After launching several very high-end lenses over the last two years, Nikon is making a small detour into the mainstream photo category by today announcing a travel zoom, the 28-400 mm f/4.0-8.0. An all-purpose zoom that extends from wide angle to large telephoto. See the super telephoto lens if it is mounted on the brand’s APS-C bodies, thus becoming a 42-600 mm!
Those in the know will immediately understand Nikon’s choice: sacrificing brightness (especially at the end of the zoom at f/8.0!) to achieve a large difference which allows the Japanese optician to offer a zoom coefficient of x14.2, very rare with 24×36 mm frames. This concession on the brightness side allows Nikon to ensure that the optical quality has been preserved – as much as possible with such an optical range. Note below the variations in maximum aperture depending on the focal length:
- f/4.0 at 28mm
- f/4.5 at 35mm
- f/5.6 at 50mm
- f/6.0 at 70mm
- f/6.3 at 105mm
- f/8 from 200mm to 400mm
The Japanese manufacturer announces an optical formula comprising 15 lenses organized in 12 groups, with four ED (low dispersion) lenses and three asphericals. We therefore have the right to expect beautiful images in broad daylight. The other side of the coin is that you will have to go up to high sensitivities as soon as the light drops. Designed to accommodate 77 mm filters, this lens is stabilized at five speeds (5 EV) and can be coupled with the mechanical stabilization of the sensor to offer a small additional gain (5.5 EV in total). The minimum focus is 20 cm at wide angle and 1.2 m at the zoom end. Which gives at best a coefficient of x0.35.
In terms of ergonomics, Nikon delivers here a beautiful 725g baby equipped with a zoom locking mechanism for transport or when keeping the camera slung over the shoulder (this prevents the barrel from unintentionally deploying). The rectangular lens hood makes it easier to manipulate the zoom ring when in the inverted position. And speaking of zoom, it is optimized to be fast since it only takes a quarter turn to go from 28 to 400 mm.
Several types of targets
Who is this type of optics for? If it is never possible to establish all the robot portraits and types of uses, we nevertheless remember that it can be the single optic which remains screwed onto a box (family device, travel box), the zoom of the secondary sports camera (to take a wide shot while having the possibility of zooming quickly), or even the Swiss army knife optics that we keep next to the more high-end optics to remedy the unexpected. Nikon also talks about safari optics for those who want to be satisfied with a single body – but beware of sunrises and sunsets… which are often the most interesting situations.
If the scenario of the first lens for a first-time buyer of Nikon’s full-frame hybrids remains possible, its price of €1,549 limits this scenario. Indeed, few newbies start with an optic that costs the price of their camera!
Nikon more powerful, but heavier than Panasonic
Last month, Panasonic also announced a transstandard, the Lumix S 28-200mm f/3.5-7.1. It will obviously be necessary to compare the optical quality on equivalent boxes (Lumix S5 against Nikon Z5 for example, both at 24 Mpx). But what Nikon gains in zoom power, it loses in several areas. Let us cite a relative loss of light at wide-angle (f/4 for Nikon compared to f/3.5 for Panasonic), a lower proxiphotography potential (magnification of x0.35 compared to x0.5 for Pana) and a much greater weight, since the Panasonic lens weighs only 413 g compared to 725 g for the Nikon model.
If we see two quite different visions of travel optics clashing, Nikon has the advantage of offering more choice, since it already has a 24-200 mm (which is both more wide, a little brighter, but heavier than the Panasonic).
The Nikon 28-400 mm f/4.0-8.0 will be available from April 18 at a price of €1,549.