Z400f4 5 - A User Report

The new Nikon Z400f4.5 might just be the most wonderful lens for photographers in a long time. What's inside that lens barrel? How does it work? What's new? Is it sharp and how does it compare to other lenses? Most importantly, how do you put this marvelous lens to work telling your visual story? All of this and more is in the video. You can find out even more by heading to the accompanying blog post on my website wp.me/p6YJx-gg4
Where did I get my Z400f4.5, for that matter all my gear, like the T Shirt says www.bedfords.com/ tell them Moose sent you, and you'll save 5%! :-)

Пікірлер: 65

  • @waynejones1054
    @waynejones1054 Жыл бұрын

    Great review, thank you.

  • @kylezeringue5673
    @kylezeringue5673 Жыл бұрын

    Moose, I loved the video. I absolutely agree that this lens/camera combination is outstanding. Great wildlife and auto racing performance. I finally received the 1.4 thanks to NPS and really look forward to working with it. Thanks for the video!

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    thanks ever so much for watching!

  • @ADNZ5442
    @ADNZ5442 Жыл бұрын

    Sand dipper photos are sooo good!!

  • @redauwg911
    @redauwg911 Жыл бұрын

    Moose Peterson. You always have the best Nikon reviews.. Waiting for them to send you a 800pf..

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I already own a 800mm, the 800f5.6 AFS ... no plans or designs on the Z800 :-)

  • @redauwg911

    @redauwg911

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MoosePeterson Yes i just thought Nikon should loan you one to try. After all you have been a great spokesman for Nikon for years.. All the best Moose

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    @@redauwg911 Thanks ... I think it will be a while before, if ever, it's an open stock item to be sending out loaners. I have 4 friends who own and shoot it. They love it!

  • @dance2jam
    @dance2jam Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your summary review of the 400mm f/4.5 S line Z lens. Enjoyed your straight forward responses of "It doesn't matter what I would pick, it matters what you need to tell your story". Well said, but rarely said. Have to say, I'm a bit surprised that there is no AF speed or IQ fall off with the Z TCs (even if it is small). The lack of weight with this lens (given the quality of the IQ) is clearly the standout if you do not need the flexibility of a zoom that covers the same range. I have heard (not used the lens yet) that the out of focus transitions are generally more pleasing than the 500mm PF. Your thoughts?

  • @williamanthonywilliams1501
    @williamanthonywilliams1501 Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant explanation, best review Ive seen towards any lens.... Thank you :) i got this lens for christmas yet to try it out , am also on Z9 :) can't wait to try it out :)

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    great ... you'll love the lens!

  • @scottheppel8847
    @scottheppel8847 Жыл бұрын

    This was very interesting to me in that I do a lot of walk around bird photography. I have been looking for a Z-mount lens to replace the 500 pf with my Z 9. Thank you for sharing your experience.

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    it's truly been so much fun to bebop around again with a "bird" lens on my shoulder! I ddin't realize how much I had been missing that experience!

  • @plantman6245

    @plantman6245

    3 ай бұрын

    Why replace 500?

  • @Azeemmerchant
    @Azeemmerchant Жыл бұрын

    AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME VIDEO .... THANKYOU❤❤❤

  • @wellingtonpracz120
    @wellingtonpracz12011 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the fantastic review Moose, I have been a fan of your work for a long time. May I know where to get the flash bracket you showed during the video? Greetings from Brazil

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    11 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your support and kind words! The Really Right Stuff bracket is long gone. Many have asked but none of found it that I know of. It's the 84B

  • @alexandercbaby
    @alexandercbaby10 ай бұрын

    Brilliant explanation brother 👍

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    10 ай бұрын

    thanks so much for watching and the kind words!

  • @buzzj89
    @buzzj89 Жыл бұрын

    Good video, I love your work, please post some shots when you do these types of videos

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    I invite you to head to the website where you will see a helluva lot shots taken with this video, and as per any video I post permitting you better images, more time and shorter video to begin with :-)

  • @jasoneldridgephotography
    @jasoneldridgephotography Жыл бұрын

    I am trying to decide between the Z 100-400 and the 400 4.5. I have a Z9 (which is insane) and need a good birding/wildlife lens. As always, this helps a great deal Moose. Thanks!

  • @bananapie2198

    @bananapie2198

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Jason, I have the 600mm f4g, 70-200Z, and the 400 4.5Z. I woukd say if you do macro then get the 100-400Z as the minimum focus distance is epic. If you do birds then the 400 prime is better but has a crazy long minimum focus distance. It's so light that it's the lens I use 90% of the time.

  • @robertkaplan2833
    @robertkaplan2833 Жыл бұрын

    What was the foot replacement and flash bracket you showed? Thanks so much for all your instruction over the years.

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    please watch video, it's listed with link. You can also head to the blog posting above which has clickable links. Thanks

  • @chrisstreet1994
    @chrisstreet1994 Жыл бұрын

    I love that black lens cover! Any chance I can find out the brand or where you purchased? Thanks

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    LensCoat.com ...

  • @dave2400plus
    @dave2400plus Жыл бұрын

    What replacement shoe do you have on that lens

  • @johnhjic2
    @johnhjic2 Жыл бұрын

    Great review

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    thanks for taking time to watch and the kind words!

  • @johnhjic2

    @johnhjic2

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MoosePeterson We should be thanking you for all your amazing work.

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    @@johnhjic2 I've been very fortunate ... just want to share that with all of you :-)

  • @markusbolliger1527
    @markusbolliger1527 Жыл бұрын

    Thank's a lot Moose for this enthusiastic presentation of this remarkable glass! What is your judgement by comparing it with the Z 100-400 S which is highly praised for its versatility - what is the difference in image quality and background blur at 400mm? I will have to decide between these two lenses for wildlife ....

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    You need to rent both lenses to find which is best for your wildlife photography. I choose the Z400f4.5 for mine, you might find differently

  • @markusbolliger1527

    @markusbolliger1527

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MoosePeterson That is exactly what I will do - my retailer here in Bern is very obliging and lends me for free any lens over a weekend.

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    @@markusbolliger1527 outstanding! Great to have a resource like that, make sure you thank them with one of your gorgeous photographs!

  • @markusbolliger1527

    @markusbolliger1527

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MoosePeterson I already have done that - they can use my images to show them to prospective buyers of the Z-System ... You also can have a look at them in my galleries on Fifehundred px.

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    @@markusbolliger1527 Perfect ... well done!!!! Keep it up :-)

  • @DjCjFoto
    @DjCjFoto Жыл бұрын

    Nice story about 400f4.5! I'm wondering, what lens protection is on it, would you share the link, please, thanks?

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    please watch video, it's listed with link. You can also head to the blog posting above which has clickable links. Thanks

  • @REMAYi
    @REMAYi Жыл бұрын

    Best lens ever

  • @hootsmon13
    @hootsmon13 Жыл бұрын

    Cheers Moose, like yer plain English, tell it how it is approach. All m gear is F mount, this may be the decider I was looking for.👍

  • @Mnw336
    @Mnw336 Жыл бұрын

    Does the lens fit very loose on your Z9? Mine had alot of movement, even a tiny bit of non rotational movement

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    not one bit, snug as bug!

  • @zephany2601
    @zephany2601 Жыл бұрын

    How is the 400mm f4.5S compare to the Z70-200 with 2X? Thanks Moose!

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    optically, with that combo the Z400f4.5 would be my preferred. For weight and balance, the Z400f4.5 by far

  • @dave2400plus
    @dave2400plus Жыл бұрын

    I see in the video now RRS

  • @1967McQ
    @1967McQ7 ай бұрын

    I have a Z9. Would you take the 400 4,5 or a 500/4 fl?

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    7 ай бұрын

    I think the video answers that question :-)

  • @cbmilne
    @cbmilne Жыл бұрын

    Great video Moose. For sports and aircraft (often very similar) would you choose this lens over the 100-400 z mount?

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    what I would pick doesn't matter, what YOU pick is what counts! It's your photography, your story you're telling :-)

  • @cliffordanstey1127
    @cliffordanstey1127 Жыл бұрын

    Which teleconverter would be your first choice for this lens 1.4 or 2x ?

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    What my choice might be doesn't matter here, your photography does! What solves your problems in photography 560f6.3 or 800f9? That tells you the best one to buy first :-)

  • @minusinfinity6974

    @minusinfinity6974

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MoosePeterson This lens is definitely sharper with the 1.4x TC than the 2x TC, but even with the 2x sharpness is good. Still I would stick to the 1.4x most times. I'm still keeping my 500 f/5.6 PF however, as a birder 400mm is often bare minimum I need, so 1.4x would be always attached. My ultimate lens from Nikon would be a 600 f/5.6 PF with built-in 1.4x TC. I would gladly pay $6K for that.

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    @@minusinfinity6974 I would encourage you to look for somewhere else for your focus issue when using the Z2x. I have shot with a number of different Z2x and they are all razor sharp. Enjpoy your 500PF, excellent lens.

  • @EugeneMaynard
    @EugeneMaynard Жыл бұрын

    👍🏾🙏🏾

  • @MrModerate_kane
    @MrModerate_kane8 ай бұрын

    I had to decide on 500pf and this, on a Z6II/D850, so it was a no brainer, 500pf coming, 200-500 retired, order 180-600 cancelled due to back order uk backlog, it won’t be here anytime soon.

  • @Mr09260
    @Mr09260 Жыл бұрын

    Do you find the 400 better than your fab 100-400S

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    Better? For my photography, yes. Comparing optics to optics, perhaps, yeah. They are two different lenses designed for solving different problems in photography. From that point of view, they are both great with neither replacing the other!

  • @geofflongford2008
    @geofflongford2008 Жыл бұрын

    Why they never came back with a 400mm f 3.5 is a damn shame. That lens fabulous in it's day and a great cheaper alternative to the 2.8.

  • @MoosePeterson

    @MoosePeterson

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm usre there are lots of reasons, one might be the f3.5 didn't sell well? A handful of folks who really love a lens doesn't quite cover the R&D or manufacture I regret.

  • @KurtisPape
    @KurtisPape Жыл бұрын

    My personal thought is Sony sensors are currently the best, they are used in Z9 and a wide range of products from across the world like smartphones, dash cameras, movie cameras etc. But I think with the history behind Nikon being a dedicated camera and optical brand they have the upper hand in the things that give the best experience such as grip and button design and lenses. I'm really liking what Nikon are currently doing with their Z mount lenses and I know I would own at least 4 lenses from nikon, like the 800mm F6.3 and the 400mm 4.5, but currently with Sony I have 2 lenses, the 200-600mm lens which im really happy with and a 24-105mm which is not very inspirational and I feel my options are limited.

  • @RobertTeague
    @RobertTeague Жыл бұрын

    Yep, that's a list that on my "want" list, but not my "need" list. I'm afraid if I buy one then I'll get the Z9 as well - nice camera, but it doesn't give me anything my Z 7 doesn't already have. I do landscape and some travel. No interest in either sports or critters.

  • @nickreid5939
    @nickreid5939 Жыл бұрын

    F4.5......? $ 3200??

  • @roybixby6135
    @roybixby6135 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for a real (non-influencer hyped) view. Sitting on the wall waiting for the Nikkor Z 200-600mm and I may have to get the 400mm too...🦘