Nikon Announces New AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR

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Looks good but won't be cheap..

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...elephoto-zoom-lens-at-ces-2018-300579476.html

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CES BOOTH #14018 -- Today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Nikon Inc. announced the new AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR super-telephoto zoom lens, which is ideally suited for photographing sports and wildlife with astounding speed and clarity. This professional level FX-format lens is more versatile than ever, and has been updated with the newest NIKKOR lens technologies including Nikon's first ever built-in teleconverter and an advanced optical formula to enhance performance and minimize weight.

"This lens is a great example of how Nikon continues to push the boundaries of innovation and what's possible with pro-level optics and high-end imaging equipment," said Kosuke Kawaura, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc.

Popular Pro-Level Lens Gets Even More Versatile
This new NIKKOR lens is a professional super-telephoto zoom lens, which is even more versatile with an extended wide range of 180-400mm, and a constant f/4 aperture to easily isolate a subject from the sidelines, even in challenging light. This is also the first NIKKOR lens to include a built-in 1.4X teleconverter, allowing photographers to seamlessly swap to a 252-560mm1 (FX-format) focal range. The teleconverter is engaged at the flick of a switch, and is easily operated with a single finger while looking through the viewfinder. When used on the Nikon D500 and other DX-format DSLRs, the focal length is the equivalent of 270-600mm (378-840mm with teleconverter engaged).

Whether capturing fast-moving winter sports on the slopes or elusive wildlife at a distance, photographers can shoot with confidence from this high performance NIKKOR lens. The new 180-400mm f/4 is optimized for high-speed capture, and features an electromagnetic diaphragm, helping to create smooth and consistent exposures while shooting high-speed bursts of images. What's more, the AF tracking algorithm controlling the motor drive has been enhanced to increase tracking performance of fast moving subjects. When using cameras equipped with Nikon's advanced 153-point AF system (D5, D500, D850), the outer row of AF points are activated as cross-type sensors to significantly enhance the AF coverage throughout the frame.2

Enhanced Performance with the Addition of New Technology
The lens now uses a fluorite element, which contributes to improved balance while minimizing weight. To further enhance handling and agility, the lens has adopted a new ball-bearing tripod collar ring to create a seamless transition from shooting horizontal to vertical composition. The VR mechanism offers a normal and sports mode, with up to four stops3 of compensation to help create sharp images, even when handheld.

The lens construction includes the use of durable magnesium alloy for weight reduction, while the lens is also sealed against dust and moisture. A fluorine coating is also used to help repel water droplets and dirt.

The optical formula of the lens uses eight Extra Low Dispersion (ED) elements, doubling the amount of ED elements used by its predecessor, the NIKKOR 200-400mm. These help to provide extremely sharp and detailed images and 4KUHD / 1080p video, and is ideally mated to high resolution Nikon DSLR cameras. Nikon's exclusive Nano Crystal Coat is used to effectively suppress instances of ghosting and flare.

Price and Availability
The AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens will be available in March 2018 for a suggested retail price of $12,399.954. For more information on this NIKKOR lens and other Nikon products, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
 
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this sounds like an incredible upgrade for the 200-400, I'm very jealous of a colleague's canon 200-400 with 1.4xTC...... alas too rich for me to upgrade...
 
will this not, to some extent make the 200-500 redundant as well as the 200-400 if you can have 180-400 F4 and 252-560 f5.6
 
jamesev said:
will this not, to some extent make the 200-500 redundant as well as the 200-400 if you can have 180-400 F4 and 252-560 f5.6
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the 200-500 has a very different target market so woldnt expect that to impact it directly. I look at this as the direct replacment for the current 200-400 but with the big price difference i can see both continuing for a while yet.
 
I had heard the rumours and thought there would be a replacement. Disappointed to see it weigh more than the current 200-400, and £11k I won't be upgrading at any point soon. I've had my 200-400 up for sale but it's just not making financial sense to sell and downgrade to any other lens. This announcement makes me think twice as financial speaking there isn't many real options.

Waiting to see the 300 f2.8 and 200 f2 details being released, they can't be far off a replacement.

Anything why can't Nikon/canon release these on/off TCs as a standalone fit to any lens? If they did that I would buy one in a heardbeat.
 
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rob-nikon said:
Anything why can't Nikon/canon release these on/off TCs as a standalone fit to any lens? If they did that I would buy one in a heardbeat.
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now THAT would be very cool indeed
 
jamesev said:
will this not, to some extent make the 200-500 redundant as well as the 200-400 if you can have 180-400 F4 and 252-560 f5.6
Click to expand...

Do you think a tog spending £1200 on a 200-500 is going to suddenly think, "Oh I'll get this new one at £12000" ... realistically it will be a very limited customer base, I'm not even sure that it would make a good wildlife replacement.
 
rob-nikon said:
Anything why can't Nikon/canon release these on/off TCs as a standalone fit to any lens? If they did that I would buy one in a heardbeat.
Click to expand...
Kaolin said:
I would also love this but I doubt it is possible, as the TC in the 180-400 does not sit at the back of the lens but is inserted before the rear element. I guess this get round the problem of the 'empty' TC acting as an extension tube when not in use.
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Absolutely, agree 100%.

Here's what you see if you cut a Canon 200-400 in half. The built-in extender is the bit I've highlighted in yellow. You can see that there are a couple more optical elements behind it.

upload_2018-1-9_14-5-24.png
 
Not that I'm interested in any way shape or form in a £12k lens, but I've always been intrigued with the Canon lens (and now the new Nikon one), how the TC actually get's operated. I.e. when it's not needed how does it "move" out of the way as there doesn't appear to be enough space inside to "swivel" the elements out of the way ?
 
StewartR said:
Absolutely, agree 100%.

Here's what you see if you cut a Canon 200-400 in half. The built-in extender is the bit I've highlighted in yellow. You can see that there are a couple more optical elements behind it.

View attachment 117996
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that makes a lot of sense, thanks.

If they did a 70-200 with one built in, I'd pay whatever they wanted....
 
Kaolin said:
I would also love this but I doubt it is possible, as the TC in the 180-400 does not sit at the back of the lens but is inserted before the rear element. I guess this get round the problem of the 'empty' TC acting as an extension tube when not in use.
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StewartR said:
Absolutely, agree 100%.

Here's what you see if you cut a Canon 200-400 in half. The built-in extender is the bit I've highlighted in yellow. You can see that there are a couple more optical elements behind it.

View attachment 117996
Click to expand...
I thought there would be a reason why it's not been done. It was more of a 'that would be fantastic' idea rather than the reality of the physics of it. It wouldn't make too much financial sense to offer a product like that as it could potentially erode other lens sales. Adding build in TCs is an interesting idea, guessing cost is the big consideration why they are not added to the f2.8 primes.

Son_of_Thor said:
Not a great surprise though really given the TC built-in and mechanism for switching it on/off
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I guess adding the TC and on/off mechanism has added some weight. It's 100g lighter than the canon equivalent but I would have hoped to see an overall weight loss from the move to FL glass. The new 500mm dropped 800g (3.9kg to 3.1kg) but I guess the optical design of a zoom with built in TC makes that harder to make a difference.
 
StewartR said:
Absolutely, agree 100%.

Here's what you see if you cut a Canon 200-400 in half. The built-in extender is the bit I've highlighted in yellow. You can see that there are a couple more optical elements behind it.

View attachment 117996
Click to expand...

When you see stuff like this, you can see why some lenses cost £k's
 
Circa £12k :eek; :eek: :eek: Will be interesting to see how it compares to the Canon 200-400mm f4 with inbuilt 1.4 TC
 
Start price £11k I guess £10k in 12 months (assuming the currency holds up...) I sold my 200-400 before Christmas due to lack of use and its on going requirement for a new motor every few years. I won't be saving to replace it at his price, will look at a 200 or 300 prime. Up close the 200-400 was fantastic but mine was less predictable at distance.
 
Lens hood = $579, lens cap = $65

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Ha
 
Has anybody seen any of these lenses "in the wild" yet?
Does anybody actually have one?

I've got a couple on order but it's frustrating not knowing how long they will take to arrive.
 
StewartR said:
Has anybody seen any of these lenses "in the wild" yet?
Does anybody actually have one?

I've got a couple on order but it's frustrating not knowing how long they will take to arrive.
Click to expand...
The only one I’ve seen was on the Nikon Stand at the photography show back in March, not seen anyone use one. Would have thought you would be one of the first on Nikons priority list for stock (there must be a few that hire from you to test prior to placing an order for such an expensive lens).
 
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