Nikkor 500 mm f5.6 prime lens
Jul 6, 2020 23:41:45 #
SunBeach1962
Loc: Syrscuse, NY
Does anyone have the nikon 500 mm F5.6 prime lens how are you liking it and what happens when you want to be zoomed out versus zoom in?
Angle of view is only 5 degrees.
Angle of view is only 5 degrees.
Jul 6, 2020 23:46:48 #
Jul 7, 2020 02:05:58 #
I have it. I mainly shot wildlife. Occasionally I find I’m too close to my subject. I have the option of a 200-500, but the 500PF has not left my camera since I got it. It’s a great lens and with a bit of moving around you usually always get your shot.
Jul 7, 2020 06:42:48 #
Lagoonguy
Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL
My 500PF arrives today and am anxious to try it out on my D500. I have been using a Tamron 100-400 and it is a surprisingly great lens for the price but this will be a totally new experience for me. I to have some apprehension concerning the learning curve working with a prime versus a zoom but from all accounts this is a great combination. I do have to replace the faulty Nikon foot with a Kirk, RRS, Wimberly or other 3rd party brand to prevent the lens from uncoupling accidentally per reports from others. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I may simply remove the foot and put a Black Rapid Strap directly on the lens. I will give an update after I practice with it. Good luck to all who have or are exploring this lens.
Jul 7, 2020 07:56:21 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
SunBeach1962 wrote:
Does anyone have the nikon 500 mm F5.6 prime lens how are you liking it and what happens when you want to be zoomed out versus zoom in?
Angle of view is only 5 degrees.
Angle of view is only 5 degrees.
First of all, you cannot zoom in and out with the lens, you have to move closer or further away.
And, that problem is consistent with all FIXED lenses. I use the Nikon 500 PF 5.6 lens for wildlife photography in Florida wetlands.
I shoot primarily with two bodies, the D500 and the D850. When I need more reach, I switch to the D500 cause it gives me more EFFECTIVE MEGS. than the D850 can.
HOW AM I LIKING IT YOU ASK. I am loving it, I do also shoot with a Sony a9 and the Sony 200-600 lens. I am not going to compare them here but both deliver.
Below, This shot is featured in my new book called IMAGES, it contains 111 images of Florida birds and is available. I have limited issues, if your interested private message me.
The image is of a Cattle Egret in full mating colors carrying nesting material, Nikon 500 PF, 1/8000 sec., f5.6, iso 3200, D850
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Jul 7, 2020 08:28:32 #
I have this lens and am stunned by it . The quality is superb.
I used it recently at a zoo and found that I was too close . Still took the photos and found that got great close ups of some action from elephants , if movement by elephants can be called action etc . Just fell in love with closeups . They seem to get the viewer into the photo . Highly recommend it .
As far as zooming is concerned, I am afraid that you will have to use manual zoom and were out some shoe leather.
200-500 : I did have one of those, great lens but too heavy for me and a bit soft at the 500 end .
Its all about compromise , nothing is a perfect fit ! not even my clothes.
Good luck and keep safe .
I used it recently at a zoo and found that I was too close . Still took the photos and found that got great close ups of some action from elephants , if movement by elephants can be called action etc . Just fell in love with closeups . They seem to get the viewer into the photo . Highly recommend it .
As far as zooming is concerned, I am afraid that you will have to use manual zoom and were out some shoe leather.
200-500 : I did have one of those, great lens but too heavy for me and a bit soft at the 500 end .
Its all about compromise , nothing is a perfect fit ! not even my clothes.
Good luck and keep safe .
Jul 7, 2020 09:28:26 #
Love, love this lens on my D500 for chasing warblers and other flity flighty birds...never enough reach. Or on the D850 if stalking shore birds. Sharp, light weight and can hike with it all day. One of Nikon's best for sure! It's rare that I find myself with too much lens due to my subject obsession.
Jul 7, 2020 09:58:02 #
The combined weight of the D850 mounted with the 500 5.6 is about the same as the Nikkor 200-500 f5.6 alone. Amazing engineering.
Jul 7, 2020 10:09:08 #
SunBeach1962 wrote:
Does anyone have the nikon 500 mm F5.6 prime lens how are you liking it and what happens when you want to be zoomed out versus zoom in?
Angle of view is only 5 degrees.
Angle of view is only 5 degrees.
With my Z7, handheld. Very nice lens.
Jul 7, 2020 10:20:13 #
Excellent lens, you can't go wrong! Have been using it since May 2019. Here's a link - https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-637483-1.html - these with a TC 1.4 attached.
Jul 7, 2020 10:48:20 #
My 500mm PF has been on my D500 Ever since I got it. It is very sharp, focuses fast And a great tele lens. You will love it. It also works well with the Nikon 1.4x tc.
Jul 7, 2020 10:48:33 #
SunBeach1962 wrote:
Does anyone have the nikon 500 mm F5.6 prime lens how are you liking it and what happens when you want to be zoomed out versus zoom in?
Angle of view is only 5 degrees.
Angle of view is only 5 degrees.
It seems that you are talking about the original larger Nikon 500mm prime, not the newer PF lens? You might consider the PF lens instead. Also, as someone has noted, no prime lens will zoom, you have to learn to move where you need to be and that can be tough at times. I've shot a lot of wildlife, including a lot of birds, and have been using the Nikon D500 and the Nikon 200-500 zoom, which I love. But most recently I got the Nikon 500mm PF lens and it is a beautiful lens, great bokeh. As I am not able to travel as I used to I've only been using it for photographing hummers off my porch but I'm hoping to be able to get out at some point again and use it for other wildlife. Read up on the difference between the two lens before you make a choice. Yes, it is a learning curve to go from a zoom to a fixed but I'm thinking so far it's worth it. Good luck.
Jul 7, 2020 10:51:57 #
via the lens wrote:
It seems that you are talking about the original l... (show quote)
The larger Nikkor 500 prime is an f4.
Jul 7, 2020 10:57:31 #
Indrajeet Singh wrote:
The larger Nikkor 500 prime is an f4.
Thanks, since he did not state "PF" I could not be sure but wanted to articulate the difference. I am not personally familiar with the larger 500 prime. I do wish people who post would take some time to actually write a post with all of the pertinent information but I know that won't ever happen.
Jul 7, 2020 11:34:41 #
I will join in the choir of folks that love the 500mm PF f5.6. I got mine in March, 2020, and moved from the 200-500 f5.6, which I typically used at or close to the 500 end, so I have not felt limited by not having a zoom. I have it mounted on a D850, and find I am able to crop in post without losing much detail. I have used it mostly for birds, and other wildlife. It focuses faster, is a little sharper, great bokeh, and is much lighter and shorter, which is the main advantage for me and my bad shoulder. Like others, I replaced the tripod foot with one from Wimberley which is rock solid, although not easily removable, which is fine as I often use the foot as a carry-handle. I have not used it much on a tripod because it is very “handholdable” and my subjects tend to move quickly. I recommend it highly, if you can find one available.
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