I would NOT buy equipment from anyone who would use any spray anywhere around a lens unless there was an emergency.
Should buy 500mm PF with wiped letters, or look for other options?
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Got that deal from Nkon (600PF....not refurbished). I will be paying $179.17 USD a month for 2 years, 0 %. Nikon did do a credit check-I had to unlock my credit reports for a short while to get approved. Maybe they will offer it again.
Since the focus length is so long, I shorten it a lot down to 13mm for closer views, and use the memory set. That makes it a much more usable "zoomish" lens for me, anyway.
This is good way to afford without burdening ourself. Refurbished will be even less a bit, it that comes back again. I think it was $3700. It will come around $154 per month.
How memory set works. This is new to me
Memory set is new to me too. I'm trying to understand more about it. Maybe some experts on this forum know more about it and all the other buttons on this lens.
Roy
Well-known member
A very strange use of repellant.
If its already taken off the lettering then I'd worry about what internal damage its done.
The lens would need to be very cheap for me to take the risk...
I agree. If I go with 500mm PF, I will look for other sellers. I have seen few sales for around $1500. With time and usage, it is supposed to be even lower thenA very strange use of repellant.
If its already taken off the lettering then I'd worry about what internal damage its done.
The lens would need to be very cheap for me to take the risk...
soundwatts
New member
That’s the deal I got. With the 500 dollar discount. Love the lens
O
Well-known member
Your money is made or preserved in the buying never just the selling.
Buy right enables you to sell right.
When selling something like this lens The only thing you have as a point of difference to other sellers is Price as most are in excellent condition, any defects however small usually effects price.
You may face challenges selling or need to discount as some buyers may not be so understanding, also as time goes on more mint condition units may be on the market giving buyers better choices.
You know many buyers usually want virtually unused perfect mint condition at a cheap price.
I am surprised the seller hasn't mentioned a price to you, that alone moves me on.
Insect repellent can destroy paint and even melt plastic if left on long enough, imagine what it does to your skin or organs.
I am surprised repellent didn't get on anywhere else.
If $1500-$1600 is the market defiantly $1250 is a starting point. No more than $1350.
Only an opinion
Agree. Points taken.
He is a wildlife photographer, so there are chances that, if he is saying, it is optically excellent, I would trust him. But whenever I will sell this lens, it will be difficult to sell, in competition of other 'nice' lenses in market. I agree with this.
I got idea of $1500 price from some sales on FM.
Ah, yes, got the $500 discount too!
Woody Meristem
Well-known member
I've used DEET for almost 60 years and still have all my skin and almost all my faculties, a tiny bit of DEET on your fingers will soften some plastics and it's one of the best paint removers on something like lens lettering. If the only thing wrong with the lens is the missing lettering, I was planning on keeping it and the price was right I'd buy it. BUT if resale was a factor I certainly wouldn't buy it -- but then again, I don't buy anything with the intent of selling it again.
GER
Member
I haven't read all of the above comments, so apologies if I go over something already said, this is just my opinion.
The letters on my 500pf came off fairly early, which was disappointing for a lens costing $6K in Australia. I am not sure it is an issue with insect repellant, I wonder if it was a small flaw in an otherwise excellent lens. Adapted to my Z9, I loved this lens. I expect it would have been even more fun on the Z8. I sold it to partially offset my 600TC purchase. The mate who bought it from me absolutely loves it and it re-invigorated his enthusiasm for chasing birds to photograph. While the 600TC is a mind blowing lens, I miss the 500pf - it is a very under appreciated lens. I prefer it to the 400 f/4.5 with a 1.4TC
Your re-sale concern is valid, but I think the supply/demand ratio for F lenses will only see prices of F lenses continue to reduce anyway.
The letters on my 500pf came off fairly early, which was disappointing for a lens costing $6K in Australia. I am not sure it is an issue with insect repellant, I wonder if it was a small flaw in an otherwise excellent lens. Adapted to my Z9, I loved this lens. I expect it would have been even more fun on the Z8. I sold it to partially offset my 600TC purchase. The mate who bought it from me absolutely loves it and it re-invigorated his enthusiasm for chasing birds to photograph. While the 600TC is a mind blowing lens, I miss the 500pf - it is a very under appreciated lens. I prefer it to the 400 f/4.5 with a 1.4TC
Your re-sale concern is valid, but I think the supply/demand ratio for F lenses will only see prices of F lenses continue to reduce anyway.
Hi Nikon7777! If you’re looking for an excellent 500PF or even an excellent 800mm f/5.6E, I happen to have one of each. The 800mm is listed in the sale section of this forum. I haven’t listed the 500PF yet.
Thanks, will reach out to you.
I can support Lance's claims for the 500pf + 1.4x TCIII. I use that combination all the time with great results, in fact I almost always leave the TCIII on. I purchased the 500pf because I wanted to get into birding and I hadn't transitioned from my D850 to a Z8, which I did in October 2023 when Nikon ran a big sale. If I was only shooting static birds, I might not have traded my D810 for a Z8 (I still have the D850), but I was having trouble getting BIF keepers with the D850 + 500pf + 1.4x TCIII. My keeper rates are much higher since I transitioned to the Z8 using that same lens combination. I believe Lance would support that because I believe he stated that in another forum some time ago (and maybe this one too).
In terms of cost, the 500PF seems like the best option from an affordability perspective. But if you shoot a Z8 you end up with a FTZ adapter, TC, and lens attached to your body. It doesn't really bother me but that hasn't stopped me from considering moving to a 800PF because that's the length I tend to want to be at (or more sometimes). The problem is the cost difference if you are on a budget. The Nikon 800PF even on sale right now is $5,699.95, whereas I see 500PF used lenses listed at $1k. Adding the TC would probably cost less than another $400.
I've also considered getting the 600PF (that's only 100mm less than the 700mm I shoot at most of the time) and a TC to give me flexibility to shoot at 600mm or 840mm. I will never be able to justify getting the 600TC lens that Lance recently acquired, it's just too much for me unless I win the lottery.
EDIT: My claim that you get a used 500mm PF for $1,000 appears to be inaccurate. I'm seeing 500mm PF lens listed between $1,400 and $2,000, although those are starting prices.
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steven
New member
Considering F mount lenses are less in demand now, they are going to drop more. I feel 500mm PF lens is very nice, but I saw its price as low as $1200, with no defects optically. It was on craigslist. Before I could respond to him, it was gone. So it is matter of time we see it at $1000 too.