RF-4 Phantom Flyer Loc: Gilbert, Arizona USA

Just received my new Nikkor 200-500 mm f:5.6 lens from Adorama. While some say this is a "cheap" telephoto, it is by far my largest outlay of funds yet for photography. I know that there can be manufacturing variations during lens production so this is my question: How can I check out my lens to make sure I got a good one? Especially from those who own this lens, what should I be looking out for, and what "tests" can I perform to check out this lens. I am using this lens on a D7100. Thanks in advance for your help.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I have that lens and love it. I used the following procedure to check out my copy.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/how-test-your-lens

PS I don't consider it a cheap lens

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

I am sure you will like your 200-500. It will provide you with sharp photos when you do your part. I use mine at f8 or f11 most of the time when I am shooting birds if flight hand held. Also keep the shutter speed at 1000 or more. I use a Nikon D=7000 and a D-800. Go out and shoot that puppy to see what it will do. You might be surprised at the amount of keepers you get. Happy shooting.

RF-4 Phantom Flyer Loc: Gilbert, Arizona USA

Thanks for the link. Some good advice there

RF-4 Phantom Flyer Loc: Gilbert, Arizona USA

Thanks for the good advice.

CO

I use the DataColor SpyderLensCal to check for front or back focusing issues. I'll use the camera's AF fine tuning feature if there are small corrections to be made. Nikon warns that large AF fine tuning values can interfere with AF performance. I'll exchange a camera or lens if very large corrections are needed. Because of manufacturing tolerances, sometimes you'll get focusing errors with camera and lens combinations that not even large AF fine tuning values can correct.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Be sure to make sure that you got a sharp lens. In his video comparison of the 200-500mm vs the 300mm PF, Steve Perry indicated that only 1 in 3 200-500's were acceptably sharp. However, if you watch that video, he came away highly impressed with the sharp 200-500 that he finally did use. So...make sure you got a good one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1obqCxg52Q

mleuck

Just use to take photos! The end result will tell the story.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have sold my Nikon 300 2.8 and my Nikon 200-400 f4 cause my new Nikon 200-500 is so SHARP and light. I use GROUP AUTO FOCUS and select the center focusing spot, I use aperture priority at f6.3, center metering, my keep rate for birds in flight is almost 98%. To test I just use any bottle with labeling on it, back up 30 feet, focus on the label, use single spot focusing (center spot), then enlarge on your screen and read the lettering, make sure you are shooting at least 1/500 sec. and VR on and hand hold, or tripod with VR off. You are going to love this lens, I go to 20X30 prints with no problem. Congratulations, you have bought yourself a winner.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

A couple shots using my Nikon 200-500 with my D500. I have not calibrated it but will follow up with advice given above. I love this lens. Steve Perry who posts on here has an article about this lens and he will answer your questions if you write him.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Used to work in a camera store, folks would sometimes bring a new lens back and tell us they got a BAD COPY of the lens. We would tell them that we will order a new lens for them on RUSH and have it the next day. We would actually just repack there return and give it back to them the next day and again remind them "if you have any difficulties please bring it back for another exchange". NEVER, as in NEVER did the person bring the lens back, if fact, most customers would, the next time they were in, thank us for getting them a GOOD LENS so quick. Moral of the story, manufacturing is so precise now that there is no difference in lenses from one to the next. I laugh every time I see on this thread that some one returns their BAD COPY for a good one. ALL CAMERA MANUFACTURES HAVE THE SAME QUALITY CONTROL FOLKS, MOST LENSES ARE IDENTICAL. The difference is the PHOTOGRAPHER, NOT THE LENS. Now, that said I am sure their is a bad apple in the bushel, but they are far more rare than folks think they are. Maybe one in 5000. I am sure some of you out there WILL DISAGREE, that's fine, everyone has their right to their opinion. I have owned and used over 120 Nikon, Sony and Canon lenses over my time, and NOT ONE was a BAD COPY. Yes, there may be some out their, but they are RARE, but unfortunately there are far more bad eyes out their than bad lenses.

GGerard

I am surprised that nobody ever bothered to note the serial number of the original item to compare to the "new" item.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Very good point...

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Look at the photos you take with it. Are they good or bad.😀😨

leftj Loc: Texas

I highly doubt this story. It assumes that 100% of the people are stupid with only one exception. That being the author.