Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Prime lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
Z Mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S is a member of Nikon's S-Line series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.
S-Line Series Lenses in Nikon Z Mount
Reasons to Buy Nikon Nikkor 400mm F4.5 VR S Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Nikon Nikkor 400mm F4.5 VR S lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
| Optical Image Stabilization (up to 5.5 stops) |
| Weather-sealed |
| Autofocus |
| AF/MF Switch on Lens |
| Mode Switch on Lens |
| Focus Range Limiter |
| Focus Hold Button |
| Compatible with Nikon Teleconverters |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
| 400mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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Buy Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S from Amazon or B&H PHOTO
| Slow Aperture for a Prime Lens |
| Heavy |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S is compatible with cameras that have a Nikon Z lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon Z lenses are Nikon Zf, Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z30.
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Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S has a maximum diameter of 104mm and total length of 235mm. It weighs 1245g / 43.9 oz.
Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S and Nikon Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR (Nikon Z mount) to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.
Comparison image of the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S and the Nikon Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR Size and Weight
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S has a filter thread of 95mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S:
Focal Range
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S has a fixed focal length of 400mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 600mm.
Teleconverter Compatibility
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S changes below:
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Weather Sealings
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Nikon-Nikkor-400mm-F4.5-VR-S-sealing.jpg]()
Weather Sealings of the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S
The Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Nikon Zf, Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z30.
Optical Image Stabilization
The Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting. Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S's stabilization system is effective up to 5.5 stops.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 235mm and a weight of 1245g, the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S MTF Charts
Below you can find the MTF chart of Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S which would give an idea of the its contrast and resolution from the center to its edges.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Nikon-Nikkor-400mm-F4.5-VR-S-mtf-chart-1.jpg]()
MTF Chart of the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.16x and has a minimum focusing distance of 2.5m. 0.16x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.
Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Prime type Nikon Z mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S has a max aperture of F4.5 and a minimum aperture of F32.
Optical Formula
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S's optical formula consists of 19 elements in 13 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
- 1 x ED
- 2 x SuperED
- 1 x Short-wavelength refractive
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Nikon-Nikkor-400mm-F4.5-VR-S-optical-structure.jpg]()
Optical Construction of the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S
Lens Hood
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is HB-105.
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S Official Video
Body Colour
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S is available in Black color.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Nikon-Nikkor-400mm-F4.5-VR-S-withcamera.jpg]()
Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S Attached to a camera
Popular Comparisons of Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Nikon 400mm F4.5 VR S Lens
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