Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

Our thoughts

"The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is a revelation for wildlife and sports shooters — light enough to carry all day, yet razor-sharp with fast, confident autofocus. It’s one of those rare lenses that delivers true super-telephoto reach without demanding a tripod or a gym membership."

- Will, Founder

Product description

Rent the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S to experience Nikon’s most compact and travel-friendly super-telephoto prime. Designed exclusively for Nikon’s Z-mount system, this lens provides professional-grade sharpness, fast autofocus, and impressive vibration reduction in a remarkably lightweight package — perfect for wildlife, sports, and outdoor photography.

With its 400 mm focal length and f/4.5 aperture, the Z 400mm captures distant subjects with stunning clarity while maintaining excellent handling. The optical formula — consisting of one ED element, two Super ED elements, and one SR element — delivers exceptional sharpness and colour accuracy while keeping chromatic aberrations to a minimum. Nano Crystal coating helps suppress ghosting and flare for superior contrast, even in backlit conditions.

Weighing only 1.2 kg (2.7 lb) and measuring just over 23 cm (9 in) in length, this lens offers true hand-holdable performance. Combined with Nikon’s 5.5-stop Vibration Reduction (or up to 6 stops with Synchro VR on supported camera bodies), it delivers steady, blur-free images even at slower shutter speeds. A fast, silent stepping-motor autofocus system ensures accurate subject tracking for stills and video alike, while the internal focusing design keeps the lens balanced and compact during operation.

Key features

• Exclusive Z-mount design — full-frame coverage, compatible with all Nikon Z cameras

• 400 mm super-telephoto reach with a bright f/4.5 aperture

• Up to 5.5 stops of optical VR or 6 stops with Synchro VR on supported cameras

• Fast, silent stepping-motor autofocus with full-time manual override

• Lightweight and compact — only 2.7 lb, 9 in long

• Professional optics with ED, Super ED, and SR elements plus Nano Crystal coating

• Teleconverter compatible with Nikon Z TC-1.4× and TC-2× extenders

Performance and handling

The Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S redefines what’s possible in a hand-holdable telephoto. The centre-weighted design keeps balance near the tripod collar, making it ideal for tracking birds in flight or fast-moving athletes. Vibration Reduction delivers up to 5.5 stops of compensation, producing tack-sharp images even when shooting handheld in challenging light. Autofocus is quick, quiet, and precise — essential for capturing decisive moments in wildlife and sports environments.

Build quality is on par with Nikon’s other S-line lenses: rugged, fully weather-sealed, and resistant to dust and moisture. The fluorine-coated front element repels water and smudges, and the rotating tripod collar allows seamless switching between landscape and portrait orientation. The focus-limiter switch and Memory Set button offer added customisation for fast-paced fieldwork.

Why rent the Nikon Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S?

The Nikon Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S is perfect for those who want professional telephoto performance in a lens that can travel anywhere. Whether photographing eagles, foxes, or mountain bikers, it delivers stunning sharpness and subject separation in a compact form factor. Pair it with Nikon’s TC-1.4× or TC-2× teleconverters for even more reach — up to 800 mm equivalent on full-frame or 1200 mm on DX-format cameras.

Its lightweight design, excellent VR performance, and quiet autofocus make it equally capable for video work and still photography. Rent the Nikon Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S from Canada Camera Rentals for your next wildlife, sports, or outdoor shoot — and enjoy the freedom of handheld super-telephoto capture with no compromise on quality.