where there’s smoke there’s fire

As already reported, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S mirrorless lens for Z-mount is now officially announced with a price tag of $14k and a new Meso Amorphous coating. Here are the details:

• Pre-orders: 

• Additional coverage at Explora and 42 West
• Sample photos 1
• Sample photos 2

• Employs a new coating, Meso Amorphous Coat, that provides the highest anti-reflection performance in NIKKOR history.
• Adopts the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate and quiet AF control.
• Various aberrations, including chromatic aberration, are effectively compensated with the adoption of two ED glass elements, a super ED glass element, two fluorite lens elements, and an SR lens element, which also contributes to a lightweight body.
• Features a built-in teleconverter that extends the focal length by 1.4x, allowing the lens to cover two focal lengths — 400 mm and 560 mm. The easily accessible teleconverter switch enables smooth changing of the focal length without changing shooting posture.
• Consideration given to lighter weight with adoption of a fluorite lens element and magnesium alloy.
• Supports an optical VR function with an effect equivalent to a shutter speed 5.5 stops faster, with a powerful effect regardless of whether the teleconverter is in use. Synchro VR is available when paired with the Nikon Z 9.
• Superior dust- and drip-resistant performance is ensured by sealing adopted in various areas including movable parts of the lens barrel as well as a rubber gasket around the lens mount, while excellent anti-fouling performance is achieved with a fluorine coat on the surface of the front-most lens element.
• The first NIKKOR Z lens to adopt the Memory Recall function, with which a frequently used focus position can be stored and quickly recalled by rotating the Fn ring.
• Video recording is supported by incredibly quiet operation, focus breathing compensation that effectively reduces shifting of the angle of view when adjusting focus, and natural exposure changes when altering the aperture.
• Adoption of a control ring enables smooth operation for comfortable video recording.
• Supports use of the Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x and Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0x.
• MTF charts and lens design diagram:

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