Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Autofocus FX Lens for Z-Mount, Black {77} with Kirk LP-70 Tripod Foot

Nikon's S-Line super telephoto zoom built for Z mount speed.

The 100-400mm focal range covers the practical core of wildlife and sports work, and this lens handles it in a 3.2 lb package that won't wreck your back on a full-day shoot. The optical construction runs 25 elements across 20 groups, tuned to S-Line standards, which means the resolving power holds up at 400mm where lesser telephoto zooms tend to fall apart. Minimum focus distance sits at 2.5 ft at 100mm, which gives you genuine close-quarters capability that traditional super telephotos can't match.

Stabilization comes from two directions: optical VR built into the lens, and compatibility with in-body VR on Z-series bodies for up to 5.5 stops of combined compensation. Inner Balance Technology maintains a near-constant center of gravity as you zoom, keeping the lens from nose-diving on a gimbal or shifting awkwardly during handheld panning. Two STM motors drive autofocus in near silence, which matters as much in a bird blind as it does on a video set. Speaking of video: focus breathing suppression and smooth aperture transitions make this a real telephoto option for cinematographers, not just an afterthought. Pair it with the 1.4x or 2x Z teleconverters and you're out to 560mm or 800mm without sacrificing AF point coverage.

Who It's For

Wildlife photographers get a lens that closes to 2.5 ft, enabling frame-filling shots of small subjects without switching glass. Sports shooters benefit from dual STM autofocus motors that track fast, erratic movement at 400mm with minimal noise. Video operators working handheld or on gimbals will find the constant center of gravity and focus breathing suppression genuinely useful for telephoto narrative work. Travel photographers who need one do-everything telephoto will appreciate that 3.2 lbs covers 100mm through 400mm on any full-frame or DX Z-mount body.

Key Features

• 100-400mm zoom range with 2.5 ft close focus at 100mm
• S-Line optics: 25 elements, 20 groups for edge-to-edge sharpness
• Optical VR plus in-body VR compatibility delivers 5.5 stops stabilization
• Inner Balance Technology maintains constant center of gravity through zoom
• Dual STM motors enable silent autofocus with focus breathing suppression
• Compatible with 1.4x and 2x Z teleconverters, extends to 560-800mm
• 3.2 lb weight with full-frame Z mount design

FAQ

What's the closest you can focus with this lens at 100mm and 400mm?

2.5 feet at 100mm, 3.22 feet at 400mm. That close-focusing capability lets you work macro-style details into wildlife and sports work without switching glass.

How much stabilization do you get when pairing the lens VR with a Z camera body?

Up to 5.5 stops of combined compensation on full-frame Z bodies with in-body VR (Z 9, Z 8, Z 6 III, etc.). On DX-format cameras like the Z 50, you get 2-axis optical VR from the lens alone.

Does this lens work with Nikon's teleconverters?

Yes. The 1.4x extends you to 140-560mm and the 2x takes you to 200-800mm. You keep full autofocus coverage and AF point density with either converter.

How does Inner Balance Technology affect handling?

As you zoom from 100mm to 400mm, the center of gravity stays within 3.8mm of constant. No nose-dive on a gimbal, no awkward weight shift during panning. The lens physically extends but feels balanced throughout the zoom range.

Is the autofocus quiet enough for video work?

Two STM stepping motors drive focus in near silence. Combined with focus breathing suppression and smooth aperture transitions, this lens works as a real video telephoto, not just a photo lens adapted for motion.

What's the weight and how does that compare to traditional super telephotos?

3.2 lbs with the tripod foot included. That's significantly lighter than fixed super telephotos while maintaining S-Line optical standards and a usable 100mm minimum focal length.

Which Nikon mount is this, and does it work on DX-format cameras?

Nikon Z mount only. It covers full-frame FX sensors but also works on DX-format Z cameras (Z 50, Z fc) with a 1.5x crop factor applied to the focal length.