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The Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 VR S Captures Stunning Photos

Chris Gampat
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04/06/2022
3 Mins read
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Well, let’s be honest here; the new Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S wasn’t a well-kept secret. Birding and sports photographers using the Nikon system have been waiting for this. Combined with the focusing algorithms in the Nikon Z9, you’ve now got a foolproof setup. With the world opening back up as well, the new Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S could be your new Safari lens. But best of all, you’ll be hard-pressed to experience issues with camera shake. 

Will Sony Catch Up?

Now that Nikon has the new Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S lens, let’s look at the rest of the space. On one side, you’ve got Canon with their 800mm f5.6 and 1200mm f8 lenses. Compared to Canon’s RF 800mm f5.6, the Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S is nearly 1.5lbs lighter at the cost of half a stop of light. Considering how good the high ISO output is on Nikon cameras, that’s not much to fuss over. I’d be elated to have a lighter lens.

With Sony, you’ve got a 600mm f4 G Master lens at best. Further, Nikon had a 400mm lens too. If I were a Sony photographer, I’d be scratching my head right now. Granted, both Canon and Sony have better autofocus algorithms, but that’s bound to be updated and fixed soon.

All the Things You Can Do

There are plenty of reason to be excited about the new Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S. Even if you don’t own the Nikon z9, this lens is bound to be able to do a lot. We already talked about a safari adventure, but also consider it with the z6 II or the z7 II. You’ll have an even lighter kit, and the camera will nail photos of big cats and hyenas pretty easily. Then consider just how incredibly durable Nikon’s cameras and lenses are. We’ve put them through torture tests that some photographers would find preposterous. However, they’ve always survived, and we’re confident this new lens will too. We say that even without testing it yet.

To counter any doubts about Nikon’s autofocus, there are memory recall points. It can pretty much get to any pre-selected autofocus area using an assigned button. This will be really useful when trying to photograph a subject through trees. 

We’re going to need to test this lens out to see how it performs though.

Primary Features of the Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S

The following comes from Nikon’s press release:

  • Extreme super-telephoto capability for Z-series photographers with an 800mm focal length that brings distant subjects in close, with incredible clarity and sharpness. 
  • Easy to pack and carry, weighing in at approx. 5.25lb (2385g)with a reduced footprint of 5.6 in. x 15.2 in.
  • Features Nano Crystal Coat, as well as an optimized shape and location of the PF lens element that contributes to a reduction in ghosting for maximum clarity. This is especially useful when shooting into the sky or in the vicinity of bright light sources. 
  • The optical VR function provides a superior compensation effect equivalent to shooting at a shutter speed of 5.0 stops2 faster. When paired with the Nikon Z 9, an effect of 5.5 stops is achieved with Synchro VR activation. 
  • Built to pro standards: Rubber gaskets keep dust, dirt, and moisture out of the moving parts and the lens mount.3  The barrel is constructed of robust magnesium alloy, offering an ideal balance of strength and lightweight. The front element has Nikon’s nonstick Fluorine Coat, which repels oil, moisture and smudges and easily wipes clean.
  • A Memory Recall function4 instantly recalls focus positions that have been stored in advance, via pressing an assigned button. This function makes it simple to quickly acquire an anticipated subject on a branch or perch.  
  • Customizable controls include four L-Fn2 buttons and one L-Fn button, to which a wide variety of functions can be assigned to suit users’ preferences, including subject tracking, AF lock, playback and more. A customizable control ring can also be assigned to adjust ISO, aperture and exposure comp. 
  • The focal length can be extended to 1,120mm with the Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x, and 1,600mm with the Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0x while maintaining outstanding resolution5. Users of high-resolution cameras such as the Z 9 and Z 7II will appreciate the ability to also shoot in DX mode for even further extended reach (1,200mm). 
  • $6,499.95 price point available this month.
image stabilization nikon nikon z 800mm nikon z 800mm f6.3 Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S nikon z6 II nikon z7 II nikon z9 Safari wildlife
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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