Fujifilm Australia has launched the FUJINON XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR lens for its X Series mirrorless cameras, expanding its super-telephoto prime range for the APS-C system.
The 400mm prime has a maximum aperture of F4.5 and is equivalent to 609mm in 35mm format, according to Fujifilm. It is aimed at photographers shooting distant or fast-moving subjects such as birds, motorsport and aircraft.
Fujifilm says the lens weighs about 1,245g, making it one of the lighter options in the super-telephoto category. The lower weight is being positioned as a key benefit for photographers who shoot handheld for long periods or travel with long lenses.
Its optical construction uses 21 elements in 14 groups, including two Super ED elements and four ED elements. Fujifilm says this is intended to reduce chromatic aberration, a common issue in long telephoto lenses, while preserving image detail at distance.
The lens also includes image stabilisation rated at up to 5.5 stops. Improved shake detection and a revised stabilisation mechanism are designed to help users maintain stable handheld shooting at long focal lengths, where camera movement is more noticeable.
System range
The launch adds another option to Fujifilm's X Series lens line-up at the longer end of the market. The addition completes its large-aperture super-telephoto prime range across focal lengths equivalent to about 300mm to 762mm in 35mm format, Fujifilm says.
The lens can also be used with Fujifilm teleconverters to extend reach further. Paired with the FUJINON Teleconverter XF1.4X TC WR, the focal length extends to 560mm, or 853mm in 35mm equivalent terms. With the FUJINON Teleconverter XF2X TC WR, it reaches 800mm, or 1,219mm equivalent.
That places the product in a specialist part of the interchangeable lens market, where photographers often weigh size, reach and handling against image quality. In the APS-C segment, manufacturers have tried to use the crop factor of smaller sensors to offer long effective focal lengths without the bulk of comparable full-frame equipment.
Handling focus
Fujifilm says it has addressed the balance issues often associated with long lenses by shifting the centre of gravity closer to the camera body. The design is intended to improve handling and reduce fatigue during extended handheld use.
The lens also has 20 sealed points for dust and weather resistance, with operation supported in temperatures down to -10C. A fluorine coating on the front element is designed to repel water and smudges.
Autofocus uses an internal focusing system and a linear motor. Fujifilm says the smaller and lighter focusing lens group helps deliver quick, quiet autofocus, particularly for wildlife and sports photographers tracking moving subjects.
Additional controls include a focus preset function, a Focus Control Button near the front of the lens barrel and a focus limiter. According to Fujifilm, the limiter can reduce acquisition time for subjects more than five metres away.
Market context
The introduction reflects continued investment by camera makers in specialist lenses even as the broader imaging market has shifted towards fewer, higher-value products. Long lenses for wildlife, sports and aviation remain a niche, but they are also among the products that can encourage loyalty to a camera system because users often make substantial investments in lenses over time.
For Fujifilm, the release also underlines its effort to strengthen the upper end of the X Series ecosystem. While the X Series has long been associated with compact bodies and smaller primes, the expansion of super-telephoto lenses points to a push to serve more professional and enthusiast users in action-oriented genres.
Shaun Mah, General Manager, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices, Fujifilm Australia, said the new product closes a gap in the line-up for photographers working in long-range fields.
"With the introduction of the FUJINON XF400mmF4.5 R LM OIS WR lens, we now have a complete range of super-telephoto lenses for sports, action, wildlife, aviation and other demanding creative pursuits," said Shaun Mah, General Manager, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices, Fujifilm Australia.
Mah also highlighted the balance between reach and portability as central to the design.
"This lens delivers exceptional reach in a compact and lightweight design, giving photographers the performance, mobility and confidence they need to capture fast-moving subjects at long range," said Mah.