markstjohn

Great for safari

photoman43

Here are two images taken with the D500 and the 500mm f5.6 pf. The Carolina Chickadee is w/o a 1.4xtc. The July full moon is with the 1.4x tc. Moon shot from a tripod. Not sure if the bird was hand held or from a tripod.

ta5567

I have the 500mm 5.6 PF prime. I enjoy it a lot and the images are excellent.

I keep the shutter speeds a bit high because i am hand holding. I am contemplating a monopod or tripod, but the reason to get the lens is light weight so that would defeat the purpose.

I use it on my D500 and D850 the resolution is able to keep up with both cameras. With the DX crop it is a 750mm, I need more practice with this as I have difficulty finding and keeping the subject in the viewfinder.

I find the focus very fast about 2x as fast as the 200-500 and I find the image quality about 20% better. For me, the only disadvantages over the 200-500 is zoom vs prime. But i find my use of the 200-500 is substantially less now. But I also have the 300mm f4 PF I carry both and this is easier than the 200-500.

Just remember that this is a 5.6. As such it is not quite as usable as faster glass. But then the faster glass requires a wheelbarrow.

I am very happy with both PF lenses and wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.

ta5567

You are correct about replacing the foot, I did Kirk and am happy.

My style is the Kirk waits in the bag for it's friends, the Tripod or the Monopod. The Black Rapid is on the lens directly.

MG Audet

I have had the 500 F/5.6 for six months and I don't think I have taken it off my camera (D850). I do a lot of wildlife and birding and it's perfect. I'm never too close to birds. A very sharp lens and with the D850, quick to focus. I have the Nikon 200 - 500 mm, but have not used it since I got the fixed 500mm. It's also very light (compared to the zoom) and easy to hand hold and carry -- with a Black Rapid sling strap.

MG Audet

Ditto the comments of Colo Pete. Same setup and foot. A great combo for birds.

jefflane

I love mine. I have had it for a year and a half. If I'm too close, I switch to the 80-400.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

I was able to find mine roughly 7 months ago. I use it for launches @ Kennedy Space Center (day & night). Also have done basic moon shots, no issues what so ever, Use it with a 1.7 TC..only draw back is F/Stop starts about F/9 or F/11.still crystal clear

bkwaters

Here's a picture with the 500 PF

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Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

I have a fairly decent japanese clone of a mirror version of one.
Very good quality, very nice shots, made "before the turn of the century".
Like it's been said, you zoom with your feet. Want bigger- walk that way.
What your camera shoots at 5.6, this is what it shoots.
It's a fixed focus. And a fixed aperture. Accept it for what it is, and you're golden.
Amaaaaazing pictures of stuff most people didn't even notice.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

I recently obtained the Nikkor 500-PF. I was using the Nikkor 200-500 f.5.6 but I find the 500 PF to be so much lighter. Miss the zoom a bit, but too much. Foot zooming works! The 500 PF has a 10 foot minimum focusing distance. I seem to think the DOF at 5.6 is narrow. I try to maintain 7.1 at least.

The 500 PF focuses quickly, much more quickly than the 200-500. Enables me to shoot handheld much of the time. I walk around with it attached to my D500 for wildlife-lately birds and bees. The Junco shot- I just walked up on the bird bathing in a puddle. The Honey Bee shot was taken about 20 feet out my front door.

I am disabled with arthritis and have trouble lifting things and walking. he 500 PF has broadened my horizon because I can now walk out some distance and take shots that I could not take before.

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