When I first purchased the new Nikkor 28-400mm lens, my goal was simple: find an all-around travel option that could live ready in my vehicle for those unexpected moments of beauty. My plan was to pair it with a Z8, creating a lightweight yet versatile setup that could handle a range of situations. Initially, I had my reservations - a lens with such a wide zoom range, topping out at f/8 at 400mm, seemed like a compromise. But after already enjoying the 24-200mm f/4-6.3 on various assignments over the past year and reading glowing reviews on the 28-400, I decided to take the plunge.

This decision turned out to be serendipitous on a recent trip to Alaska, where I guide guests in photographing coastal brown bears up close in their natural habitats - sedge grasses, beaches, and muddy tidal flats. We operate in challenging conditions, often shooting from low angles and constantly on the move, with gear at risk of getting drenched, caked in mud, or if left unattended, attracting the curiosity of a nearby bear.

On the first day, I stuck to my usual setup: the trusty 180-600mm on a Z9, mounted on a solid tripod, with the Z8 and 24-200mm slung over my shoulder for those wide-angle shots. It’s a reliable combination, but manoeuvring in wet, sandy terrain while juggling two cameras can certainly be a challenge. Plus, with the 6-meter fast rising tides in Alaska, you have to keep everything close.

By the second day, I swapped out the 24-200mm for the new 28-400mm on my Z8. From the very first shot, I was taken aback. The image quality was nothing short of spectacular, and the flexibility the lens offered was a revelation. The lens's size, weight, and extensive zoom range allowed me to shoot everything handheld and on the move, even from the low angles needed to capture the bears from below eye level. The 180-600mm hardly got used after that.

By day three, I found myself venturing out with nothing but the Z8 and 28-400mm, leaving the bulkier gear behind. The sense of freedom this setup provided was exhilarating - no more switching lenses or adjusting tripods in the mud. The image quality? Absolutely sublime. It felt almost too good to be true, like I was cheating on my more traditional, faster and heavier lenses.

I wasn’t pouring over MTF charts or comparing minute technical differences; I was in the field, pushing this lens to its limits in real-world, demanding conditions. And it delivered, time and time again, far exceeding my expectations.

Don’t get me wrong - I’ll always have a place in my kit for the bigger, faster lenses. But with today’s advancements in ISO performance, this lens is an incredible all-rounder, perfectly suited for all but the darkest of conditions. It’s earned its place as a regular in my camera bag, ready to accompany me to some of the most remote and challenging environments on the planet.

In short, the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR has proven to be an outstanding travel companion. Its blend of versatility, superb image quality, and lightweight design make it an exceptional choice at a fantastic price.