Many photographers using Nikon Z series cameras find themselves in a common quest: seeking a telephoto lens that offers both impressive reach and manageable size. The desire for a more compact setup, especially for genres like wildlife or bird photography, often leads to exploring options around the 400mm focal length. This exploration frequently involves considering lenses like the Nikon Z 100-400mm, but the question arises: is this the optimal solution, or are there better ways to achieve that sought-after balance?
One photographer’s experience highlights this very dilemma. Initially using a Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens, a popular choice for its reach, paired with a Nikon D500, the user felt the bulk and inconvenience when traveling or hiking. The Nikon Z system, with its promise of smaller and lighter lenses, seemed like a potential solution. The natural step was to try the Nikon Z 100-400mm lens, often considered a versatile telephoto zoom for the Z mount. To extend its reach, the Z 1.4x Teleconverter was added, aiming to get closer to that 600mm reach while maintaining a more compact form factor.
However, the results were somewhat mixed. While the autofocus performance was indeed improved with the native Z lens, and features like manual focus peaking were appreciated, the overall package left something to be desired. Even with the teleconverter, the maximum reach was only 540mm (400mm x 1.4), still falling short of the 600mm offered by the Tamron 150-600mm. Furthermore, the aperture became slower, at f/8 compared to the f/6.3 of the 150-600mm at its maximum reach. The slight improvement in sharpness wasn’t enough to justify these tradeoffs. Despite being smaller than the 150-600mm combo, the Nikon Z 100-400mm with the teleconverter was still a sizable setup. Ultimately, for this user, the Nikon Z 400mm combination in this configuration didn’t quite hit the sweet spot.
Interestingly, the search for a truly compact yet powerful telephoto solution led to exploring alternatives outside the Nikon ecosystem. For around the same price as the Nikon lens and teleconverter, the photographer opted for an OM System OM-1 camera paired with the 100-400mm M. Zuiko lens. This combination offered a significantly smaller and lighter package, making it ideal for travel and hiking. Crucially, it provides an equivalent reach of 800mm in 35mm terms due to the Micro Four Thirds sensor. While the OM-1 has a 20MP sensor compared to the Z9’s 45MP, the author points out that shooting in DX crop mode on the Z9 with the 100-400mm and teleconverter also results in a 20MP image, but with less effective reach and a larger overall system. Features like RAW precapture on the OM-1 and impressive image sharpness further strengthened its appeal as a compact birding kit.
The decision wasn’t about abandoning the Nikon Z system entirely. The Z9 remains the preferred choice for local photography or situations where size and weight are not major concerns. The anticipation for the Nikon Z 200-600mm lens is also mentioned, indicating continued interest in expanding the Nikon Z lens lineup for telephoto needs. However, for users prioritizing portability and a long reach, especially for applications like bird photography, the OM System OM-1 emerges as a compelling alternative. The author also touches upon underwater photography as another use case where the smaller size of the OM-1 system offers significant advantages. Even considering high-end options like the OM System 150-400mm f4 PRO lens, which offers a constant aperture zoom equivalent to 300-800mm, the emphasis remains on versatility and a more manageable size compared to some full-frame telephoto options.
In conclusion, while the Nikon Z 400mm focal range is well-served by lenses like the 100-400mm, photographers seeking the ultimate in portability and reach for applications like birding might find compelling alternatives outside the full-frame Nikon Z system. Exploring options like the OM System OM-1 with its Micro Four Thirds lenses can offer a different balance of size, weight, and telephoto capability, ultimately catering to diverse photographic needs and priorities.
