Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens (Page 2): I own both, I have had the 200-500 for much longer. Both will deliver excellent sharpness provided the photographer has good...

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

tca2267 wrote:

Thinking about getting this lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

Would like any feed back from those who have one and see some photos taken with it......

How would you compare it to the Nikon 200-500?

I own both, I have had the 200-500 for much longer. Both will deliver excellent sharpness provided the photographer has good basic skills. The 500 5.6 is much lighter but lacks the range of the 200-500. When I mount the 500 5.6 on my D500 I have a field of view of 750 mm, this is nice but almost too long in some locations, that's why I believe the 200-500 is more versatile.
I have taken award winning shots with both lenses. I really like the 500 5.6 off my D850, really great detail, but I also get great detail from the 200-500 on the D850.
The big thing to remember here is, basic photography skills is essential to get the best out of what ever you shoot.
The first shot below was taken with the 500 5.6 lens on the D500. It has won many awards, it was of a Black-Crowned Night Heron catching a fish.
The second shot was of a Great Egret on a nest using the D4s and 200-500 5.6 lens.
Both can deliver great images.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Zoom vs Prime...Previously mentioned comments about sharpness..When I had mine I found the sharpness was a wee bit lacking closer to the 500 range. My biggest complaint if I can call it that is the overall length when fully extended out to the 500 range. Adding the hood to it made it even longer & in doing long range photography with a wind blowing is a challenge. I sold off the 200-500 & purchased the 500 new from ProCam in Chicago as they were able to get them easily. The 500 prime f/5.6 is a dream to shoot. Even though it is officially listed as a F/5.6, I feel its closer to a F/4 with he way the optics have been done.

edhjr Loc: Needham, MA

The 500pf is very sharp, small and easy to handle, but no zoom so less flexible. Often use it on a D500 and teleconverters which I did in Alaska to really stretch without a monster to carry.

Overall, many more pros than cons.

My primary walk around combo is a 28 to 300 on a D850.

I regularly use the pair in walks in mixed terrain or mixed targets.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

MT Shooter wrote:

You might want to re-read the OP, your reply makes no sense as it has no relevance at all to the question posed.

And I thought it was just my isolation-addled brain. Made no sense to me, either.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

tca2267 wrote:

Thinking about getting this lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

Would like any feed back from those who have one and see some photos taken with it......

How would you compare it to the Nikon 200-500?

Just sent you a PM.

jefflane

I love the 500 PF. I use it on my D850 and D5. I pair it with an 80-400 for wildlife.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

tca2267 wrote:

Thinking about getting this lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

Would like any feed back from those who have one and see some photos taken with it......

How would you compare it to the Nikon 200-500?

I acquired the 500 PF a few months ago, and it is already my standard birding lens. The weight is a huge benefit, and the pictures are sharp with great bokeh.

I posted the attached picture on this site before, taken just after I received the lens. I could add others just as good.

The 200-500 is a fine lens, but if you find that you are always using it at the full extension, then getting the 500 PF make a lot of sense. I will probably be selling my 200-500.

Good shooting, whichever way you go.

(Download)

Judy795

I have both. I have small hands and I love the lighter weight. I use it with a monopod with a Wimberly monopod gimbal and the photos are what I expect. I still have the 200-500 also. I think there will be times I need the shorter reach.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

ClarkJohnson wrote:

I acquired the 500 PF a few months ago, and it is ... (show quote)

What camera body did you use with the 500 PF?

slooby Loc: San Diego

I love my 500 PF I use it in my D500. I started with the 200-500 but the weight of the lens was wearing me down. With the 500 PF I’m getting much better clarity. The lack of the zoom range is taking a little longer to adjust to but it’s getting better. If you do get one think about replacing the Nikon foot which is known separate from the lens. Steve Perry addresses this in his review of the lens.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Appy wrote:

I have the top listed lens. It's my favorite of the 2 lenses I have, although the 18-55 is sharper. My beef with the 55-200 is that it loses sharpness as it approaches the 200 range.
I do not think the 200-500 can be compared to a 200-500. Two different beasts. I can say I sure wish I had a 200-500!
I must have clicked something wrong because I do not see a way to attach a photo to this reply. Sorry.

Your post is very confusing. You can't compare a 200-500 to a 200-500? What?

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

kb6kgx wrote:

Your post is very confusing. You can't compare a 200-500 to a 200-500? What?

I am sure he meant comparing the 500 pf to the 200-500. I have also made many typo's. Easy to do.

MG Audet

tca2267 wrote:

Thinking about getting this lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

Would like any feed back from those who have one and see some photos taken with it......

How would you compare it to the Nikon 200-500?

I had the 200 - 500 on my D500 and purchased the D850 and 500 pf. Never used the 200 - 500 again, as I shoot mainly birds with the longer lens. Never looked back, never regretted. The 500 pf is outstanding, sharp, light, excellent quality images.

Good luck.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

tca2267 wrote:

Thinking about getting this lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

Would like any feed back from those who have one and see some photos taken with it......

How would you compare it to the Nikon 200-500?

I have the Nikkor 200-500 f 5.6 and the 500 pF. As noted the 500 pF is much lighter allowing this arthritic old geezer to handhold with either a D500 or D850, both with battery grips installed, for BIF. I have included a couple of handheld recent BIF shots- D500, 500 pF.

(Download)

tca2267 Loc: Florida

Nice shots