Used Nikon 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR AF-S Nikkor Lens

2025-04-16T08:04:20

The last lens to complete my arsenal and I save the best for last. I get beautiful pics SOC with beautiful bokeh and great contrast. I call it the cheater - when I don't have a lot of time to edit I use this one.

ROBERT G.

2023-04-24T16:26:56

Bought it for my D850, an upgrade from my 300mm f2.8 G. Also use the 509mm PF for walk about shooting. I looked at this fir a long time before finally taking the money out of savings and buying it. Extremely satisfied. Excellent for my stakeout shooting especially if small birds. Using it with the 2.0 iii teleconverter and I find it to be extremely sharp on the results. Glad I finally bought it. The 300 was great but thud is really worth the price difference for the added reach and sharp images. Very fast autofocus. As a note, I am just a very serious amateur/hobbyist, not a professional.

Hobbes

Originally posted at

2019-12-11T16:34:03

Reviewing after 3 weeks of use. This is an amazing top-tier nikon lens. You need'nt worry about the optics at all. The sharpness, color reproduction and autofocus are exceptional. It is much lighter than expected for a 400 mm f2.8, thanks to nikon's fluorite lens elements. I managed to shoot hand held for around 20 minutes. But not more than that. If you are looking to buy a lens primarily for birding, consider the 600mm f4 (added reach). This 400mm is better suited for large mammals or sports(I don't shoot sports). Also recommend a heavy duty tripod and a good gimbal head to use with this. The lens was backordered on B&H and the Nikon website and still is. Surprisingly Adorama managed to get it in stock. The item was delivered packaged well and on time.

Jose V.

2019-12-06T20:48:43

Fabulous lens: fast and tack sharp. Photos produced from this lens are unbeatable.

Photo L.

2018-09-29T00:56:49

I shoot professional sports (MLB, NFL) and upgraded from the 400/2.8G. That lens was fantastic. This lens is all that, but it's more of everything. Sharper across the frame, even faster AF (hard to believe over the G) and being almost two lbs. lighter is icing on the cake. The other aspect of this lens that I really like, is that the balance feels better to me. The G was front heavy, this is more even along the whole lens. It makes shooting more comfortable and easier to steady. The 400G is a great value. The 400E is what you want when you need to have the best you can get. I use it with a D5 and the only limitations are me.

VaSho

2018-05-30T12:29:20

I like to shoot from a kayak. Yesterday was my first day out with it. I was a little worried about the extra weight compared to my 200-500, but it wasn't any problem to hand hold. I love the shallow depth of field. The eagle just pops out from the background.

ROBERT N.

2018-03-28T12:59:08

Lens greatly exceeds my expectations for speed as well as optical quality. When used in combination with a D5 for HS soccer shoots, the focus is lightning fast and sure. No focusing adjustments needed. Fits perfectly with no wasted space in a Think Tank Glass Limo case with body attached and no wasted space. Balance is such that I COULD hand hold if the situation required it..

john h.

2018-02-17T04:52:08

I received this lens yesterday and my first impression is wow! The rendering is truly exquisite, focus is fast and accurate, and matched with the Nikon D850 every shot pops. The only thing that hasn't impressed me is the soft cover, which is a challenge for me to get on and off. Maybe I just need to get the hang of it. So far I've used it for amazing portraits and still life photos, but am already planning outdoor adventures.

Michael G.

2017-04-01T20:20:02

The speed makes it ideal for reaching into dark nests and late/early in the day shooting.

WARREN S.

2016-09-07T20:00:00

Having rented and now own the lens, it has already proven itself to be an exceptional lens. The weight and balance makes it easy to travel (compared to my 600mm f4), and it provides versitility by paring up with both the 1.4 and 1.7 TCs without problem. Unless the light is good, I would not routinely use the 1.7--the 1.4 is no problem. The photo quality is like a 200mm. Looking forward to many wildlife photo trips with the lens.

NikonForFun

Originally posted at

2016-08-08T07:26:55

I have all Nikon lenses: the 17-36 2.8-,24-70 2.8,-28-300,- 70-200 2.8,- 200-400 f4, the 400 2.8 is definitely my favorite! Pricey but worth it! I would definitely recommend it!

ANNIE P.

2016-01-12T08:46:30

I purchased this lens to use for sports, nature, and live concert photography. I found this lens to be extremely sharp in rendering images, very fast focusing, and outstanding low light performance. If you have the resources, I strongly recommend this lens!

CLYDE J.

2015-12-24T08:46:46

We all know that the 400mm FL is one of Nikon's new lenses thats will quickly reach icon status. So I will spare everyone the details of just how sharp this lens is and just how fast the AF performs. What I want to talk about is Adorama's customer service.

MICHAEL K.

2015-04-12T21:00:00

Sharp, well designed and executed (lower tripod profile and non-slip hand grip are nice touches), hand holdable (when necessary), and two pounds lighter. Extremely fast focus! What's not to like? The price? Maybe. I upgraded, selling the older model meant only a couple thousand out of pocket. Worth every penny. Paired with a D4s it's an awesome lens. If I need to go longer I drop the camera into DX and I'm shooting a 600 f4. This is a terrific piece of glass! Pardon the exclamation point assault, this is one fine tool for wildlife shooting.

WARREN S.

2014-09-19T20:00:00

This is my third 400mm 2.8 lens so, I have a history of being completely satisfied with the 400mm line of Nikkor lens. As technology moves forward better optics, features and cameras push the performance. I own and have the pleasure of using the latest 400mm instrument from Nikon. If you need all the technical features visit the Tech Specs section for this lens on the Nikon site. I am not here to count pixels or measure each nuance, after owning three you simply know what you have in your hands. I mounted my new 400mm 2.8E VR ED FL on my also new Nikon D810 – this combination is perfect for nature and wildlife work, and sports shooting that I plan on doing later this fall. Focus snaps to attention, the VR works without knowing it is even on, very little noise. Sharpness and Clarity of the images produced are superb with detail well preserved in the NEF images. Most of the images I uploaded below are from very long distances using a TC extender, and you can see the details are still very sharp. Everything just worked. The insects were from closer shooting distance and I was around 30 feet, with fine details very visible. I took no special measure on taking these shots, just stop and shoot. Although you can not see the fine details in the small thumbs - the dogs were quite impressive considering the distance. Hauling this new lens around took some getting used to since the lens foot is now at the rear of the lens and I have been used to the balance of the older lens, it seem harder to balance on my shoulder. I honestly can’t say that after 5 hours of walking with the lens and camera the weight was not noticeable – it was, but I do know for short handheld shots off the tripod was much more comfortable as I did notice the lighter lens overall, not as taxing. This lens works perfect out doors in the weather especially with the fluorite coatings which should offer a long life and many years of professional use – even non-pro use for that matter. A great all weather lens, the overall build is solid and sure with Nikon quality throughout. The wide aperture offered on this lens makes the background simply disappears and not to mention this lens works well with all the Teleconverters Nikon offers making it a very versatile lens. The reason I own a 400 2.8. There is not too much more to say, this lens is a super versatile, sharp, and responsive lens with exceptional performance that should provide anyone with images they will be proud of. This version is the best of my 400mm owned thus far, shipped in an elegant custom case.

Anonymous

Originally posted at

2014-09-09T20:00:00

Today I picked up my new 400 2.8 FL. It came earlier than I expected so I was pleasantly surprised. Once I got it home and took it out of the cool case and held it, wow, that's when it hit me: It is noticeably lighter! Call me crazy to be happy about this, but if you've ever lugged it's predecessors around all day and felt the pull on your shoulder after a few hours, you would understand me. Now, I'm not going to review the particulars of this lens because lets face it, all the 400mm 2.8s before this guy were great, and still are great, so how much better can you get from great? Incredible? Maybe, but only because all of its predecessors are much heavier. This will basically do the same job as the others and as a benefit go easier on my shoulder! So to me that is worth the price. I like this lens and I'd like to carry it around all day without paying for it the next day. What's more, I like the flexibility of adding on the 14E and the 20E to turn it into a 600mm f4 and 800mm f5.6. Easy to carry around, and now I have three super telephoto lenses for the price of one. Finally, and now that I am older (50+), of all the improvements that have been made over the past 20+ years for this lens (and I have seen them all); there were only 2 things that have improved that have mattered to me, being able to focus closer on my subject and being able to carry this lens on my shoulder all day. Seems to me that these are the real improvements. Slowly but surely we are getting closer to focusing on our subject ( I think something like a foot per upgrade) and with a lighter lens, as I get older I feel like I am getting stronger. It is very easy to hold, well balanced and I will be hand holding this set-up until my friends at RRS make a well balanced foot. : ) So in closing, this may be my last 400 2.8 so I am very happy walking off into the sunset of my life carrying a lighter lens. I am thrilled about about being able to manage my older age and love of photography with lighter lenses so I can keep on clicking away!

1NikonMan

Originally posted at