A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Lens

The 400mm focal length is highly favored among wildlife and sports photographers, with prices ranging from below $1,000 to well above $10,000, depending on the lens' image quality and the photographer's requirements. Nestled within this price spectrum is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S. This informative video review explores the lens, offering insights into its real-world performance and the kind of image quality it delivers.

Coming to you from Tom Mason, this great video review takes a look at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens. Despite its very light weight and small size, the 400mm f/4.5 comes with a nice range of features, including:

  • Specialized elements for lighter and more compact design (9.2 inches long, 2.7 lbs)
  • One ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element, two Super ED elements, and one SR (short-wavelength refractive) element for reduced chromatic aberrations and coma
  • High-dispersion design for more accurate color rendering
  • Nano Crystal Coat for reduced flares and ghosting and deeper contrast
  • Multiple stepping motors for quick and quiet autofocus suitable for both photos and videos
  • Full-time manual focus override
  • Vibration Reduction offering up to 5.5 stops of compensation
  • Removable tripod foot
  • Customizable control ring
  • Weather-sealed design

Check out the video above for Mason's full thoughts on the lens. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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1 Comment

Alex,

I am surprised that the current retail price was not given in the writeup. I would love to know your reason or strategy for not providing the price in your writeup / summary.

Also omitted is the minimum focus distance / magnification ratio of this lens, and this info is of supreme importance to many of those considering a lens of this focal length for use in nature or wildlife photography.