Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is a long telezoom lens that nets sharp results, but there are better values available.

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  Sharp optics. Long telephoto reach. Fixed f/5.6 maximum aperture. Optical stabilization. Includes removable tripod collar.

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  Competing lenses zoom further. Edges soft at 200mm. Not compatible with some older D-SLRs.

I must admit, I was a bit sceptical about this lens when I first heard about it, thinking there must have been one compromise too many to keep the lens at a competitive price point, but have to say I’ve been very pleasantly surprised.

The AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 E ED lens is an FX format powerful telephoto zoom, ideally aimed at sports and wildlife photographers. It has a constant but modest f/5.6 maximum aperture, which enables a fairly compact design for its focal length.

Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass cuts through the glare of bright sunlight. Silent Wave Motor (SWM) powers ultra-fast, near-silent autofocusing with seamless manual override. The Electromagnetic diaphragm (E) operates in sync with the fastest shutter speeds and frame rates, even when using an...

Big microcorrugated cardboard box.

Unless you really, really need the faster f/4 aperture offered by the AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4E FL ED VR, then the new f/5.6 version is a more enticing proposition for most people - it offers the same feature-set and similarly high image quality in a much lighter, smaller, more portable package, at a...

Using the Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 PF with the Nikon D5, focus tracking was right on, whether the subjects was a fleeting bird or a slower moving train. Overall quality was what I have come to expect from Nikon: top-notch.

The tested Nikkor 200-500 mm is so good and its list of pros so long that for a moment I even toyed with an idea to award it our ‘Editor’s Choice’ badge. I dropped that thought because there are too many small flaws, too negligible to be listed in the cons section but significant enough to influence...

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  excellent image quality in the frame centre,, good image quality on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor,, sensible image quality on the edge of full frame in the 200–350 mm range,, slight lateral chromatic aberration,, moderate distortion,, perfect coma correction,, negligible astigmatism,, slight...

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  problems with performance against bright light.

Nikon’s 200-500mm f/5.6 is a highly competitive optic that should give users a well-built and reliable alternative to third-party super-telephotos. Like its rivals, it’s at its weakest when at its longest, but with excellent sharpness at 200mm, a constant aperture, and an impressive VR system,...

My impression is that the Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens has very little distortion and not much falloff. The only tease I got was when I zoomed out to 500mm shooting at a nondescript background; there was some indication in the corners, even when varying the f/stops. That’s it.

I sold a bunch of stuff to purchase this lens. I have had it for 1 1/2 years. I love it. When I got it people who didn't own it said don't zoom out to 500. Keep it at 450 or less and always have it at F8. Just assuming it would not be sharp if you didn't do this.

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  Sharp. Well built. Great for wildlife. Affordable.

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  None.

I have used this lens now for three months. I tried lots of other super telephotos. This was the highest rated. I have owned a fortune in lens and for that matter cameras. This lens though is so incredibly good it is hard to believe. I have owned lens that cost many times what this one does.

Love the lens. I have used it for wildlife and birds and find it works well with my D800. It can easily be hand held in daylight but I prefer a monopod. The VR snaps everything in to place - surprised me the first time I used it.

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  Sharp, fantastic VR, relatively inexpensive.

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  Long, gets heavy after a while.

This lens exceeded my expectations in image stabilisation and sharpness. I use it on a D750 & a D3s. the stabilisation is fantastic. better than any of the lens I currently own. it is not heavy for a lens of this type. the only negatives are. A proper lens case is not supplied only a dust pouch.

Finding this lens to be relatively sharp out to 425mm but as it reaches out to 500mm- not so sharp. Tried in camera lens fine tune but doesnt seem to help. Still over all not a bad value for money - just a little disappointed on the long end.

Well worth the price. Great value on a super zoom Nikkor. The lens is sharp. Beware though the lens is big and heavy, but with the VR can still be hand held. But after about an hour I was ready for a tripod! A minor consideration for such a great lens.

It is fast, sharp and a pleasure to use. Hand holdable for short periods of time, Would recommend this to all my friends. A++

Exactly what I expected from a Nikkor lens. I made the mistake of buying a Sigma 150 to 600, and even after lots of study and practice to get it as sharp as it could be. it was still unacceptable. The Nikkor 200-500 is sharp right out of the box even at maximum aperture.

Was tired of not having Decent auto focus...not mamby pamby auto focus but GREAT auto focus...the 200-500...delivers - and it is sharp.