First day cover ·
Fujifilm's 400mm Prime, a Compact PEN and Gear for Long-Lens Days
New UK guide prices for an OM System PEN, a 400mm f/4.5 super-telephoto, a 20-60mm zoom and a run of carry and outdoor kit.
The most useful item in this batch is Fujifilm's new 400mm lens, and it's worth a closer look before the cheaper gear. Long telephotos with a bright f/4.5 aperture are rare in the X-Series lineup, and a prime that handles fast action at long range fills a real gap for wildlife, sport and aviation shooters. The rest of the mix is more varied, running from a compact micro four-thirds body to a full-frame zoom, plus bags, a harness and outdoor clothing. Here's what's new and what it means for the way you work.
Fujinon XF 400mm f/4.5 R LM OIS WR
Fujifilm's new super-telephoto prime is a 400mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/4.5. On an APS-C X-Series body, the field of view is equivalent to 609mm in 35mm terms, which is long enough to isolate distant subjects without resorting to a crop-heavy workaround. The f/4.5 aperture matters as much as the focal length. A brighter lens at this reach lets you keep shutter speeds high for birds in flight or motorsport, and it gives you a more manageable autofocus target through the viewfinder.
Fujifilm says the lens has enhanced shake detection and an optimised stabilisation mechanism, providing up to 5.5 stops of image stabilisation. Handheld work at this focal length is always a balancing act, so that figure is worth testing against your own technique and your own body's stabilisation before you rely on it. The lens also promises fast and quiet autofocus, which is a practical point for wildlife and events where a noisy motor can startle a subject or get picked up by a nearby microphone.
Weight is the real trade-off. At around 1,245g, this is not a lens for a quick walk with a small body on a strap. Mounting it on a tripod or monopod, or carrying it in a dedicated bag, will be the normal way to use it. The lens is also compatible with the XF2X TC WR teleconverter, which takes the reach to 800mm. That makes it a flexible pairing for anyone who wants extra range without buying a second long lens. Expect a drop in light with the converter attached, so it suits bright conditions best. Guide price is £2,499.
OM System PEN: Compact, Stylish and Now Splashproof
The new OM System PEN keeps the simple, stylish body of earlier PEN models but updates the internals. It uses a TruePic IX image processor, a 20.4MP Live MOS sensor and five-axis image stabilisation. It also has an integrated electronic viewfinder, which is useful for anyone who prefers an eye-level view in bright light.
The headline change is the first-ever IPX1-rated dust and splashproof construction in the PEN series. IPX1 covers dripping water, so this is protection against light rain or spray rather than a sealed body for serious wet work. Still, for a camera at this size, it expands where you can carry it. The body weighs 393g and comes in silver or black. Guide price is £850 body only, or £950 with the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 III kit lens.
Sigma 20-60mm f/2.8-4 DG Contemporary
Sigma's new zoom is a full-frame lens for L-mount and Sony E-mount, and it's an unusual shape for the category. A 20mm wide end paired with a large f/2.8 aperture at the wide end gives you a bright, wide-angle option that's rarely this compact. The lens weighs 385g and measures 88mm, which makes it a sensible pick for a lightweight full-frame kit.
Close-focus performance is the detail I'd test first. Sigma quotes a minimum focusing distance of 15.8cm at 28mm, which is close enough for tight detail work and environmental close-ups. Combined with fast and silent autofocus, the lens is aimed at people who shoot a mix of walk-around and documentary work. It's weather-sealed and takes 67mm filters, so it can share filters with other lenses in a mixed kit. Guide price is £749.
Carrying the Kit: Harness and Bags
Two Vanguard products address the carrying problem for people shooting with long lenses and two bodies. The Pro 2N1 dual camera harness spreads the load across both shoulders and holds each camera at the hip, where it stays within reach. That layout is designed for fast-moving assignments, when you're switching between two bodies and don't want to be fumbling for a strap. An Arca-compatible quick release lets you move from the harness to a tripod without unclipping the whole system. The harness can also convert to a single-camera sling for lighter days. It weighs 430g, adjusts up to 178cm and comes in black or green, at £100.
The Alta Sky 68T is the larger answer. It's an extra-large bag that works as a backpack or roller case, and Vanguard rates it for a pro body with an 800mm f/5.6 prime attached, plus up to seven additional lenses or personal kit and a 16in laptop. Full front access with security clips and a bright orange interior make it easier to find things in a crowded bag. A full-sized tripod carrying system sits at the rear, and the harness and waist belt pack away when you don't need them. At £350, it's a serious piece of kit for wildlife and sports shooters who regularly carry a long prime.
Vanguard Pro 2N1 product page · Vanguard Alta Sky 68T product page
Outdoor Clothing and Footwear for Long Days
Field days often mean standing still in poor weather, so the clothing here is aimed at staying dry and warm. The Didriksons Trinya is a women's 3-in-1 shell with a detachable fleece. It's made from the brand's EcoLactam, a breathable nylon fabric that the company says has a lower environmental impact in production. The shell offers water and windproof protection with taped seams, four-way stretch for movement, and an adjustable hood with a wire-edged brim and chin guard. Sizes run from XS to 3XL, and the guide price is £160.
The Tierra Roc Noir Jacket is the harder-wearing option. It's available in the UK through Trekitt and built around a three-layer Gore-Tex Pro shell. The face fabric is a 70D recycled polyamide with a PFAS-free DWR treatment, and the jacket was developed with professional mountain guides in Sweden. The hood is helmet-compatible, and side ventilation zips help you manage heat when you're working hard. Men's and women's versions weigh 408g and 355g respectively, and the guide price is £400.
For footwear, the Aku Tribute III GTX is a walking shoe built for winter and beyond. It has a full-grain leather upper sourced from Italian tanneries and a Gore-Tex lining. AKU's injection-moulded sole-upper construction reduces the need for adhesives, and the shoe combines cushioning and grip with an anatomical fit. At £189, it's a practical choice for scouting locations on foot.
Didriksons product page · Trekitt product page · AKU product page
Nocs Zero Tube 10x25 Monocular
The Nocs Provisions Zero Tube is a different sort of tool. At 110 x 44 x 40mm and 205g, it fits in a pocket and works well as a scouting aid. Its 10x magnification with a 25mm objective lens suits spotting wildlife, distant details and night sky targets. The optics use fully multicoated ED BaK-4 glass, and the body is waterproof and fog-proof. Twist-up eyecups make it comfortable for eyeglass wearers, and a built-in carry clip keeps it accessible. At £162.95, it's a sensible companion for a camera bag, especially when you want to check a distant subject before committing to a long lens.
Where This Batch Points
The camera news is where I'd focus. The Fujinon 400mm fills a clear niche for X-Series shooters who need speed at long range, and the 800mm reach with the teleconverter makes it more versatile than its price suggests at first glance. The PEN's first splashproof body adds a practical upgrade for travel and street work, and the Sigma zoom gives full-frame shooters a light, close-focusing wide option. Pair the lens choices with the Vanguard harness and bag, and you have a coherent kit for field work. Watch for real-world autofocus and stabilisation results once these lenses reach working photographers, since those numbers will tell you more than any spec sheet.
