Fujifilm has announced the Fujinon XF400mm F4.5 R LM OIS WR lens for its X series of mirrorless cameras. Equivalent to 600mm in 35mm format, the new optic delivers a maximum aperture of f/4.5 and weighs just 1,245g without the lens hood or cap, making it suitable for handheld shooting of distant subjects like wildlife, sports, and action photography.
Lightweight Design for Extended handheld Use
The lens is built around a 21-element, 14-group configuration that incorporates two Super ED elements and four ED elements. This design aims to minimize chromatic aberration, an issue that can affect super telephoto optics. The company also enhanced the shake detection system and optimized the stabilization mechanism, promising up to 5.5 stops of image stabilization.
Despite its reach, the 400mm F4.5 is impressively light. Fujifilm positioned the center of gravity closer to the camera body, and the included lens foot can help steady the setup and reduce fatigue during long shoots. The lens features 20 sealed points for dust and water resistance, with a fluorine coating on the front element to repel water and smudges.
Autofocus and Practical Testing
The lens performed reliably during a pre-release test session photographing birds of prey in heavy rain. While the wet weather kept the birds less active, the testing confirmed the weather sealing held up through several hours of downpours. The autofocus system operates quietly, an important trait when photographing skittish subjects like peregrine falcons and eagles.
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Stabilization proved effective at keeping shake to a minimum when shooting handheld at long focal lengths. The lens also offers a focus preset function that lets photographers assign and instantly return to a specific focusing distance, useful when tracking regular perches or feeding spots. A focus limiter helps prevent the lens from hunting through foreground objects when working with distant subjects.
Positioning and Pricing
The new 400mm lens completes Fujifilm’s supertelephoto lineup, which now spans from 300mm to 762mm in 35mm equivalent. It slots between the Fujinon XF200mm F2 R LM OIS WR and the Fujinon XF500mm F5.6 LM OIS WR. The XF400mm F4.5 will be available from the end of September at £2,499, making it notably less expensive than the 200mm, which typically retails for over £4,000.
Pairing the lens with the Fujinon Teleconverter XF1.4X TC WR extends the focal length to 560mm (840mm equivalent), while the XF2X TC WR pushes it to 800mm (1,200mm equivalent). The combination gives photographers considerable flexibility for getting closer to subjects without carrying additional glass.
