First Nikon Z-mount super-telephotos arrive, with travel zoom and new FTZ adapter

(Image credit: Nikon)

If you can bear to think about anything other than the recently announced Nikon Z9’s truly eye-watering specs, Nikon has also announced a trio of Z lenses and a slick-looking successor to its FTZ mount adapter.

Alongside the new Nikon Z9 flagship professional camera, The Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S and Mount Adapter FTZ II have all been revealed.

In keeping with the Nikon Z9’s credentials as a top-notch sports and wildlife camera, Nikon has unveiled its first Z-series super-telephoto zoom lens, which we were able to have a brief play with. The lens has a 5.5-stop Vibration Reduction system and is compatible with Z-mount teleconverters. While we don’t have full technical details of the lens at present, we know it includes ED and Super ED lens elements, along with Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO coatings to improve image quality, as well as featuring pro weather sealing and a non-stick fluorine coating.

A minimum focus distance of just 0.75m at the wide-angle end and 0.98m when zoomed in is mighty impressive for a telephoto lens. Most notably, an internal lens element has been cleverly engineered to move when zooming in and out to maintain a consistent centre of gravity. This should help provide additional stability when shooting handheld and could prove extremely useful when using a gimbal head. The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is set to retail at $2,699/£2,699.

The image you see here aside, we don’t have much more to go on… It does appear there's a control ring and lens function button, though it doesn’t appear to have an LCD (from this angle at least). Nikon has said the lens features “a design that supports video recording…”, so we’re expecting minimal focus breathing, a super-slick manual focus ring and silent AF. We don’t have any pricing details either, but expect it to be eye-watering. As a guide, Nikon’s AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR will set you back the best part of $11,000/£12,000 – and that’s without an in-built teleconverter…

If the aforementioned smorgasbord of goodies wasn’t enough, Nikon’s FTZ adapter is getting an update in the form of the Mount Adapter FTZ II. This is a purely ergonomical upgrade and while compatibility and performance will remain the same (roughly 360 compatible F-mount lenses), gone is the unsightly and awkward lump at the base of the adapter. This should make vertical shooting much more comfortable, which will pair perfectly with the Z9’s vertical-friendly button layout. Another welcome change is the price; the FTZ II’s RRP of $249/£249 is roughly £20 cheaper than its predecessor in the UK!

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Mike is Deputy Editor for N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, and brings with him over 10 years experience writing both freelance and for some of the biggest specialist publications. Prior to joining N-Photo Mike was the production editor for the content marketing team of Wex Photo Video, the UK’s largest online specialist photographic retailer, where he sharpened his skills in both the stills and videography spheres.

While he’s an avid motorsport photographer, his skills extend to every genre of photography – making him one of Digital Camera World’s top tutors for techniques on cameras, lenses, tripods, filters and other imaging equipment, as well as sharing his expertise on shooting everything from portraits and landscapes to abstracts and architecture to wildlife and, yes, fast things going around race tracks.

First Nikon Z-mount super-telephotos arrive, with travel zoom and new FTZ adapter

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

Mount Adapter FTZ II

Related articles