Lightweight and inexpensive Supertele Lens? Nikkor Z 400mm 1:4.5 VR S Review

Prime lenses are usually heavy, large and expensive. But here, the Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR promises to do everything differently. Is this the perfect choice for a lightweight telephoto lens for wildlife photographers? I tested the lens over several weeks and would like to share my experience with you in this review.
You can buy the Nikkor Z400 f/4.5 here: amzn.to/3mSc8b2
Check out my new E-Book: fabianfopp.com/e-book-bird-ph...
Other equipment I use (affiliate links):
Canon EOS R5: amzn.to/3RIMcI6
RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 L IS: www.adorama.com/car100500ak.html
Gitzo GT3543 LS Tripod: amzn.to/3CeoBuB
Flex Shooter Pro Tripod Head: amzn.to/3JajXQ4

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Do you want to get better bird pictures? Check out my new E-Book: fabianfopp.com/e-book-bird-photography/ You can buy the Nikkor Z400 f/4.5 here: amzn.to/3mSc8b2 (Affiliate Link)

[@roybixby6135]

Light and sharp - A great lens - love it even over my 600mm f4 and 400mm f2.8 🦘

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

It’s just fun to use!

[@urumps9922]

Great video as always! Thanks!

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Thanks

[@52253825]

Most beautiful bird shots ever

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Thank you ☺️

[@alonsohernandezbermudez975]

Excellent video Fabian, greetings from Costa Rica

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Thanks! I‘m planning to go there and hopefully photograph tons of birds 😊

[@richardmurray1858]

As an owner of this lens I think you summed it up perfectly and a great review. Its amazing to work with in the field and as a 'walk around' wildlife lens its one of the best (alongside Nikon's other super light tele the 500mm PF). Have a Z9 and agree the lens feels a bit odd with such a heavy body...hopefully the Z8 that is coming will solve that minor issue. Keep up the good work!

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Thanks 😊

[@josefmolina3510]

I used during my last trip to Borneo the Nikkor 800mm 6.3 PF and the Nikkor 400mm 4.5. And although I used most of the time the 800mm 6.3, the 400mm 4.5 was a great help especially in the thick rainforest when I went after the Blue-banded Pitta, a bird staying on the ground where it is usually quite dark even during daylight time. It was a great help because of the 4.5 aperture but more because of the small size and lightweight. But I agree, for birding it is a lens only for some very special situations like I experienced, 400mm are typically way too short.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Thanks!

[@dasalazarle]

Super video Fabian, dankeschön! Grüsse

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Gerne ☺️

[@andymarlow_wildlife]

Good review !

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Thanks!

[@robertlawrence7958]

Canon actually does have a 400 with the pf technology and that is the 400 f4 DO (mki and mkii). That is a super, lightweight 400 prime which on the face of it, would appear to be very much in the same mold as the Nikon. I use the mkii regularly for sport as I cannot afford the f2.8 and althought it is not quite as sharp as the 2.8 it actually does a very good job. It is short for a wildlife lens and I would agree with your comment that the 100-400 would be the preferred option as a second lens. Of course, time and technology marches on and both my 400mm f4 and my 100-400 are now "yesterdays news" so we will have to see what Canon comes up with next. One thing we can absolutely guarantee is that nothing coming from Canon is going to be cheap! As always an excellent unbiased review. Best wishes.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

That’s true! It’s still heavier than the Nikon and, as you said, a lens that was designed for DSLRs. I really hope Canon will bring a 500/5 or similar

[@victorlim5077]

Hopefully the upcoming Z8 will be a mini Z9. Possibilities are great when the 400mm F4.5 is mounted on such a camera. 400mm on FX and with a press of a button, it can be a crop 600mm DX. Will be my dream birding rig with a stacked sensor.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Yes, if it has a stacked sensor it would really be an amazing camera

[@Mr09260]

Lovely Lens

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

I agree 😊

[@save_the_night]

Informatives Review und die passende Kamera ist jetzt auch draußen :-)

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Danke

[@jakesdewet3567]

I many parts of the world people refer to Bird Photography as Wildlife photography. For Birds I agree you need 600 mm plus especially small birds if you want to shoot tight. However, in other parts of the world wildlife includes, bigger animals and 400 mm is a sweet spot. This is where this lens sines, with the TC 1.4 it is a very good 560 f6.3. I love this lens as for many years I shot the Nikon 300 f2.8 VRii with the TC 1.4, 1.7 and 2.0. One of the best lenses ever.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

I guess it really depends where you live and which species you photograph. In some places, even a 300/2.8 can be enough

[@henrikh484]

You got you wish, Z8 is here ;) Anyways, this lens works so well for me (Z9) on motorcycle trackdays with and without TC14 it's damn sharp and fast focus. Comming from a pair of D800E and 500 F/4 - this new combo Z9/400 F/4.5 is much easier on my back, shooting and panning two days in a row.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Yes, I the lens is so much fun to use for action photography

[@mattpacker4372]

this would be a nice addition too the 800 pf

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Yes, that would make a very nice and leightweight set

[@fjphoto23]

You can also switch to DX (crop) mode on the camera to make it 600mm f/5.6.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

I prefer to just crop in post 😊

[@choochoo2246]

@@FabianFoppNaturephotography I've read that in DX mode that the auto focus will perform better with small subjects. I have the Z8 with the 400mm 4.5 and it's a great combo. When paired with the 1.4TC I get a 560mm f6.3 and then 840mm in DX mode.

[@jonathanmatters963]

You can swap the focus and control rings in settings.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Yes, but I found the control ring rather small and not ideal for focussing (personal preference)

[@johannmorrison1952]

Great video, Fabian. I've been doing wildlife photography for a few years now and am looking for a professional Nikon lens to take my photography a step further. However, I don't want anything too much heavier than 2.5kg and nothing over £4,000. I've been considering the 400mm f4.5 but I'm worried its focal length won't be enough. Do you have any other recommendations?

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

I think both the Z600 PF and the Z180-600 would be interesting alternatives. A review of the Z600 PF will be released in a few hours on this channel 😊

[@jjlwaardenburg]

Thanks for this review. At the moment I'm thinking about leaving the M43 system. This lens and also the new sigma 500mm 5.6 are the main reasons. I love portability for my style of shooting and I believe the m43-system is just to small a market for the companies to keep producing innovative products. With this focal-length (400mm) and my way of shooting, I imagine I'll end up cropping most of the time. Any info on how this lens performs on the z50?

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Thanks! No, I only tested it with the Z9

[@artgreen6915]

15:18 Your wish was granted, arguably twice.

[@ajc1482]

It's a bit misleading to call a £3000 lens inexpensive.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Compared to a 15‘000 $ Lens it is very inexpensive 😃 Probably a matter of perspective

[@Karkawry1970]

To me, the centre and edge look strikingly different..

[@livejames9374]

Vignette was the biggest difference to me

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

Yes, there are some differences. I think it depends to which lens you compare it to

[@Karkawry1970]

@@FabianFoppNaturephotography Probably be looking to compare with any modern F/4 lens

[@haydennettleton3272]

I'd hardly call this lens inexpensive at 3200usd.

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

It’s relative I guess

[@ajc1482]

Just made the same point and it's really not "relative", it's an expensive lens especially in today's world of a rising cost of living.

[@haydennettleton3272]

@@FabianFoppNaturephotography I agree it's relative, but most people would consider $3200usd a good chuck of money, it's probably not bad value given the image quality, Although I'd rather it was made in Japan instead of China.

[@j.kimmer1509]

F5.6 no

[@Alpa6c]

Yes

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

What do you mean?

[@AndrewSzarka]

Inexpensive? Maybe you're a wealthy person but for me 3500$ is not champchange...😢

[@FabianFoppNaturephotography]

It’s all relative. I meant compared to e.g. the Z400/2.8 that costs around 13‘000