500 f4 G VR Filter

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

B

Beau Cotter

New member
Member's gallery
Hello, I recently got a Nikon 500 F4 G, and it does not have the default filter that comes in the drop-in slot. I've done some research but haven't found a clear answer, is it pretty critical to have it in there for sharpness? I've only went out with it once, and I feel like it is making slightly softer photos compared to my 200-500, both wide open. (Again, mainly a feeling, and I might've just been off that day) Also, I have done AF fine tune

Also, would VR on this lens make images soft, (for example above 1/500")?

Thanks for any info!
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
It should have the filter in place for maximum performance according to Nikon. I had a 500 G and it certainly seemed better with the filter in place even though it's just a flat glass. Lenses of that vintage tend to have a max of 1/500-1/1000 sec for VR use. You'll find differing opinions as to what the "correct" speed is but it has to do with the cycle that the VR operates on. I seem to recall it calculates out to 1/800, IIRC.
 
Member's gallery
Beau Cotter said:
Hello, I recently got a Nikon 500 F4 G, and it does not have the default filter that comes in the drop-in slot. I've done some research but haven't found a clear answer, is it pretty critical to have it in there for sharpness? I've only went out with it once, and I feel like it is making slightly softer photos compared to my 200-500, both wide open. (Again, mainly a feeling, and I might've just been off that day)

Also, would VR on this lens make images soft, (for example above 1/500")?

Thanks for any info!
Click to expand...
Nikon's advice has always been to leave to clear filter in there unless using another filter as the optical design for the lens assumes a filter in place there. That said, I have shot both the 600mm f/4 G and 500mm f/4 G lenses without any filter in the drop in holder and never really saw any degraded sharpness nor degradations when the filter was used as it should be.

I sometimes turned off VR on those lenses when mounted on a tripod but never turned it off when shooting handled or from a less secure support.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top