Nikon Z 400mm f4.5 for Wildlife Photography | Field test and review | lightweight long lens on Z9

Yes, this lens is absolutely spectacular! I have it paired with my Z7ii and the 800mm pf paired with my Z9.

I would never be able to afford the 400/2.8 or 600/4 so this lens along with both TC's has been perfect for me. I love the lens for its size and weight, and yet that f4.5 aperture enables you to use the TC's without too many issues even in the dreary uk light. Brilliant addition by Nikon that doesn't seem to have a counterpart in any other system.

Great content, I wonder if you also use this lens in DX mode.

Nice video. But is it long enough for wildlife like small birds? Considering the 180-600 exists too?

I chose the Z 100-400mm and Z 800mm … these work great together with my Z9. The 100-400 is amazing quality, small and light, and you can shoot portraits, sports, wildlife … and the short focus distance makes it even great for close-up photography. I rarely use my 300/2.8, 300/4, 70-200/2.8, 14-24/2.8 ….

Great video, Tom! Really interesting to hear your thoughts. I’ve been looking at this lens with great interest. My telephoto lens is a 300mm 2.8 VRII like you, but I often use it with either a 1.4 or a 2x converter as I mainly photograph birds, so I was considering switching to the 400mm 4.5 with a 1.4 Tc. Seems like a great, lightweight combination, and certainly much nicer to carry around than the larger primes. But, the times I use the 300mm bare, which is a fair amount as I like to show some environment in my images, there is just no better lens to photograph wildlife with IMO. In a dream scenario one could own both lenses, but losing the 2.8 aperture and the option to go wider than 400mm has made me opt for staying with my 300mm. I don’t think I can ever part ways with that lens!

hi Tom, what would you recommend for me related to this decision, 400 4.5 or 500PF, i have at present the D850 and Z6II as am between ordering Z9 etc next year but have the funds for either of these 2, i want a walk around lens to replace my 200-500 etc.

Great video, Tom. Now I'm very well-informed about this incredible lens. I'm getting serious about wildlife photography and am looking for a professional lens which is of a reasonable weight and costs under £4000. Should I get the 400mm f4.5 or the 200-500 f5.6? Or are there any other lenses that you can higher recommend? I'd love to know what you think.

Could I ask what editing software you would recommend?

Hi Tom can you recommend and good beginner Nikon camera and lens for landscape photography maybe a budget and an investment set up please

I’m planning on purchasing this lens once I buy the Z9 or the future Z8. I know you feel the Z9 is not too heavy but as we get older you really feel the weight. Question, what is the lens camo you are using at 4:36?

i shoot sport in poor lighting with z6ii and 300mm 2.8. Would the f4.5 really hurt in bad lighting conditions? use up to 4000 iso at times on f2.8

If I had to invest into a z59 which lens do you think I should invest In

I have a Z800 pf but considering 400 4.5 or 100-400. What are your preferences?

Hi Very nice information but still I like your 300mm2.8 but weight is kind of pain but price for 400mm 4.5 good but still confusing which one should I purchase ? As 3002.8 is old lense and difficult to fix if something went wrong but image so cool send some pictures from 3002.8 may be talking true choice please advise ?

Hi, I’m an amateur photographer looking for a sub $1000 wildlife setup. I currently own a sony a6000 but I don’t know of any affordable telephoto lenses for it (and I’m often frustrated by it’s autofocusing). I’ve considered going down the micro/four thirds route with a Panasonic GH9 but I wonder if buying an old pro-dslr like a D3 would be better. Also, if possible, I would like a relatively quiet shutter as I don’t want to scare close birds away. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Tom, what Arca-Swiss compatible plate have you attached to your Z 600mm f4 TC VR S. The two holes are different sizes on the Nikon supplied foot with the front hole being a larger tripod-style hole? How did you do it?

Thanks for the review! That lowepro bag looks interesing - do you think the z9 + 400 4.5 + the 1.4tc would still fit in? Thanks!

HI Tom, That Manfrotto small tripod its bether than it look on you video, Thanks fot the tip.

I also love my 300 f2.8 ❤❤❤ and would not want to exchange it with this Z400 f4.5 lens. The 300 ist heavy but also build like a tank 😅. Using it gets your muscles trained at no extra fees