What it’s like to shoot with Fujifilm’s XF400mmF4.5 telephoto lens

Bird photography calls for a lens with enough reach to capture birds in their natural habitat. As we know, telephoto lenses can be heavy and difficult to use, especially when spending hours outdoors.

That’s what makes the Fujinon XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR interesting. The Fujifilm team took us to Masungi Georeserve to try the lens for bird photography. As a first-timer, I came away surprised by how manageable it was to use and puzzled about how to do this activity without it.

Fujinon XF400 F4.5 R LM OIS WR

Compact and lightweight

Having used similar telephoto lenses, I knew for a fact that its approximately 1.25-kilogram weight is shockingly light for a lens with this much reach.

Paired with the Fujifilm X-H2S, the setup I used felt well-balanced, with the lens weighing not drastically far from the camera body. It was comfortable to carry around the reserve, and shooting handheld didn't feel as tiring as I expected.

Fujinon XF400 F4.5 R L OIS WR with Fujifilm X-H2s

Its weather-resistant construction was another welcome feature. We encountered some drizzle while exploring the forest, and knowing the lens was designed for challenging outdoor conditions gave me some peace of mind.

Fujinon XF400 F4.5 R L OIS WR

Image stabilization makes handheld shooting easier

The lens features optical image stabilization rated at up to 5.5 stops, which is particularly useful at a 400mm focal length.

Even without a tripod, you don't need to try too hard to capture steady shots. Combined with its relatively light weight, which helps reduce arm fatigue, the stabilization makes handheld shooting more manageable with a reasonably steady hand.

Fujinon XF400 F4.5 R L OIS WR

This is especially useful for wildlife photography, where setting up a tripod isn't always practical. You need to be ready to react whenever an animal, or in our case, a bird, catches your attention.

To give you an idea of its reach, here's a side by side shot from my iPhone and the XF400 F4.5 taken from the same spot

Left: iPhone, Right: Fujifilm X-H2s with XF400 F4.5

Fast autofocus, quiet motor, and fast aperture

Unfortunately, the weather at Masungi meant we weren't able to photograph as many birds as we had hoped. Still, I got to experience the XF400mmF4.5's autofocus while photographing other subjects around the reserve, including members of our team.

Shot from Fujinon XF400 F4.5

Shot from Fujinon XF400 F4.5

Shot from Fujinon XF400 F4.5

Shot from Fujinon XF400 F4.5

I didn’t have beginner’s luck on my side, so I only managed to capture a single bird throughout our hike. Here’s what I got.

Shot from Fujinon XF400 F4.5

Shot from Fujinon XF400 F4.5 (Cropped)

I had the camera set up for back-button focusing, and I found the autofocus impressively responsive. I mean, just imagine how quickly those lens elements have to move, with the motors working to get everything in focus. It's impressive how quickly the lens can lock onto a subject.

It's also very quiet. Not once did I notice the motor noise during the shoot. In this scenario, you really want the lens to operate as quietly as possible, since noise can affect your subject in different ways.

The F4.5 maximum aperture is another advantage. Combined with the 400mm focal length, it creates pleasing background blur and subject separation, making your subject stand out against its surroundings.

The relatively wide aperture also lets in more light, giving you more flexibility to use faster shutter speeds while keeping ISO lower, depending on the available light.

First impressions: A capable companion for wildlife photography

I'm far from a professional bird photographer, so I can't say I've fully explored what the Fujinon XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR lens can do. However, my experience gave me a better appreciation of what makes a lens like this useful for wildlife photography.

The 400mm focal length provides plenty of reach for photographing birds and other animals without having to get too close and disturb them. What makes this particular lens stand out is how it combines that reach with a relatively compact, lightweight design, weather resistance, and effective image stabilization.

Shot from Fujinon XF400 F4.5

Shot from Fujinon XF400 F4.5

As a first-timer, I also appreciated how approachable it felt to use. At this focal length, even small movements can affect your framing, so having effective stabilization makes a noticeable difference when shooting handheld.

I'm pretty sure there's still a lot more this lens has to offer. I haven't even fully explored its physical controls, and I'm sure there's more to discover there. Even so, my first impressions are positive. For photographers already invested in the Fujifilm X system, the XF400mmF4.5 is worth considering if bird and wildlife photography are among their interests.

My biggest takeaway? A 400mm telephoto lens doesn't have to feel intimidating. The XF400mmF4.5 offers the reach you need while keeping the shooting experience comfortable and enjoyable, which is exactly what I appreciate when spending time outdoors with a camera.