Nikon has released the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, their first super-telephoto lens for their Z-mount mirrorless system. And impressively, it costs less than half the price of its old F-Mount equivalent, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR.
Not only is the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 more affordable, but thanks to its Phase Fresnal technology, it is smaller and lighter. So, is the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR the new go-to lens for wildlife and bird-in-flight photography? Let’s find out. Jump to Conclusion.
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Table of Contents
- What is the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
- Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Specifications
- Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Construction
- Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Controls
- Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Image Quality
- Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 vs Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6
- Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 vs Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6 Image Quality
- Conclusion
- Recent Posts
What is the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
The Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 is the first super-telephoto lens for Nikon’s mirrorless Z-mount. Up until now, Z-mount owners were limited to shorter lenses such as the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 or dependent on mounting older F-Mount lenses via the FtZ adapter.
![Nikon Z 800mm F/6.3](https://silentpeakphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nikon-z-800mm-f6-3-lens-and-Nikon-Z9.jpg)
But with the Nikon Z 800mm F6.3, Nikon Z owners finally have a lens to make their F-Mount peers jealous. Not only is it substantially cheaper than the older Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E, but it’s far smaller and lighter too.
Of course, the Nikon Z 800mm’s smaller F/6.3 aperture means it only receives, approximately, 80% as much light as the Nikon’s AF-S 800mm’s larger F/5.6 aperture. But for half the price – should you even care?
![](https://silentpeakphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nikon-z-800mm-f6-3-lens.jpg)
Yet despite the price drop and smaller aperture, the Nikon 800mm F/6.3 is fully specified. On the inside, you get premium optics complete with light and dirt-controlling Nano and Flourine coatings. You also get an optical image stabilization system rated up to 5.5 stops – a 1.5 stop improvement on the older AF-S 800mm lens.
On the outside, the lens is littered with controls. These include customizable buttons, a customizable control ring, and a button to save and recall a predetermined focus distance. And at the rear of the lens is a slot for you to drop in your 46mm filters.
Best of all, the Nikon Z 800mm weighs almost half as much as the AF-S 800mm whilst being appreciably smaller too. For all these reasons, the Nikon Nikkor Z 800mm might just be one of the best walkabout super-telephoto lenses on the market today.
Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Specifications
Specifications | Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR |
---|---|
Price (US$) | $6,496.95 |
Focal length | 800mm |
Angle of view | 3.10 Degrees |
Maximum aperture | F/6.3 |
Minimum aperture | F/32 |
Diaphragm blades | 9 Rounded Blades |
Lens construction | 22 Elements in 14 Groups |
Optical Image Stabilization | Yes – up to 5.0 Stops (5.5 stops with Z9) |
Minimum focus distance | 500 cm |
Maximum reproduction ratio | 0.16x |
Filter-attachment size | 46mm |
Dimensions (approx) | 140mm x 385mm |
Weight (approx) | 2385g |
Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Construction
As you might expect, the Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 is built to a high standard. Its compact dimensions are due to the use of a Phase Fresnel element.
Our first encounter with Nikon’s Phase Fresnel technology was the AF-S 300mm F4 PF and then, the glorious Nikon AF-S 500mm F5.6 PF. Despite being so much smaller, both lenses were outstanding performers and it’s great to see PF technology make its way to the Z-mount.
Along with the Phase Fresnel element, the 800mm also features ED and SR elements. Nano and Fluorine coatings are present to control glare and dirt respectively.
![](https://silentpeakphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nikon-z-800mm-f6-3-lens-construction.jpg)
Like many premium lenses, the Nikon Z 800mm features some weatherproofing. But unlike the Nikon Z9 and some Olympus/OM System lenses, the Nikon falls short of giving the Z 800mm an official IP rating.
Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Controls
The Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 is packed with control points. Towards the mount is a drop-in slot for 46mm filters. And a bit further up you’ll find focus mode and focus limiter switch (10 meters to infinity).
![](https://silentpeakphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nikon-z-800mm-versus-Nikon-af-s-800mm.jpg)
Afterwhich, there is the first of two separate L-fn custom buttons to which you can set to drive autofocus amongst other things. A Memory Set button enables you to save and instantly recall a predetermined focus distance.
Towards the end of the lens are a manual focus ring, a customizable control ring, and 4 L-Fn2 buttons.
Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Image Quality
According to the Nikon Z 800mm’s MTF chart – image quality is superb. Of course, how good it is in the real world remains to be seen but you can see some samples here.
![](https://silentpeakphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nikon-z-800mm-f6-3-mtf-chart.jpg)
Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 vs Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6
Up until now, the Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6 has been your only route towards a fast-aperture super-telephoto for your Nikon Z camera. So how does the new Z 800mm f/6.3 compare?
Specifications | NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S | Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6 |
---|---|---|
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S | Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6 | |
Price (US$) | $6,496.95 | $16,268.95 |
Focal length | 800mm | 800mm |
Angle of view | 3.10 Degrees | 3.10 Degrees |
Maximum aperture | F/6.3 | F/5.6 |
Minimum aperture | F/32 | F/32 |
Diaphragm blades | 9 Rounded Blades | 9 Rounded Blades |
Lens construction | 22 Elements in 14 Groups | 20 Elements in 13 Groups |
Optical Image Stabilization | Yes – up to 5.5 Stops | Yes – up to 4 Stops |
Minimum focus distance | 500 cm | 590cm |
Maximum reproduction ratio | 0.16x | x0.15 |
Filter-attachment size | 45mm (Drop-in) | 52mm (Drop-in) |
Dimensions (approx) | 140mm x 385mm | 160mm x 461mm |
Weight (approx) | 2385g | 4590g |
In broad terms, both the Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 and Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6 do the same thing. For instance, both lenses share the same angle of view and similar magnification and aperture.
Both lenses feature premium Nano and Fluorine-coated optics. And both have in-built image stabilization, though the Nikon Z 800mm offers up to 5.5 stops of stabilization versus 4 stops for the AF-S 800mm.
However, the Nikon Z 800mm is smaller and is more than 2 kilograms lighter than the older lens – to which you’d also have to add an FtZ adapter.
![Nikon Z 800mm F/6.3 vs AF-S 800mm F/5.6 SIZE](https://silentpeakphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nikon-z-800mm-vs-Nikon-af-s-800mm.jpg)
As for the price, the Nikon Z 800mm costs US$6496 whilst the Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6 goes for $16,268.95 though the larger lens does come with a 1.25x teleconverter and a bigger box.
Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 vs Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6 Image Quality
![](https://silentpeakphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nikon-z-800mm-vs-Nikon-af-s-800mm-mtf-chart.jpg)
Both of these lenses are outstanding. However, the Nikon AF-S 800mm F5.6 looks a little sharper in the corners. Whether this translates into a real-world advantage or goes any distance toward justifying its weight and price remains to be seen.
Conclusion
After a rather lackluster entry into the full-frame mirrorless camera market, Nikon has bounced back strong. The Nikon Z9 is spectacular and the once anemic lineup of Z lenses is now looking pretty enviable.
However, the Nikon Z 800mm F/6.3 is a unique proposition since it’s the only compact pro-grade 800mm lens in existence. And when you look at the older Nikon AF-S 800mm F/5.6 – it’s clear to see how far technology has come in so little time.
But in practical terms, the Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 offers you a route into pro-level sports and wildlife photography that breaks neither bank nor back. For this reason, it’s difficult to see why anyone would opt for the older AF-S 800mm F/5.6 or even a similarly specified lens from another brand.
So, another hit for Nikon Z and yet another reason to close your DSLR’s mirror for good.
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