The MOST EXPENSIVE Lens You’ll Never Own!!! Nikon 400mm f2.8 TC REVIEW

This is a Real World Review of the Nikon Z 400mm f2.8 TC and Nikon Z9 Firmware 2.0. I took this lens out to multiple Philadelphia Union Games and Phillies games on the Nikon Z9. Is the lens good? Did I run into any issues? This is your Real World Review.

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[chrisparkes]

What a time to be alive. The technology and quality being put out to market is stunning. Thanks for taking time to share your experience with this lens Jared.

[hankdinardo]

Jared tip number one for more shots in focus. Change the size of your AF box to initially acquire the subject then one button to for 3D tracking. Works great. And much better than what you've shown here.

[stevethompson]

When AF get stuck on the background would be a good time to use focus recall and get it back close to where you want it.

[brianlemke]

Thanks for the review. I’m going to own this lens; I have it on order as I’m writing this note. Hopefully, it arrives for me before senility.

Why? Well, I’m 65 years old, love bird and wildlife photography and, well, I have more money than brains. It looks fantastic.

I liked your examples with both the TC engaged and in crop mode, effectively an 800mm+ image at f/4. The high MP Z9 is made for these kind of shots; it will be great in sunrise/sunset/blue hour light.

BTW, I don’t own the Z9; waiting on the “Z850” or “Z500.”

[shaddring]

The broken bat image you captured was AMAZING. Great job!

[bird_whisperer]

Hello Jared. There are 2 long rectangle boxes in the focusing. One horizontal and 1vertical. The vertical may help you with sports subjects. I just purchased a Z9 and haven't used it yet. I'm really psyched! Been using the Z6II until purchasing the Z9. Traded my D5 because the shutter was too noisy photographing wildlife. Using silent shutter helps immensely. Have a great day Jared!

[mikeaugustin]

Jared-Awesome review (as usual). I am a sportsshooter and I also noticed, as you described, the 3D People auto-focus failing to reacquire the subject after losing focus lock. I have a simple solution that really works great (for me anyway...). I program the "half-shutter" in Area-Wide (or small, or any other preferred setting EXCEPT for 3D). As I look through the viewfinder, I hit the half-shutter auto-focus that will acquire focus lock 99% of the time. I then switch to the back-button that is programmed for 3D People and it will pick-up the subject auto-focus tracking from the half-shutter focus from I left off. If I lose 3D lock again, I simply press the half-shutter again and it will relock. I then press the back-button focus (3D) and continue. This may sound like a lot of coordination effort at first, but you will be surprised at how easy it becomes, and eventually, your muscle memory will quickly reprogram itself. I cannot opine on the 400mm Z TC lens as my Day-1 release NPS Priority Delivery order with B&H has been on "backorder for over 4 months now (as of 5/22/22), How did you get yours?? I used to live in Bensalem and Allen's was my "go-to" brick & mortar photo store.

[AndyMillerPhotoUK]

Nice fair / balanced vid as usual -- It will not be the most expensive if the 600/4 comes out with a TC as well later this year -- which will be 15% more than the Z400/2.8TC. Big Cats in Africa and Eagles in Scotland these are subjects I shoot.
With the 400/2.8TC you can reach 1, 120mm f/8 when using the internal and external TC.
2 Control Rings -- the biggest challenge with a Z9 and the 400TC is remembering what roles you have assigned to which button and ring AND Shooting/Menu Bank.
Assign your Fn2 button to focus to about 5m to recover from the stuck in the background issue.
Shoot the ball at 1/10, 000 not 1/4, 000th ad the ball will be round

[kurtkemnitzer]

Hi Jared, I’m a wildlife photographer using Z9 and 400 2.8 E (f mount). I have had the same issues with focus pushing to background and not coming back to subject even though green tracking box is on my subject. That said, seems to be a Z9 issue and not the lens. Still happening with firmware 2.0. Thanks for this review.

[OkwyUgonweze]

Customize your fn buttons to different af patterns, change as required. That's what I do or give the lens a little nudge to the lens . There is no single do it all af, you have to know when to deploy 3D, auto area and dynamic area, avoid shutter af as it will mess up any other af you have assigned to the FN buttons the moment the depress it. It goes back to the af you assigned to the shutter button.

[bigboi]

Another thorough review, kudos Jared. But I must say with all the Nikon quirks . These are some of the best sport images of late you have produced. I also LOVE the fact the input by seasoned professionals that use Nikon giving you pro advice and tips. The Z9 is definitely a unique camera. That is Nikon though. A lil' quirky. But I'll have it NO Other way . ViVa LA Nikon!

[theresalevans]

I love the photos, but you're right. Still needs a couple of tweaks. I'd love to get that print, by the way. Husband was a summertime Philadelphia boy. We live in Maryland and he still watches anything Philadelphia. lol

[VABrowneMDPhD]

Jared, it seems that most of the time when the camera missed focus on the subject and focused on the background, instead, the subject was in profile. The eye-detect AF appeared to focus on people in the background who were facing the camera or on the seats where there were strongly contrasting vertical and horizontal lines.

[jamesseward]

Brilliant! Now only if Canon would do the same thing with other lenses! Or maybe come up with an adapter that allows to switch on and off the 1.4 TC on any lens! 😊

[rdog]

This was a great video and well put together. Thank you. I have no need for this lens nor do I shoot Nikon, but but they have a great system and photos are really good. Way to go Fro and Nikon.

[MuphovieArts]

This is most beautiful photo I ever seen in your channel so far.. The colors are dope..

[TheFastraptor]

I would love that photo to put on my office wall! Still waiting to get my Z9. Hopefully soon! Thanks for all the knowledge you provide.

[SanGioSports]

I’ve had the same issue with my Z9 on the f-mount 400mm getting stuck and refusing to focus even though the box turns green. Thought it was a problem with the FTZ adapter. And I want that print. Awesome shot.

[Blaidd]

It’s nice to hear that Nikon is close to having a Pro Capture mode like Olympus has had for years.

[thomasgrahamdavies]

Thanks for the great video. I see the camera settings like ISO etc on the screen, but are you using an auto ISO for these great shots?