400mm F/2.8 Vs. 600mm F/4 - Which Is BEST For Wildlife And Bird Photography?

400mm f/2.8 vs 600mm f/4 – The Ultimate Wildlife Photography Lens Showdown!

Are you struggling to decide between the 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 for your wildlife photography? In this detailed telephoto lens comparison, I put these two super telephoto lenses head-to-head to help you make the right choice for your photography needs. Whether you're shooting with Nikon, Sony, or Canon, this lens buying guide applies to all major manufacturers!

In this video, I cover:
📸 Focal length comparisons – Which lens offers better reach and flexibility?
📸 Size and weight differences – Which lens is easier to pack, carry, and handhold?
📸 Maximum aperture – Does the 400mm f/2.8 really outperform the 600mm f/4 in low light?
📸 Sharpness tests – Real-world results for image quality and fine detail rendering.
📸 Teleconverter performance – How do these lenses handle 1.4X and 2X TCs?
📸 AF speed and consistency tests – Which lens focuses faster and more accurately?
📸 Minimum focus distance and magnification – Which is better for close-ups and macro-like shots?

I also discuss field performance, travel readiness, and whether these lenses suit bird photography, wildlife safaris, or action shots. You’ll learn tips for maximizing sharpness, handling ISO vs shutter speed trade-offs, and balancing depth of field for subject isolation.

Key Takeaways:
🔍 Does the 400mm f/2.8 offer enough versatility with teleconverters?
🔍 Is the 600mm f/4 the best choice for distant subjects and smaller animals?
🔍 What’s the impact of aperture, crop factor, and focal range on your final images?

Whether you’re capturing birds in flight, large mammals, or small critters, this video answers all your questions about long lenses for wildlife photography.

Chapter List
00:00 Basic Guidelines
01:51 Reach
03:19 Focal Length Exercise
07:43 Size And Weight
09:04 Feature Set
10:01 Maximum Aperture
10:39 2.8 ISO Advantage…or not?
14:39 2.8 Shutter Speed Advantage…or not?
15:31 Subject Isolation. DoF
16:57 Minimum Focus Distance
20:32 Sharpness
29:51 AF Speed
33:30 AF Consistency
37:22 Final Thoughts

Exotic Lens Showdown
400mm vs 600mm Lens Comparison
Wildlife Photography Lenses
Best Telephoto Lens 2025
Nikon vs Sony Telephoto Lenses
400mm f/2.8 vs 600mm f/4 Debate
Wildlife Lens Recommendations
Telephoto Lens Buying Guide
Super Telephoto Lens for Wildlife
Lens Sharpness Test and Comparison
Teleconverter Lens Performance
Long Lens for Bird Photography
Wildlife Lens AF Speed Test
Best Lens for Safari Photography
Lens Weight and Portability

[backcountrygallery]

Quick note on the subject distance math to clear up confusion, In the video, I state that you need to be 1.5X closer to the subject for the same framing with the 400mm. So, if you are 60 feet away with the 600mm, you would need to be at 40 feet with the 400mm for the same framing. (60 / 1.5 = 40). However, you can also think of it as being 1/3rd farther back, since 20 feet is one third of 60. The math works either way.

[kilik]

Thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge! This type of video must have taken a lot of time.
Happy new year Steve!

[MEK]

4:45 this is why I chose a 500mm F4. Still getting 700mm with the 1.4x tc if needed. It's also smaller et lighter than a 600mm + with today's high Megapixels camera, cropping in less an issue than it once was. If I ever need addition reach, I can still go with th 2x tc and / or my apsc camera.

[gordonnorman]

Steve: Unquestionably, the definitive treatise on this topic I have seen anywhere - very nice job!

[m.maclean]

The Z 800mm is small and light and a fraction of the cost. It fits in a carry on bag as well. When shooting long I take 2 lenses (& TCs) … the Z 100-400mm and the Z 800mm . This gives me 100-1, 600mm all handhold-able.

[mm]

I had the Z 800 for a year, but finally bought a 400TC. The versatility of that lens is just incredible. It can even get me to 1120mm if I need to, with still decent image quality.
Yes, I use it more at 560/4 than at 400/2.8. But I also shot quite a few images at either 400mm or at 800mm at very close distance that I love, and those just wouldn't have been possible with a 600/4.

[Sooch]

Man you’re the best! Love this type of content and info! Super useful and informative! Can’t thank you enough

[PhilFowler-Jones]

I use a 400mm f2.8 f mount + 1.4 TC when necessary. My option if I need to go further, which isn’t often, I just flick into dx. It usually gives me something acceptable. It also works if I don’t have time to put the converter onto the lens. As you say, most wildlife doesn’t understand the command to sit still ! Happy new year from Colombia.

[fredschwab]

Thank you so much for putting this deep dive together, Steve. I have a 200-500mm Nikkor that I've been using and often comes up too short. I looked at the meta data for most of my wildlife images and found that I consistently shoot at the long end of that lens, yet still end up cropping. I've tried TC's, but they just don't work very well for me on that lens. Based on the wealth of information you've presented here, this confirms that a 600 f4 is the right lens for me. There was a lot I hadn't even considered yet, so this was enormously helpful! Thanks again! Cheers!

[JohnPepp]

I love my 400mm f/2.8 because of the f/2.8 as I like not worry too much about lighting conditions.

[marcusslade]

Having had my Nikkor 600 mm f4 (G) for eight years now, it has categorically been the right lens for me throughout that time and I still think it's fantastic...unfortunately, it hasn't got any lighter in the intervening time 🤣. Hats off for emphasizing the point about what native focal distance you spend the most time shooting at without a TC engaged and it's as true now (if not more so) as it was back then and you've always been consistent on that point. You are the best ambassador for wildlife photography itself. Many thanks.

[robguyatt]

I can tell you I have become expert at running backwards since purchasing the 800mm F6.3. LOL. Seriously though, it took a time to get used to the MFD but I have not looked backward (bad pun) since upgrading from the 100-400.

[prolarus]

The first minute of this video is so reassuring. #1 staring point: focal length. You’ll occasionally wish for the other, and there is no perfect lens for ALL situations. Great video, as always.

[michaeljohannsen]

Dear Steve, your Videos and Channel are an invaluable wealth of knowledge, sprinkled with fantastic photos, and a charismatic, straight forward personality. Thank you so much!

Lots of love from Austria!

[NikCan]

Another great video to show what you actually need in focal length that one uses the most compared to what one thought was required

[craigthompson]

Another very informative video, thanks. I, and I suspect many of us, really appreciate all the work and time Steve takes to put videos like this together in a manner that is understandable.
While, as a non-professional photographer, I can't justify the cost of a lens that is equivalent to a 10 day African safari, this info is helpful in selecting the lenses I do choose to use.
Thanks again.

[DreamingOfReality]

Cant express how helpful your videos are love it!

[ralfpassing]

I choose to buy the 400/4.5, the 600/6.3 and the 800/6.3 - less available light ability but no TCs needed and together the spending amount is the same. After a while you can figure out which lenght is the most used and you can switch to the 2.8 or 4 - and in the end you have the other options too. By the way "Wildlife inspired" made a good comparison as well - with a different result

[dwv]

I've been very happy with 100-400 zoom plus 600mm f4 TC for 100-840mm range. Looks like some photos from Chobe National Park, Botswana. Great to meet you there.

[chantaljacques]

The most comprehensive and useful review I have seen on the subject! Thanks Steve!