(Somewhat silly) question for my photographer friends: Is it still a mirrorless camera if I attach a reflex telephoto lens to it?
Nikon is Developing Z-Mount 400mm f/2.8 with Built-In 1.4x Teleconverter
Nikon has announced that it is developing a new 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S prime lens with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter for Nikon Z-mount, which will be the first super-telephoto lens made for Nikon's mirrorless system.
The new Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S prime lens will belong to the S-Line of Nikon Z Lenses that the company states "pursues the ultimate in optical performance." The super-zoom prime lens will feature a built-in 1.4x teleconverter and a new coating that Nikon promises will deliver the highest quality anti-reflection performance in Nikkor lens history.
The company says the lens will have the ability render incredibly realistic and high-resolution color while also providing what Nikon describes as a beautiful and smooth bokeh pattern. The company also says this lens will be very useful for action, sports, and wildlife photographers, as well as being quite useful for videographers who aim to capture footage of the same genres. At the time of publication, PetaPixel was not provided specific details on this new coating, the expected price, nor when the lens is expected to come to market.
In fact, other than the included image and the few notes above, Nikon provided scant little information about the lens.
If the amount of time it took Nikon to go from announcing the development of the Z9 to actually fully unveiling the camera is any indication of wait time, however, it will likely be several months before more is revealed. On that note, the current parts shortage and global supply chain disruptions are likely to delay any new product even further, so it's safe to assume the lens won't be available until 2022.
The most recent 400mm f/2.8 that Nikon has produced would be the AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens which was originally released in 2014. It doesn't include a built-in teleconverter and the exterior of the lens looks substantially different from the image provided of the new mirrorless 400mm f/2.8, so it's likely safe to assume that Nikon has redesigned or changed the optical formula.
If so, that would be a departure from Canon's choice to simply build in an EF to RF mount adapter into its latest 400mm lens. there isn't really any indication that Canon's choice made an inferior lens, but the choice did add a bit of length to the lens that could have probably been avoided if Canon had chosen to change the optical formula. In Canon's defense, its choice did allow it to release the optic much faster than it appears it will take Nikon to produce its new one.
#equipment #news #14x #400mm #announcement #development #developmentannouncement #ftz2 #ftzii #mirrorless #mountadapter #nikkor400mmf28tcvrs #nikon #nikonz #nikonzmount #supertelephoto #teleconverter #zmount
Nikon Launches Z-Mount 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 and 24-120mm f/4 Lenses
Nikon has announced two new zoom lenses for its Z-mount mirrorless system: the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S and the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S. The company also launched a second-generation FTZ adapter.
The two new zoom lenses are the latest additions to the S-Line of lenses from Nikon that are designed to give reach to its system and provide creators with a way to get closer to the action. The new FTZ II adapter has been designed to adapt F-mount lenses onto the new Nikon Z9.
Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
The new Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S telephoto zoom lens is designed with sports and wildlife photographers in mind. Featuring a combination of a wide focal range and wide apertures, the lens will be suitable for professionals and hobbyists alike. The company promises incredible sharpness and clarity with minimal aberration and color fringing even at the maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range.
According to the company, this new lens is the lightest in its class and weighs just 1,255 grams (2.98 pounds), which Nikon says makes it easy to shoot handheld without the assistance of a tripod or a monopod. The lens is built with a small 80-degree rotation angle and a new "inner balance technology" that will help minimize the weight shift caused by zooming. This new rotation angle is the shortest in its class, allowing shooters to rotate from the wide-angle to telephoto in just a single motion. The system will also help reduce the amount of focus breathing that occurs during a zoom while the 5.5 stop optical VR will help reduce any shake for smooth video and crisp stills.
Nikon states that the axial chromatic aberration has been significantly reduced by the adoption of Super ED glass and ED glass elements that allow for clear images across the entire frame from maximum aperture. The company has adopted both the original Nano Crystal Coat as well as the ARNEO Coat to reduce ghost and flare effects, even with backlit situations.
According to the technical specifications, this new zoom lens can be extended to 560mm and 800mm through the use of supported teleconverters and provides the highest maximum reproduction ratio of 0.38x (at the maximum telephoto position) in its class. This allows for a minimum focusing distance of 0.75 meters (2.46 feet).
The lens was built with video shooting in mind, featuring a reduced shifting of focus position when zooming in or out and a click-less control ring for smooth operation and reduced operational sound. Additionally, the lens is weather-resistant with improved dust and drip-resistant capability.
Below are sample images captured with the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, provided by Nikon:
The Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S will be available for purchase by the end of the year for $2,700.
Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 S
Nikon believes that the new Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens provides shooters with an incredibly useful focal range for nearly any scenario from landscape and portraits to event and concert photography. The 5x zoom lens works well for both still images and video with a constant f/4 aperture. Combined with its light 630g weight, the new 24-120mm f/4 lens is billed as an ideal walkabout or travel lens.
The new S-line lens offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.39x at the maximum telephoto position and has a short minimum focus distance of just 0.35 meters at the max wide-angle position, which Nikon says gives photographers more flexibility and the ability get close to subjects. The lens uses a multi-focusing system that has two stepping motors (STM) that Nikon says allow for fast, precise, and quiet autofocus in both still and video modes. Compensation for chromatic aberration is achieved using three ED glass elements, one aspherical ED glass element, and three aspherical elements in the optical system.
Like the 100-400mm lens, the 24-120mm features dust and drip-resistant weather sealing and features a click-less control ring for smooth operation and reduced noise during video recording. The lens is also designed to help reduce focus shift while zooming. Additionally, the lens has the original Nikon Nano Crystal Coat along with the ARNEO coat to reduce ghost and flare effects.
Below are a set of sample images taken with the 24-120mm f/4 S lens, provided by Nikon:
The Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S will be available for $1,100 by the end of 2021.
Nikon FTZII Adapter
Thirdly, Nikon has announced a new F- to Z-mount adapter, the FTZ II. The new and improved adapter improves upon the usability of the existing FTZ adapter with a new streamlined design and minimal projections making it easier to use with a vertical grip, which is especially important given the recent announcement of the Z9. The new adapter has had the tripod socket removed making the overall size of the adapter smaller and more comfortable to shoot with and allows it to be more compatible with a wider variety of tripod plates.
The Mount Adapter FTZ II will be available to purchase for $250 by the end of the year.
#equipment #news #ftz #ftzadapter #ftzii #ftziiadapter #lenses #mirrorless #nikkor100400mmf4556vrs #nikkor24120f4s #nikon #nikonftziiadapter #nikonlens #nikonz #nikonzmount #sline #telephoto #telephotolens #zoom
Jacek Staszczuk
Michael Hanscom
petapixel (unofficial)
