Nikon Z Shooters 28-400 or Tamron 50-400 Don’t Buy Before Watching

Nikon Z shooters—if you’re trying to decide between the Nikon Z 28-400mm and the Tamron 50-400mm, this video can save you from buying the wrong lens.

See the Nikon: https://amzn.to/48YwkM9
See the Tamron: https://amzn.to/498QALh

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I put both lenses through real-world testing to answer the questions that actually matter: sharpness, autofocus, bokeh, lens creep, size and weight, speed at the long end, and how they perform for travel, wildlife, events, and everyday shooting.

The Nikon 28-400mm is a compact, true one-lens solution with a useful 28mm wide end, while the Tamron 50-400mm focuses more on telephoto performance, speed, and optical consistency. On paper they look similar—but in real use, they feel very different.

In this video, I break down:
• Real-world sharpness (including pixel-peeping results)
• Autofocus performance and reliability
• Bokeh differences (round vs hexagonal highlights)
• Lens creep and zoom lock behavior
• Size and weight comparisons
• Travel vs wildlife use cases
• Which lens makes more sense for your style of shooting

This isn’t a spec-sheet comparison—it’s about how these lenses actually perform when you’re out shooting.

If you shoot Nikon Z and want honest, practical gear advice, consider subscribing so you don’t waste money on the wrong glass.

? Let me know in the comments
Would you rather have one lightweight do-it-all lens, or better telephoto performance with a bit more weight?

? Join my Nikon Z Facebook group for photo sharing, questions, and gear discussions:
https://shspk.com/Ip8UgS

Thanks for watching—I really appreciate the support.

#NikonZ #Tamron #ShutterSpeak

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Joseph Nuzzo

Photographer at Shutter Speak

Joe is a professionally trained photographer specializing in concert, sports, event, location, and landscape photography. Joe began his journey working in a camera store part-time while helping pay his way through college. The fun of picking up a camera just never seemed to get old...

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