Just bought a used 500pf to go with my Nikon Zf for some birding, but I find it hard to see if the VR is actually doing something or not…No matter the setting – off,normal or sport, absolutely nothing changes both in the shakiness of the viewfinder and the number of sharp shots I do for testing it out…Is there something I’m missing for the VR to work on a Z camera ? I’m using the FTZ2 adapter, so it should work.
The 500PF should work with the FTZ2 without problems. I use it with the FTZ2 myself. And, there should definitely be a difference in VR on versus off. In fact, the viewfinder through the Nikon Zf should be very smooth when the VR is on without any jitter. Something is wrong there…I’d try a camera reset and make sure your firmware is up to date, and see if the problem persists, but if you got your lens used, it’s possible the VR doesn’t work on it and the original user broke it.
Thanks Jason, I’m gonna test it today with an older DSLR. I’m with the latest firmware on the Zf and as far as I know there is no firmware for the lens, so everything should be working, or at least in theory. I seems I’ll just have to return it…
Yeah I’d return it. Sorry it happened but don’t give up, it’s a great lens!
Neale
October 8, 2024 11:48 pm
It’s been a brilliant lens on my Z8 (and before that my Z7ii and my D500). Works very well with my 1.4x TCiii-e teleconverter. The only issue I have with it is that the lens hood lock is prone to wearing out quite early. Mine still locks on in the forward position without difficulty, but falls off when it’s reversed (for travel). Same thing happened to a friend’s and his is prone to falling off both in the forward and reversed position. I bought a replacement hood, which costs $Au99 (about $USD67).
Used the D850 & 500mm PF upon their initial respective Nikon releases – amazing combo! Wildlife & birding is “easy – light weight with 45mp & very sharp 500mm PF”.
Six months ago I sold the d850 (my niece loves it) and bought a Z8. I can’t take anything away from the d850/500mm PF combo BUT can say the Z8 adds a lot! The Z8/500MM PF with new FTZ adapter works as well/better than previous d850.
The Z8 autofocus is so good with birds/wildlife I seemingly have much more time to think more creatively – composition/lighting/etc. as the focus just locks on. And 20 fps vs 7/9 on D850 is another tool to capture frames unavailable with slower fps.
Great time for wildlife/nature hobbyist Photogophers’!
William Korn
May 13, 2024 7:02 am
Have (and adore) the 500PF for my D850. My question is, can I use this lens on a Z6ii or Z8 with an FTZ adapter AND a teleconvertor? If so, is there any reason not to do this other than the normal loss of light? I have seen conflicting information here and there on the shminternet. Thanks
Yes you can, but you need to use the F-mount 1.4 TC.
Klaus Poeschel
May 9, 2024 1:05 pm
Thanks for the advise. I use the Z8 and the D850, so it makes sense not to change. The weight difference is also considerable. So yes, I stay with what I have.
Sanford
March 27, 2024 7:08 pm
Reserved this lens to shoot the 4/8/2024 Total Solar Eclipse with my D850. Thoughts, suggestions or concerns? Or other lens?
I was travelling lately in Namibia, using mainly a D850 with the 70-200/2.8 FL together with a TC 1.4 III (means 280 mm) and a Z8 with the 500/5.6 FL (with FTLZ). Sometimes I used the TC 1.4 on this combo as well, bringing ist 700 mm. I have not seen the pictures yet (came only back yesterday), but I noticed very often, that 280 mm was a bit to short and 500 mm was a bit too long (game drives). Birds is a different story. So I started looking for the Z180-600 mm, but wonder, if it really makes sense to trade these two top lenses against one heavy beast like the 180-600 mm, specially considering that I do those trips only occasionally and still want to keep my D850. Any thoughts?
Depends. The 180-600 is a decent lens but I wouldn’t recommend it for birds over the 500PF. Is the 180-600 sharp enough? For most purposes, yes. But bird feathers are exceptionally fine structures and a weaker lens will immediately show its weaknesses on bird feathers. It’s just a fact. If you’re filling the frame, maybe it won’t be visible but I’m not shy to admit that I crop, a lot some times. And if you’ve got a shot of a rare bird and it’s feather details are a bit degraded, it’s disappointing.
My philosophy is that it’s okay to lose a shot or two if it means that the shots you get will be tack sharp. So, I would not trade for the 180-600, especially if you’re using the 500PF elsewhere. Of course, the 180-600 could be a fine addition to your collection but no way would I ever trade down from a sharp prime to it.
stephan
February 15, 2024 5:09 am
I own the 500mmPF (and the 300mm PF) for years, using it almost every day with a D850. Before I own the 200-500 F5,6, so I can speak with experience. I can assure you that there was a reason why I sold my Zoom and spent almost tripple money: The 200-500 Zoom ist not really a 500mm lens as the quality fails in maximum focal lenght. There is no contrast and a lot of blurr. The speed of the AF is a disaster. When I got my 500PF I thought I was in heaven. As I travel too much by airplane and motorbike I could never do wildlife-photography like this, with a heavy pro-lens. Sometimes I would like to have more range and a 800 FL would help a lot, but there is no benefit from TCs, that’s a myth. And by the way: in hot countries is a limitation of range by the effect of heat flimmering, no matter how sharp your lens is.
Agree 100% about the AF speed of the 200-500 – truly awful. I have the 500 PF and the older 300/f4D, both bought used (£3,000 in total), and think both are excellent. I use them mainly with a D7500 – no mid-price Z mount has better AF, so I’m sticking with it.
Alfred
February 7, 2024 8:05 am
Great review! Sadly no sharpness test with the TC-17E II!
I recently took a series of photos of an Osprey fishing using my Z8, 500 pf, and the 1.7TC. The results were terrific. Yes, some work in post was necessary but loads of detail. The focus speed was more than adequate. Could not have gotten these without the tc. For comparison, I recently went to the Platte river with same camera and a rented 600pf that I used with the Z TC1.4. While the newer lens with the 1.4TC may be a hair better this comparison convinced me NOT to get the 600pf but to consider adding a (used) f4 prime instead.
Maestro
February 2, 2024 10:58 am
After years of lugging the hefty 200-500 on a D7500 (with strap on lens foot) I was fortunate to receive a 500PF as a holiday gift. It feels practically weightless compared to the zoom and has slightly but noticeably better IQ and focus speed. BIF performance on that body isn’t the greatest, but otherwise it does everything else I want it to do. It also performs impeccably with the FTZ on my Z6 on occasions when I prefer that combo. I used the zoom at 500mm 90% of the time, so loss of shorter focal lengths is worth the improved ease of use in my 70 year old arthritic hands. I imagine will adapt it to a 45mp Z body if the 7500 ever fails or disappoints. The zoom has a new home on my brother’s tripod overlooking Puget Sound.
Just bought a used 500pf to go with my Nikon Zf for some birding, but I find it hard to see if the VR is actually doing something or not…No matter the setting – off,normal or sport, absolutely nothing changes both in the shakiness of the viewfinder and the number of sharp shots I do for testing it out…Is there something I’m missing for the VR to work on a Z camera ? I’m using the FTZ2 adapter, so it should work.
The 500PF should work with the FTZ2 without problems. I use it with the FTZ2 myself. And, there should definitely be a difference in VR on versus off. In fact, the viewfinder through the Nikon Zf should be very smooth when the VR is on without any jitter. Something is wrong there…I’d try a camera reset and make sure your firmware is up to date, and see if the problem persists, but if you got your lens used, it’s possible the VR doesn’t work on it and the original user broke it.
Do you have another camera to test the lens on?
Thanks Jason, I’m gonna test it today with an older DSLR. I’m with the latest firmware on the Zf and as far as I know there is no firmware for the lens, so everything should be working, or at least in theory. I seems I’ll just have to return it…
Yeah I’d return it. Sorry it happened but don’t give up, it’s a great lens!
It’s been a brilliant lens on my Z8 (and before that my Z7ii and my D500). Works very well with my 1.4x TCiii-e teleconverter. The only issue I have with it is that the lens hood lock is prone to wearing out quite early. Mine still locks on in the forward position without difficulty, but falls off when it’s reversed (for travel). Same thing happened to a friend’s and his is prone to falling off both in the forward and reversed position. I bought a replacement hood, which costs $Au99 (about $USD67).
FWIW
The specifications have a typo. It says
Optical Design: 9 elements in 11 groups
It should be 19 elements
Great review and great lens!
Thanks very much. I corrected it!
I have just recently used extensively the combination of the 500 PF + TC 1.4 III + FTZ Adapter with the Z8. Works perfectly.
Used the D850 & 500mm PF upon their initial respective Nikon releases – amazing combo! Wildlife & birding is “easy – light weight with 45mp & very sharp 500mm PF”.
Six months ago I sold the d850 (my niece loves it) and bought a Z8. I can’t take anything away from the d850/500mm PF combo BUT can say the Z8 adds a lot! The Z8/500MM PF with new FTZ adapter works as well/better than previous d850.
The Z8 autofocus is so good with birds/wildlife I seemingly have much more time to think more creatively – composition/lighting/etc. as the focus just locks on. And 20 fps vs 7/9 on D850 is another tool to capture frames unavailable with slower fps.
Great time for wildlife/nature hobbyist Photogophers’!
Have (and adore) the 500PF for my D850. My question is, can I use this lens on a Z6ii or Z8 with an FTZ adapter AND a teleconvertor? If so, is there any reason not to do this other than the normal loss of light? I have seen conflicting information here and there on the shminternet.
Thanks
Yes you can, but you need to use the F-mount 1.4 TC.
Thanks for the advise. I use the Z8 and the D850, so it makes sense not to change. The weight difference is also considerable. So yes, I stay with what I have.
Reserved this lens to shoot the 4/8/2024 Total Solar Eclipse with my D850. Thoughts, suggestions or concerns? Or other lens?
I was travelling lately in Namibia, using mainly a D850 with the 70-200/2.8 FL together with a TC 1.4 III (means 280 mm) and a Z8 with the 500/5.6 FL (with FTLZ). Sometimes I used the TC 1.4 on this combo as well, bringing ist 700 mm. I have not seen the pictures yet (came only back yesterday), but I noticed very often, that 280 mm was a bit to short and 500 mm was a bit too long (game drives). Birds is a different story.
So I started looking for the Z180-600 mm, but wonder, if it really makes sense to trade these two top lenses against one heavy beast like the 180-600 mm, specially considering that I do those trips only occasionally and still want to keep my D850.
Any thoughts?
Sorry, it’s the 500/5.6E PF
Depends. The 180-600 is a decent lens but I wouldn’t recommend it for birds over the 500PF. Is the 180-600 sharp enough? For most purposes, yes. But bird feathers are exceptionally fine structures and a weaker lens will immediately show its weaknesses on bird feathers. It’s just a fact. If you’re filling the frame, maybe it won’t be visible but I’m not shy to admit that I crop, a lot some times. And if you’ve got a shot of a rare bird and it’s feather details are a bit degraded, it’s disappointing.
My philosophy is that it’s okay to lose a shot or two if it means that the shots you get will be tack sharp. So, I would not trade for the 180-600, especially if you’re using the 500PF elsewhere. Of course, the 180-600 could be a fine addition to your collection but no way would I ever trade down from a sharp prime to it.
I own the 500mmPF (and the 300mm PF) for years, using it almost every day with a D850. Before I own the 200-500 F5,6, so I can speak with experience. I can assure you that there was a reason why I sold my Zoom and spent almost tripple money: The 200-500 Zoom ist not really a 500mm lens as the quality fails in maximum focal lenght. There is no contrast and a lot of blurr. The speed of the AF is a disaster. When I got my 500PF I thought I was in heaven. As I travel too much by airplane and motorbike I could never do wildlife-photography like this, with a heavy pro-lens. Sometimes I would like to have more range and a 800 FL would help a lot, but there is no benefit from TCs, that’s a myth. And by the way: in hot countries is a limitation of range by the effect of heat flimmering, no matter how sharp your lens is.
Agree 100% about the AF speed of the 200-500 – truly awful. I have the 500 PF and the older 300/f4D, both bought used (£3,000 in total), and think both are excellent. I use them mainly with a D7500 – no mid-price Z mount has better AF, so I’m sticking with it.
Great review!
Sadly no sharpness test with the TC-17E II!
I appreciate the comment. It’s a great lens. Probably the 1.7 would be between the 1.4 and 2.0…personally, I don’t use teleconverters much.
I recently took a series of photos of an Osprey fishing using my Z8, 500 pf, and the 1.7TC. The results were terrific. Yes, some work in post was necessary but loads of detail. The focus speed was more than adequate. Could not have gotten these without the tc. For comparison, I recently went to the Platte river with same camera and a rented 600pf that I used with the Z TC1.4. While the newer lens with the 1.4TC may be a hair better this comparison convinced me NOT to get the 600pf but to consider adding a (used) f4 prime instead.
After years of lugging the hefty 200-500 on a D7500 (with strap on lens foot) I was fortunate to receive a 500PF as a holiday gift. It feels practically weightless compared to the zoom and has slightly but noticeably better IQ and focus speed. BIF performance on that body isn’t the greatest, but otherwise it does everything else I want it to do. It also performs impeccably with the FTZ on my Z6 on occasions when I prefer that combo. I used the zoom at 500mm 90% of the time, so loss of shorter focal lengths is worth the improved ease of use in my 70 year old arthritic hands. I imagine will adapt it to a 45mp Z body if the 7500 ever fails or disappoints. The zoom has a new home on my brother’s tripod overlooking Puget Sound.