Fujifilm XF 400mm F4.5 sample gallery

DPReview has released a sample gallery from its hands-on testing of Fujifilm's newly announced XF 400mm F4.5 R LM OIS WR lens. The super telephoto prime, offering a 609mm full-frame equivalent field of view on Fujifilm's APS-C X-mount cameras, was used to photograph birds and other distant subjects.

The reviewer, who described themselves as new to bird photography, found the lens made the genre feel approachable. Its autofocus was noted for moving quickly between the 2.7-meter close-focusing distance and infinity, a useful trait for switching between near and distant subjects. The autofocus motor was not entirely silent but was quiet enough that the reviewer did not worry about disturbing wildlife, especially at the working distances typical for such a long focal length.

Handling and Build

Weighing 1245 grams (2.7 pounds), the lens is substantial but was described as impressively manageable for its reach. The reviewer was comfortable carrying it one-handed with a camera attached while walking, though they would not shoot one-handed. Fujifilm states the lens is weighted toward the rear for better maneuverability during panning, a design the reviewer felt was well-matched to the Fujifilm X-H2 camera body used during the test.

The manual focus ring has a relatively long throw, which hindered quick reactions to subject changes but proved useful for making fine adjustments. The ring offers enough resistance for precise control and has a texture that feels good under a fingertip. The aperture ring features a clicked, deliberate action and can be locked to allow control via the camera's command dial.

Optical Performance and Use

The maximum aperture of F4.5 provides a slight light-gathering advantage over Fujifilm's existing XF 500mm F5.6 lens. This aperture offered some flexibility for bird photography, though the reviewer still relied on fairly high ISO settings when shooting in dim woods at dawn or trying to freeze fast-moving action. The report suggests F4.5 is practical for wildlife and action photography in brighter conditions, while also helping keep the lens's size and price more reasonable than a faster design would allow.

The reviewer did not conduct a full technical evaluation but came away happy with the images produced. They stated the lens made a first deliberate attempt at bird photography mostly enjoyable.

Comparative Specifications

The source provides key specifications for the new lens and mentions a comparable model. The figures are presented below.

The sample images, which DPReview asks users not to reproduce without permission, are available for private download on its website. The gallery shows the lens's performance in real-world wildlife shooting scenarios.