The weight of this lens is a game changer for me as it beautifully compliments the smaller Z50II body and ease to shoot Birds in flight was astonishing... Love the creamy Bokeh too!! Will be my go to wildlife lens until I graduate to a full frame and 600 f/6.3 PF...

IVE BEEN USING THE NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S, FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. THE WIEGHT, BALANCE, AND FEEL, NEED TO BE EXPIERINECED PERSONALLY, THE SHARPNESS, EVEN WIDE OPEN, IS PHENOMINAL. I SHHOT A GOOD DEAL OF BIRDS, AND GETTING THAT FEATHER DETAIL, COLOR RENDITION, AND SHARP EYE IS SO, SO, MUCH EASIER. THE LENSE IS NOT INEXPENSIVE, BUT INDESPENSABLE FOR ME. ALSO, I USE IT WITH THE TC 1.4 MOST OF THE TIME, AND IT HAS ALMOST ZERO EFFECT ON SHARPNESS. I HAVE NOT HAD MY TC 2.0 ON IT YET. I HAVE THE Z 24-70 2.8 S, Z 70-200 2.8 S, THE 400MM 4.5, AND THE AF-S 200-500 5.6, AND THIS IS MY SHARPEST LENS, AND IS A BREEZE TO HAND HOLD, AND GET QUALITY SHOTS. IM SO GLAD I HAVE THIS LENS, TO HOLD ME OVER UNTIL I CAN GET THE 600MM f/6.3

Love this lens, light weight, fast, sharp.

Started out with the 100-400mm lens, but we quickly realized we only ever used it on max zoom. This lens is noticeably lighter and the auto-focus feels faster and smoother than on the 100-400. Definitely worth the higher price.

As a package, really unprecedented in combination of price, performance/sharpness, size, and weight. Clarity is crisp, rendering is faithful and not overly digital. Colors are sharp. Size is amazing, and you'll love the weight 2 hours into your shoot. Takes a TC well. All in all, 100% satisfied.

I would love to see some other reviews on this lens. I bought one and it made me crazy. I used it with my Z5 and the results were excellent inconsistent. I could shot my dog in the back yard and the shots were razor sharp and crystal clear. Most of the wildlife shots were soft focus in the field. I used both with and without the 1.4 teleconverter. Same results. Did firmware update on the camera and it actually seemed worse. Loved the weight and size of the lens, but the inconsistency finally drove me to return it.

I'm a Nikon user for decades. I went mirrorless about a year ago, and I've wanted a longer lens for awhile. Just picked up this lens today, after watching other user's reviews.First impressions: It's really small and light! Should be easy to handhold. Focus is super fast, and looks extremely sharp across the whole frame.I've only had it a short time so far, but I am pleased with it, and would recommend it to anyone.

This Instrument is simply Stunning. Image Quality,AF speed, Color reproduction, Weight transfer, Camera Feel when attached. I could go on & on but this lens is truly unique and one of A Kind!!! The quality of experience could have easily been priced higher for the amount of bokeh and quality of images this lens produces!!!

The nikon Z lenses are very good but I think I'm more delighted with this one than with any of the others I own. I do not own the 500mm PF so for me this lens opens up a new world of practicality due to its small size and weight, and it produces stunning results hand-held. Results are good with the 1.4x TC as well - good enough that I do take the TC with me when I carry this lens. I really am in love with this lens, to me it's worth every penny.