This is an overview of the Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF VR lens. It has been four years since I sold my favorite Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D lens. Since then, bird photography for me was just a waiting game until I got a new lens. My only lens which allowed me to taste bird photography in the mean time was the Nikon AF-S 70-200 f/2.8G VR II along with 1.4x TC II – a makeshift combo for larger birds. When Nikon announced the 300mm f/4E PF VR lens, I thought about getting it together with the 1.4x TC III, but knowing that reach is always an issue with little birds, my dream was to get the exotic 500mm f/4E FL VR. However, budget was an issue for such a hefty purchase, and on top of that, the weight of 3.1 kg was also a rather big negative factor. Although a number of budget-friendly lenses with good reach potential like the Nikon 200-500mm, Sigma / Tamron 150-600mm came out in between, none of them were able to match the quality I am used to getting from my Nikon 300mm f/4D. So, it was more a waiting game and I continued to try to survive in the genre with my makeshift combo…
Then come August 2018, Nikon announces the 500mm f/5.6 PF VR wonder lens – one stop slower than the conventional 500mm f/4 model, yet only 1460gm in weight and about 9.5 inches in length! This time, it was a PF lens, similar to Nikon’s 300mm f/4E PF VR lens. The specifications, as well as the price excited me greatly, but I was very skeptical about the Phase Fresnel element and diffractive optics in general. “Generally they are not as good as, refractive lenses” – this is what I have been told.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1000, 1/1000, f/5.6
After reading a few reviews, I decided to purchase the PF lens over the 500mm f/4E FL VR. But availability of this lens was a great problem. After waiting 6 months, I managed to get one with the help of my good friend. So I decided to share my thoughts about the lens on Photography Life after happily using it for a month. For a more scientific review with data, graphs and other useful information, I suggest to wait until Nasim gets a sample in his hands. But in the meantime, I hope you find my field experience with the 500mm f/5.6E PF VR useful.
1. The Combination Used
First of all, I would like to point out that my thoughts are based on my hand-held set up with the Nikon D810 and the lens, without any teleconverters attached. Performance with newer bodies like Nikon D5, D500, D850 and with TC 1.4 III is yet to be seen on my end to come to any serious conclusion. I am not a full-time professional and I haven’t been spoiled by such exotics as the 400mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4, 600mm f/4 and 800 f/5.6, so do accept my review of the lens with a pinch of salt.
NIKON D850 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 360, 1/320, f/5.6
2. Build Quality / Cosmetics
The build quality is very good just like all modern pro lenses. The lens looks gorgeous! The curves on the lens remind of its big brother. To me this is one of the few best-looking lenses in Nikon’s line up.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1600, 1/200, f/7.1
This lens has all the nifty features from other gold ring telephotos, such as memory lock button, 4 focus buttons up-front in different directions, AF-L and AF-ON switch etc, though I have not used these buttons yet.
The lens is claimed to be fully weather sealed, it has a rubber gasket on the rear mount and has fluorine coating on its front element to keep the debris and droplets away. Although I haven’t used it yet in very rugged and tough conditions, it should be able to handle those conditions very well. I like to mention here I opt not to put any protective filter (95mm) up-front for two reasons: first, due to probable impact on lens IQ and second, with this lens being a PF lens, another glass element might add more flare to images.
The hood is actually very good and has a lock mechanism like the 70-200mm f/2.8 but more robust than that. Having said that, I have seen pretty bad hoods like that of the Nikon 200-500mm, which is so frisky that it comes out on its own sometimes. The hood in my opinion is enough to protect the front element, if used carefully.
The tripod collar is the same old Nikon technology without Arca-Swiss compatibility. From the reports of few photographers, I came to know about the loose tripod collar, but after I tightened it with quite a bit of force, I have not seen it loosen once. I will see if it happens after prolonged use in the future, but in the mean time, I am taking precaution regarding that issue and I keep checking the collar intermittently.
The focus ring is buttery smooth. Sometimes it accidentally rotates while handling, so I prefer to switch to A/M mode instead of M/A.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1000, 1/1000, f/6.3
3. Ergonomics
The lens is a joy to use! After using it for a few days, my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8G VR II seemed heavy like a brick. The design makes it feel lighter although this lens is just 80 grams lighter than my 70-200mm. The diameter of the barrel of the lens near the mount is narrower and gradually broader to its end, whereas the 70-200 is the same diameter throughout. The lens makes you more agile as a photographer and working with this lens makes you faster in the field. Until now, I have used it for hours on stretch and hiked for hours without any fatigue. Even when I wait for the moment to capture action, I can hand-hold it for a longer period of time than any other lenses I have used before. Only in certain conditions like in a hide or where repetitive action happens, you might need to use a tripod. For general day-to-day use, I don’t feel like the combo needs a tripod or a monopod for support.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 800, 1/800, f/5.6
4. Autofocus Speed
Autofocus is blazing fast in good light. How fast? By my rough estimates, it is as good, or better than the old 300mm f/4D and far faster than the 200-500mm when used without the limiter switch (Full i.e. ∞ to 3m). Both focus acquisition and tracking are excellent, as well as the focus accuracy. To be honest, I was not expecting an f/5.6 lens to focus this fast. When the focus limiter is set to ∞ to 8m the focus speed is blazing fast, particularly in group AF focus on the D810, both in terms of acquisition and tracking (although not as good as the 70-200mm f/2.8, but still very close). The accuracy seems perfect for birds in flight in the distance, although I have not yet gotten an opportunity to test any close action yet. I have not experienced any hunting whatsoever.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000, f/8.0
In less than ideal conditions, I mean in overcast / poor light, contrasty backlit object or when shooting under very shaded and dense canopy, the focus accuracy suffers and the focus speed gets slower, as expected. The lens also tends to hunt when shooting through grass blades or in extreme backlit conditions, just like any other lens would.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 200, 1/2000, f/5.6
My only reservation is in regards to the minimum focus distance of the lens – 3 meters is bit too far for my taste. However, long super telephoto exotics have even worse minimum focus limitations. Sometimes when the subject comes too near, I just cannot shoot – I struggle to fill the frame at or just above 3 meters with smaller sparrow-sized birds with my full frame camera.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 900, 1/1000, f/5.6
5. Vibration Reduction
One word: amazing! I previously read some reports regarding VR problems when shooting at slow shutter-speeds with the 300 f/4E PF VR, so I was bit worried if the same issue was present on the 500mm PF VR as well. Here is my quick report on the lens VR. There are three modes of VR: 1. Off, 2. Normal, 3. Sport. When shooting at high shutter speeds say 1/1000th of a second, VR Off is not a problem for me. Sports VR is superb. At 1/60 sec and above, even at 1/2000th, Sports VR does not impact IQ. That’s amazing and it really works flawlessly. Normal mode is where I guess one could encounter problems, which I noticed and this also echoes the same observation in the review of E. J. Peiker. In normal mode, 1/60 sec and less, it works like a charm when used carefully. The lowest shutter speed with which I managed to get a sharp photo was at 1/25th of a second – that’s amazing for a 500mm lens. But above 1/60th of a second to up to 1/240th of a second, Normal VR produces inconsistent results in my experience. As a result, I decided to keep Sports VR on by default. Anyway, that range of shutter speeds on a 500mm lens probably warrants the use of a tripod and freezing of a subject is not possible, so it is not a big issue for me.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 450, 1/800, f/5.6
6. Image Quality
6.1. Sharpness
As expected from a modern Nikon super telephoto, this is a very sharp lens. Though the term sharpness of a lens is relative and multi-factorial, I want to point out a few things. The lens is very sharp wide open at f/5.6. I could not find any reason to stop down to achieve maximum sharpness. The only time I stopped down was in good light and to increase the depth of field.
Though corner sharpness is not an issue for me in this type of a lens and for its intended use, I found corner sharpness to be superb for distant shots where the whole frame is in focus, like a distant landscape.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 200, 1/1000, f/8.0
Near subject: From near focusing distance to about 50 feet. The lens is tack sharp depending upon the subject and shooting discipline! The acuity is very good and so is the micro-contrast. It renders fine feather details of birds so good that at times I have to think twice to enhance edge contrast in post-processing.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1000, 1/1000, f/6.3
Far subject: I wonder how this lens renders details of distant subjects further than 50 feet distance. I have never witnessed such sharpness of far away objects in other lenses I have used, provided there is no atmospheric haze, heat distortion and fog.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 200, 1/800, f/5.6
But I have observed in overcast condition and in contrasty-backlit condition the acuity and contrast seems to be a bit less than the lens is capable of.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1250, 1/1600, f/5.6
I am a sharpness freak and believe the 300mm f/4 to be a very sharp lens. Also, I expect that the 500mm f/4 would be bit sharper than this PF at 100%. I have a mixed experience regarding the sharpness of the 200-500mm. Out of two copies I have used, I found one copy to be not sharp enough to satisfy my taste and the other was “just good enough”. Having said that, this PF lens is ahead of the 200-500mm in sharpness, but definitely not three times better as the price.
In my opinion, it’s a little sharper than the 300mm f/4 bare and considerably better than the 200-500mm when seen at 100% zoom. But social media spoil those details so much that you have to depend on the subject separation from the background to see the difference of f/4 and f/5.6 lenses.
One observation I have never experienced with any other combo is that the 500mm PF with the D810 body at times produces moiré in some particular pattern in the micro-details of feather. Not always, but on more than a few occasions:
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 800, 1/1250, f/5.6
6.2. Color
This lens produces well saturated, neutral color, like all other modern lenses from Nikon in my observation. I personally like warmer tones from the old G type lenses, but images have very good contrast.
6.3. Out of Focus Highlights / Bokeh
This lens produces very smooth background when used properly. When the background is at infinity and far away from the subject, the Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF VR produces buttery-smooth, uniform background. But when there are highlighted objects, like dried stems or any other contrast pattern in the background nearer to the subject, the rendition becomes harsher for my taste:
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1800, 1/640, f/5.6
In my little use I found specular highlights to be not that smooth in some shots. Highlight have marveling pattern in the body and have a dark highlight circle on the edges. In the center of the image, the bokeh shapes are circular and on the edges of the frame they are like cat’s eyes. This observation does not affect the final frame as this is visible once you want to see the bokeh balls at 100%.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1600, 1/800, f/5.6
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 200, 1/5000, f/5.6
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 200, 1/5000, f/5.6
Overall, I found bokeh and out of focus rendering to be quite pleasing and a tad smoother than what the 200-500mm produces. I found bokeh to be much better than what the 300 f/4 with the TC 1.4x combo can produce from the same distance, which is expected.
6.4. Flare
Although PF lenses are prone to flare, I have not yet witnessed it in normal shooting scenarios. Once I deliberately point the lens directly towards a bright subject like the sun, I do find ugly polychromatic flare, but that’s not a very realistic shooting scenario.
6.5. Vignetting
The lens vignettes at its edge wide open, which is easily corrected in Adobe Camera Raw, version 11.2 with a single click.
6.6. Chromatic Aberration
I have not seen any signs of lateral chromatic aberration.
6.7. Distortion
I could not find any distortion issues to be worried about.
7. Conclusion
Though these are my initial days of use, if I have to be very critical, then I only have two negative points to bring up. Number one is the one stop slower aperture of light gathering capability, which can be an issue when shooting in low-light conditions. Number two again has to do with the aperture – the f/4 lenses have better subject separation capabilities in comparison to this f/5.6 lens.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250, f/5.6
But I am immensely impressed with the overall output of this feather-weight telephoto. It is a lightweight champion with fast autofocus, great build quality, fantastic image quality, it is a joy to use and it has wonderful out of focus rendering at f/5.6. Truly amazing and definitely worthy of very high praises.
8. Recommendation
There are better pros in the world to recommend lenses and I will wait to see what Nasim says in his upcoming review. I can only say that I found the lost zeal in bird photography after getting this lens. Every lens purchase is a compromise and no lens is perfect. But for a person like me who wants a lightweight, and cheaper (yes, not that cheap folks) lens, yet one that has the most features of f/4 exotic super telephoto lenses in a small and portable package, there is simply no competitor on the market as of now. The only issue is, you have to wait, because the lens is nowhere to be found – Nikon just cannot make enough of these! But trust me when I say that the wait is totally worth it… It’s a great little super-tele in its own right.
NIKON D810 + 500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000, f/7.1
This lens is on my “hopeful” wish list. :) I got the 300mm PF with the 1.4 TC III first and it works fantastic with my Nikon Z6. No VR issues so far.
I know the 200-500mm 5.6 is also a very good lens (when you get a good sample), but the lack of weather sealing is holding me back from purchasing it.
Still find it a bit of a ridiculous oversight by Nikon, to release a wildlife lens without weatherproofing. I rather pay 100-200 bucks extra to have it weather sealed. I don’t think many would object. So here is hoping on a version 2 of this lens in near future with weather proofing. (wishful thought)
Hi Chandan,
While I’ve been waiting for Naseem to review this lens before I get in the long waiting queue, I find this overview helpful and encouraging. You got some very good shots with the old-fashioned AF system of D810, I guess D850’s AF and high-res. sensor is gonna yield even much better results.
I already have a 300mm PF and recently bought a TC14E III but as Thom Hogan concluded in his review of 500mm pf that with these two ultra-light weight lense Nikon has provided quite a range in comb. of 1.4 TC for the enthusiasts like us i.e. 300 f4, 420 f5.6, 500 f5.6 & 700mm f8 on a FF and an equivalent 450mm f4, 630 f5.6, 750 f5.6 & 1,050mm f8 on a DX body.
Dear Nasim we already are aware of your busy routine and the almost impossible availability of this lens but a lot of your readers are waiting anxiously for the review of this lens. Please let us know how long we’ll have to wait considering there’ll be a really very long queue after we decide to get it?
Muhammad
Thanks so much .
Hello Chandan sir
How is this lens handled lens flare? And dont you thing 200-500 is more versatile lens when u shoot from boat? And recently world class wild life photographer jared polen said 200-500 and 500 pf iq wise very close… Why should people spend 3 time for f5. 6 optic at 500 mm where zoom available.
>>Why should people spend 3 time for f5. 6 optic at 500 mm where zoom available.
Because it is light. I have used it from boat. On one or two occasions I felt like I needed it to be wider. Yes, 200-500 will solve this problem but that comes with extra weight.
You said it – over the top expensive considering any “improvements” over the 200-500!!
Really?? Yes the costs go up steeply with dedicated prime lenses, but have you used one?
Sometimes things that look like very small improvements on paper turn out to be very very important. I own a 500 F4 (G series). It is a LOT more expensive than the 200-500. I have used both. Taken on balance, the 200-500 is just not a lens I would purchase. It was designed for someone else.
Zooms and primes are not necessarily intended for the same sort of user. Zooms have advantages for their intended purchasers but prime lenses have different qualities which appeal to many of us.
The 500 F4 is extraordinary to use. It has a range of qualities which make it worth the extra money to me. (Including weather sealing, speed of focus, micro-contrast, resolution, bokeh, build quality and durability).
Looking at the images above, it is clear that the 500 5.6 is a fine lens.
I don’t think you can say something is overpriced without having tried it for an extended period and finding out how well it works for you. I think the 500 F5.6 looks wonderful and I am sure people who buy it and use it are very unlikely to be disappointed with what it can do, and that makes it worth every penny.
Dear Senaritra
I have already written about flare, please go through if you missed it.
Regarding versatility 200-500 is good with penalty in worse out of focus rendition in shorter focal length and also in handling and weight. I would still prefer 500PF over 200-500 in such situation due to optics, weight, agility.
In very close distance the only sharpness is very close if you get a good copy of 200-500 around 400mm. I am not aware of any world-class wildlife photographer in that name, sorry dear.
One should invest due to its overall optics, weigh and size, handling, built quality and last but not the least twice faster focus speed.
Hope you get your answer. Thanks.
>>Why should people spend 3 time for f5. 6 optic at 500 mm where zoom available.
The 200-500 has quite a few problems. Like I mentioned in my first post. The primary reason I held back on buying one and going for the 300mm PF F/4 instead, was the lack of weather proofing. It got the nickname “dust pump” for a good reason. All demo copies I tested in the store had scraping noises when zooming in/out due to debris built-up.
Then you got the issue with sample variance. This lens is notorious for it and you have a very high chance in getting a bad copy. So you are fully depended on buying this lens at a shop that has a good return policy, so you can keep returning it until you get a good one (if you end up being unlucky).
The third issue is the extremely slow Auto focus. Several people I know who have/had this lens complained about the slow AF. It’s ok if you photograph slow moving wildlife, but with fast erratic moving subjects, this lens is a pain to use.
Then lastly, this lens is heavy! A lot heavier than it’s third party counterparts the Tamron and Sigma 150-600 for example.
Nice review Chandan with some lovely birds.
There is a near full-moon tonight, and Jupiter and its 4 moons is close by. Could you test the performance of the 500pf for astronomy pictures please, if you get a clear night? With the D810’s DX crop, you should have a nice close view.
Thanks!
Hello Burghclerbilly
Thanks a lot for that you like the article. I am living in a city where pollution is high and there are lots of lights. Here in India pre-monsoon is going on. Above all now I do not have any tripod with me. Let me go to some places for astro work and I will definitely try and let you know. Just drop your mail ID here.
Thanks !
Hello Chandran, thank you for the review! I am not in the running for a 500mm lens,but i have the 300PF and really like it.
Because these lenses are so light they give you far more opportunity to use them almost anywhere.
also i very much like the rendering of the 300PF…. it is one of my favourite lenses.
you said:
“But above 1/60th of a second to up to 1/240th of a second, Normal VR produces inconsistent results in my experience. ”
That is a typical d810 problem- on the d850 it is gone. The shutter/mirrrorslab interferes with the VR.
Hi Pieter
Thanks for the information. I have tried only one hour in the field with D850 with birds in good light. In future I would love to see that. But In Sports mode there is no problems in VR and no impact in IQ in that range of shutter speed. So this observation doesn’t concern me.
Thanks !
Thanks for that information, Pieter, and thanks for the stunning pictures of even more stunning birds, Chandan Hazra. I managed to forget about that gorgeous lens, unfortunately that memory is back – how light it is and how easy to handle. If I’d sell the D810 which I keep for the silent shutter, the price wouldn’t hurt that much and who knows, by Christmas I could use it to hunt snowflakes? The backorders give the phrase “long-term investment” new meaning. Who knows if I still shoot Nikon when the lens arrives?
Two comments:
Look at Steve Perry’s review. He does nature. He discovered the issue with carrying the lens by the foot. But yes, it is a walk-around 500mm.
Second, this lens is apparently super sharp at 5.6 whereas you have to stop down other lenses such as the 200-500.
If you look at the photos on Fred Miranda’s site you will see the range of (mostly bird) shots. When you add the 1.5 extender it takes away a bit of the sharpness.
Yes that’s why I mentioned regarding the foot issue but personally didn’t face it. Although anxiously checked intermittently. I am a great fan of Steve Perry. He is such a great photographer. Yes it’s tack sharp at f/5.6.
Thanks!
Good points , Steve Ross.
Yes, Steve Perry’s ebooks are a rare bargain.
The 500 PF Nikkor is in its own league. Unique haptics with excellent IQ wide open. It embraces and extends all the postives of the 300 f4E PF
After waiting six months I, too, received mine at the end of May. To date I’ve been very happy with it, but have not had as many opportunities to use it as Chandan.
1. This is the first lens I’ve had or even used with the memory functions on it. The feature is amazing and the lens snaps back to the recalled distance almost instantly. I’m still practicing with the feature, but am very happy with how it is helping me improve my bird photography.
2. The autofocus is very fast on my D500. I’ve just, within the last four days, added a D850 to my inventory. While I have configured the D850 and set the AF-Fine Tune to work with this lens, I haven’t had much time to practice with that combination, so I can’t comment on its autofocus speed. The few photos I took, Saturday, with the combination were impressive, though.
3. I am so much happier with the images I’ve taken with this lens than with the 200-500mm f/5.6. I’ve gotten good results from that lens, but the contrast and clarity here seems so much better. To be fair, though, I haven’t put it through its paces, enough, to comment on ghosting/flare or the possibility that the PF element will turn up – though I haven’t encountered it with my 300mm PF in a year of use.
4. As others and especially Steve Perry have mentioned – the lens foot is rubbish. Replace it, or you’ll experience an unfortunate drop. Steve recommends a couple of brands, but has had some difficulty with them, there’s a running commentary on his review of the lens dealing with the different options people have tried. I walk around quite a bit with my lenses and I like to have them “dummy corded” to me, no matter how small or light. I therefore use the RRS feet with QD interfaces on them in conjunction with a MagPul MS-4 rifle sling. The proper foot for this lens is listed as backordered on RRS’s site, but they shipped mine three days after I placed my order, I received it last Monday. It’s longer than the QD feet I use for my 70-200mm and 300mm PF, but not excessively lengthy. The center of balance is perfect for carrying on the rifle sling and it’s easy to null balance on my gimbal. It *is* RRS expensive, though.
Great! Now even more people will want it. Long, long wait… sigh…
Ha ha that’s true honestly. Thom Hogan said more the reviews come more will be the waiting period. LOL.
A really good article. Just got my 500/5.6 PF after a 10 month wait. After lugging around my 200-500/5.6 In Costa Rica last summer, I knew I needed something lighter. Your bird pictures are gorgeous. Off to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge this coming Sunday to give it a workout.
Hi Bob
Congratulations for the lens !! Thanks a lot as you like the photographs and best of luck for your trip.
Thanks !
Hi Chandan
Thank you for this essay on the 500 P. I enjoyed it very much. However you left out one important detail! You did not include the name of your friend who helped acquire the lens. 😏 That person is certainly someone I’d like to meet. —All kidding aside, you captured some great images with the 500P. Hoping my lens will arrive before the fall migration
Joe
Hello Joshep,
Thanks so much that you like the article and the photographs, I like your humour.😊😊
Chandan
Lovely bird photos. Your “spotted owl” photo threw me, since the American Northern spotted owl has brown eyes, not yellow, but I did find a spotted owlet from India that matched your pix. Might want to correct the name on that photo! Thanks…from an owl lover.
Welcome😊😊
Clearly, this author shares more interests/priorities with many PL readers, so a perfect fit. That said, though not a pro, I have been able to invest in higher quality lenses (300mm f/2.8, 400mm f/2.8, 600mm f/4) and own the 200-500mm as well. You haven’t seen sharp until shooting with the 200 f/2 or the 300/400 f/2.8, though the 70-200 f/2.8 comes close and the f/4 is also very close – and I am a fan of the 300 f/4 PF – great lighter option. And I shoot almost always with a tripod. Few have the skill to shoot sharply without one, without sacrificing detail due to needing higher ISO to keep shutter speed higher to offset handhold motion. I find it interesting how many different people commented on sample variety on the 200-500. I suspect this is like the same complaint when it comes to teleconverters – usually more an issue with the shooter than the gear.
The big and main reason, based on this review, I would not consider this lens – not enough reach, especially for smaller birds. Most of the shots here have far too much frame with nothing that contributes to the subject, or story behind the subject. 500mm, IMO, is just not enough reach for small birds. I typically use my 200-500 on my D500, as I find those two a great fit for each other and that makes the effective FOV 300-750, which is more useable. The second key issue, for me, is that starting at f/5.6 makes using a teleconverter a pretty tough situation, as you are already loosing so much light. I regularly use the 1.4 and 1.7 and on occasion the 2.0 with the f/4 primes and certainly the f/2.8 primes. Most don’t understand sample variety and how to correct for it, which is essential for working with TCs. For small birds I am typically using the 600 with a 1.7 TC on a FF camera. If you need to be closer, extension tubes are the solution – no glass to absorb light, and closer to the subject, hardly a down side, though range of focus is lower than without one.
Bottom line, depending on what and how you shoot this 500mm may be a good option for you, but I’d suggest that most would benefit more from the 200-500 and even a relatively inexpensive carbon fiber tripod – Amazon has some options that are a fraction of what I invested in the more well known brands. They are great for travel, and with good technique can provide the stability to keep ISO as low as possible (greater dynamic range) and shutter speeds as low as possible (relative to the action of the subject), which means aperture can be the priority for the subject isolation, or not, relative to the composition one aims to capture.
Many good and practical points shared by this author, and I really respect that and look forward to more from him! Our priorities may be different, but that just means our priorities are different – it doesn’t at all mean one is more right than the other.
Hi,
Thanks for your valuable inputs. I love the last para you write. Also want to repeat your words that for most photographers 200-500 is good enough. For least 200f2, 400f2.8 and 600f4 is required. But at even lesser no. of user will get chance to get this lens. 😊😊
I pair my 500pf with a D500 and I think it’s a fine combo for small birds. With a little patience, I had no trouble filling the frame shooting Warblers and Vireos. That said, paired with my D850, the combo fell short for small birds but shines shooting larger mammals and landscapes.
I was surprised people dinged the 200-500 over the issue of internal dust. That is the nature of ALL lenses that are “breathers”. Most of the time this is a complete non issue in terms of real impact to images. In truth, if you have the right focal length, angle, distance to fence, and distance to subject, you can shoot through a chain link fence and it be just as sharp as if nothing was between you and the subject. I know – I have done it. Visible dust in a lens is more of a psychological issue than a practical one – in general. I’m not saying invite dust into the system – keep it clean and you minimize the risk, but I have yet to see it ever impact an image – especially when evaluating with a high res camera body (D800, D810, D850, etc.)
Thanks taking the time to write a great article. I’ve rented the 200-500 on two occasions. Tried hand held without much success. Moving through the zoom range was an issue as well, at least for me. I have the 300PF and use it regularly with the TC 1.4III with no issues on my D500. “Played” with the 500PF for over 30 minutes while visiting B&H. Incredibly sharp with quick focus. Shot at f5.6 and f8 using the TC 1.4III. Left very impressed and planning on ordering when saved halfway to purchase price. Unfortunate wait time is so incredibly long.
The 200-500VR is an excellent lens if you need a zoom, but the 500PF is the better lens; it’s sharper, takes the TC14EIII better (remarkably good even at f8) and is faster to focus. It’s MUCH smaller and lighter … almost shocking when you pick it up and handle it. VR effectiveness is possibly the only area where the 500PF comes up short against the 200-500. And did I say sharp? At closer ranges it’s as sharp as my 8.4lb 600/4E. No kidding. My only gripe is that it’s limited to f5.6.
I have the 300/2.8 VR, 200-500, and the 300PF. I thought I would sell the 2.8 once I bought the 300 PF but the 2.8 is just so amazing. I can’t part with it.
I was planning to get the 500mm PF but then I saw that Nikon has the 600mm PF in the works. So i’ll get that instead. I can get 500mm now with 3 different lenses (300/2.8 + TC1.7, 200-500, 300PF + TC1.7). The 600mm will get me past that.
The 200-500 is a great lens. I have incredible shots with it. On a tripod with the Nikon TC2.0 I have tack sharp shots of the moon (1,000mm).
Thanks for writing this Chandran. Many of us have been waiting to receive the lens since it was launched.
I also take handheld bird images and would appreciate the quality this lens would bring.
(Currently using the Nikon D500 with Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 VC).
Agree with you about birds that occasionally come very close – will just have to enjoy the view without images.
Thanks friends for your valuable inputs and appreciation. 😊😊
Great captures.
While I not heard or seen any negative comments on this particular new hardware it will not be the last equipment from Nikon what we all want to have in our camera bag. If that is true, Nikon is headed to a dooms day. :)
Sorry I do not agree with the core concept of this article. For me photography as an amateur is all about making GREAT MEMORIES as we step out of our house be it landscape/cityscape or wildlife. Personally I found the logic of not doing birding just b’cos not having the right lens does not make any sense. As I grow older in this uncertain world I do not know I would be in right health and mind to do wildlife if I just keep on waiting for the perfect hardware to come out. Again this are my personal thoughts as this article is of the writer.
Happy birding.
Cheers
Hi Santanu,
Thanks for appreciation !
I didn’t find why this should be last equipment from Nikon that we all want to have. If one have the money and/or muscle and/or full time pros, why not if he/ she must go for the best of the best. Its just an overview of my personal experience and nowhere I recommend anybody to take this lens over any other. And if you does not find any negatives then probably you did not take any pain to go through the whole article. (Please go through the conclusion and recommendation part). Every person have different requirements, budget, obligations.
I just told I sold my lens and also share that I continued with my 70-200/TC combo (Believe me that gives me a new perspective of birding). While its funny how one can imagine that I stopped birding or any type of photography in the mean while. While there may be various personal reason to sell/ purchase any gear the reason of which I may not want to discuss in public. There are various sources to hire lenses, be it in rent or from friends.
I just share I my personal experience with the lens after using it for just a month and obviously not born with golden spoon to buy the best possible combo. The article is for those potential customers and my friends who are waiting to know the performance of this particular lens. Hope you understand the essence of this article.
Cheers !
I received mine last week. Any issue with foot strap you faced ?
Thanks Chandran and readers. I see that all the interesting comments and apt observations from the article and from the readers refering to comparison to other lens are enclosed to NIKON lens. And there is obvious reason. But I would like to read comments and experiences of comparison of the new NIKON 500mm to other lens too, as the 100-400mm G2 lens by SONY, as it would be a high perfomance reference on wildlife photography. Thank you
Hello Walter,
I do not have any chance to test that Sony. Sorry! 😊😊
Excellent article Chandan jee with inspiring photos…This lens will be on my list but I am waiting for the elusive 600mm f5.6 Of lens..If not released within 6 months will get this one. Currently uses 200-500 with D850.
Hello Santosh
Thanks ! But I doubt that Nikon will able to release 600pf anytime. Anyway good luck.!!
I’ve used this lens for almost a year now and my conclusions are roughly the same as yours. Image quality is very good, autofocus is quick and the lens is so light that I can use it hand held most of the time.
However, focus sometimes hunts for ever, and I really do mean for ever: the animal comes, moves around and disappears, and the lens is still hunting (using the ∞-8m setting doesn’t seem to improve things significantly). I also use the 300mm Phase Fresnel lens and this problem never happens.
Hello,
Sorry to know you faces such problem. But I have never faces such problem.
Thanks!!
Very nice, thank you Chandan. Good for you for getting one of the very few around! Nice photos and a nice review from a non-professional reviewer. What lovely birds.
Hi Sean,
Ver glad to know that you like it.
Thanks!
This will make a nice travel lens.
I rarely pull the 500 f/4E out of the safe when I travel anywhere simply because I leave the expensive stuff at home when airlines are involved in any way. :|
Until the availability of this lens, the travel companion has been the 200-500 on an 810 or D700 ( yes I still have one ) body.
Thanks for the review. This is my most-used wildlife lens. Since getting this, I haven’t touched my 200-500. My only small quibble with this 500PF is the VR at the speeds around 1/80-1/160 or so. When shooting in high-speed continuous mode, it is a problem, and it’s no where near as good as the 200-500 at those speeds. I’m curious about the Sport Mode, as that’s something I haven’t tried. I was under the impression that was for special situations, like when shooting from a vehicle/helicopter/etc. Sadly, this VR “problem” is the same thing I see on my 300PF, and it’s happened on multiple bodies.
The good news is, I use a D850, and it can be shot in Qc mode with the EFCS. This little trick seems to virtually eliminate the VR issue. You can only shoot at 3 fps, but if you’re shooting at 1/100 sec, you don’t need a high frame rate anyway.
Only other thing I would add is, the tripod foot is awful, and it’s very easy to accidentally disconnect the lens. I had my body and lens completely fall off and land on the ground. Luckily, it was on soft dirt. Steve Perry documented the same thing. You could buy an aftermarket foot, but I found a solution that works better for me. I don’t use the tripod foot anyway, so it can be removed, but if you leave the collar on, it has its own 1/4″ tripod hole that can be attached to a strap or whatever. I lost a few oz of weight, and now there is no chance to accidentally press that button and drop the camera.
Not much else to say. No other company offers anything like this. IMO, these PF lenses are the future. Get a D500 or D850, and pair it with this lens, or even a 300PF+1.4TC, and you are good to go.
Hello Eric,
Welcome! I hope by using sports VR your problem should go.
Yea I know about the foot problem but luckily I have not faced such problem personally yet.
Yea. I am looking for a D850 in future. 😊😊
Thanks!
Thanks Chandan,
An excellent review with beautiful images to back it up. I have been waiting 6 months for my copy but I am told it should arrive within the next month.
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for appreciation! Best of luck for your upcoming lens.
I appreciate your detailed review on this lens. I too, have been eyeing this lens but keep going back to my 300PF, TC1.4III combo due to my finances. I was relieved to see that my phantom VR issues on the 300PF (model is outside of the Nikon firmware issue) on a D810 body were solved with a D850 body. I love how light and compact the PF lenses are, total game changer when traveling.
Hello Jon,
Many thanks for your appreciation. Yes indeed they are game changer for many if not all.
Thanks for your review, which confirms the main findings of Brad Hill, Steve Perry, Richard Peters and other wildlife pros.
I’ve been using the 500 PF since early October in Southern and central Africa – on the D850 and Z7.
Having used the current models of the 200 f2G and 300 f2.8G, and latterly the 400 f2.8E it is very clear the IQ of this new 500 Nikkor is very close. Yes the 500 PF is no 400 f2.8E which has great bokeh too; but practicably, any differences in sharpness are not worth any split ink let alone worry.
There is also other telephoto prime at the price so the 500 PF is unique, as the Sigma 500 Sport is the closest competitor. The latter costs a pile more at 2x the weight.
The closest option is price and reach is probably the 300 PF + TC14 III, which gives excellent results, and this tiny PF prime also does surprisingly with TC17 II. Provided minimal cropping and of subjects up to 20metres. But IQ tends fall off with any TC-Nikkor combination at longer distances. I’ve found this comparing the 400 f2.8E and 500 PF on standard targets out to 40m – testing all 3 TCs on the Z7.
The 500 PF gives slower AF but it works fine with TC2 III on the Z7 but dents IQ.
The real – in fact Huge – bonus of the 500 PF is for Peripatetic Photography. The haptics recall the many years carrying a 400 f5.6AIS IFED on a FM2, but so much better! Couple it with a Z MILC for an excellent solution for shooting “out there”. The silent shutter of the Z7 is another big bonus (but this is another story).
It’s not only hiking but shooting in a hide or vehicle where the 500 PF (ditto the 300 PF) give the handling +ves. This became very clear over 2 weeks using the 500 PF and 400 f2.8E side by side on D850 and Z7 in Kruger NP. The 500 PF combo is just that much quicker into action…..
wishing you great light :-)
Hi,
Thanks so much. Hope u find AF better in D850. Also you gave input in comparison to the exotics. That’s make 500 PF standings even great than my impression.
Thanks !
Hi Chandan
Thanks. Comparing the 500 PF against the Nikkor exotics is a harsh test. I find the comparisons get closer (IQ especially) comparing the 500 PF against the 400 f2.8E FL + TC14 III, where the two optics are very close. Yet we know the fast 400 performs very well with all 3 TCs (AF as well as IQ). So does the 200 f2G and 300 f2.8G (although IQ ratchets down to its highest penalty with the TC2 III – see the detailed reviews here on PL by Nasim).
On the other hand, the 400 with a gripped D850 weighs nearly 5kg, compared to < 2.8kg swopping out the 3.8kg 400 for the 1.47 kg 500 PF. This really does matter in many situations. Perhaps the best comparison of the sui generis is that the 400 f2.8 is more than a single lens. You get a 560 f4, 680 f4.8 and 800 f5.6 with really excellent picture quality + AF… Yet the Nikkor phase fresnel primes are unique. Too often the haptics of the 500 PF capture the fleeting moment.
Yes, the D850 has the AF edge over the Z7, but the learning curve on the Z Nikons is steep. While we wait for Nikon to upgrade the performance, much is set by one's abilities (!) Thom Hogan's detailed Zed book makes this clear, and it's money well spent to optimize Z system, AF especially.
kind regards
PS cannot correct typos in these comments. Previous post to read: – "There is NO other telephoto prime at the price, so the 500 PF is unique, as the Sigma 500 f4 Sport is the closest competitor.
Hi
I doesn’t mean to say that it’s equivalent to the exotics but it standings are very close to the exotics if you see overall package than the consumer grade lenses available in the market in less than half the price.
Thanks.
This is truly a fantastic write up with all related first time use experiences. Crisp and clear opinions that help decide instantly should I go for it or not as it points out the pros and cons in all probable scenarios. A good read for enthusiastic like us who are always in a great dilemma of value to price ratio, before having it owned! By reading this experiences, am excited to have one as it ticks almost all the boxes for a staple birding companion!
Thanks a ton Amitra.
Hi Chandan
Thanks. Comparing the 500 PF against the Nikkor exotics is a harsh test. I find the comparisons get closer (IQ especially) comparing the 500 PF against the 400 f2.8E FL + TC14 III, where the two optics are very close. Yet we know the fast 400 performs very well with all 3 TCs (AF as well as IQ). So does the 200 f2G and 300 f2.8G (although IQ ratchets down to its highest penalty with the TC2 III – see the detailed reviews here on PL by Nasim).
On the other hand, the 400 with a gripped D850 weighs nearly 5kg, compared to < 2.8kg swopping out the 3.8kg 400 for the 1.47 kg 500 PF. This really does matter in many situations. Perhaps the best comparison of the sui generis is that the 400 f2.8 is more than a single lens. You get a 560 f4, 680 f4.8 and 800 f5.6 with really excellent picture quality + AF… Yet the Nikkor phase fresnel primes are unique. Too often the haptics of the 500 PF capture the fleeting moment.
Yes, the D850 has the AF edge over the Z7, but the learning curve on the Z Nikons is steep. While we wait for Nikon to upgrade the performance, much is set by one's abilities (!) Thom Hogan's detailed Zed book makes this clear, and it's money well spent to optimize Z system, AF especially.
kind regards
PS cannot correct typos in these comments. Previous post to read: – "There is NO other telephoto prime at the price, so the 500 PF is unique, as the Sigma 500 f4 Sport is the closest competitor.
I was lucky to get the 500mmf5.6 this last March. I also own a number of Nikon’s other exotic lenses such as the 400mmf2.8 (newest version), the 180-400f4, the 300mmf4 PF, the 70-200f2.8E etc. I also have the D850, D500 and the Z7. I am also crazy about sharpness along other things such as bokeh.
Let me say first, that the 500mmf5.6 is first and foremost, a birding lens. In my case I use it for photographing birds of all types in their natural environment. Birds always present challenges in that they just do not want to get close to us humans. Unless you are in some time of bird hide or have concocted a feeding station of some sort, you will fill find it difficult to get most smaller birds to ever even begin to fill the image of your camera sensor.
The large lenses do allow for wonderful photos of those elusive birds, but the weight and size make for difficulties that many of us just don’t want to put up with. This lens, coupled with Nikon’s newest high resolution 45mp cameras, come a long way in solving this problem. Let me tell you how.
First, the 500mmf5.6 is insanely sharp. This allows for extensive cropping if the situation requires. Secondly, this lens has fantastic VR, which helps greatly if the bird is just perching in a tree in dim light. Thirdly, it is so much lighter that it can be carried easily on most any walk or hike. I cannot emphasize how important that is. This is the lens you can almost always take with you. This is the lens that lets you rediscover birds that you would never before bothered to photograph. Sure, a big prime like the 500mmf4 would also do this, but, remember, you left it at home. The lens you have with you is the lens you use, not the one on the shelf.
Wait, there is more. The 500mmf5.6 works well with the 1.4 TC. I mean really well. Yes, it will focus, and if your aim is to get that small bird on that distant branch, you can! And you can do it without a tripod. If you are lucky enough to have a Z7 mirrorless camera, you will also find that focus is actually enhanced over a D850. You are not limited to just a few focal points but most all points across the camera frame. The EVF of this camera makes it much easier to find the bird in the bush as it is much brighter than a DSLR can provide in its optical viewfinder. In short, I can now go on a walk and get bird shots that I only dreamed of getting a year ago.
So, if you are a birder, get this lens, dump the tripod and just go for a walk in the woods.
PS: If there is one caveat to this lens it is the fact that the minimum focal distance is 10′
Thanks a ton for your input. That’s make the standings of the 500PF even better.
I like John Monfort’s comments here are mine. I recently obtained my 500E and have only tested it in my neighborhood. (Suffering with a sciatic leg issue.)In my opinion, I think Nikon should have put a slot in the front hood so that you could rotate a 95mm CPL filter while the hood is attached. To rotate the CPL filer you have to remove the front hood. I wonder if anyone will come up with a solution.
The issue of carrying the lens by the foot is a non-issue if you properly tighten the foot screw. Steve Perry did not tighten the foot screw. He may have added that part of his video simply as a reminder to tighten the foot screw.
Next, I put a 1.4 Nikon Extender on the lens and focus was no problem but I did have to grab my monopod. Also, I added a 4 inch rail to foot on the lens for attaching to a RRS head for monopod use. Wow, I found the longer foot to be a help in hand-holding and in resting the lens on logs, fence posts, and such. Hand-holding this lens is doable depending on your age. At 72 I am able to hand-hold for several shots but in the field I will have my monopod handy. If I am going to use a tripod then my longer lens is my choice. I believe the 500E was designed to be hand-held as it is lighter and shorter than other primes and zooms in the 500mm category.
I tried the lens on a D500, and D850 with very nice results. My shooting buddy put in on his Z7 and shot it with and without the 1.4 extender for meny hours. He was impressed and offered to buy my lens telling me that being an NPS photographer I could get another. NOPE! but he is allowed to borrow my lens anytime. All the falloff, bokeh, and sharpness technical issues are not a part of my comments. For that techno stuff go to DXO and read the charts. I prefer to look at my shots on the computer screen and in prints.
Lastly, cost, OUCH – 3600.00 is not a small amount by any means – thank goodness the stock market is doing well. Whew, I did get this one buy the supreme commander with no problems as I used those points you get at your bank to offset the cost. For the cost conscious I am sure the Nikon 200-500 is a more cost effective lens that will produce nice results.
Just my thoughts, good shooting to all, Dale
Nice write up Chandra. After waiting for 1 year my dealer in Hyderabad, Indian rang me up few days back to say that he can deliver the 500 PF by 06 Oct.I can not wait to get my hands on it for the birding season which has juts started .We just returned from Great rann of Kutch ,India after shooting the passage migrants.Wish we had the lend before that.Both (self & wife) always like to move around for observing & shooting birds & this lens is exactly meant for that
Hi Chandra,
I just want to thank you for this article, because to me it was the one of the first available resource for reliable information about this lens from a user perspective that seemed worth being taken in consideration. As you I am still looking forward to see test results from PL itself.
I rewarded myself for the work on a project that kept me away from home and phtotography for quite some time and by buying this lens an – believe it or not – between the decision to do it and holding it in my hands it took just three days. Sometimes the old school way of taking the phone and calling local delers in the surrounding really helps :-)
Because I got it shortly before XMAS the time to test it was limited. But all I can say is, that it is is a REALLY nice lens and a breeze to use. I own the 500 f4 G as well and all lenses go through AF fine adjustment with both of my D750 bodies before getting to serious use and the results are great. Putting the image quality in relation to the weight and handling of the lens I would actually prefer the 500 PF in most situations, because – as John Sherman wrote – the priority it is often to get the shot rather than to might have got the shot with perhaps 3% more image quality. The only limitation is that the lens is 1 full stop slower than its big brother which in dim light conditions drastically reduce the number of working AF sensors on the D750 once you have to got to f8 – either by stopping down or when using the use of the TC14 on it,
Regarding picture quality with TC 14 I haven’t had the chance to do much testing, but it looks like the picture quality is still very, very good. The only downside of it is that the number of keepers goes down when lighting conditions become difficult as the lens starts hunting earlier than it f4 counterpart with TC.
I know that this is very subjective and very much depends on the way somebody is using her/his equipment. But I had the 200-500 f5.6 and the 500 f5.6 PF here trying them side by side and I have sent back the 200-500 straight away after a couple of days. The 500 PF is my Xmas present 2019 :-)
@ PL / Nasim:
I am following your website since it was recommeded to me by a photographer some years ago and I want to say thank you to you and all the guys putting so much time and energy in PL and for everything I learned from you starting from photography basics thourhg to purchaisng decisions.
Nevertheless I would like to ask you a question that might correlate with other people’s thoughts here:
May be I am wrong but for quite some time PL ssems to focus on all kinds of new stuff like mirrorless cameras and the corresponding lenses, which I can fully understand because it is a technology getting more and more into focus. However, there are quite a number of comments on the website saying more or less that for the nature and wildlife fraction the DSLR will most likely remain 1st choice for quite some time.
We all know that you are incredibly busy with all the things around PL and your “normal life” as a photographer, but against the background mentioned above it would be really great, if a PL test of the 500 PF would be done and published. After even normal nobodies like me can get the lens within days, it shouldn’t be a problem for a reknowned PL photographer to get hands on the required copies these days …