Re: Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S images thread
urbanwild wrote: OwlsEyes wroteAfter selling this lens in April, I regretted the decision. There are times when G.A.S. even impacts a shooter who believes that it is all about being there and not about the gear. After spending years with the same gear, I often think I'm missing out and then I make an impulsive decision... and thus I sold my 100-400. Fast forward 5 months, and I've restructured my Nikon nature photography kit to meet my shooting style and tolerance for bad weather... Sold are the 70-200 f2.8S, 180-600, and even Z8.
My bag now consists of a pair of Z9s for their consistency in form, function, and battery. Wide angles are slow, but consistent 14-30S and 24-120S. And the telephotos are the 100-400S and 400TC. I'm capable of fitting it all in an FStop Tilopa and be ready for anything. So with that, I headed out on whale boat yesterday and gave the 100-400 a workout... It is as I remembered it... light, sharp, fast to focus, and easy to handle. I think these pictures speak for themselves and how good this lens is...
I only saw 3 breeches, and I managed to produce something decent from each one...
cheers,
bruceGreat shots! That second shot is just the perfect angle with its back curving.
Yes the 100-400 is extremely underrated on this board I think. It's incredibly versatile which the images on this board illustrate. The quality of images is slightly greater with the 70-200 2.8S in my opinion (and of course it's faster), but in the field having the 100-400 gives one more options. I haven't bought the 180-600 (yet?), but the size and weight of the 100-400 is a factor in that decision.
Thanks for the comment and compliment. The 100-400S is so versatile and is a lens that can be paired with a 24-120 or 24-70. This two lens kit is great for travel where landscape or human elements are your focus. While there are shaper optics, I do think that the AF is more snappy than the original 70-200S. I've had both at various times, and I love the 70-200S for its internal zoom, but I'm often focal length limited with that lens and have found that the 100-400S beats the 70-200S when I need a TC on the latter.
bruce
Sep 24, 2026 at 12:07 PM
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