Fujifilm 100-400mm for Sports Photography: A Friday Football Field Review
My Fujifilm 100-400 mm lens got a workout at “Friday Football with Futsal Tokyo.” Have I mixed up some sports here? No, I haven’t. They play both games. But this time, in February 2022, they played soccer. I went to Minami-Nagasaki Sports Center, which is not far from Shinjuku, to photograph them. It was another chance to use the big lens!
Fuji 100-400mm field test: Autofocus, sharpness, and handling
As the first 25-minute game kicked off, I immediately put the lens to the test. A striker made a break for the goal, and I was impressed by how quickly the autofocus snapped onto him, tracking him across the field. The resulting shots were tack-sharp, proving the image quality is definitely there. However, I also noticed my arm was already starting to ache. This lens is heavy, and hand-holding it while constantly moving was my first big challenge.
The aperture ring also felt a little stiff, and combined with the weight, I initially worried this wasn’t the right lens for sports. However, I was happy to be proven wrong. After a few more games, my muscles adjusted, and the lens began to feel like an extension of my arm. The initial challenges simply faded away with practice. Now that we’ve talked about the lens, let’s look at Friday Football.
Interested in playing? Friday Football rules
Friday football with Futsal Tokyo is a 2-hour social sports event. Depending on the numbers, teams consist of either eleven or eight a side. The session consists of four games, each lasting twenty-five minutes. For ¥1000, it is great value.
The group is a mix of locals and those from overseas. First-time players are requested to message organizer Matthew about their football background (so he can balance the teams in advance). It’s all straightforward to do. Here are the rules:
- Kick-offs are from the center at the start and after goals.
- Throw-ins from the side.
- 4 meters between the sideline ball and opposing players.
- There are no back-passes, but players pass the ball to the keeper.
- Slide tackles aren’t allowed. But sliding to block, collect the ball, or pass is okay.
- As it is a social event, players referee their games.
- Sportsmanship – aggressive, threatening, or irresponsible players will be ejected from the game. This includes behavior on the sidelines.
- Make sure to take a smile!
My final thoughts on the Fujifilm 100-400mm
All in all, it was a great day. The skill level of the players was a delight to watch and entertaining. I’m sure many of them have played the game for a long time. See the group’s Meetup page here to join Futsal Tokyo. You won’t regret playing with them. They are great people.
If you are into the Fujifilm X-series and looking for a long zoom, check out the XF 100-400. Just be prepared for two things. First is the cost; at over ¥250,000 (in 2025), it isn’t cheap. Second, as I mentioned, the lens is heavy, so I’d recommend either hitting the gym or investing in a monopod.
