Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Conte Oliver

sent on 22 Dicembre 2025

Pros: Yield, lightness, bulk

Cons: Painful custody

Opinion: I had 500 f4 and 300 f2.8 and, although I don't have the blur of those superteles, in terms of sharpness I have no regrets. Very light and small, transportable and usable freehand for a long time without getting tired. The performance with 1.4x is excellent. The only discordant note is the case, a truly ridiculous piece of synthetic cloth. And then as with all lenses of all brands, no integrated ark swiss.

Eugenione75

sent on 21 Luglio 2024

Pros: Lightness and compactness combined with excellent quality

Cons: None, it's not a 2.8 I was aware of it but for long trips in the mountains it allows me to travel light with a nice lens

Opinion: I come from 2.8 lenses and I was torn about which tele z to buy: the 300 vrII was starting to be dated It had always been a nice lens but a bit short I had the 70-200 z 2.8 for long trips but always short and combined with the 2x it lost its native characteristics The new 400 2.8 had attracted me for quite a while: expensive yes but some whim can be done, but terribly bulky to keep in the backpack and I am not a hut photographer Rather I am a hiker with a camera and the 2.8 was not for me I tried a friend's 4.5 and it was love at the first shot I took it with the 1.4 multiplier and together with the 14-24z 2.8 they became my travel companions The 400 freehand I have nothing to criticize that does not fall within its characteristics At dawn the hairforks will ask for a little more iso this yes.. I forgot I use it with the Z9

Lupaccio58

sent on 06 Marzo 2024

Pros: Build quality, lightness, optical performance of the highest level

Cons: The so-called "bag" and the tripod attachment foot

Opinion: A good premise: I don't play sports and I don't go for birds, so I make general use of long fires. But I always like to have one available, so I bought this beautiful lens to replace the excellent 500 PF. What can I say, very good purchase, small size and lightness at the swing, good brightness and great sharpness even at TA, really a lens to recommend! The VR is very effective and the ergonomics with my Z9 are also absolutely satisfactory, you never feel the need for tripods. Before taking it I had reluctantly tried (I don't like zooms) the Z 100-400 and I can rightly say that the smooth 400 is superior in everything, really another go. The cons are the usual, first of all the anachronistic and cheap foot of the tripod mount, to be replaced immediately with a third-party Arca Swiss foot. And then that rubbish, that miserable piece of canvas that they would like to pass off as a lens case. An indecent stuff that cannot help but leave you stunned that he has just spent over 3000 euros. A highly recommended lens then, hoping that in the near future - to save money - they will not stop supplying caps as well!

DavideDiana

sent on 26 Ottobre 2023

Pros: Optics with stratospheric definition. Awesome blur. Light

Cons: Nobody

Opinion: I wanted to replace the 500 Pf with a Native lens for the Z series and I opted for this gem. I'm a nature photographer and I combine it with the new Nikon Zf, another jewel of the Nikon house. On my nature hikes I take the Z9 with the Nikkor 800 f 6.3 and the Zf with the 400 f 4.5. After a few shots I understood the enormous potential of the 400. In telephoto Nikon is making great strides and all the latest tele is outstanding

Roberto Z6 2

sent on 24 Giugno 2023

Pros: AF, SHARPNESS TO ALL APERTURES, LIGHTNESS, MANAGEABILITY, STABILIZER, IMAGE QUALITY, BLURRED

Cons: RIDICULOUS LENS BAG,LACK OF LEVER TO INSERT STABILIZER

Opinion: I USE IT FROM 4 DAYS ON THE Z6 2, VERY LIGHT TOGETHER WITH THE Z6 2 THE WEIGHT IS 2 KG, VERY SHARP ALREADY AT F 4.5, STABILIZER THAT ARRIVES FREEHAND UP TO 5 STOPS, FAST AND PRECISE AF, HIGH IMAGE QUALITY, ALLOWS RATHER REMARKABLE CROPS, UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NO STABILIZER LEVER ON THE OPTICS, YOU HAVE TO INSERT IT FROM THE CAMERA MENU, IT HAS 2 CONVENIENT FUNCTION KEYS, AND A RING TO WHICH YOU CAN ASSIGN, ISO OR DIAPHRAGM OR EXPOSURE COMPENSATION, ALSO CONVENIENT TO CARRY WITH THE HOOD ON THE CONTRARY IS IN THE BACKPACK ATTACHED TO THE MACHINE. WORTH ALL THE MONEY IT COSTS, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, AND, IT'S FINE EVEN WITH THE Z6 2 THAT IS NOT A LIGHTNING BOLT OF WAR LIKE AUTOFUCUS, IN MY OPINION ON Z8 AND Z9 BECOMES ALMOST INFALLIBLE, I AM VERY SATISFIED WITH THE PURCHASE.

Marcoluzzo1965

sent on 24 Marzo 2023

Pros: All

Cons: Nothing

Opinion: I have been using it for several months and I must say that I would buy it again 1000 times.... Fast, light, very sharp at any opening. The comparison with the new 100-400 z-attack ? Just say this: to have ALMOST the same quality the zoomone you have to close it at F: 11 while this already at 5.6 reaches the maximum ... those who do birdlife understand very well that it is a HUGE difference ...

Maurizio.bonora

sent on 10 Marzo 2023

Pros: Lightness, quality, stabilization.

Cons: I don't know. If I really have to find a con, it's the case, but since the new location of the lens is my backpack, it's okay anyway.

Opinion: I've been using the 300 f/2.8 and 500 f/4 for years, two fantastic Nikon lenses. I decided to lighten the backpack with the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5, not without fear because in the end I give more importance to quality than weight. However, I am happy with the change because I found the 400 Z of absolute quality, in my opinion comparable to the two "cousins" mentioned before. It may be that the laboratory tests are a little below, but looking at my results I do not scramble in mental lucubrations. Obviously it is a bit short compared to the 500 mm, but photographing almost always from the shed is my ideal optics.

Serpero

sent on 19 Novembre 2022

Pros: Weight, sharpness, small size and stabilization.

Cons: Only a measly piece bag is provided to guard the objective.... Already my 80-400 had a case much more suitable for the purpose.

Opinion: I have now used it sufficiently to be able to pass judgment. Having already owned the 200-400f4 and the 80-400 the first thing I did was do some comparison tests. It is true that they are dated optics in comparison but still the result was this: The blur of the 400 is very similar to that of the 200-400 but the sharpness on the areas in focus is much higher. At short focusing distances the magnification ratio of the two is practically equal. The af of the 400 is much faster and quieter. In summary, the 400 weighs 2 kg less but has much higher performance. The 200-400 has from its that is a zoom but you can not have everything. The comparison with the 80-400 was very merciless for the latter. The 80-400 af often has hesitations while the 400 always goes on target. At close up I was able to verify that the 400 at 3.5mt enlarges about the same as the 80-400 at 2.5mt. The file quality and sharpness on the subject with the 400 is incredibly superior. If I want to express an opinion thinking back to the 300 f2.8 that I owned for a long time I would say that I can say that it reminds me a lot. From the shots taken with the 1.4x multiplier I can say that it is also excellent at full aperture and very usable in all situations. Next year I will make my evaluations but I think I will also take the 2x for the less confident subjects and when the light is not a problem. The only flaw is the case provided to protect the lens which is a piece sewn like an envelope that is nothing short of ridiculous. In summary, I am really satisfied with this little gem and I am convinced that Nikon with the Z nettles has worked great. As a vote I would give a nice 9.5 because the 10 is not species with a € 2 envelope as a protective case.

S.roberto1966

sent on 11 Novembre 2022

Pros: weight, sharpness, autofocus.

Cons: Not a 500mm F4

Opinion: I waited to write a review because I wanted to try it on tripod and freehand, is an excellent lens sharp smooth, loses almost nothing with the TC 1.4 even at full aperture.autofocus fast and silent, weight that allows you to shoot handheld for a day without problems, on the tripod with the Z9 is unbalanced backwards especially with the TC, Short tripod bracket and not ark swiss.in conclusion this lens is perfect for trips to the mountains or photographic huts where the subjects are close, for wandering birdlife or in the oases is too short even with the TC 1.4.I'm thinking of combining it with a 500 0 600 F4 that in my opinion are superior in everything (except weight).