Evaluation: Fujifilm XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR lens

Super-telephoto lenses have at all times concerned compromise. More attain often means extra weight, extra dimension and extra gear to hold into the sector.

Fujifilm’s new FUJINON XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR takes a special strategy, combining a 400mm focal size with a comparatively compact and light-weight design that makes severe long-range images surprisingly cellular.

Mounted on my Fujifilm X-H2S, the lens delivers a 35mm-equivalent focal size of 609mm, placing topics remarkably shut with out requiring the bodily bulk usually related to this sort of attain. It is designed for birds, wildlife, motorsport, plane and different fast-moving topics the place attain, autofocus and stability are important.

After spending time utilizing the XF400mmF4.5 within the area, I feel Fujifilm has discovered a powerful steadiness between efficiency and portability. 

The tech

The XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR incorporates a 400mm focal size and most aperture of f/4.5. On Fujifilm’s APS-C X Series cameras, that provides you a 609mm full-frame equal area of view.

For even larger attain, the lens is appropriate with Fujifilm’s teleconverters. The XF1.4X TC WR takes the focal size to 560mm, equal to 853mm in full-frame phrases, whereas the XF2X TC WR extends it to 800mm, equal to a unprecedented 1,219mm.

Optically, the lens contains 21 components in 14 teams, together with two Super ED and 4 ED components. This refined optical building is designed to minimise chromatic aberration whereas sustaining excessive decision throughout the body.

The lens additionally options 5.5 stops of optical picture stabilisation. At 609mm equal, even the smallest motion can grow to be exaggerated, so efficient stabilisation is especially useful when capturing handheld.

Autofocus is dealt with by an inside focusing system pushed by a high-speed linear motor. This retains focusing quick and quiet whereas additionally serving to to scale back the bodily dimension and weight of the lens.

The barrel incorporates a Focus Control Button, Focus Select Switch, Focus Preset Button and Focus Distance Range Selector. These change how rapidly you possibly can work.

The Focus Select Switch lets you assign the Focus Control Button to AF-L, PRESET or AF. There’s additionally a spotlight preset operate that lets you retailer a spotlight place and immediately return to it, whereas the main focus limiter can limit the focusing vary when working with topics greater than 5 metres away.

For wildlife images, these are considerate additions that put vital capabilities precisely the place your hand naturally sits.

Build Quality

The very first thing that stunned me in regards to the XF400mmF4.5 was the burden.

At roughly 1,245g, this isn’t a small lens by any means. Look at it and also you count on it to grow to be one thing you will continuously have to consider carrying. But as soon as it’s in your shoulder, the truth is sort of totally different.

I spent a whole day strolling round open air with the lens, typically hen watching and looking by way of tough terrain. At one level I used to be slogging by way of thick, knee-deep grass with the lens dangling from my shoulder, and I barely seen it was there. That was in all probability the largest praise I might give it.

The lens would not really feel like an anchor dragging you again to the automotive. It feels extra like a chunk of area gear that occurs to have a unprecedented attain. You can carry it, stroll with it and discover with it with out continuously calculating how for much longer you possibly can tolerate having it with you.

Part of this comes right down to the steadiness. Fujifilm has positioned the centre of gravity nearer to the digital camera physique, serving to to scale back the front-heavy feeling frequent with massive telephoto lenses. The result’s a lens that feels significantly extra manageable than its look suggests.

The barrel is sealed at 20 factors for mud and climate resistance and is rated for operation right down to -10°C. The entrance ingredient additionally receives a fluorine coating to repel water and resist smudging.

For somebody who spends plenty of time exterior, I recognize this enormously. Wildlife would not look forward to excellent climate, and neither does good mild. The XF400mmF4.5 feels constructed to be taken exterior reasonably than rigorously protected indoors.

In use

This is the place the XF400mmF4.5 actually began to make sense to me. On the X-H2S, the 609mm-equivalent area of view offers you attain, however what impressed me was how naturally the lens dealt with whereas strolling and looking for topics.

Bird images can contain plenty of ready adopted by a number of seconds of full chaos. You may spend twenty minutes standing in a paddock watching an empty department, just for a hen to seem, disappear, change route and fly throughout the sky earlier than you’ve got correctly registered what occurred. 

The 5.5-stop optical picture stabilisation was invaluable for one of these images. At greater than 600mm equal, handheld capturing can rapidly expose the smallest motion, however the stabilisation offers you confidence to work with out instantly reaching for a tripod. And that, mixed with the burden, is what I discovered most liberating.

Image Quality

The XF400mmF4.5’s optical design, with two Super ED and 4 ED components, is constructed to ship excessive decision whereas controlling chromatic aberration. In follow, the extent of element this lens can pull from distant topics is spectacular.

Feathers, fur, branches and distant textures retain an unlimited quantity of element, giving photographs a way of depth even when the topic is bodily distant.

The f/4.5 aperture additionally offers the lens a stunning potential to separate topics from their environment. Combined with the lengthy focal size, it may possibly flip a cluttered background into one thing virtually painterly. This is the place I feel the lens turns into notably fascinating past easy wildlife images.

I’m drawn to environmental photographs the place the topic stays related to its environment. I do not essentially wish to fill the body with an animal and take away each hint of the place it lives. The 400mm lets me discover these small moments inside a a lot bigger panorama.

The wrap-up

The XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR actually stunned me. For a lens with this a lot attain, it’s remarkably mild and straightforward to hold, even after a full day within the area.

Paired with the X-H2S, the autofocus, stabilisation and customisable lens buttons make it a pleasure to make use of, notably for fast-moving birds and wildlife.

At 609mm equal, it brings distant topics into attain whereas nonetheless providing you with the flexibleness to discover the panorama and discover these small, simply missed moments.

At $4,949 AUD, it’s a severe funding, however for photographers who want skilled long-range efficiency with out the majority, the XF400mmF4.5 is a powerful addition to the Fujifilm X Series.

The outcomes

Handling ★★★★

Excellent. The XF400mmF4.5 is surprisingly simple to hold contemplating its dimension and attain. I spent complete days strolling open air with it and barely seen the burden. The centre of gravity being nearer to the digital camera physique makes an actual distinction throughout handheld capturing.

Features ★★★

The mixture of 5.5-stop OIS, climate sealing, focus preset, focus limiter and customisable lens buttons offers this lens a superb set of sensible options.

Focusing ★★★★

Fast, quiet and correct, with the linear motor pairing effectively with the X-H2S. The focus limiter and customisable controls are wonderful for wildlife, though monitoring small or distant topics can nonetheless be hit or miss, an space the place Fujifilm has room to enhance.

Image Quality ★★★★

Excellent decision and element, with stunning compression and topic isolation at 609mm equal.

Value For Money ★★★★

At $4,949 AUD, it’s a major funding, however the attain, portability, stabilisation {and professional} options make it simpler to justify for normal wildlife, hen, aviation or sports activities photographers. There are additionally extra reasonably priced telephoto choices available on the market, making the XF400mmF4.5 a premium selection reasonably than an apparent one.