Fujinon XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 LM WR OIS Review (on 40MP X-T5)

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Table of Contents:
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0:00​ - Intro and Concept
2:00 - Build and Features
8:30 - Autofocus
11:15 - Optical Breakdown
21:40 - Conclusion and Pricing
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[peterjackhandy]

Just to add my twopen'orth as a long-time user...
My 100-400 is 6 years old now, is used very regularly for my favoured genres of surf, fast-action sports & wildlife photography, and has no lens-creep other than occasionally dropping ~20mm when I have it stashed vertically (nose-down) clipped to my backpack shoulder strap & I'm rattling, on my Ebike, down the fire-roads in my local woods.

Probably the main reason I've decided to stick with this lens is that it fits in my backpack, with the 1.4 t/c & x-t4 attached & ready for immediate deployment:
None of my 7 🙄 various bags will accommodate the new 150-600, even off-camera.
AND, I can hand-hold & shoot this one for hours if needed.

[Pixelpeeps-]

Great review yet again 👌 I have the 100-400 fuji and it’s a bargain used at half the price and available everywhere .

[jeffchin]

Thanks for this well done review. I feel vindicated for passing on the 150-600XF and sticking with the 100-400. Still a great lens for the X bodies.

Disappointing that the 150-600 is so slow otherwise I would have upgraded.

[cynvs]

What a coincidence, bought it used for 950€ yesterday and today you release a video about it.

[garethmcfarland]

I know you reviewed the Tamron 150-500 on the Sony mount but would be interested to know where you think the Fuji version ranks among the 100-400 & 150-600?

[technodronesogxl]

I just bought the XF100 400 new last week for 1099.00 to use with my XH2. It comes with a seller 1-year warranty and no OEM MFG warranty. So far it works very well, and I bought a Cotton Carrier CCS G3 to carry around on my chest instead of my waist when hanging around my neck.

The XF150 600MM is just too big to carry around for ME. I shoot mostly landscapes. Now I have the Viltrox 13mm 1.4 lens, Fuji 18 55mm 2.8, Fuji 16 80mm, and now the XF100 400 lens.

I am happy with the acquisition and performance of this lens so far, and the price new was without question a get it at all cost.

I wonder how this compares to Tamron or Sigma 150 500

[malfunkt]

Another great review with a bonus cameo from your assistant! For my telephoto needs, after several Fuji zoom, I settled on the Tamron 18-300. While not as sharp as the XF 70-300 I previously had, it is still quite good in most of the range. Tamron updated the firmware recently which improved some issues I had with focus, OIS resetting, and some intermittent blackouts. Such a joy to have the flexibility offered in such a large focal range. For strict telephoto quality, I have a manual Rokinon / Samyang 135 F2 on X-mount which is truly stellar and is a bargain considering the optical quality.

[rvnmedic]

Thank you. As usual a clear concise review. I have the 100-400 and an X-T5. I've found the lens good for wildlife and BIF. I recently purchased the Tamron 150-600 G2. I haven't yet had the opportuniy to take it birding but I did some tripod comparison with the 100-400. w/1.4TC. I used the Fringer EF-XF Pro ll adapter for the Tamron. Surprisingly the sharpness of the Tamron at 560mm (equivalent to the Fuji) was, I thought, much better. Better contrast. Both shot at F8 because that's was the maximun aperture for the Fuji. I didn't try F6.3 with the Tamron. That half stop faster has to help I would think.

[fjzingo]

Great review and good to get a detailed description of peaks and troughs for this lens. I never came around to sell my 100-400 when I got the 150-600, actually still use both. It did a great job at safari in Tanzania. I have tried to shoot indoors with the 100-400, not fantastic, ended up getting the 50-140 for those occasions. Hope they update that energy draining lens with new motors…

[stpetal]

Great review! (I'm honestly surprised that the XF 100-400 held up that well vs the new 150-600). Not sure how long you'll have these review loaners around, but a comparison between the X-T5 + 100-400 (or 70-300) and the Canon R7 + the RF F5.6-8 IS USM is one that would be super useful. X-T5 and R7 compete at their relative price points and while the RF 100-400 is several steps below the XF 100-400 in build, features, f-stop, and included lens hood, The used Fujifilm is in the same ballpark against the Canon lens when purchased new. It would be a heck of a duel!

[thinkingape]

Love the Chess table. 👍
Great review too.

[Rod-Skinner]

I think the main reason the 100 to 400 is such a viable option is the number of used ones available at affordable prices making it an incredible option for those joining the Fuji family

[mortenthorpe]

I keep the 100-400 around, although very seldomly used now, even after having the 150-600, exactly because of the 100-400s f 5.6 aperture, rather than f8 of the 150-600

[jakesdewet]

I have used this lens for wildlife for the past number of years on the 26 mp bodies. The results are acceptable and at close range very good. But as a past Nikon user, I also used the Nikon 500 pf f5.6 on a fringer adaptor with great results. I have recently replaced the 100-400 with the Tamron 150-500. This is a very good lens, On the long end the f6.7 is a small compromise but much better that the Fuji 150-600 f8. This Fuji lens is not selling well due to the f8. The Tamron 150-500 is really good. With the firmware update from Tamron the focus accuracy working with the Fuji Focus system will enhance this even further. If Tamron can do a 50-150 f2.8 for Fuji it will be a massive hit as the Fuji 150-140 f2.8 needs a serious update. the IS/VR system is old and noisy.
Tamron is producing great lenses and fantastic to work with.

[wanderingfool]

Thanks, another great review.
Any chance of a review of the remaining long telephoto for Fuji, the Tamron 150-500.
It’s had little attention since its release on the Fuji, and is a real different proposition for the crop sensor.

[whiplash]

I have this lens and use it on my X-T2, X-E1, and now my x-H2s. It has "play" on all of these lenses. On several forums (DP, and Reddit)claim it's common and no big deal. I've had a few heavy lenses before (other brands) and never dealt with this, seems pretty poorly made in this respect, but it does take great images. I do shoot in inclement weather once in a while, but not with this lens.

[Albert-nuls]

Such a good review. To me the best i could find. I recently bought a XT5 upgraded from a XT3. So disappointing shooting the XT5 with this lens. Its not only soft but very unsharp in some cases. I can’t get my finger on it what works and what dont.

On top of that the xt5 has its AF issues and the high noise above ISO 1600.

Its not that easy to get good consistent results from this combo.

The weirdest part for me, all the reviews and folks being super enthusiastic about this combo.. or am i being super critical?

Cheers!

[dandtpatterson]

I’m conflicted on which of these would be best for photographing high school baseball games. I’ve used the Fuji 50-140 f2.8 with 1.4x but want more reach. Most games are daytime but there are certainly night games under the lights. Which of these two would you recommend? I love the idea of the 600m reach but the aperture worries me.

[calebhyatt]

So would you say f8 is the best aputure for this lens at 400mm?

[GJ_Brown]

Can my 1-year old (new) Fujifilm 400mm lens be made smooth again as it was on the first day
I purchased it? Rotating the focusing ring is very stiff after moderate use in predominantly dry climate that has never been used outdoors in dusty, rainy or snowy conditions. Any feedback would be most appreciated. Thank you!