Nikon 500 f/5.6 PF ED VR

jdb

I love this lens so far! Easy to carry for long periods of time, and very sharp. The biggest challenge is getting a small bird in the viewfinder. 500mm with a DX sensor camera looking into a bramble of trees and vines it's not easy to find the bird sometimes!
https://flic.kr/p/2b5avdz

spraynpray

@jdb: Try using the embed code instead of the email code on Flickr then you get this:

jdb

Ah, thank you spraynpray!

jdb

another sample shot

oldsteve

Great image, but of an american warbler. Has anyone heard of stock in the UK? (or anywhere in europe?). I have pre-ordered with Wex and the UK release date was supposed to be 13th September, but they still report "awaiting stock".

PB_PM

I’m curious to see what focus speed is really like, will it be faster than the AF-S200-400 F4G VR with a 1.4xTC? I would think so, given the lighter glass elements. This lens is on my radar for sure.

jdb

VR works great, I was able to get sharp images at 1/160. I haven't tried slower than that yet. I'm still blown away with how portable this lens is, absolutely no problem carrying it for several hours while birding/hiking.

jdb

Another sample shot from this morning.

Msmoto

Thanks for the images, jdb.... I looked at two images in original size. and they appear razor sharp, although the bokeh seems a bit strange. I guess i will order mine today.

DJBee49

Pictureted said:
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.

I fairly often use a long lens (300 and 500mm) for both small birds and insects. I have a cheap set of Kenko extension tubes that retain all the electronic communication links between the camera and lens. This is a simple, cheap route out of this problem and aside from a small increase in exposure that will be taken care of by your camera meter, is pretty painless to use.

PB_PM

Hmm, the minimum 6.6f focusing distance on the 200-400mm F4G VR has hampered me a few critical times, having an even longer minimum is a little disconcerting. Not an issue often, but then again the extra 100mm would likely make up for the difference.

jdb

For my purposes (photographing birds) the minimum focus of approximately 10 feet is absolutly no proplem at all. I've been using an older 500 f/4 (AF-S, but pre VR) and it's minimum focus is almost 15 feet, and even thats never been a problem. I wish I could get birds that close to me. 99% of the time birds are too far away!

PB_PM

Yes, most of the time with wildlife it is not an issue. There have been those few lucky times when I've had a family of Sandhill Cranes (with two colts), or other birds, come within the minimum focusing distance of the 200-400mm F4 VR preventing me from taking shots. I've also shot a few horse shows, and motor sports where having a short focusing distance was nice. Not an every day thing, but it does happen.

jdb

My first attempt at using VR and 1/125 shutter speed and it worked just fine.

tc88

The spec says 500mm has an angle of view of 5 degrees. At a minimum focus distance of 3m (10ft), that's 26cm. A typical hummingbird such as Anna's has a size of 10cm. I think I want get as close as possible.

HankB

According to B&H, this
Nikon PF has a reproduction ratio of 1:5.5 and min focus distance of 9.84' / 3 m vs the
Canon 500mm f/4 reproduction ratio of 1:6.7 and min focus distance of 12.14' / 3.7 m.

Pistnbroke

Its surprising that we did not get a DXO review of the 200-500 .wonder if we will get one for this 500 mm. It would have been interesting to compare the two

jdb

I finally had a good opportunity to try a bird in flight series. Focus worked great, I had VR on though probably didn't need it. I'm still loving this lens!

bluzstar7

I ordered this lens from B&H almost 2 months ago ago and have yet to receive notice of availability. Does anyone have any info about when it might become available?
Thanks

RogerMathus

bluzstar7 said:

I ordered this lens from B&H almost 2 months ago ago and have yet to receive notice of availability. Does anyone have any info about when it might become available?
Thanks

I pre-ordered from a regional dealer and received my lens on introduction day. There are reports on NIKON RUMORS that a second batch will be arriving at dealers this week. You might have better luck trying some of the smaller dealers.

bluzstar7

Thanks Roger, I have contacted 5 different regional dealers in the DC/NOVA area and none of them have the lens. I just received another "still out of stock" notice from B&H. Can't figure why they have a delayed production on this lens. Anyone know where I might find this lens in stock?

Photobug

bluzstar7 said:

Thanks Roger, I have contacted 5 different regional dealers in the DC/NOVA area and none of them have the lens. I just received another "still out of stock" notice from B&H. Can't figure why they have a delayed production on this lens. Anyone know where I might find this lens in stock?

Two reasons...initial buyer interest resulting in back orders due to high demand and MSRP is high and those dealers don't stock it but get it from the Nikon regional warehouse. No surprise you can't find it.

kanuck

I'd be interested to know about the focus speeds compared to the 200-500mm lens. I would have loved to have had this new 500mm on the safari I did this past summer. I took a 24-70, 70-200, and 200-500 with 2 bodies. I was reasonably happy overall, but this new 500mm has me thinking. It is over double the cost of the 200-500 for a reason besides the weight reduction and element change surely.

mhedges

Honestly I haven’t seen any tests that show a performance advantage for the PF lens. And some folks are saying the VR isn’t as good as the 200-500.

snakebunk

Here is a nice review with comparison to the 200-500: https://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-500-pf-review/