JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

I only have the 200-500mm F5.6 and other than the weight, I have been very happy with it.

The range is reasonable, however, I always want a longer focal length.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have owned the 200-500. Sold it, didn't care for it. I own the 300/4 PF. IMHO, a great lens. I sold my 300/2.8 shortly after I bought this. Never owned/used a 500/4, but I do love my 500/5.6 FL quite a bit. My long lens, for sports, is a 400/2.8. All personal opinion. Best of luck.

leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida

I presently own the 300mm F4 PF VR lens, an d it is awesome. Extremely sharp,light. I also have the TC-14EII to go with it. The teleconvderter extrends the reach to 420mm, without any loss in oimage quality. It doe make it a F/5.6 lens.

Siemienczuk

I have the 200-500/5.6. I have nothing bad to say about it. It is sharp, when focused correctly and, once I corrected front-focusing when matched with my D7200. I doubt it's fast enough to shoot sports indoors but I use it outdoors, mainly for wildlife. It is kind of a beast to handhold. Not generally at the point where it's limiting but close. I got sucked down the BIF rabbit hole for a while. Racked out to 500mm the usable DoF can be wafer thin, depending on distance to subject (this has nothing to do with the specific lens). It's challenging for me to hold focus on the eye(s) when the animal is flying, given the size of the rig. I have a friend who successfully uses a monopod for this purpose; I haven't really tried that yet.

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

Wrong....Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR, Made in Thailand.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR , Made in Japan.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR, Made in Japan.
Information found on Photography Life website.

They are very expensive, but that is relative as to your status as a photographer.

BebuLamar

I thought the OP said the 500mm f/5.6 so I mistaken that one. However, for the 200-500 and the 300mm f/4E I found the information here.
https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/300mm-pf.htm
https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/200-500mm.htm

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

My AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR is marked Made In China.

Bill_de Loc: US

Mine too, along with my 200-500mm.

I'm reading it directly from the lenses. Both lenses are registered with NikonUSA.

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tca2267 Loc: Florida

How did you know front focusing was off and how did you correct it

Camperson 1 Loc: Dayton, Ohio

China virus that's why not!

Bill_de Loc: US

https://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/microadjustment-for-lens-and-camera-frontback-focusing-issues/


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fantom Loc: Colorado

Hogwash.

BebuLamar

Being here I am a Hog and do need a wash often. Thanks!
On the other hand I know I am fighting a losing battle but I won't give up.

Siemienczuk

I assume you meant my front focusing 200-500. A separate topic, but you should verify focus plane with every lens/body matchup. A simple approach is to line up five AA batteries, standing up, running at a 45 degree angle to your intended focus plane. Use a tripod and focus on the center battery. There should be two that are closer and two that are farther away. Shoot an image and view on a monitor. If the center battery has the sharpest focus, you are good. If one of the closer two is in best focus, the lens is front-focusing. Many DSLRs (including my D7200) then allow you to fine tune the focal plane. There are also cheap focus targets for purchase, as well as software that does the whole process. The best explanation I've seen is from Steve Perry.

Now you may say there's something wrong with the lens. Not necessarily. There is a range of acceptable tolerance for the body and the lens, and if each is off in the opposite direction, but still within spec, you can see front or back focusing. It's a little more complicated with a zoom, as the error may not be constant over the range. Best advice is to use the focal length you use most, and also recognize that it makes a bigger difference at longer lengths; I fine tuned for 500mm.

Finally, I will warn you that people will jump in with "I've been shooting for thirty years and never blah blah blah." You can't tell it's off if you don't check...

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

Well, apparently, Photography Life is putting out the wrong information. I stand corrected.