We’ve seen lots of hands-on and official videos about the new Fujifilm products announced a few days ago but new media and articles keep surfacing on the web. The one we came across this morning was published by X-Photographer Jeff Carter. He had the chance to test the new XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens for motor sports and achieved excellent results.
In the video below you can also see how effective the optical stabilisation of the lens is in video mode. Jeff recorded a series of clips with the OIS Off and On to show the difference (the first two shots are at 400mm and the second two at 300mm).
Of course even with the OIS On, the image may suddenly shift back and forth due to the photographer’s movements. What’s more, optical stabilization can be “nervous” for video shooting. (I’ve seen similar results with other OIS lenses.) However when Jeff manages to remain perfectly still you can see that the composition is very stable and the results, quite interesting. Like the XF 18-135mm, the new 100-400mm claims 5 stops of compensation with the optical stabilisation system. The XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 is the first super telephoto zoom lens designed for the X system and the second Fujifilm lens to be compatible with the XF 1.4X TC WR teleconverter.
Jeff Carter has nearly 20 years of experience in the field and is the owner of MacLean Photographic and MacLean Communications, a leading PR company in the motor sports industry. His photographs have appeared in several known publications such as BBC Country File, BBC Top Gear, Autosport, The Sun and many others.
If you want to find out more about the lens, you can click here to read his review on his blog.