PSims46 Loc: Maryland

I’m thinking about getting this lens. I was wondering if anyone here could tell me how you like or dislike the Nikkor AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR. Most of the reviews I have seen mentions how heavy it is. Does the weight bother you? Also are there any other issues with this lens you would like to point out. How do you like the sharpness? Any information about the Nikkor AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

smilenangler Loc: The Flood City, Pa.

Good glass, great lens...

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

It is a bit on the heavy side if you are used to smaller lenses, but it is an excellent lens for the cost. I'm very happy with mine.

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

I own it! I love it….

(Download)

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

ANY long(telephoto lens) is going to be heavy some more than others, that's what tripods and monopods are for.

uhaas2009

Before the pandemic this lens was heavy but through the pandemic (moving lots of boxes around) this lens got lighter….lol….it’s a good useful lens and it’s sharp. It’s not a 70-200 2.8 but it’s still great.

deerpark243 Loc: La Mirada, California, USA

jcboy3

It's heavy. It's sharp. The main issue I have with it is the excessive throw on the zoom control ring. It takes me three twists to get from one end to the other.

Which is why Nikon really needs to put out the 200-600 they've been promising since forever.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

The choices for long telephoto f-mount zooms are the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6, Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G1 or G2, Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary or Sport, Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3. The reviews for all these lenses are endless. Many have turned in their zooms for the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 pf because of superior prime IQ and it is smaller and lighter than the zooms. I often use the 200-500mm f/5.6 handheld for BIF. Yes it's heavy, but manageable. I have both the Tamron G2 and Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6, which I have used on both the D850, D500 and Z9. On the D850 and D500 the Nikon 200-500mm AF is more accurate, locks faster and doesn't hunt as much as the AF on the G2. While they are equally sharp in the middle, the G2 gets softer faster towards the corners than the Nikon. If you are shooting with a DX camera, it's not as much of an issue. You can use a 1.4x tele with the Nikon, which takes it to f/8, the upper limit for AF with both the D850 and D500, but AF is slower. I don't recommend a tele for the G2 as it's beyond f/8 and you are in manual focus territory.

You didn't mention the camera you will be using, but if it's a Z body with the FTZ II adapter, then the G2 AF is actually faster, more accurate, and doesn't hunt like it does on the dslrs. Until the announced Nikon Z 200-600mm f/6.3 is available, I'm using a Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 with a Megadap 211 E mount to Z mount adapter, which is working out very well for me.

fredtoo Loc: Houston

I have used the lens on 2 African safaris and 1 trip to Antarctica, and I am extremely pleased with the results it gives me. Not only are the photos tack sharp, but the color is pretty amazing. I shot a church bell tower a half mile away, and when zoomed in on my laptop, it showed the wire bird screen cover in detail.

For 2 trips I used the lens on my D7200. The lens was purchased with the idea that I might move to "full frame" some day, and this is what happened. My recent trip to Africa was with a new D850, and the results were amazing.

Yes, it is a tad heavy. But don't forget, you are only carrying the one lens. You never really think about the weight when shooting, just carrying. When I shoot, I usually place my left elbow on my chest and steady the lens that way, triggering with my right hand.

You will hear many different ideas as to how to carry the camera with this lens, and I have tried more than a few. What I have settled on is the BlackRapid Cross Shot sling strap. It is not connected to the camera, but rather to the lens tripod mount (which is included with the lens). The tripod mount makes an excellent carry handle. So the sling takes about half the weight on my shoulder, and my left hand holds the tripod mount (with the cameral hanging upside down) and takes the other half of the weight.

This keeps the camera and lens from swinging around on my leg, and makes for very quick mounting to my eye for a shot.

Personally I am willing to deal with the weight in order to get the results that I get with the lens, and I am no youngster (wrong side of 65).

Hope this helps.
fwt

PSims46 Loc: Maryland

Yes, it is a tad heavy. But don't forget, you are only carrying the one lens. You never really think about the weight when shooting, just carrying. When I shoot, I usually place my left elbow on my chest and steady the lens that way, triggering with my right hand.

Personally I am willing to deal with the weight in order to get the results that I get with the lens, and I am no youngster (wrong side of 65).

Hope this helps.
fwt[/quote]

Thanks for a really detailed response. I appreciate it.

PSims46 Loc: Maryland

You didn't mention the camera you will be using, but if it's a Z body with the FTZ II adapter, then the G2 AF is actually faster, more accurate, and doesn't hunt like it does on the dslrs. Until the announced Nikon Z 200-600mm f/6.3 is available, I'm using a Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 with a Megadap 211 E mount to Z mount adapter, which is working out very well for me.[/quote]

I’m using a Nikon D780.

ELNikkor

Mark Smith on Youtube uses his in Florida with great results, take a look...

Paulco2 Loc: Gettysburg PA

I have that lens and I like it. It is heavy, making hand held problematic at full extension. I usually try to use a tripod or monopod with it. It does as good a job on the quality of image as any other of the lenses I use. Great for birding or other wildlife pics when you can't (or don't want to) get too close.

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

The 200-500 Nikon is sharp throughout it's range. It was my main weapon in Florida Wetlands for over 3 years and never let me down. It is not light, coming in at just over 5 pounds.
I always carried it by the tripod collar which I would turn so it was on top of the lens. Or I would just use both hands and carry it like I would a baby. I used it mostly on my D500 but also worked well on my D850. It had a field of view of 300-750 on the D500, this covered most everything I needed for wildlife photography. Now I hand held it because we were constantly on the move and had to be ready for birds in the air and below us as we moved along on board walks.
There are over 925 reviews for you on the B&H web site, you should read some, mine is also there.
Personally I would wait until Nikon puts this lens on sale, usually around a grand, but at it's list price it's still a bargain.
Below are some sample images I took with it and also the special handle I attached to the tripod collar to carry the lens. I do not have any info on the handle, I have long forgotten where I bought it.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.