Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8mm VR

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is a full-frame superzoom lens for the Nikon Z mount, covering 28mm to 400mm (14.2x range) in a weather-sealed, 725g body with built-in VR stabilisation, a 77mm filter thread, 0.2m minimum focus distance, and 0.35x maximum magnification.

Key Specifications

• Focal length: 28–400mm (14.2x zoom ratio)
• Aperture range: f/4–8 (wide) to f/22 (minimum)
• Lens mount: Nikon Z — full-frame FX format
• Image stabilisation: Yes, optical VR
• Weather sealing: Yes
• Lens construction: 15 groups / 21 elements
• Aperture blades: 9 (rounded)
• Filter thread: 77mm
• Minimum focus distance: 0.2m with 0.35x magnification
• Weight / length: 725g / 14.2cm
• Lens hood: Included

What makes the Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR special?

A 14x zoom range in a single, carry-everywhere lens is the headline story here. Starting at 28mm — wide enough for landscapes, interiors and environmental portraits — and reaching all the way to 400mm for wildlife, sports and compressed telephoto shots, this is genuinely one lens for almost every situation you'll face on a trip or a day out.

The obvious comparison is the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR, which is lighter and even more compact but tops out at 200mm. If 200mm is often not quite enough for you — birding, safari, stadium sports — the extra reach of the 28-400mm is a genuine upgrade. The trade-off is modest: a bit more weight and a slightly narrower wide end.

On the telephoto end, the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a dedicated wildlife zoom with a faster maximum aperture at 400mm (f/5.6 vs f/8) and S-line optical quality. Serious wildlife photographers will notice that one-stop difference in low light. But the 100-400mm doesn't start at 28mm — you'd need a second lens for anything wider. The 28-400mm is the single-lens answer to that problem.

The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is also frequently mentioned alongside the 28-400mm. It's lighter and has a faster aperture at 400mm, but misses the wide end entirely — 50mm is already a standard focal length, not a true wide angle. The NIKKOR Z 28-400mm wins on versatility; the Tamron wins on weight and aperture for dedicated telephoto work.

Build quality is a genuine surprise for a superzoom: weather sealing, a solid zoom ring action and consistent real-world image quality — particularly at 28mm — have impressed reviewers. It earns the label "better-than-expected" not just in optics but in how it feels on a mirrorless body all day.

Who is the Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR for?

This lens was designed around one idea: one lens, all day, everywhere. Here's who actually benefits most:

• Travellers and backpackers: Carrying a full lens kit overseas is exhausting. This replaces two or three lenses — wide, standard and telephoto — in a single 725g package. It's weather-sealed too, so a sudden downpour won't end your shoot.
• Wildlife and safari photographers: 400mm is the minimum useful reach for most wildlife. The 28-400mm gets you there and still lets you shoot a wide establishing shot of the landscape without a lens change.
• Sports and events: Theme parks, large-field sports, motorsport — anywhere you need to shoot both crowd atmosphere and tight action without swapping glass mid-event.
• Vloggers and solo creators: The 28mm wide end is useful for self-filming or environmental context shots; zoom in for interview-style compression without moving the camera.
• Landscape photographers pairing with a fast prime: Some photographers pair the 28-400mm with a fast wide-angle like the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S — the 28-400mm handles daylight versatility while the 14-24mm covers astro and low-light wide work.

If you shoot Nikon Z cameras and want one lens that covers everything from landscapes to wildlife without a swap, this is the practical choice. It's not the right lens if you need f/2.8 sharpness wide open or the absolute best optical performance at 400mm in dim conditions — but that's a different lens for a different purpose.

Buying a used Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR

Buying a used NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is a smart way to get into this versatile superzoom without paying the full retail price of a new copy. Here's what to check and what to feel confident about:

• Zoom ring smoothness: A 14x zoom range puts a lot of use through the zoom barrel. Work it from 28mm to 400mm several times — it should feel consistent and free from grinding or stiffness.
• Weather sealing integrity: Check for any signs of impact around the barrel seams. The weather sealing is one of the standout features of this lens; a dropped copy may have compromised it even if the glass looks fine.
• Autofocus function: Connect to a Nikon Z body and test AF at both ends of the zoom range. Focus should be quick and quiet; hesitation or hunting at 400mm is a red flag.
• Filter thread condition: The 77mm thread is a popular size. Inspect it for cross-threading from previous owners fitting filters carelessly.
• Optical elements: Hold the lens up to a light source and look through both ends for dust, fungus or separation. A small amount of internal dust is normal for a used zoom and rarely affects images; fungus is a deal-breaker.

Every pre-owned lens on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually photographed and professionally inspected before listing. Each item comes with a minimum 12 months warranty — the exact term is shown on the variant listing. If you want the reach of 400mm with genuine full-frame coverage without the cost of a new copy, a second-hand NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is well worth considering.