Review: Fujifilm XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR lens

Super-telephoto lenses have always involved compromise. More reach usually means more weight, more size and more equipment to carry into the field.

Fujifilm's new FUJINON XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR takes a different approach, combining a 400mm focal length with a relatively compact and lightweight design that makes serious long-range photography surprisingly mobile.

Mounted on my Fujifilm X-H2S, the lens delivers a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 609mm, putting subjects remarkably close without requiring the physical bulk normally associated with this kind of reach. It is designed for birds, wildlife, motorsport, aircraft and other fast-moving subjects where reach, autofocus and stability are critical.

After spending time using the XF400mmF4.5 in the field, I think Fujifilm has found an impressive balance between performance and portability. 

The tech

The XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR features a 400mm focal length and maximum aperture of f/4.5. On Fujifilm's APS-C X Series cameras, that gives you a 609mm full-frame equivalent field of view.

For even greater reach, the lens is compatible with Fujifilm's teleconverters. The XF1.4X TC WR takes the focal length to 560mm, equivalent to 853mm in full-frame terms, while the XF2X TC WR extends it to 800mm, equivalent to an extraordinary 1,219mm.

Optically, the lens comprises 21 elements in 14 groups, including two Super ED and four ED elements. This sophisticated optical construction is designed to minimise chromatic aberration while maintaining high resolution across the frame.

The lens also features 5.5 stops of optical image stabilisation. At 609mm equivalent, even the smallest movement can become exaggerated, so effective stabilisation is particularly valuable when shooting handheld.

Autofocus is handled by an internal focusing system driven by a high-speed linear motor. This keeps focusing fast and quiet while also helping to reduce the physical size and weight of the lens.

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

The Focus Select Switch allows you to assign the Focus Control Button to AF-L, PRESET or AF. There's also a focus preset function that allows you to store a focus position and instantly return to it, while the focus limiter can restrict the focusing range when working with subjects more than five metres away.

For wildlife photography, these are thoughtful additions that put important functions exactly where your hand naturally sits.

Build Quality

The first thing that surprised me about the XF400mmF4.5 was the weight.

At approximately 1,245g, this is not a small lens by any means. Look at it and you expect it to become something you'll constantly have to think about carrying. But once it is on your shoulder, the reality is quite different.

I spent an entire day walking around outdoors with the lens, often bird watching and searching through difficult terrain. At one point I was slogging through thick, knee-deep grass with the lens dangling from my shoulder, and I barely noticed it was there. That was probably the biggest compliment I could give it.

The lens doesn't feel like an anchor dragging you back to the car. It feels more like a piece of field equipment that happens to have an extraordinary reach. You can carry it, walk with it and explore with it without constantly calculating how much longer you can tolerate having it with you.

Part of this comes down to the balance. Fujifilm has positioned the centre of gravity closer to the camera body, helping to reduce the front-heavy feeling common with large telephoto lenses. The result is a lens that feels considerably more manageable than its appearance suggests.

The barrel is sealed at 20 points for dust and weather resistance and is rated for operation down to -10°C. The front element also receives a fluorine coating to repel water and resist smudging.

For someone who spends a lot of time outside, I appreciate this enormously. Wildlife doesn't wait for perfect weather, and neither does good light. The XF400mmF4.5 feels built to be taken outside rather than carefully protected indoors.

In use

This is where the XF400mmF4.5 really started to make sense to me. On the X-H2S, the 609mm-equivalent field of view gives you reach, but what impressed me was how naturally the lens handled while walking and searching for subjects.

Bird photography can involve a lot of waiting followed by a few seconds of complete chaos. You might spend twenty minutes standing in a paddock watching an empty branch, only for a bird to appear, disappear, change direction and fly across the sky before you've properly registered what happened. 

The 5.5-stop optical image stabilisation was invaluable for this type of photography. At more than 600mm equivalent, handheld shooting can quickly expose the smallest movement, but the stabilisation gives you confidence to work without immediately reaching for a tripod. And that, combined with the weight, is what I found most liberating.

Image Quality

The XF400mmF4.5's optical design, with two Super ED and four ED elements, is built to deliver high resolution while controlling chromatic aberration. In practice, the level of detail this lens can pull from distant subjects is impressive.

Feathers, fur, branches and distant textures retain an enormous amount of detail, giving images a sense of depth even when the subject is physically far away.

The f/4.5 aperture also gives the lens a lovely ability to separate subjects from their surroundings. Combined with the long focal length, it can turn a cluttered background into something almost painterly. This is where I think the lens becomes particularly interesting beyond straightforward wildlife photography.

I'm drawn to environmental images where the subject remains connected to its surroundings. I don't necessarily want to fill the frame with an animal and remove every trace of where it lives. The 400mm lets me find those small moments within a much larger landscape.

The wrap-up

The XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR really surprised me. For a lens with this much reach, it’s remarkably light and easy to carry, even after a full day in the field.

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

At 609mm equivalent, it brings distant subjects into reach while still giving you the flexibility to explore the landscape and find those small, easily missed moments.

At $4,949 AUD, it’s a serious investment, but for photographers who need professional long-range performance without the bulk, the XF400mmF4.5 is an impressive addition to the Fujifilm X Series.

The results

Handling ★★★★

Excellent. The XF400mmF4.5 is surprisingly easy to carry considering its size and reach. I spent entire days walking outdoors with it and barely noticed the weight. The centre of gravity being closer to the camera body makes a real difference during handheld shooting.

Features ★★★

The combination of 5.5-stop OIS, weather sealing, focus preset, focus limiter and customisable lens buttons gives this lens an excellent set of practical features.

Focusing ★★★★

Fast, quiet and accurate, with the linear motor pairing well with the X-H2S. The focus limiter and customisable controls are excellent for wildlife, although tracking small or distant subjects can still be hit and miss, an area where Fujifilm has room to improve.

Image Quality ★★★★

Excellent resolution and detail, with beautiful compression and subject isolation at 609mm equivalent.

Value For Money ★★★★

At $4,949 AUD, it’s a significant investment, but the reach, portability, stabilisation and professional features make it easier to justify for regular wildlife, bird, aviation or sports photographers. There are also more affordable telephoto options on the market, making the XF400mmF4.5 a premium choice rather than an obvious one.