Super-telephoto prime · Full frame

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR is a full frame prime lens (400 mm, f/2.8) for Nikon F. It belongs to the super-telephoto prime class — ideal for birds, wildlife and field sports from a distance.

400 mmf/2.8Nikon F
400 mm
Focal length
f/2.8
Maximum aperture
6°
Diagonal angle of view (Full frame)
Full frame
Designed for

Specifications#

Brand
Nikon
Model
Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
Lens type
Super-telephoto prime
Focal length
400 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Image circle
Full frame (36×24 mm)
Mount(s)
Nikon F
Projection
Rectilinear
Stabilisation
Yes (optical)
Autofocus motor
silent wave (AF-S)
Lensfun correction profile
Yes — distortion/vignetting/TCA

Equivalent focal length on different cameras#

Field of view and depth-of-field equivalence when this lens is used on bodies with different sensor sizes (natively or via an adapter).

Camera formatAt 400 mmEquiv. aperture (DoF)
Full frame400 mm · 6°f/2.8
APS-C600 mm · 4°f/4.2
APS-C (Canon)640 mm · 4°f/4.5
Micro Four Thirds800 mm · 3°f/5.6

Depth of field & background blur#

Computed on its native Full frame format (CoC 30 µm). “Blur @2 m” is the size of an out-of-focus point at infinity, as a percentage of frame width, with the subject at 2 m — a simple bokeh index. Full table: 400 mm f/2.8 on full frame.

FocalApertureat 1 mat 2 mat 5 mat 10 mHyperfocalBlur @2 m
400 mmf/2.80.1 cm0.3 cm2.4 cm10.1 cm1.9 km99.2%
400 mmf/40.1 cm0.5 cm3.5 cm14.4 cm1.3 km69.4%
400 mmf/80.2 cm1.0 cm6.9 cm28.8 cm667 m34.7%

Handheld & night-sky limits#

NPF assumes typical 20–24 MP sensors (≈6 µm pixels on full frame, ≈3.9 µm on APS-C, ≈3.3 µm on Micro Four Thirds).

BodyMin. handheld shutter (longest focal)500 rule at 400 mmNPF at 400 mm, f/2.8
Full frame1/400 s1 s1 s
APS-C1/640 s1 s1 s
APS-C (Canon)1/640 s1 s1 s
Micro Four Thirds1/800 s1 s0 s

Adapt it to other systems#

Frequently asked questions#

Is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR full frame?

Yes — it covers the full 36 × 24 mm frame.

What is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR equivalent to on APS-C?

On a 1.5× APS-C body it frames like 600 mm, and like 640 mm on Canon APS-C.

What is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR good for?

As a super-telephoto prime it suits birds, wildlife and field sports from a distance.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources