/2.8 is an exciting lens for many reasons and it continues to keep the bar high for Nikon’s mirrorless lineup.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens
Price: $13,996.95
Key Specifications
This lens is no slouch at almost $14,000. But super telephotos have never been on the cheap end. If you want the utmost quality while photographing wildlife, this or the upcoming 600mm f/4 is it. This lens has a host of new design qualities that make it even better than the F-mount 400mm f/2.8, albeit it’s priced at $3,000 more.
The highlights are a built-in 1.4x tele, an overall design that weighs 2 pounds less, and a host of other engineering innovations that have surfaced since the F-mount was released 8 years ago.
Price: $13,996.95
Key Specifications
- Z-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- Built-In 1.4x Teleconverter
- Super ED, ED, Fluorite, and SR Elements
- Meso Amorphous and ARNEO Coatings
- Silky Swift VCM Autofocus System
- Vibration Reduction Image Stabilization
- Customizable Fn and Memory Set Buttons
- Weather-Sealed Design
- Rotating Tripod Collar
This lens is no slouch at almost $14,000. But super telephotos have never been on the cheap end. If you want the utmost quality while photographing wildlife, this or the upcoming 600mm f/4 is it. This lens has a host of new design qualities that make it even better than the F-mount 400mm f/2.8, albeit it’s priced at $3,000 more.
The highlights are a built-in 1.4x tele, an overall design that weighs 2 pounds less, and a host of other engineering innovations that have surfaced since the F-mount was released 8 years ago.
Built-In 1.4x Teleconverter
Built-in 1.4x teleconverter allows you to instantly extend your reach to 560mm simply by flipping the right-hand switch.
Since the teleconverter is integrated within the lens housing, it is optically matched to the lens for improved imaging performance and also fully maintains the lens’s weather sealing.
When the teleconverter is in use, this 400mm f/2.8 becomes an effective 560mm f/4 lens
S-Line Optics
Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture excels in low-light situations and also benefits controlling depth of field to separate and isolate subjects from a busy background.
Helping to virtually eliminate chromatic aberrations, color fringing, and comatic aberrations, this lens features two ED (extra-low dispersion) and one Super ED glass element, two lightweight fluorite elements, and an SR (short-wavelength refractive) element.
The SR element features a specialized high-dispersion design that refracts wavelengths shorter than blue; this helps achieve truly accurate color rendering and also aids in making the lens design more compact.
Refined Anti-Glare Coatings
Newly developed Meso Amorphous Coat offers the greatest anti-reflective performance from a NIKKOR lens, outperforms the Nano Crystal Coat in regard to diagonal incident light, and matches the performance of the ARNEO Coat for vertical incident light.
ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats are still applied for even more well-rounded anti-glare protection from all angles, and help to suppress ghosting, reflections, and flare for higher contrast and more accurate color response when working in strong lighting and backlit conditions.
Built-in 1.4x teleconverter allows you to instantly extend your reach to 560mm simply by flipping the right-hand switch.
Since the teleconverter is integrated within the lens housing, it is optically matched to the lens for improved imaging performance and also fully maintains the lens’s weather sealing.
When the teleconverter is in use, this 400mm f/2.8 becomes an effective 560mm f/4 lens
S-Line Optics
Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture excels in low-light situations and also benefits controlling depth of field to separate and isolate subjects from a busy background.
Helping to virtually eliminate chromatic aberrations, color fringing, and comatic aberrations, this lens features two ED (extra-low dispersion) and one Super ED glass element, two lightweight fluorite elements, and an SR (short-wavelength refractive) element.
The SR element features a specialized high-dispersion design that refracts wavelengths shorter than blue; this helps achieve truly accurate color rendering and also aids in making the lens design more compact.
Refined Anti-Glare Coatings
Newly developed Meso Amorphous Coat offers the greatest anti-reflective performance from a NIKKOR lens, outperforms the Nano Crystal Coat in regard to diagonal incident light, and matches the performance of the ARNEO Coat for vertical incident light.
ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats are still applied for even more well-rounded anti-glare protection from all angles, and help to suppress ghosting, reflections, and flare for higher contrast and more accurate color response when working in strong lighting and backlit conditions.
Silky Swift VCM Autofocus
Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (VCM) uses magnets instead of gears to move the focusing groups at higher initial speeds and with greater accuracy and smoothness. A guide bar is also employed, which helps reduce focusing vibrations for greater continuous focusing speeds. (WARNING: Do not use this product if you have a pacemaker or other medical device. The magnet or magnets in this product could cause medical devices to malfunction.)
Using a high-precision sensor from the robotics industry, this lens features an optical ABS (absolute) encoder to detect and communicate lens position information with extreme accuracy to optimize fast and accurate AF performance.
Benefitting video use, the Silky Swift VCM is also especially quiet and the multi-focusing system also greatly reduces focus breathing for greater compositional accuracy when racking focus.
Full-time manual focus override is also possible and an internal focusing design is used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster-focusing speeds.
Minimum focusing distance of 8.2′ and a maximum magnification of 0.17x without the teleconverter in place and 0.23x with the teleconverter in place for working with close-up subjects.
Vibration Reduction
Vibration Reduction image stabilization reduces the appearance of camera shake by approximately 5.5 stops to better enable handheld shooting in low-light situations.
Synchro VR is also supported when paired with compatible cameras featuring sensor-shift VR, which combines in-body VR with optical VR for improved results.
Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (VCM) uses magnets instead of gears to move the focusing groups at higher initial speeds and with greater accuracy and smoothness. A guide bar is also employed, which helps reduce focusing vibrations for greater continuous focusing speeds. (WARNING: Do not use this product if you have a pacemaker or other medical device. The magnet or magnets in this product could cause medical devices to malfunction.)
Using a high-precision sensor from the robotics industry, this lens features an optical ABS (absolute) encoder to detect and communicate lens position information with extreme accuracy to optimize fast and accurate AF performance.
Benefitting video use, the Silky Swift VCM is also especially quiet and the multi-focusing system also greatly reduces focus breathing for greater compositional accuracy when racking focus.
Full-time manual focus override is also possible and an internal focusing design is used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster-focusing speeds.
Minimum focusing distance of 8.2′ and a maximum magnification of 0.17x without the teleconverter in place and 0.23x with the teleconverter in place for working with close-up subjects.
Vibration Reduction
Vibration Reduction image stabilization reduces the appearance of camera shake by approximately 5.5 stops to better enable handheld shooting in low-light situations.
Synchro VR is also supported when paired with compatible cameras featuring sensor-shift VR, which combines in-body VR with optical VR for improved results.
Professional Durability and Intuitive Handling
The updated design weighs 6.5 lb, making it 20% lighter than the F-mount 400mm f/2.8—and this Z-mount version features a built-in teleconverter. The physical design focuses the center of gravity around the tripod mount for smoother, more responsive panning, especially when working atop a tripod or monopod. The tripod mount also rotates for easier switching between vertical and horizontal shooting orientations.
- Advanced weather sealing incorporates rubber gaskets to prevent dust and moisture ingress, the lens body is made from lightweight and durable magnesium alloy, and the front and rear elements have a fluorine coating that easily repels dirt, moisture, and oils and is easier to clean.
- Compatible with optional Z-Teleconverter TC-1.4x and TC-2x to further extend the reach of this lens.
- An intuitive “no-look” control layout puts all of the frequently-used buttons and dials in easy-to-reach locations to prevent the need to move your eye from the viewfinder.
- Store a focusing position using the Memory Set button so you can instantly return to this by position by rotating the Fn ring—perfect for capturing fleeting movements.
- Two customizable L-Fn buttons can be set to configure subject tracking, AF lock, image playback, or other modes. The L-Fn2 button is also accessible from four different locations on the barrel for easy reach.
- Focus limiter switch can constrain the focus range to 19.7′-infinity and 8.2′-infinity ranges.
- A programmable Control Ring can also be used to control aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation.
- Kensington lock support for securing the lens in place during remote shooting sessions.
- Uses drop-in 46mm filters via the included filter holder.
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Matt Meisenheimer is a photographer based in Wisconsin. His artistry revolves around finding unique compositions and exploring locations that few have seen. He strives to capture those brief moments of dramatic light and weather, which make our grand landscapes so special. Matt loves the process of photography – from planning trips and scouting locations, taking the shot in-field, to post-processing the final image.
Matt is an active adventurer and wildlife enthusiast as well. He graduated with a degree in wildlife ecology and worked in Denali National Park and Mount Rainier National Park as a biologist. He also spent 6 months working in the deserts of Namibia before finding his path in photography. Matt’s passion for the wilderness has taken him to many beautiful places around the world.
As a former university teaching assistant, Matt is passionate about instruction. It is his goal to give his students the technical and creative knowledge they need to achieve their own photographic vision. He truly enjoys working with photographers on a personal level and helping them reach their goals.
You can see Matt’s work and portfolio on his webpage at www.meisphotography.com
Matt is an active adventurer and wildlife enthusiast as well. He graduated with a degree in wildlife ecology and worked in Denali National Park and Mount Rainier National Park as a biologist. He also spent 6 months working in the deserts of Namibia before finding his path in photography. Matt’s passion for the wilderness has taken him to many beautiful places around the world.
As a former university teaching assistant, Matt is passionate about instruction. It is his goal to give his students the technical and creative knowledge they need to achieve their own photographic vision. He truly enjoys working with photographers on a personal level and helping them reach their goals.
You can see Matt’s work and portfolio on his webpage at www.meisphotography.com
SEARCH THE BLOG
clear
Join our free photo-travel community group on Facebook. A great place to swap stories & share images with fellow photographers!
Live events & webinars from the comfort of your own home. Free webinars on a variety of photography related topics – from photo editing to composition & more.
Check out the BCJ Trip Calendar for all of our upcoming Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris!
FEATURED TRIP:
Dolomites in Summer
Dolomites in Summer
Discover the enchanting landscapes of the Dolomites in Summer. Capture breathtaking images of wildflowers, dramatic alpine peaks, and quaint villages on this world-class adventure!
UPCOMING TRIPS WITH AVAILABILITY
UPCOMING TRIPS WITH AVAILABILITY
[Block//Web Spots Left]
[Block//Trip//Trip Category (Destinations)]
[Block//Start Date %M d %+0]- [Block//End Date %M d, Y%+0]
From [Block//Current Price]
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
READ OUR NEWSLETTER FOR NEW TRIPS, ARTICLES, & PROMOS
READ OUR NEWSLETTER FOR NEW TRIPS, ARTICLES, & PROMOS
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.