Why Buying a $14,000 Lens Made Sense for Me

When Nikon announced the new Z 400mm f/2.8 TC lens, lots of people asked if I was going to buy one. My answer? “No way, I’d be crazy to spend $14,000 on one lens.” So I guess I’m crazy, because now I have one. Here’s what happened that changed my mind.

Without taking my eye away from the viewfinder, I can reach this lever with the middle finger of my right hand and instantly switch from 400mm to 560mm (1X to 1.4X).

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An uncropped image. Nikon Z 9, Shutter Priority, Custom white balance, 1/1000 at f/2.8, 1400 ISO, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC lens.

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This image is also uncropped. Nikon Z 9, Shutter Priority, Custom white balance, 1/1000 at f/4, 2800 ISO (I had Auto ISO turned on), Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 with 1.4X teleconverter engaged for 560mm.

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Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 4000, 1/200 at f/4 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC with 1.4X engaged for 560mm.

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Nikon Z 9, Shutter Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 2200, 1/5000 at f/5.6 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC with 2X teleconverter for 800mm.

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Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 900, 1/2500 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC with both the 1.4X teleconverter engaged and the 2X teleconverter added for a total of 1120mm.

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Why Buying a $14,000 Lens Made Sense for Me

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Without taking my eye away from the viewfinder, I can reach this lever with the middle finger of my right hand and instantly switch from 400mm to 560mm (1X to 1.4X).

Brought to you by pixaocean

An uncropped image. Nikon Z 9, Shutter Priority, Custom white balance, 1/1000 at f/2.8, 1400 ISO, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC lens.

Brought to you by pixaocean

This image is also uncropped. Nikon Z 9, Shutter Priority, Custom white balance, 1/1000 at f/4, 2800 ISO (I had Auto ISO turned on), Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 with 1.4X teleconverter engaged for 560mm.

Brought to you by pixaocean

Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 4000, 1/200 at f/4 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC with 1.4X engaged for 560mm.

Brought to you by pixaocean

Nikon Z 9, Shutter Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 2200, 1/5000 at f/5.6 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC with 2X teleconverter for 800mm.

Brought to you by pixaocean

Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 900, 1/2500 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC with both the 1.4X teleconverter engaged and the 2X teleconverter added for a total of 1120mm.

Brought to you by pixaocean