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Lens review

Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S

23 May 2024
Maciej Latałło

6. Distortion and field of view

Field of view

A full frame rectilinear 400 mm lens on a full frame should offer you an angle of view of 6.19 deg. The official Nikon specifications for the 4.5/400 model state a value of 6 degrees and 10 minutes of arc so 6.17 deg.

The field of view of the Nikkor we measured very precisely as it should be done, for rays of light coming from infinity. Our measurements were based on photos of starry sky; then we transformed the pixel layout (X,Y) from the photo into the equatorial coordinate system (right ascension and declination), which locates a star on a celestial sphere. Our result amounts to 6.23 +\- 0.03 deg so is slightly bigger than the value from official specifications. Still, the difference is not that pronounced, reaching the 2-sigma limit, so there are no serious reasons to complain. If the field we measured is the real one it means the real focal length of the lens amounts to 397-398 mm and such a derogation from the declared 400 mm remains completely acceptable.

Distortion

In this category we didn't expect any problems and indeed, there were no surprises here. For the APS-C/DX sensor distortion amounts to just +0.34% and it increases to +0.62% after passing to full frame. Both values are negligible and don't give you any reasons to complain.

Nikon Z7, 400 mm, JPEG, APS-C/DX,
Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S - Distortion and field of view
Nikon Z7, 400 mm, JPEG, FF
Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S - Distortion and field of view

After attaching the TC 1.4x teleconverter the situation changes but only because the distortion changes its sign; in absolute terms the values remain very low. For the APS-C/DX sensor you deal with a practically zero level as our measurements showed -0.16%. On full frame barrel distortion becomes slightly more pronounced, amounting to -0.41% but still it is a result that you can call very low.

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Nikon Z7, 560 mm (TC), JPEG, APS-C/DX,
Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S - Distortion and field of view
Nikon Z7, 560 mm (TC), JPEG, FF
Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S - Distortion and field of view