Nikon 500 f/5.6 PF ED VR

jdb

Who else is extremely excited about this lens? I am! Does anyone have some good guesses at the size of the objective lens, weight, and length of this lens?

MegapixelSchnitzel

Count me in. On one website there was a picture - but when I clicked on it to bring it up to size, it was the 300 f/4. Nikon hasn't released any specs, yet. Or pricing.

Pistnbroke

It would have to be considerably better then the 200-500 and I don't see it in the same price range.

jdb

I went back into the original NR Blog post and after reading all the comments the suggested size is going to be approximately 24cm. Weight is still a guess, but maybe in the 1650 grams range(?)

spraynpray

Pistnbroke said:

It would have to be considerably better then the 200-500 and I don't see it in the same price range.

I would hope it is close because it is cheaper to make than a zoom but the marketeers will doubtless find a way to make us spring more for it.

pictureted

A zoom's complication will add cost, but so does Nano coating, ED Glass and PF elements. If it focuses closely and quickly, it will get my $$$$.

jdb

This will be a dream lens for birders! Birders can never get close enough and almost always have to crop in post no matter the focal length.

HankB

jdb said:

I went back into the original NR Blog post and after reading all the comments the suggested size is going to be approximately 24cm. Weight is still a guess, but maybe in the 1650 grams range(?)

Comparing with the 300 f/4 PF at 755g, at 500mm f/5.6 (2/3 longer focal length and 1 stop slower) should be at the most, 50% heavier. That would put it at the most, at 1kg.

I could be totally wrong, but this does seem somewhat the pattern when comparing the non-PF primes.

This fresnel design seems to do for size and weight what mirror lenses tried to do years ago, but this time with much much better IQ and a real diaphram.

Shunto

I just bought the 300... I wished i had waited.. I might not even mount it on my 850 in hopes that i can trade it in for the 500. Good for birding.. and wildlife and sports the 300 is... Do you think the 500 will have the same characteristics?

jdb

Does anyone know the expected release date?

jdb

WOW! 1,460g is light for 500mm. $3,596.95 U.S. dollars seems about right. This will definitely be the perfect lens for serious birders.

pictureted

I was interested until I saw the 9.8 foot minimum focus distance. The 200-500 focuses to 7.2 foot and I was hoping for better with this new lens. A deal killer for me with the small birds I like to shoot.

Symphotic

Shunto said:

I just bought the 300... I wished i had waited.. I might not even mount it on my 850 in hopes that i can trade it in for the 500. Good for birding.. and wildlife and sports the 300 is... Do you think the 500 will have the same characteristics?

I picked up a 300 on my last trip to Japan. It is amazing. My only regret is I snagged a fisheye zoom at the same time and I love it so much I haven't had time to work with the telephoto.

jdb

I'm picking one up as soon as my local shop has it in stock. This will be used exclusively for bird photos with my D500 and occasionally my D810. I'll be sure to post some samples and share my 2 cents on it.

framer

I currently have a 400 AF-D II and am considering selling it to get this new 500 am I crazy to consider this move. I worried about losing that low DOF separation also I've been using that 400 + TC2E III on my D500 for fabulous results. That 500 @ f/5.6 can't use that TC2E III.

That 500 size and weight are just so right for traveling.

framer

jdb

framer said:

I currently have a 400 AF-D II and am considering selling it to get this new 500 am I crazy to consider this move. I worried about losing that low DOF separation also I've been using that 400 + TC2E III on my D500 for fabulous results. That 500 @ f/5.6 can't use that TC2E III.

That 500 size and weight are just so right for traveling.

framer

This 500 f/5.6 is just a totally different tool than a 400 f/2.8. I think you're correct that the new 500 is going to be perfect for travel. If you can afford to keep both, that'd be ideal I think. I sold my 300 f/4 PF to help finance the new 500. I'm shooting almost exclusively birds, so I think the extra focal length will be worth it.

mhedges

I’ll be curious to see in hand comparisons to the 200-500. I know the PF is a little smaller, but to me it will have to be a heck of a lot sharper to justify the lost zoom and (especially) the extra $2000

framer

I shall have to go to a tradeshow to check that 500 out. I think there is one in NYC in late October.

I measured my main bag and it should fit fine w/o a body attached. I have the 300mm AFS f/4 in the bag and have another inch to the top. That 500 in only 1/2 inch longer than that lens.

Cost is never an issue if you get what you want the 1st time. Getting a fair price is always an issue.

framer

Photobug

framer said:

I shall have to go to a tradeshow to check that 500 out. I think there is one in NYC in late October.

Cost is never an issue if you get what you want the 1st time. Getting a fair price is always an issue. framer

Amen...well said.

mhedges

So for those who have used these lenses - how do you go about finding subjects with a fixed 500, especially on DX? The field of view is just so small. Even with a 70-300 I usually zoom out to locate suspect, then zoom in for the actual shot

PB_PM

You get used to it after awhile, then again I haven't used anything over 400mm on DX (300mm F4 with 1.4tc). On FX I've had 600mm (with a TC) and it really was not that hard to find static subject, moving subjects are another story. You learn to use other objects as points of reference, along with a little luck. It's much easier to work with if you get the subject before it starts moving and track it.

tc88

mhedges said:

how do you go about finding subjects with a fixed 500, especially on DX?

Keep both your eyes open and try to correlate what you see from the viewfinder with what you see using the other eye. Also depends on your sense of angles. You can practice without a real target. Just pick a far away object, then try to lift your camera quickly and see how fast you can point at it accurately. Put down the camera and try again. I'm sure after a few hours, you will be pretty good at it.

The tough part is actually tracking it in flight. Because when a bird changes course, your arm and camera/lens will still have the inertia going the original direction. When the bird is close, any sudden change is a lot of movement and can screw up your framing easily.

Sports

mhedges said:

how do you go about finding subjects with a fixed 500, especially on DX?

I learned the other day about a dot sight.

spraynpray

The problem with holographic reflex sights is that they mount in the hot shoe so there is an element of parallax error which can lead to bits being cut off if the subject is large (close).

jdb

I've got mine! I'll have some time tomorrow to get out and start using it. It's shocking how light it is! I will say that I think it's totally fine to walk around with this lens attached to my D500 and using the camera body attachment points for the strap. Of course a Black Rapid style strap attached to the lens tripod foot would probably work well too if you like that set up better.

jdb

https://flic.kr/p/29X9fjb