Nikon Z System. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S was designed specifically for cameras in Nikon’s full-frame Z-mount system. Z-mount lenses only work with Z-mount cameras, and Z-mount cameras are only natively compatible with Z-mount lenses.

Versatile Super-Telephoto Prime. The 400mm f/4.5’s super-telephoto length makes it perfect for sports and wildlife photographers, and anyone else who needs an extra-long reach. Its f/4.5 aperture means it’s not the best for low light, but it’ll work fine for outdoor shoots in natural light. While this lens was designed for FX-format cameras, you can also use it with DX-format cameras on which it’ll provide a 600mm equivalent focal length.

Vibration Reduction. The built-in vibration reduction provides up to 5.5 stops of correction for minimizing camera shake at slower shutter speeds and producing sharper results when shooting hand-held in low light. If you’re using a camera that features sensor-shift VR, you can use Synchro VR to combine in-camera VR with optical VR for up to six stops of compensation.

Stepping Autofocus System. This lens’s autofocus system gives you fast, accurate performance throughout the zoom range. This system’s stepping motor provides smooth, nearly silent performance that’s particularly suited to video applications. You also get full-time manual focusing for precision adjustments, while the internal-focusing design means that the lens maintains its length during focusing.

Advanced Optics. The 400mm’s thirteen-group/nineteen-element optical system includes one extra-low dispersion element, two super extra-low dispersion elements, and one short-wavelength refractive element, which combine to promote sharpness and color rendering while limiting chromatic aberrations and keeping the lens compact. A Nano Crystal coating helps keep ghosting, reflections, and flares at bay.

Lightweight, Compact Design. This lens is just 9.2 inches long and weighs 2.7 lbs., which is more akin to a 70-200mm f/2.8 than to other lenses with a 400mm focal length. The 400mm f/4.5 weighs 3.5 lbs. less and is 6 inches shorter than the Z-mount 400mm f/2.8. You can easily remove the included tripod foot to streamline the lens for hand-held use.

Durable Construction. The durable, weather-sealed construction means you can use it in adverse conditions without worry. The exposed elements have a fluorine coating to protect them from debris and smearing. Its design focuses the center of gravity near the tripod mount for smoother, more responsive panning when shooting hand-held, on a monopod, or on a tripod. The tripod mount rotates for easy switching between horizontal and vertical orientations.

Intuitive Controls. A programmable control ring lets you adjust manual focus, aperture, or exposure compensation, and two assignable L.Fn buttons work in conjunction with cameras’ Fn buttons to let you quickly and seamlessly change exposure settings and other functions. A focus-limiter switch lets you constrain the focus range from 19.7 feet to infinity or from the full focusing range of 8.2 feet to infinity, and a Memory Set button lets you store a focusing position for instant recall using the Fn or Fn2 button.

Teleconverter Compatible. The 400mm f/4.5 is compatible with the Nikon Z TC-1.4x and TC-2x Teleconverters, which will further extend the lens’s reach. Each teleconverter is available as a separate rental item.