Masahide Speaks | Rendering Power and Operability Supporting the Shooting Experience | NIKKOR Z 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VR S | Knowledge #437

Creators who are passionate about photography share their stories with their cameras. The notion of a “beloved camera” reflects each individual’s worldview and values. In this feature, Masahide, who uses the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VR S, makes an appearance.

Even during long shooting sessions, it remains comfortable and easy to operate as intended. Moreover, there is no unnecessary stress during RAW processing. The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VR S is truly an ideal lens, combining rendering performance and operability to support daily shooting experiences. Its appeal is discussed, including differences from third-party lenses and impressions from field use.

This is a highly recommended lens for those who value capturing exactly what they see.

This is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens for Z mount, covering a focal length range of 100-400mm with a maximum aperture of F/4.5-5.6. Despite its lightweight design at approximately 1,435g, the use of ED and SR lens elements achieves high-resolution rendering with minimized chromatic aberration. With a minimum focusing distance of 0.75m, it is capable of close-up shooting and is versatile enough for everything from landscapes to moving subjects.

The most important characteristic I seek in a lens is that it does not interfere with shooting. It should render what I see without unnecessary embellishment. Additionally, operability that allows me to focus on shooting is crucial.

NIKKOR lenses provide a reliable sense of confidence that does not hinder the shooting process. The same is true for the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VR S; what I like most is that it is a lens I can handle exactly as I intend, both in terms of rendering and operability.

In terms of rendering, compared to when I used third-party lenses, I clearly feel that the time required for RAW processing has been reduced.

This is likely due to the rich color rendition and minimal aberration, but above all, the lens’s straightforward ability to capture the scene as it is eliminates any disconnect between the image at the time of shooting and during post-processing.

This lens also demonstrates meticulous attention to operability. First, it is a black lens, which is a significant advantage for Nikon users.

The black body offers high heat resistance while not obstructing the field of view during shooting—a design unique to Nikon, which prioritizes the shooting experience.

Furthermore, features such as the zoom ring’s rotation angle and the design that prevents the front element from dropping due to its own weight eliminate factors that could hinder tracking a subject in front of you.

For a lens with a focal length often used for photographing moving subjects, the ability to transition smoothly from spotting a subject to shooting is a key reason I want to keep using this lens.