Looking to shoot from as far away as you can with your Nikon DSLR? There’s a new 400mm f/2.8 super-telephoto lens that’s ideal for sports, action, and outdoors photography. Imagine getting up-close to a player’s face from the sidelines or capture an animal without disturbing it – that’s the reason lenses like this exists. But you better have a good reason to own one, as the AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR lens will cost you a whopping $12,000. In addition, Nikon also has the new TC-14E III Teleconverter that extends the focal length of Nikkor telephoto lenses.
The new 400mm lens isn’t Nikon’s longest, and a popular 400mm lens (AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8G ED VR) was already available (it remains in the lineup, for $9,950). But the new lens, Nikon says, is 2-pounds lighter and more durable than the predecessor, with better autofocus, exposure accuracy, and speed. The “E” designation means the lens offers stable exposures in high-speed shooting. It uses a nine-blade aperture for sharp focus with nice background blurring. Vibration Reduction helps keep things steady, especially if you’re handholding the lens or panning on a monopod.
“The lens now contains two fluorite elements that, together with two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and Nano Crystal Coat, helps ensure outstanding performance with minimal chromatic aberration and flaring,” Nikon says. “The internal construction of the lens comprises 16 elements in 12 groups, and features an electromagnetic diaphragm, similar to that employed in the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6 lens.”
The new teleconverter increases the focal length by 1.4x, and only creates a one-stop loss of light. It’s compatible with only the new 400mm lens and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, but it retains all the functions of the lenses. Unlike previous versions, it offers improved durability and optical brilliance. The teleconverter will retail for $500. Both products will be available in August.
