Nikon Z 400mm F4.5 S Review | Is this a LENS for YOU?

[@patricklindahl868]

I'm not a fan of UV filter, they do not protect as much as one can believe, but they could make impact to picture quality. Buying a lens for $4000 (USD) and then putting a cheap glass in front of it makes no sense to me. A lens hood also protects against rain ☔ @10:20 I really like this photo! Beautiful!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi Patrick! You are absolutely right. Don't go and put a cheap filter on a lens like this. I only use B+W filters.

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto I think with todays fine computed designed Lenses, then even "high quality" filters can have an impact on the image quality and it adds more weight, remember to always use a Lens Hood. If an accident happens, then a filter can potential harm the Lens more than if you use a Lens Hood !!!

[@w.vangelder108]

Of course the lens hood has an very important role as a lens protector. But if I photograph seabirds in windy weather on the beach, I still want a UV or protection lens against sand and salt.

[@craigcarlson4022]

Thomas, Thanks for this video and your thoughts. I’ve never bought such an expensive lens as this one. But i appreciate the image quality of a great lens. And, seeing how you’ve been able to use it for landscape images (beyond just birds i’d use for) helps me see it as more versatile.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi there! 400mm for landscape is very much a thing! The 100-400 is much more versatile. But the 400mm f4.5 has better image quality. Deciding which one to buy can be tricky. :)

[@Lonz195]

Hi Thomas, I was looking for a Nikon telephoto Lens some weeks ago. 80 % of my photography „work“ is landscape, the rest Macro, Wildlife and some „experiments“. I chosed the Z 100-400 because of its wide useability e.g. narrow focus distance and light weight. As an amateur photographer I thought for a long time, if I should spend so much money for a single lens. But the results for me are so good and I am much more often in nature than before … and if I should actually lose interest in photographing, I think, it will be easier to sell such a high quality lens. Very interesting your thoughts and tests. For more wildlife I would have been chosen the Z 400. Christian

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi there! That's the beauty of having a lens like the Z 100-400. It's so great for many types of photography. It makes me glad to hear that it takes you out in nature more often. :)

[@marcellodantas2983]

Nice, Thomas! I really like your video content. This 400mm f/4.5 with the TC 2x seems the key for versatility. I work a lot on the street and also in the mountains doing photos and videos. And I missed out more close up with nice quality, even with 70-200mm f/2.8 G VR with FTZII cropped. Thanks you!

[@annetteandrews4976]

Thanks so much Thomas - great video. And your images are beautiful!!!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Thank you Anette! 😀

[@m.maclean8911]

That lens looks great. I went with the Z 100-400 and the Z 800mm. These 2 lenses with my Z9 and 2 TCs gives me coverage from 100mm-1,600mm. The 100-400 is amazingly sharp, and has very close focusing. These 2 also can fit in a carry on bag. The 800mm is my new favourite. You can easily use it handheld even with the 2X TC. Nikon is making some amazing long glass.

[@dr.dilipdesarker8118]

Hi Thomas, I am enriched with your presentation ,very nice . I had some doubts about this lens but now it is cleared. I have already purched this one but less used to its potential. Thanks ❤

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi there! Thank you. You have a fantastic lens. Just enjoy it! The weekend is approaching, time to go out and shot. :) Happy friday!

[@Mr09260]

Great Video Thomas >> I am now Subscribed

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi! Welcome to my channel Peter! 😀

[@Mr09260]

I cant wait for this lens to go with my Z 70-200 on my Z7 for African Wild Life

[@herambdeware789]

Beautiful photography. Thanks.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@erkkisiekkinen286]

Thanks for good video. I have already ordered this lens ,its fantastic for birds in flight photography because it is so light.with my 1,4 tc it gives the 560mm reach. Im am considering 2,0 x tc also ,my body is 24mpx ZF

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Congratulations on your new lens! Perfect match with the ZF! I hope you will enjoy it. Infact, I'm sure you will! :)

[@SwanSycorax]

A well balanced. review. Many thanks. I have the Z 100-400 which was on order for 7 months and delivered the day Nikon announced the Z 400 f/4.5. I can't afford / justify both but have been torn ever since!!!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Thank you! I haven't tested the 100-400 myself. But from what I have heard from other photographers who has it, it's a great lens. I don't think you should worry that much. Enjoy your lens. Focus on getting out in nature and just have a good time! :)

[@SwanSycorax]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto Thanks. Actually, I am very glad I did buy the 100-400 and, if one can only have one of these two great 400s, (as in my case!) then I would rather have the 100-400. It is certainly a very sharp and fast lens. It may give a way a minuscule level of sharpness compared to the 400 4.5 and, certainly the prime gives a creamier bokeh, but for me, there are two major benefits the zoom has over the prime. 1) versatility. I have used mine at various airshows and often find the need to quickly transition from the 400 fully zoomed in focal length to varying degrees of length as aircraft, especially formations, go through their displays. Equally, last year I took the 100-400 on safari in the Kruger Game Reserve in Africa and, again, there were often cases where the 400 focal length was too powerful for the subject / composition and in the very dusty environment I certainly didn't want to change lenses!! 2) One point that seems to be overlooked by many reviewers is the difference between the two lenses when it comes to close range focussing. I have found the 100-400 @ 400mm to be a very useful pseudo macro lens as I can zoom right in on a dragonfly, butterfly, flower, insect at much closer range than the 400 f/4.5 prime is able to do. When coupled with the 1.4x TC and switching the Z9 to DX mode this really does open the door as a very useful close-up solution and has given me some great results which otherwise would have required a macro-lens and getting much, much closer to the subject inevitably resulting in it flying off!!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

All valid points! :)

[@waynejones1054]

Great video. Great images. Thank you.👍👍

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it Wayne! :)

[@makmak69L7]

Great video and review of this beautiful lens. I am confused between the Z 100-400mm and this one Z 400mm f4.5. Cost is not an issue but thinking more about versatility.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi and thank you! The Z 100-400 is all about versitility. I have not heard anything negative about that lens. :)

[@user-ok8t]

Very good review. 👍👍👍

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@andrewjohnclose429]

Hi Thomas, great review :) do you mind my asking which Nikon camera you used? Thank you.🙏🏻

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi Andrew! I use a Z6 for video and a Z7 for still photography. 🙂

[@andrewjohnclose429]

@ thank you 🙏🏻

[@davidswift3133]

Great review. Thank you

[@Cariboukid]

Interesting video Thomas. I remember when you first got it. You have definitely put it to excellent use! If I still had my Z 7II i would almost certainly have bought this lens. It's a beauty!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi Mike! It is indeed a beauty! I hope you are well! Thank you for tuning in this week. :)

[@Cariboukid]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto Thanks Thomas. All is good here. Spring is coming but slowly. We got a 35cm dump of snow a few days ago and another storm is coming tomorrow. I tune in every week. Cant miss an episode! You are my favourite YT channel by far :)

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

You are to kind, Mike! :) Thank you. Yes, there is some spring feelings in the air. Birds are starting to return. Just a few more weeks and the winter is gone!

[@Cariboukid]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto It's only -8 here today but they say 6 and sunny on Friday. Woo Hoo! :) I like winter but it gets very long here and I've had enough. It's time for green leaves on the trees and flowers blooming in our flower beds!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Yeah, I totally agree, it's time for spring! :) The thing with 4 seasons is that you appreciate the whole year. Always something to look forward to. AND! It's great for photography! :)

[@Ben_Stewart]

I simply love this lens. Paired with my 1.4X tele and Z50 I got a stolen 840mm f6.3. If I ever get the Z50ii this could be a great combo otherwise it will sit on my Z6ii and I'll enjoy the larger pixels helping to gather in more light. Great video and props to Nikon for being so innovative compared to Sony and Canon who focus on AF all the time to make up for therir sub par glass.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hello! Nice to hear you enjoy your lens. It's a great time to be a photographer :)

[@dominiclester3232]

Nice, thanks!

[@garybl44]

Hi Thomas I really enjoy your channel. I have this lens and the 1.4 teleconverter. On the Z9 it's an amazing wildlife photography combination. Maybe the Z 800mm PF next. You should ask Nikon to loan you one so you can do a review. Also get yourself the Z9. You'll love it!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi Gary and thank you very much! Yes the Z9. I wish I could afford it. Maybe someday. :) Great to hear you enjoy your 400mm Z9 combo!

[@MondoRockable]

What backpack are you wearing and what is that connection on the front? Looks very handy for holding the lens/camera against the arca swiss plate.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi there! I have a F-stop Tilopa. The camera clip is a Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3. It works really well for me. :)

[@tonyfabris367]

All digital camera sensors have a UV protection filter in front, that is what we clean when there’s dust on our images. Putting another on the lens is very unnecessary. A good quality “Protection filter “and the use of the provided Lens Hood would go a long way to protect the lens from the elements and get better sharper photographs …Cheers

[@cameraprepper7938]

I do not use Nikon, but if I did I would get the Nikon Z 400mm 4.5 because it is so small and light weight and at the same time with excellent optical image quality. I use Sony and have the excellent Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens, I always use the Lens Hood, for protection of sun, stray light, rain and dust ! I never use filters and I never do videos. If an accident happens, then a filter can potential harm the Lens more than if you use a Lens Hood !!!

[@Mr09260]

Thomas what Tripod Head due you use on your Tripod??>> I see you use a levelling Base too??

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi there! I use a Leofoto Fluid video head BV-1R. The levelling base is integrated with the tripod.

[@andymarlow_wildlife]

Great review !

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Thank you Andy! 😀

[@jessejayphotography]

10:41 is very nice.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Thank you Jesse! :)

[@volkerj.4028]

Hi Thomas, nice review. This lens would be a nice one for my Z9. I've also the 70-200 2.8 with both converters and asking myself, if the 400/4.5 is realy necessary. Don't find an answer yet...

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi there! Thanks! This is a very tricky question. What type of photography do you do? If you don't need more than 400mm, I find it hard to justify buying the 400mm f4.5. But! Let's say you do want more reach. The 400mm f4.5 + teleconverters is a very good choice. But as I said. If you don't need more than 400mm I would probably recommend you to hang on to the 70-200mm combo.

[@volkerj.4028]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto Thanks for your answer What Type? Even exact not know, still seraching my favourite playground. 🙄 But I love the combi Z9, 50/1.2 and 70-200/2.8. With Olympus, I've often used the 300/4.0 and the very good PanaLeica 200/2.8. That's why I've an eye on the 400/4.5.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

It's a fantastic lens. If you have the money and you want it, go for it! 😀

[@volkerj.4028]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto 👍😉

[@volkerj.4028]

@ThomasRaskPhoto Hi Thomas, as a result I changed from Z9 to Z8 (doesn't realy know if this was a good idea) , from Q2 to Z7ii and ordered a 400 😇So, if you plan a trip to germany and want to take some shots, feel free to contact me ;)

[@Stephen_Baker]

Thank you for a straightforward and down-to-earth review. I have a Z7ii and use Zeiss (ZF.2 for Nikon FX only) and have found that manual focus glass very rewarding. Zeiss also offer a range of quality for Nikon, so I wonder if you have experience of that. If so please review the Distagon range!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi Stephen! I have lots of experience with Zeiss lenses. I have used them for over 10 years. I had several lenses: 15mm, 35mm, 135mm AND 28mm + 55mm Otus. I even used them on the Z system. Worked very well. But I don't have them anymore. I sold them. The reason for that was: heavy weight and not weather sealed. Since I started this KZbin channel I discovered that I needed more versatile gear. Light and compact. The Z system is perfect for me. But I do sometimes miss my Zeiss lenses. They have a special quality to them that I can't really put into words.

[@hans-olofsvensson4567]

Hej Thomas! Väldigt bra bilder. Panoramabilderna är verkligen något extra tycker jag. Det kommer fler och fler objektiv med något lägre ljusstyrka men i övrigt väldigt bra. Använder ett Canon R5 med Sigma 15-600 mm. Printar bilder i panorama /95 cm bred ur en bildfil med hög skärpa och kontrast. Hälsningar Hans-Olof

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi there Hans- Olof. Tack så mycket. Det är en fantastisk tid vi lever i när det kommer till olika kameror och objektiv det finns att välja mellan. Och allihopa är i stort sett toppkvalité. Kul att höra att du kan göra så stora prints med dina grejer! Har du varit och spanat på Tranor ännu? Läser att det är 800st vid Hornborgasjön just nu.

[@hans-olofsvensson4567]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto Hallå! Blir ett besök snart. 25 mars-5 april brukar vara bra. Då har matningen kommit till den "bästa" kullen. En morgon vid 05.30-06.30 med motljus och tranorna på kullen är nästan oslagbart. En fantastisk upplevelse Hälsningar från Skövde Hans-Olof

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Det låter verkligen som en härlig upplevelse! :)

[@guyyowell8547]

Hello Thomas, I’m a big fan of your videos. I currently own the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 S lens and I was wonder if there was a reason you chose this lens, 400mm f/4.5, over the zoom lens.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi there! Thank you very much! :) The reason I chose the 400mm f4.5 over the 100-400mm was that I already had the 70-200 + 1.4 TC. The 70-200 is my favorite lens of all times. And I feared that it would be left at home all the time if I got the 100-400. Now, looking back in time. If the 100-400 was available when I was in the market for my first telephotolens in the Z system. I would probably have purchased the 100-400.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

I rented this lens for a couple of weeks. I really prefer a zoom for composure. I hear you "zoom with your feet" but it's often impractical. I have a Z6 and I wonder if a Z7 / Z9 would be better as we can zoom in post ie crop. What do you think?

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi Patrick! I'm a big fan of croping! I would definitely consider to upgrade to a Z7 if I were you. Just wait for the next Nikon camera announcement. I bet you could get a really nice price on a used Z7.

[@ankh-lyfe]

I enjoyed your video and your flow. What’s the name of your tripod head.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Thanks a lot! :) The tripod head is a: Leofoto Mini Fluid Head BV-1R. Works great for both video and stills.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

Nice work!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Thank you Raymond! :)

[@RussandLoz]

If you use it with the TC, why don't you just get the 500PF?

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

I like the idea of having just Z lenses. Nothing wrong with F lenses.

[@cryptobyt2403]

Dunno i think above 85 its better to get zoom dunno 100-400?

[@pentagramyt417]

7:33 - Something wrong with that beak? Never seen that.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

The bird is called Red crossbil. It's has a crossed beak! :)

[@pentagramyt417]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto Interesting! Thanks Thomas! 😊😊

[@Bikerbeest]

I have also this lens , 400 mm 2.8 is way too expensive and my Nikon Z9 can handle perfect higher ISO settings

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Perfect combination! :)

[@Bikerbeest]

@@ThomasRaskPhoto I have the 3 zoom lenses from Nikon Z14-24mm , Z28-70mm and the Z70-200 mm all with the widest apeture of 2.8 All these lenses are absolutely amazing.

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Well, sounds like you are ready to go! It does not get any better than that when it comes to lenses. :)

[@ceralion1]

I don't understand anything of this, but I bet alot of people find this very interesting before buying one of these :)

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

Hi Kenneth! Yes it's a guide for people who are interested in this lens :)

[@mylucksmiles]

I have tried to justife buying my lenses. Looking at price . This I feel is not the best way forward. The z 400 offers f,4,5 the question I ask is the quality of image . If I have pin sharp images cropping an image may well work when used to enlarge the image I am trying to portray. Seriously the new Z 180 to 600 is getting great reviews. What concerns me is the lens most people are reviewing sounds like my new toy. Nikon Z range s series are all great lens in their own right.l Understand in my own way the pride we have in our work and the expression it's a poor crafts man that blames their tool. My exstention to that saying is it's an even worse caft man that does not have any tools. Point being is if l take time firstly to understand the Craft of picture making. The camera is a machine the opperater who understands the limits and the advantage of the tools on offer makes sound choices. I am looking at the 400z and the 180-600 z my question is if I crop at 400 to produce a 600 type image which will present me the the better image of the two ways used. I have found the Tamron 150*600 no longer acceptable . It's been a great servant for many .Today I can't justify the Tamron place in my lens bag . 500 is about the range I would at most zoom into.The price between f4.60 on a prime and the new 180+600 is not beyond the price range of eachother . So my only really tip to you if possible don't do charts just do show of a lens when cropped if possible. use crops along side both image 400 crop into a 600 as is .... really it's a better way to show a lens off. Any thoughts on the advantages of using the 180-600 is that extra reach giving more noticeable sharpness ?or does the 400 match the 600 on a crop ? Thanks for both your time to make this video and your work experience.

[@Pengranger]

Annoying that it doesn’t have an Arca-Swiss compatible foot!

[@ThomasRaskPhoto]

There are two workarounds that I know of. You could get an arca swiss plate that screws on to the foot. I use that option. There is also a replacement foot with arca swiss. It's more expensive than the plate.

[@Pengranger]

It certainly keeps RRS and Kirk in business!