Nikon Nikkor AI-S 400mm f/5.6 ED
The Nikon 400mm f/5.6 ED is a 400mm f/5.6 lens designed for Nikon F mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Nikon Nikkor AI-S 400mm f/5.6 ED
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Lens Overview — Nikon 400mm f/5.6 ED
Key Features — Nikon 400mm f/5.6 ED
400mm Prime Telephoto: Fixed 400mm focal length provides dedicated reach for wildlife, sports, and distant subjects without the optical compromises of a zoom.
ED Glass Element: Extra-low dispersion glass minimizes chromatic aberration, delivering sharper contrast and color accuracy at the edges of the frame.
Nikon F Mount: Compatible with a wide range of Nikon film and digital bodies, as well as mirrorless systems via widely available F-mount adapters.
Full Frame Coverage: Designed to cover the full 35mm frame with no vignetting on full frame Nikon F bodies.
AI-S Aperture Coupling: AI-S indexing supports full metering and aperture control on compatible Nikon bodies that use the mechanical aperture coupling system.
Manual Focus Design: Smooth manual focus ring suits photographers who prefer tactile focus control, particularly in deliberate or controlled shooting situations.
Lens Specifications — Nikon 400mm f/5.6 ED
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Sports, Birding |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 400mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 72mm |
Description — Nikon 400mm f/5.6 ED
The Nikon Nikkor AI-S 400mm f/5.6 is a prime telephoto lens built for the Nikon F mount, offering full frame coverage. With a fixed focal length of 400mm, it is purpose-built for telephoto work, delivering a single dedicated perspective rather than a zoom range. The maximum aperture of f/5.6 keeps the overall package at a weight of 1,250g, making it a carry-feasible option for long telephoto shooting.
Focus is entirely manual, with no autofocus system, which suits photographers who prefer hands-on focus control or are working in situations where manual technique is preferred. There is no image stabilization, so technique and support become important factors at this focal length. The 72mm filter thread accommodates a wide range of front-mounted filters.
Designed for the DSLR camera system category, this lens is a straightforward, optically focused telephoto prime for Nikon F mount users who want a fixed focal length at 400mm.
Pros — Nikon 400mm f/5.6 ED
- ✓Fixed 400mm focal length delivers dedicated telephoto reach for distant subjects
- ✓Full frame coverage (lensFormat: Full Frame) means no vignetting on full frame Nikon F bodies
- ✓Nikon F mount ensures broad compatibility across a wide range of bodies
Cons — Nikon 400mm f/5.6 ED
- ✗No autofocus — requires manual focus technique, which can be challenging at 400mm for fast-moving subjects
- ✗No image stabilization (imageStabilization: None), increasing the risk of camera shake when shooting handheld
- ✗Maximum aperture of f/5.6 limits light gathering in lower-light conditions
Videos — Nikon 400mm f/5.6 ED
Nikon 400mm Utimate Lens Comparison — Wildlife Inspired w/ Scott Keys