I have shot with the Z 100-400mm for about 6 months now and I have been very happy with it. I have been transitioning to Z glass and the only F mount lens I had left was the excellent AF-S 500mm PF. I have had the Z 800 PF on order since it was first introduced and sold my AF-S 600mm f/4D lens in anticipation of receiving it. In the mean time, a Z 400mm f/4.5 came into my camera shop and I jumped on it. This lens has far exceeded my expectations, it is incredibly light, works extremely well with both the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, and although it is only 2/3 of a stop faster aperture wise than the 100-400mm, it does make a noticeable difference in lower light situations, and creates a more pleasing bokeh. I also find it is slightly faster in acquiring focus, especially with the 2x tele attached, but that both are quite good. I find they really have different purposes, and are quite complementary, so for now, I have decided to keep both of them. If I am out shooting wildlife or sports, I tend to favour the Z 400mm prime, but as a allrounder, I love the versatility of the Z 100-400mm zoom. PS, After shooting the Z 400mm, the AF-S 500mm PF seemed heavy and a bit ungainly, crazy, as I remember first shooting with it and being amazed at how small and light it was, lol!
This is looking great. After hauling a heavy 300mm f2.8 with 1.4TC and 2.0TC on the FTZ, using it at 420mm f4 and 600mm f5.6 needed to drop some gear weight for my photography which usually involve long hikes and hand-holding. Switching to this 400mm f4.5 with 1.4 (560 6.3) is going to be much more manageable.
I recently switched over from the Sony A1 + FE 200-600mm to the Z8 + Z400mm f4.5 + 1.4TC simply because of one thing. The agility it gives me. As much as I loved the Sony combo, I wanted a setup which is more portable to travel with, and lighter while out in the field, trekking for wildlife. I was considering the Olympus OM-1 + Zuiko 300mm f4, but was hesitant on going to MFT, especially with the noise and DR limitations. And this review of yours literally helped make that final decision to switch much easier as I’ve always found your reviews honest, trustworthy and spot-on. Needless to say, I’m super happy now. I shoot everything handheld now, and that’s helped me shave many pounds off my gear. Tnks Dave & Evelyn, and regards to Chris and Johnathan too (the other 2 guys I trust with reviews 😁).
excellent video yet again and thanks for your efforts from a viewer here in Ireland 🇮🇪. waiting still for my z400mm f2.8 lens to arrive. For people that don't have the money for the z400mmf2.8 but shoot sports and wildlife this 400mm f4.5 will be a big help and be hard to get for quite a while. might make it easier to get the zoom z 100-400 mm .
I will stick with my 500PF lens for now, but the improved image stabilization with the Z mount lens is tempting. If they made that lens in a 600mm I'd be all over it because I shoot birds so much. My 600mm f/4 is gathering dust since I got the 500PF because I can't hand hold the 600mm for flying birds.
It is sooo much on my radar - But we have to wait a while - In Denmark we tend to be last in the line to get our Nikon gear. Many of us is still waiting for the Z9 to arrive !!!
It's got me thinking!! Has anyone tried it on either of the Ziis yet. My thought was the 100-400, but now I am thinking about keeping my 70-300 and getting this 400. I shoot wildlife which includes birds and mammals. There are occasions when 400mm will work, but mostly, I still use the 500pf and D500 for birds. I am liking this for deer and elk. I get that the 400 f2.8 will be much better, but what I do doesn't justify a budget like that.
Almost a year later writing this, but with my Z9 having the latest 3.xx firmware, I still prefer my 500mm PF & FTZ or FTZII (I have both) for handheld bird in flight shooting. Bonus is that I can still drop my 500PF onto my D500, or even D750/D800/D700 bodies should I choose to. I have the original Z6 for event/wedding jobs and am awaiting a Z6III/Z8 as no other "Z-body" comes REMOTELY close to Z9 performance with wildlife. CAN my Z6 catch birds in flight? YES. Is it ENJOYABLE? (Which is WHY I do it...) No. I'd MUCH rather grab my OM-1 and Olympus 300mm f4 (600mm equiv.) for hiking/lightweight loadout. Else I'll just grab my D500 which isn't 100% "bested" by my Z9 for overall performance. Some things my D500 does better, and some my Z9. Both are GREAT with 500mm PF for "hand-holdable" shooting. (Yes, I DID try swapping my 500 PF for the 400mm Z lens that another birder in my group had bought.) And truth be told, before I'd even buy the 400mm 2.8, I'd buy the 800mm 6.3 PF S-lens. I don't shoot night games or motorsport, so for me, the 800mm PF is a better compliment to my excellent 500mm PF
Hmm. The 100-400 would certainly make more sense for a paid photo shoot where time is critical and you have to get the shot. But... for a more artistic shoot - where you venture out on to the streets or wherever and just see what you can compose as you angle around with a fixed focal length, this one would be more fun. Guess I'll have to buy both. Not! If your primary interest is bird photography, 400mm is the bare minimum focal length you'll need for a full size sensor. Either the 800mm or the 400mm with the built in TC that gets you out to 560mm. And you are right, don't expect your DSLR lenses to perform as well as a Z lens on a new mirrorless body. Time marches on...
Looking at the price, weight and compactness...its really stunning. My experience using Z9 so far, it works faster with Z lenses...thats why I would consider buying Z 800mm pf lens
Thank you for the review! Thinking of switching systems from Canon to Nikon anyway. Would like to see you compare this lens on a Nikon vs a canon R5 or R7 (crop) with a Canon 400 f/5.6. System vs system, ya know?
It would have been interesting to hear feedback about any hit in autofocus performance with the 1.4 and/or 2x teleconverters. Perhaps it could be included when a full test on a production model is filmed?
I have this connected to a Z6 II camera. I need to set the focus at infinity but don’t know how to do it. F/11 focused at infinity with a series of exposures ranging from 1/3400 to 4 seconds. Can you help me? Thanks, Paul
I am getting that lens, next week, and using it with my Z8. I can't wait. I actually have the 70-200mm and don't like it. It does not have the reach that I need as a bird photographer. My wife bought it for herself, but it was too heavy for her, so it is her hand-me-down. I don't want it. Anyway, I'm excited about the 400mm F4.5 combination.
I’m having a tough time deciding between the 100-400 and the 400 f4.5. I love the flexibility of the zoom, but the quality of the 400/f4.5. And the weight. I generally photograph large mammals. I was recently photographing bears in Alaska… one moment they are too close for 400mm and the next, I need 600mm (hence 2 bodies)… And with birds in flight, 400mm is too short. Such a dilemma….
Re-writing my response as it was deleted by the channel owners.. Go with the 400mm prime if you find yourself shooting mostly at that focal length. Go with the 100-400 if you need to go with the variable focal range.
Not on my radar yet. That said, if I shot some well lite sporting events, I would have a look. I understand why a Camera Store would give upbeat positive reviews, but I would like in general to hear a bit more about lens construction, closest focusing distance, out of focus appearance, flare, and performance in low light (i.e. shooting at a pool for diving events) - since it's going to be compared with the 400mm f/2.8 (and 100-400). The compact light lens is an accomplishment. Now lets here it's limitations.
Thank you for this review. You showed some nice samples of birds in flight. For many years I have dreamed of a 400 f4 from Nikon and here it is. I recently got the Z9 and am using it with the f- Mount 500 Pf. I am confused now. The 500 Pf has a little better reach but at f5.6. Tonight I see new firmware 2.1 is available too. Do you think the Z Mount lens would have a much better the performance than my much loved 500 Pf? My life is like Goldilocks. Oh dear.
@@russandlozI still haven’t tried the 400 4.5. I am now very happy with the 500 Pf after having the latest Z9 firmware with bird recognition. The latest 600 Pf option looks exciting but I am not keen on the slower aperture during the dull winters where I am. I bet the 400 4.5 would be my fav choice for fast close encounters on snowy days. It looks nimble. I like a wider field of view and f4.5 is attractive to me. I might end up with the 400 4.5 someday. ( I also love the 300 Pf ) I’m sorry. I don’t know if I answered you clearly, but thank you for your question. This was one of my fav reviews for this lens and the lens remains on top of my wish list.😊
having updated to V2.1 yesterday and taking the Z9 out into the field (admittedly I am lucky that work has the 400mm 2.8 Z to test it with) I noticed a good improvement to the AF. The Z9 AF was already really good but did have a slight issue of not releasing the background in some scenarios once it had grabbed it. I tested the new FW out shooting barn owls and swifts yesterday and it now performs much better, not getting stuck on high contrast backgrounds as much. So in short, really really good.
Nikon hit a home run with this lens. But I still say they need to make a 400f5.6 for under $2K. I suppose the problem there is all the affordable 150-600mm superzoom lenses available now kind of stole the budget supertelephoto market.
F/4.5 is simply too slow. Take it to a baseball game at twilight, and watch shots quickly turn to mud. Yes, I understand the price and weight difference. But you can put VR IV into a lens, it will never be a substitute for aperture speed.
I have shot with the Z 100-400mm for about 6 months now and I have been very happy with it. I have been transitioning to Z glass and the only F mount lens I had left was the excellent AF-S 500mm PF. I have had the Z 800 PF on order since it was first introduced and sold my AF-S 600mm f/4D lens in anticipation of receiving it. In the mean time, a Z 400mm f/4.5 came into my camera shop and I jumped on it. This lens has far exceeded my expectations, it is incredibly light, works extremely well with both the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, and although it is only 2/3 of a stop faster aperture wise than the 100-400mm, it does make a noticeable difference in lower light situations, and creates a more pleasing bokeh. I also find it is slightly faster in acquiring focus, especially with the 2x tele attached, but that both are quite good. I find they really have different purposes, and are quite complementary, so for now, I have decided to keep both of them. If I am out shooting wildlife or sports, I tend to favour the Z 400mm prime, but as a allrounder, I love the versatility of the Z 100-400mm zoom. PS, After shooting the Z 400mm, the AF-S 500mm PF seemed heavy and a bit ungainly, crazy, as I remember first shooting with it and being amazed at how small and light it was, lol!
This is looking great. After hauling a heavy 300mm f2.8 with 1.4TC and 2.0TC on the FTZ, using it at 420mm f4 and 600mm f5.6 needed to drop some gear weight for my photography which usually involve long hikes and hand-holding. Switching to this 400mm f4.5 with 1.4 (560 6.3) is going to be much more manageable.
I recently switched over from the Sony A1 + FE 200-600mm to the Z8 + Z400mm f4.5 + 1.4TC simply because of one thing. The agility it gives me.
As much as I loved the Sony combo, I wanted a setup which is more portable to travel with, and lighter while out in the field, trekking for wildlife. I was considering the Olympus OM-1 + Zuiko 300mm f4, but was hesitant on going to MFT, especially with the noise and DR limitations.
And this review of yours literally helped make that final decision to switch much easier as I’ve always found your reviews honest, trustworthy and spot-on.
Needless to say, I’m super happy now. I shoot everything handheld now, and that’s helped me shave many pounds off my gear.
Tnks Dave & Evelyn, and regards to Chris and Johnathan too (the other 2 guys I trust with reviews 😁).
Really enjoy your reviews. Were I Canadian, I’d definitely do business with The Camera Store.
Thanks for the great review. I’d love to have that lens. My checkbook has expressed a difference opinion.
excellent video yet again and thanks for your efforts from a viewer here in Ireland 🇮🇪. waiting still for my z400mm f2.8 lens to arrive. For people that don't have the money for the z400mmf2.8 but shoot sports and wildlife this 400mm f4.5 will be a big help and be hard to get for quite a while. might make it easier to get the zoom z 100-400 mm .
I will stick with my 500PF lens for now, but the improved image stabilization with the Z mount lens is tempting. If they made that lens in a 600mm I'd be all over it because I shoot birds so much. My 600mm f/4 is gathering dust since I got the 500PF because I can't hand hold the 600mm for flying birds.
if you ever sell the 600mm f4, let me kknow
It is sooo much on my radar - But we have to wait a while - In Denmark we tend to be last in the line to get our Nikon gear. Many of us is still waiting for the Z9 to arrive !!!
Got mine on order with The Camera Store! No PST! :)
It's got me thinking!! Has anyone tried it on either of the Ziis yet. My thought was the 100-400, but now I am thinking about keeping my 70-300 and getting this 400. I shoot wildlife which includes birds and mammals. There are occasions when 400mm will work, but mostly, I still use the 500pf and D500 for birds. I am liking this for deer and elk.
I get that the 400 f2.8 will be much better, but what I do doesn't justify a budget like that.
Best store and people in the business.
Almost a year later writing this, but with my Z9 having the latest 3.xx firmware, I still prefer my 500mm PF & FTZ or FTZII (I have both) for handheld bird in flight shooting. Bonus is that I can still drop my 500PF onto my D500, or even D750/D800/D700 bodies should I choose to. I have the original Z6 for event/wedding jobs and am awaiting a Z6III/Z8 as no other "Z-body" comes REMOTELY close to Z9 performance with wildlife. CAN my Z6 catch birds in flight? YES. Is it ENJOYABLE? (Which is WHY I do it...) No. I'd MUCH rather grab my OM-1 and Olympus 300mm f4 (600mm equiv.) for hiking/lightweight loadout. Else I'll just grab my D500 which isn't 100% "bested" by my Z9 for overall performance. Some things my D500 does better, and some my Z9. Both are GREAT with 500mm PF for "hand-holdable" shooting. (Yes, I DID try swapping my 500 PF for the 400mm Z lens that another birder in my group had bought.) And truth be told, before I'd even buy the 400mm 2.8, I'd buy the 800mm 6.3 PF S-lens. I don't shoot night games or motorsport, so for me, the 800mm PF is a better compliment to my excellent 500mm PF
Hmm. The 100-400 would certainly make more sense for a paid photo shoot where time is critical and you have to get the shot. But... for a more artistic shoot - where you venture out on to the streets or wherever and just see what you can compose as you angle around with a fixed focal length, this one would be more fun. Guess I'll have to buy both. Not! If your primary interest is bird photography, 400mm is the bare minimum focal length you'll need for a full size sensor. Either the 800mm or the 400mm with the built in TC that gets you out to 560mm. And you are right, don't expect your DSLR lenses to perform as well as a Z lens on a new mirrorless body. Time marches on...
That was fun. What a great pair for a great lens addition. Not for me with my 500 PF but that's okay
Would love to use it for Astrophotography on a tracker. Would be great for andromeda for example.
Would slill like to wait for Nikon z 200-600 mm lens.
Looking at the price, weight and compactness...its really stunning. My experience using Z9 so far, it works faster with Z lenses...thats why I would consider buying Z 800mm pf lens
Thank you for the review! Thinking of switching systems from Canon to Nikon anyway. Would like to see you compare this lens on a Nikon vs a canon R5 or R7 (crop) with a Canon 400 f/5.6. System vs system, ya know?
Thanks for watching. I hope that Canon comes out with an updated version of the 400/5.6 for the RF system soon.
The PERFECT Lens I have been waiting for to compliment my 70-200 S and my 1.4 x Convertor S will work >> ideal for African Wild Life
It would have been interesting to hear feedback about any hit in autofocus performance with the 1.4 and/or 2x teleconverters. Perhaps it could be included when a full test on a production model is filmed?
I have this connected to a Z6 II camera. I need to set the focus at infinity but don’t know how to do it.
F/11 focused at infinity with a series of exposures ranging from 1/3400 to 4 seconds.
Can you help me?
Thanks,
Paul
I am getting that lens, next week, and using it with my Z8. I can't wait.
I actually have the 70-200mm and don't like it. It does not have the reach that I need as a bird photographer. My wife bought it for herself, but it was too heavy for her, so it is her hand-me-down. I don't want it. Anyway, I'm excited about the 400mm F4.5 combination.
I’m having a tough time deciding between the 100-400 and the 400 f4.5. I love the flexibility of the zoom, but the quality of the 400/f4.5. And the weight. I generally photograph large mammals. I was recently photographing bears in Alaska… one moment they are too close for 400mm and the next, I need 600mm (hence 2 bodies)… And with birds in flight, 400mm is too short. Such a dilemma….
Lol @CameraStoreTv knocked my comment out for sharing my instagram. Well i was thinking of subbing but no after that.
Re-writing my response as it was deleted by the channel owners.. Go with the 400mm prime if you find yourself shooting mostly at that focal length. Go with the 100-400 if you need to go with the variable focal range.
Great video!
Not on my radar yet. That said, if I shot some well lite sporting events, I would have a look. I understand why a Camera Store would give upbeat positive reviews, but I would like in general to hear a bit more about lens construction, closest focusing distance, out of focus appearance, flare, and performance in low light (i.e. shooting at a pool for diving events) - since it's going to be compared with the 400mm f/2.8 (and 100-400). The compact light lens is an accomplishment. Now lets here it's limitations.
I really love your voice 🤩
Thank you for this review. You showed some nice samples of birds in flight. For many years I have dreamed of a 400 f4 from Nikon and here it is. I recently got the Z9 and am using it with the f- Mount 500 Pf. I am confused now. The 500 Pf has a little better reach but at f5.6. Tonight I see new firmware 2.1 is available too. Do you think the Z Mount lens would have a much better the performance than my much loved 500 Pf? My life is like Goldilocks. Oh dear.
What did you do? was the 400 more useful than the 500?
@@russandlozI still haven’t tried the 400 4.5. I am now very happy with the 500 Pf after having the latest Z9 firmware with bird recognition. The latest 600 Pf option looks exciting but I am not keen on the slower aperture during the dull winters where I am. I bet the 400 4.5 would be my fav choice for fast close encounters on snowy days. It looks nimble. I like a wider field of view and f4.5 is attractive to me. I might end up with the 400 4.5 someday. ( I also love the 300 Pf ) I’m sorry. I don’t know if I answered you clearly, but thank you for your question. This was one of my fav reviews for this lens and the lens remains on top of my wish list.😊
@@russelljenkins2048 Thanks. I’m in the debate of getting the 180-600, 400 4.5 or 500pf. Very difficult
wait... why at 0:47 of the video, the display says F3.5!!! ja! it seems they reuse footage from other lens.
Have you tried it on Z6? Is AF any good?
Imagine if Nikon comes up with a pro 36 MP crop body wow...this combo would a birder's wet dream
Agreed. But till then, just flick the Dx switch on that Z8/Z9 and rock on baby!! 😄
How about firmware V 2.1? Did you notice AF performance improvement?
having updated to V2.1 yesterday and taking the Z9 out into the field (admittedly I am lucky that work has the 400mm 2.8 Z to test it with) I noticed a good improvement to the AF. The Z9 AF was already really good but did have a slight issue of not releasing the background in some scenarios once it had grabbed it. I tested the new FW out shooting barn owls and swifts yesterday and it now performs much better, not getting stuck on high contrast backgrounds as much. So in short, really really good.
How about using it with a z6
It works very well with the whole Nikon Z system. Cheers
Nikon hit a home run with this lens.
But I still say they need to make a 400f5.6 for under $2K.
I suppose the problem there is all the affordable 150-600mm superzoom lenses available now kind of stole the budget supertelephoto market.
Hoping the Z 200-600mm comes out next.
For birds, especially passerines, 400mm is usually too short. Save the money for an 800mm 6.3 instead.
Doing wildlife photography in a day glow orange jacket is not advisable.
80% of the people that buy this lens could never sell enough pictures to pay for one. That’s the funny part.
F/4.5 is simply too slow. Take it to a baseball game at twilight, and watch shots quickly turn to mud. Yes, I understand the price and weight difference. But you can put VR IV into a lens, it will never be a substitute for aperture speed.
A f4.0 would have been better than a 4.5. Of course nothing beats a 400/2.8. But I’ve shot sports using a 600/4.0 at night.
For the price nothing else comes close to the quality you're getting here.
then get the 400mm f2.8
Go pay 16k for an f.2.8 then
@@airjaff Not the point, keyboard warrior.