Nikon 500mm 5.6: I have a D850 and I’m considering the Nikon 500 mm 5.6 for wildlife photography. I tried search for this subject with no results. I’m interested in hearing from any of...

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

I have a D850 and I’m considering the Nikon 500 mm 5.6 for wildlife photography. I tried search for this subject with no results. I’m interested in hearing from any of you that have this lens. Pros cons or photos with it. How is the IQ?

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

I dont have one but am actively saving up for it. Check out tests and extensive comments by canadian wildlife photographer brad hill, who loves it.

ricardo00

Ruthiel wrote:

I have a D850 and I’m considering the Nikon 500 mm 5.6 for wildlife photography. I tried search for this subject with no results. I’m interested in hearing from any of you that have this lens. Pros cons or photos with it. How is the IQ?

I bought the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF lens when it first came out. I use it with a D500. I have used a 500mm f/4, a 300mm f/2.8 with a 1.7TC as well as the 200-500mm to get to 500mm. Of all of these, the 500mm f/5.6 PF lens is my favorite. It is much lighter than the others, quite fast to focus (though not as fast as the 500mm f/4) and easy to handhold. I know many others who use it with the D850 and are also very happy with it. For most wildlife photography, there is little chance to "optimize" the situation so getting a shot off quickly is the most important thing, and the light 500mm PF lens is perfect for that. Of course, if light is low, one will have problems but the only way around that is to use a f/2.8 or f/4.

Many photos taken with the 500mm PF lens are on Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/3147311@N24/pool/

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Ruthiel wrote:

I have a D850 and I’m considering the Nikon 500 mm 5.6 for wildlife photography. I tried search for this subject with no results. I’m interested in hearing from any of you that have this lens. Pros cons or photos with it. How is the IQ?

Check and see if it has been tested by Image Resources. Their reviews will give one a good idea of what it is technically capable of doing as well as what it will do in the field.

nikon_jon Loc: Northeast Arkansas

you can find information on almost any product by searching the name of the product followed
with the word reviews

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Ruthiel wrote:

I have a D850 and I’m considering the Nikon 500 mm 5.6 for wildlife photography. I tried search for this subject with no results. I’m interested in hearing from any of you that have this lens. Pros cons or photos with it. How is the IQ?

I have a friend who has one and his results have been quite impressive.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Ruthiel wrote:

I have a D850 and I’m considering the Nikon 500 mm 5.6 for wildlife photography. I tried search for this subject with no results. I’m interested in hearing from any of you that have this lens. Pros cons or photos with it. How is the IQ?

I have one and used with a D500 and loved it. Now I use with a Z62 and it is outstanding

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

Ruthiel wrote:

I have a D850 and I’m considering the Nikon 500 mm 5.6 for wildlife photography. I tried search for this subject with no results. I’m interested in hearing from any of you that have this lens. Pros cons or photos with it. How is the IQ?

I use the D850 with the Nikon 500mm 5.6 FL lens. I have found it to be extremely sharp. My previous wetland lens combo was the 200-500 5.6 and the D850.
The 500 5.6 FL is very light and I am able to carry it around with me with no issues. Did I mention how sharp it was.
It does not have the range of my 200-500 5.6 but I have made adjustments to my approach and have found shooting at a constant 500mm has not caused me to miss much.
I use GROUP AUTO FOCUS for birds in flight and found the tracking and sharpness great.
The image below was taken with the D850 and 500 5.6 FL lens. It is of a Great Egret and Brown Water Snake. If you look closely you will see water drops coming off the bottom of the water snake, you can also see it's eyes, it's mouth is open as if he is a threat to the much larger Great Egret.
The second shot is of a Black Crowed Night Heron flying toward me, focusing was fast and locked on instantly as I had little time to bring my D850 and 500 5.6 FL lens up to shoot.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

billnikon wrote:

I use the D850 with the Nikon 500mm 5.6 FL lens. I... (show quote)

I don't really think your targeting me BUT. Images like this seriously color my thoughts about my next camera. Fortunately for me the combined cost of switching to Nikon (body and lens) is a bit like a bucket of cold water.

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

WDCash wrote:

I don't really think your targeting me BUT. Images like this seriously color my thoughts about my next camera. Fortunately for me the combined cost of switching to Nikon (body and lens) is a bit like a bucket of cold water.

I also shoot Sony with similar results.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Ruthiel wrote:

I have a D850 and I’m considering the Nikon 500 mm 5.6 for wildlife photography. I tried search for this subject with no results. I’m interested in hearing from any of you that have this lens. Pros cons or photos with it. How is the IQ?

An excellent lens but I understand it is still difficult to find. Very light and easy to hand-hold. Excellent results. I use it on a D500 for wildlife. I've included a couple of recent hand-held wildlife shots since someone else has already posted images in your thread. Hope this is ok. I don't think you will be disappointed with the lens.

(Download)

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

Orphoto wrote:

I dont have one but am actively saving up for it. Check out tests and extensive comments by canadian wildlife photographer brad hill, who loves it.

Thank you I will check brad Hill out.

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

billnikon wrote:

I use the D850 with the Nikon 500mm 5.6 FL lens. I... (show quote)

Thank you for the beautiful sharp images and your hands on reply.

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

via the lens wrote:

An excellent lens but I understand it is still difficult to find. Very light and easy to hand-hold. Excellent results. I use it on a D500 for wildlife. I've included a couple of recent hand-held wildlife shots since someone else has already posted images in your thread. Hope this is ok. I don't think you will be disappointed with the lens.

Love the images! I’m currently searching for this lens and may have found one thru an authorized dealer. Fingers crossed.

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

J-SPEIGHT wrote:

I have one and used with a D500 and loved it. Now I use with a Z62 and it is outstanding

Thank you. I am a big fan of your posts.