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My review of the Nikon 500mm f5.6 E PF ED VR lens
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Feb 13, 2019 15:13:20   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
I have been using the new Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF ED VR lens for about two weeks. I have had it mounted on the D500 and the D850. So far results have been outstanding. About 3 years ago I purchased the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 primarily because of the weight. I had been using the Nikon 300mm 2.8 prime and the Nikon 200-400 VR II F4. Both of these lenses were heavy to carry around and take images hand held of wildlife in Florida’ preserves. I found the 200-500 f5.6 to be equivalent in image quality to my 300 and 200-400 so I sold those two lenses and have been using the 200-500 for the past three years. I found myself zooming all the way out to 500 mm most of the time. So when the 500 5.6 FL came out I thought I would give it a try.
The weight of the 500 PF is nearly 2 lbs. lighter than my current 200-500 f5.6. Focusing is lightning fast. Noticeably faster than my 200-500. Focus acquisition is also noticeably faster. I use the 500 PF primarily for wildlife in Florida’s nature preserves. I prefer to hand hold because the action is sometimes fast and furious. A tripod limit’s my ability to focus and capture fast moving wildlife.
I like to use Group Auto Focus, continuous auto focus, center weighted metering and shoot at the fastest possible shutter speed and frames per second available. I use manual exposure when the sun is behind me. If it’s cloudy or sun and cloudy I like to use Aperture Priority and generally use a -.07 exposure compensation.
The first shot I posted, taken in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida with the D500 and the 500 PF lens. I used 10 frames a second while panning the Anhinga transporting nesting material. I used the above mentioned settings, the photo was one image out of 24 shots taken over 2.4 seconds, every exposure was consistent in part thanks to the E lens which has an electromagnetic aperture mechanism allowing each exposure in the sequence to be identical in exposure (thanks Nikon). In addition, every shot had a perfectly focused eye, thanks in part to the separate focusing engine in the D500 and D850. I now have a keeper rate of almost 98% using the Group Auto Focus system. As long as one of the four dotes, visible in the viewfinder, is on the subject it will be in focus. The Group Auto Focus system is made up of 16 focus spots within the 4 shown dots in the viewfinder.
The second image, was taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Florida, using the D850 at about 9 frames per second. To get this speed I used the Nikon EN-EL18c battery and the Nikon DL-5 battery chamber cover, with the MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack. For wildlife in motion, the more frames per second the better for capturing the right moment. Check out the third shot of a Great Egret flipping a banded water snake at Peaceful Waters in Wellington Florida. I believe the Exceed 5 processor combined with the separate focusing engine in the D500, D850 and D5 make the difference with not only the focusing speed but focusing consistency using the new Nikon 500 PF lens. I also used the Sony XQD 64 GB card, its write speed of 440MB/s is a real plus when shooting at 9 frames per second.
The D850’s 45.7 MP allowed me to crop a little more than when using the D500. I generally do not like to use a tele converter and have not tried it on the 500 PF.
I deliberately shot several shots below 1/125 second to test the VR. I noticed no problem with the VR system. I also own and use the Nikon 300mm f4 PF lens and do not experience any problem using the VR system on that lens. I rarely use the VR because most of the time I am shooting above 1/1500 sec. and really like to shoot close to 1/4000 sec. to get sharp wing tips, which move the fastest. I am a proponent of shooting, at a minimum, (1/focal length) of the lens. So, in the case of the 500 PF, my minimum shutter speed would be at least 1/500 sec. When I am shooting over 1/1000 sec., which is most of the time, I turn the VR off because it uses a lot of power and many feel it slows down focusing. If I use VR I like to use sport mode because I am hand holding and hand panning most of the time.
After taking about 2000 images with the 500 PF, my 200-500 may be sitting at home more often. That said I now take two cameras into the field. I am hand holding the D850 and the 500 PF lens. On my spider holster I have the D500 with the Nikon 70-200 2.8 E FL lens attached for anytime I am too close to the subject to use the 500 PF. The 500 PF has a minimum focusing distance of just under 10 feet but at that distance the 500 PF occasionally cannot capture the entire subject.
I do not use rear button focusing; I assign the rear button to single spot focusing for times when my subject is the branches of a tree or in thick brush. I then simply push the rear button, go to single spot focusing, put the dot on the eye of the subject and it pops in focus.
I also really like the Fluorine-coated front element. Almost cleans itself. I always have the lens hood attached (it is cheap and efficient lens protection). The hood has a locking mechanism similar to the hood on the 24-70 and 16-80 Nikkors.
I have owned over 70 Nikon AIS and Auto Focusing lenses. This is simply the best Nikon lens I have ever used. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
PS. Special thanks to Nikon Professional Services and B&H for their help in getting this lens into my hands.







Reply
Feb 13, 2019 15:24:12   #
BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan
 
Stunning! And thanks for the detailed narration. I gleaned a few tips I can use in my own photography.

Reply
Feb 13, 2019 15:32:30   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
BlueMorel wrote:
Stunning! And thanks for the detailed narration. I gleaned a few tips I can use in my own photography.


Glad you got a few tips. Now go out and use them.

Reply
 
 
Feb 14, 2019 06:56:14   #
kenneil Loc: Jupiter, Fl, Ochlocknee, Ga, Iron Range, Mn
 
Thanks for the excellent review on the 500! I'm using the same bodies and 200-500mm so it was VERY relevant for me. Thanks

Reply
Feb 14, 2019 07:37:23   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
billnikon wrote:
I have been using the new Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF ED VR lens for about two weeks. I have had it mounted on the D500 and the D850. So far results have been outstanding. About 3 years ago I purchased the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 primarily because of the weight. I had been using the Nikon 300mm 2.8 prime and the Nikon 200-400 VR II F4. Both of these lenses were heavy to carry around and take images hand held of wildlife in Florida’ preserves. I found the 200-500 f5.6 to be equivalent in image quality to my 300 and 200-400 so I sold those two lenses and have been using the 200-500 for the past three years. I found myself zooming all the way out to 500 mm most of the time. So when the 500 5.6 FL came out I thought I would give it a try.
The weight of the 500 PF is nearly 2 lbs. lighter than my current 200-500 f5.6. Focusing is lightning fast. Noticeably faster than my 200-500. Focus acquisition is also noticeably faster. I use the 500 PF primarily for wildlife in Florida’s nature preserves. I prefer to hand hold because the action is sometimes fast and furious. A tripod limit’s my ability to focus and capture fast moving wildlife.
I like to use Group Auto Focus, continuous auto focus, center weighted metering and shoot at the fastest possible shutter speed and frames per second available. I use manual exposure when the sun is behind me. If it’s cloudy or sun and cloudy I like to use Aperture Priority and generally use a -.07 exposure compensation.
The first shot I posted, taken in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida with the D500 and the 500 PF lens. I used 10 frames a second while panning the Anhinga transporting nesting material. I used the above mentioned settings, the photo was one image out of 24 shots taken over 2.4 seconds, every exposure was consistent in part thanks to the E lens which has an electromagnetic aperture mechanism allowing each exposure in the sequence to be identical in exposure (thanks Nikon). In addition, every shot had a perfectly focused eye, thanks in part to the separate focusing engine in the D500 and D850. I now have a keeper rate of almost 98% using the Group Auto Focus system. As long as one of the four dotes, visible in the viewfinder, is on the subject it will be in focus. The Group Auto Focus system is made up of 16 focus spots within the 4 shown dots in the viewfinder.
The second image, was taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Florida, using the D850 at about 9 frames per second. To get this speed I used the Nikon EN-EL18c battery and the Nikon DL-5 battery chamber cover, with the MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack. For wildlife in motion, the more frames per second the better for capturing the right moment. Check out the third shot of a Great Egret flipping a banded water snake at Peaceful Waters in Wellington Florida. I believe the Exceed 5 processor combined with the separate focusing engine in the D500, D850 and D5 make the difference with not only the focusing speed but focusing consistency using the new Nikon 500 PF lens. I also used the Sony XQD 64 GB card, its write speed of 440MB/s is a real plus when shooting at 9 frames per second.
The D850’s 45.7 MP allowed me to crop a little more than when using the D500. I generally do not like to use a tele converter and have not tried it on the 500 PF.
I deliberately shot several shots below 1/125 second to test the VR. I noticed no problem with the VR system. I also own and use the Nikon 300mm f4 PF lens and do not experience any problem using the VR system on that lens. I rarely use the VR because most of the time I am shooting above 1/1500 sec. and really like to shoot close to 1/4000 sec. to get sharp wing tips, which move the fastest. I am a proponent of shooting, at a minimum, (1/focal length) of the lens. So, in the case of the 500 PF, my minimum shutter speed would be at least 1/500 sec. When I am shooting over 1/1000 sec., which is most of the time, I turn the VR off because it uses a lot of power and many feel it slows down focusing. If I use VR I like to use sport mode because I am hand holding and hand panning most of the time.
After taking about 2000 images with the 500 PF, my 200-500 may be sitting at home more often. That said I now take two cameras into the field. I am hand holding the D850 and the 500 PF lens. On my spider holster I have the D500 with the Nikon 70-200 2.8 E FL lens attached for anytime I am too close to the subject to use the 500 PF. The 500 PF has a minimum focusing distance of just under 10 feet but at that distance the 500 PF occasionally cannot capture the entire subject.
I do not use rear button focusing; I assign the rear button to single spot focusing for times when my subject is the branches of a tree or in thick brush. I then simply push the rear button, go to single spot focusing, put the dot on the eye of the subject and it pops in focus.
I also really like the Fluorine-coated front element. Almost cleans itself. I always have the lens hood attached (it is cheap and efficient lens protection). The hood has a locking mechanism similar to the hood on the 24-70 and 16-80 Nikkors.
I have owned over 70 Nikon AIS and Auto Focusing lenses. This is simply the best Nikon lens I have ever used. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
PS. Special thanks to Nikon Professional Services and B&H for their help in getting this lens into my hands.
I have been using the new Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF ED V... (show quote)


Nice pictures and narrative.

--

Reply
Feb 14, 2019 07:42:54   #
FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA
 
billnikon wrote:
I have been using the new Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF ED VR lens for about two weeks. I have had it mounted on the D500 and the D850. So far results have been outstanding. About 3 years ago I purchased the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 primarily because of the weight. I had been using the Nikon 300mm 2.8 prime and the Nikon 200-400 VR II F4. Both of these lenses were heavy to carry around and take images hand held of wildlife in Florida’ preserves. I found the 200-500 f5.6 to be equivalent in image quality to my 300 and 200-400 so I sold those two lenses and have been using the 200-500 for the past three years. I found myself zooming all the way out to 500 mm most of the time. So when the 500 5.6 FL came out I thought I would give it a try.
The weight of the 500 PF is nearly 2 lbs. lighter than my current 200-500 f5.6. Focusing is lightning fast. Noticeably faster than my 200-500. Focus acquisition is also noticeably faster. I use the 500 PF primarily for wildlife in Florida’s nature preserves. I prefer to hand hold because the action is sometimes fast and furious. A tripod limit’s my ability to focus and capture fast moving wildlife.
I like to use Group Auto Focus, continuous auto focus, center weighted metering and shoot at the fastest possible shutter speed and frames per second available. I use manual exposure when the sun is behind me. If it’s cloudy or sun and cloudy I like to use Aperture Priority and generally use a -.07 exposure compensation.
The first shot I posted, taken in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida with the D500 and the 500 PF lens. I used 10 frames a second while panning the Anhinga transporting nesting material. I used the above mentioned settings, the photo was one image out of 24 shots taken over 2.4 seconds, every exposure was consistent in part thanks to the E lens which has an electromagnetic aperture mechanism allowing each exposure in the sequence to be identical in exposure (thanks Nikon). In addition, every shot had a perfectly focused eye, thanks in part to the separate focusing engine in the D500 and D850. I now have a keeper rate of almost 98% using the Group Auto Focus system. As long as one of the four dotes, visible in the viewfinder, is on the subject it will be in focus. The Group Auto Focus system is made up of 16 focus spots within the 4 shown dots in the viewfinder.
The second image, was taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Florida, using the D850 at about 9 frames per second. To get this speed I used the Nikon EN-EL18c battery and the Nikon DL-5 battery chamber cover, with the MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack. For wildlife in motion, the more frames per second the better for capturing the right moment. Check out the third shot of a Great Egret flipping a banded water snake at Peaceful Waters in Wellington Florida. I believe the Exceed 5 processor combined with the separate focusing engine in the D500, D850 and D5 make the difference with not only the focusing speed but focusing consistency using the new Nikon 500 PF lens. I also used the Sony XQD 64 GB card, its write speed of 440MB/s is a real plus when shooting at 9 frames per second.
The D850’s 45.7 MP allowed me to crop a little more than when using the D500. I generally do not like to use a tele converter and have not tried it on the 500 PF.
I deliberately shot several shots below 1/125 second to test the VR. I noticed no problem with the VR system. I also own and use the Nikon 300mm f4 PF lens and do not experience any problem using the VR system on that lens. I rarely use the VR because most of the time I am shooting above 1/1500 sec. and really like to shoot close to 1/4000 sec. to get sharp wing tips, which move the fastest. I am a proponent of shooting, at a minimum, (1/focal length) of the lens. So, in the case of the 500 PF, my minimum shutter speed would be at least 1/500 sec. When I am shooting over 1/1000 sec., which is most of the time, I turn the VR off because it uses a lot of power and many feel it slows down focusing. If I use VR I like to use sport mode because I am hand holding and hand panning most of the time.
After taking about 2000 images with the 500 PF, my 200-500 may be sitting at home more often. That said I now take two cameras into the field. I am hand holding the D850 and the 500 PF lens. On my spider holster I have the D500 with the Nikon 70-200 2.8 E FL lens attached for anytime I am too close to the subject to use the 500 PF. The 500 PF has a minimum focusing distance of just under 10 feet but at that distance the 500 PF occasionally cannot capture the entire subject.
I do not use rear button focusing; I assign the rear button to single spot focusing for times when my subject is the branches of a tree or in thick brush. I then simply push the rear button, go to single spot focusing, put the dot on the eye of the subject and it pops in focus.
I also really like the Fluorine-coated front element. Almost cleans itself. I always have the lens hood attached (it is cheap and efficient lens protection). The hood has a locking mechanism similar to the hood on the 24-70 and 16-80 Nikkors.
I have owned over 70 Nikon AIS and Auto Focusing lenses. This is simply the best Nikon lens I have ever used. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
PS. Special thanks to Nikon Professional Services and B&H for their help in getting this lens into my hands.
I have been using the new Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF ED V... (show quote)

Excellent write-up and photos, billnikon. Almost makes me want to go and buy one. But I am rapidly approaching 80 years old and more than likely I will be out looking for a cremation urn rather than a new lens.

Reply
Feb 14, 2019 08:50:30   #
suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ
 
I met a lady who uses the Nikon 500 mm lens and she let me hold it. It is big but surprising feels lighter than its stated weight and very well balanced. It is only a little heavier than what I am currently using. I do believe it would be a good lens for me if only I had a fairy godmother to buy it for me :)

billnikon wrote:
I have been using the new Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF ED VR lens for about two weeks. I have had it mounted on the D500 and the D850. So far results have been outstanding. About 3 years ago I purchased the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 primarily because of the weight. I had been using the Nikon 300mm 2.8 prime and the Nikon 200-400 VR II F4. Both of these lenses were heavy to carry around and take images hand held of wildlife in Florida’ preserves. I found the 200-500 f5.6 to be equivalent in image quality to my 300 and 200-400 so I sold those two lenses and have been using the 200-500 for the past three years. I found myself zooming all the way out to 500 mm most of the time. So when the 500 5.6 FL came out I thought I would give it a try.
The weight of the 500 PF is nearly 2 lbs. lighter than my current 200-500 f5.6. Focusing is lightning fast. Noticeably faster than my 200-500. Focus acquisition is also noticeably faster. I use the 500 PF primarily for wildlife in Florida’s nature preserves. I prefer to hand hold because the action is sometimes fast and furious. A tripod limit’s my ability to focus and capture fast moving wildlife.
I like to use Group Auto Focus, continuous auto focus, center weighted metering and shoot at the fastest possible shutter speed and frames per second available. I use manual exposure when the sun is behind me. If it’s cloudy or sun and cloudy I like to use Aperture Priority and generally use a -.07 exposure compensation.
The first shot I posted, taken in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida with the D500 and the 500 PF lens. I used 10 frames a second while panning the Anhinga transporting nesting material. I used the above mentioned settings, the photo was one image out of 24 shots taken over 2.4 seconds, every exposure was consistent in part thanks to the E lens which has an electromagnetic aperture mechanism allowing each exposure in the sequence to be identical in exposure (thanks Nikon). In addition, every shot had a perfectly focused eye, thanks in part to the separate focusing engine in the D500 and D850. I now have a keeper rate of almost 98% using the Group Auto Focus system. As long as one of the four dotes, visible in the viewfinder, is on the subject it will be in focus. The Group Auto Focus system is made up of 16 focus spots within the 4 shown dots in the viewfinder.
The second image, was taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Florida, using the D850 at about 9 frames per second. To get this speed I used the Nikon EN-EL18c battery and the Nikon DL-5 battery chamber cover, with the MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack. For wildlife in motion, the more frames per second the better for capturing the right moment. Check out the third shot of a Great Egret flipping a banded water snake at Peaceful Waters in Wellington Florida. I believe the Exceed 5 processor combined with the separate focusing engine in the D500, D850 and D5 make the difference with not only the focusing speed but focusing consistency using the new Nikon 500 PF lens. I also used the Sony XQD 64 GB card, its write speed of 440MB/s is a real plus when shooting at 9 frames per second.
The D850’s 45.7 MP allowed me to crop a little more than when using the D500. I generally do not like to use a tele converter and have not tried it on the 500 PF.
I deliberately shot several shots below 1/125 second to test the VR. I noticed no problem with the VR system. I also own and use the Nikon 300mm f4 PF lens and do not experience any problem using the VR system on that lens. I rarely use the VR because most of the time I am shooting above 1/1500 sec. and really like to shoot close to 1/4000 sec. to get sharp wing tips, which move the fastest. I am a proponent of shooting, at a minimum, (1/focal length) of the lens. So, in the case of the 500 PF, my minimum shutter speed would be at least 1/500 sec. When I am shooting over 1/1000 sec., which is most of the time, I turn the VR off because it uses a lot of power and many feel it slows down focusing. If I use VR I like to use sport mode because I am hand holding and hand panning most of the time.
After taking about 2000 images with the 500 PF, my 200-500 may be sitting at home more often. That said I now take two cameras into the field. I am hand holding the D850 and the 500 PF lens. On my spider holster I have the D500 with the Nikon 70-200 2.8 E FL lens attached for anytime I am too close to the subject to use the 500 PF. The 500 PF has a minimum focusing distance of just under 10 feet but at that distance the 500 PF occasionally cannot capture the entire subject.
I do not use rear button focusing; I assign the rear button to single spot focusing for times when my subject is the branches of a tree or in thick brush. I then simply push the rear button, go to single spot focusing, put the dot on the eye of the subject and it pops in focus.
I also really like the Fluorine-coated front element. Almost cleans itself. I always have the lens hood attached (it is cheap and efficient lens protection). The hood has a locking mechanism similar to the hood on the 24-70 and 16-80 Nikkors.
I have owned over 70 Nikon AIS and Auto Focusing lenses. This is simply the best Nikon lens I have ever used. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
PS. Special thanks to Nikon Professional Services and B&H for their help in getting this lens into my hands.
I have been using the new Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF ED V... (show quote)

Reply
 
 
Feb 14, 2019 09:46:59   #
Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan
 
Had it been available at the time I would have bought it over the 200-500.

Reply
Feb 14, 2019 10:15:43   #
CaptainBobBrown
 
I too switched to the 5.6 pF from my 300 mm 2.8 for wildlife and BIFs in particular about 3 months ago. I've found it to be a wonderful lens and while I do mostly handheld I've found a collapsible monopod easy to use with it and it is actually an easier carry on longish shoots in the field.

Reply
Feb 14, 2019 11:27:56   #
FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA
 
CaptainBobBrown wrote:
I too switched to the 5.6 pF from my 300 mm 2.8 for wildlife and BIFs in particular about 3 months ago. I've found it to be a wonderful lens and while I do mostly handheld I've found a collapsible monopod easy to use with it and it is actually an easier carry on longish shoots in the field.

I like the idea of a collapsible monopod. I have Tamron 150-600 on a Nikon D750 and the monopod would be easier to lug around than this heavy tripod.

Reply
Feb 14, 2019 11:42:25   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
kenneil wrote:
Thanks for the excellent review on the 500! I'm using the same bodies and 200-500mm so it was VERY relevant for me. Thanks


Thanks.

Reply
 
 
Feb 14, 2019 11:44:09   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
FiddleMaker wrote:
Excellent write-up and photos, billnikon. Almost makes me want to go and buy one. But I am rapidly approaching 80 years old and more than likely I will be out looking for a cremation urn rather than a new lens.


It is never too late to enjoy.

Reply
Feb 14, 2019 12:02:04   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
Great looking photos posted. But, were you ever in doubt, that Nikon wouldn't nail this lens, just as they did the D850?

Reply
Feb 14, 2019 12:34:24   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
mas24 wrote:
Great looking photos posted. But, were you ever in doubt, that Nikon wouldn't nail this lens, just as they did the D850?



Reply
Feb 14, 2019 12:35:06   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
CaptainBobBrown wrote:
I too switched to the 5.6 pF from my 300 mm 2.8 for wildlife and BIFs in particular about 3 months ago. I've found it to be a wonderful lens and while I do mostly handheld I've found a collapsible monopod easy to use with it and it is actually an easier carry on longish shoots in the field.



Reply
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