First field experience with Nikon 500mm PF

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DavidT

DavidT

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I bought a 500 PF a couple of weeks ago and other than a quick hour with it I hadn’t gotten it out in the field to try.

I spent this last weekend shooting Saturday and Sunday in 24-55 deg weather in north Texas. While the subjects were about as friendly as the cold morning temps I got a couple images that gave me a feel for the lens.

I shot everything wide open at 5.6 and with a D850. I wanted to see what detail it could provide, how well it focused and the kind of background it could render.

In summary I was damn impressed. For $3,300 it’s a lot of lens! I also have a Nikon 300f2.8 and the 200-500 5.6. It’s better than both of them. The 300 f2.8 might be slightly faster but image quality I think the 500pf gives it a solid run for its money.

The 500 PF is snappy, and seemed to compliment the D850. The lighting was a mixed bag over the weekend and iso ran between 800-3200 most of the day.

Here are a few examples from my first outing. They are down sampled to meet the file size. The full size files are a lot better!

PS don’t pick on me to much. I’m completing my first year of photography and been trying to apply what Steve teaches in his books. It’s a lot to learn!
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Thanks for the nice images and comments.

I have a 200-500mm and have been waffling about getting a 500 pf for my D500.

Fujifilm has patented 300mm f/4 and 500mm f/5.6 DOE lens designs. But they're not on their lens roadmap yet so no telling when if ever they might be available for my X-T4.

Too bad I missed the recent Nikon sale.
 
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Great shots! When I tested the 500PF, I found it neck and neck with the big Nikon primes - the difference was more about F/5.6 than F/4 than anything else. The 500 PF has become one of my favorites and I love to use it.
 
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NA4M said:
Thanks for the nice images and comments.

I have a 200-500mm and have been waffling about getting a 500 pf for my D500.

Fujifilm has patented 300mm f/4 and 500mm f/5.6 DOE lens designs. But they're not on their lens roadmap yet so no telling when if ever they might be available for my X-T4.

Too bad I missed the recent Nikon sale.
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I was initially using the Fuji X-T3 and 100-400 for wildlife and was also waiting to see if Fuji were going to release their PF lenses but then got fed up waiting and took the plunge on a D500 and 500PF. I noticed a big improvement in terms of keeper rate and overall IQ between the Nikon combo and the Fuji combo for wildlife although YMMV. Fuji don't really seem to be focussed on catering for wildlife photographers unfortunately, hopefully that will change.
 
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Great shots. You’ll love the 500 mm PF. I was lucky enough to get one in January 2019. It has become both my most used and best liked lens. Wonderful on a D850, D500 or Z7.

Good luck with it!
 
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The simple truth is - my 500 PF shots amazes me every time and I have started feeling that it is shooting by itself :p
Nikon should have marketed it better and got all wild life photographers under its hood by now.
I am seriously thinking of buying another one for the wife
 
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euanmax said:
I was initially using the Fuji X-T3 and 100-400 for wildlife and was also waiting to see if Fuji were going to release their PF lenses but then got fed up waiting and took the plunge on a D500 and 500PF. I noticed a big improvement in terms of keeper rate and overall IQ between the Nikon combo and the Fuji combo for wildlife although YMMV. Fuji don't really seem to be focussed on catering for wildlife photographers unfortunately, hopefully that will change.
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Interesting. I had a Fujinon 100-400mm on a X-T2. I sold the lens because I became dissatisfied with it's low light focus acquisition/lock hunting. The Nikkor 200-500mm is not much better if any in that aspect however - but at least I picked up 100mm more focal length.

A 500 pf would seem to hold promise for better low light focus lock - I'm just struggling with whether the 500 pf's cost makes sense for my use with the 200-500mm already in hand.
 
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NA4M said:
Interesting. I had a Fujinon 100-400mm on a X-T2. I sold the lens because I became dissatisfied with it's low light focus acquisition/lock hunting. The Nikkor 200-500mm is not much better if any in that aspect however - but at least I picked up 100mm more focal length.

A 500 pf would seem to hold promise for better low light focus lock - I'm just struggling with whether the 500 pf's cost makes sense for my use with the 200-500mm already in hand.
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I have the 200-500 as well and can tell you the 500PF is significantly better. If you can afford it and shoot at 500mm buy it!
 
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Wapiti said:
Wonderful testimonial to the quality of this lens. I purchased a 200-500 5.6 which I guess serves its purpose; however, I regret that I did not go ahead and spend the extra money and get the 500 5.6 PF
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I too have just received the 500 PF. First time out I came across an immature bald eagle in an old cottonwood about 30 feet away. Got a nice image but only part of bird. Wished I'd had my 200-500 lens with me!
 
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I waited too long for the Black Friday sale and missed out, so I am taking a chance on a refurbished one that just arrived. It's supposed to go under the tree but since I am giving it to myself, it may not wait. Your shots are great, hope I can do as well with my D750.
 
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