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

Watch the comparison video on a desktop / laptop of the 5.6 and f4. Links to both lenses are on this page.

Take your super-telephoto shooting experience to the next level with the high-performance AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, that is primed to deliver superior optical precision.

When combined with Nikon’s Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass and other NIKKOR glass elements, the Phase Fresnel element produces high resolution, high contrast images with beautiful background blur.

Lighter, more compact optics don’t just benefit your mobility—a lighter focus lens group allows the autofocus system to focus faster, too. With the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) is able to operate at peak performance for fast, quiet autofocus.

Whether you’re into sports or wildlife photography, this remarkably compact and lightweight FX-format lens will deliver high-level precision and accuracy by incorporating the latest in NIKKOR technology, including Phase Fresnel lens design, Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements, and Nano Crystal Coat. For the ultimate agility, the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR also features an electromagnetic aperture mechanism that allows for stable exposure control, and a fluorine coat that effectively repels dust, water, grease and dirt as well as an improved effective Vibration Reduction (VR) with Sport Mode. Superior mobile handheld shooting is now in the palm of your hands.

Employing a PF (Phase Fresnel) lens element, an outstandingly compact size of 106 x 237 mm and light weight of 1,460 g are realized. Although an ordinary 500 mm prime lens weighs over 3,000 g, the remarkably light weight of the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is nearly equivalent to that of the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR. Together with its superior weather-resistant performance, this super-telephoto lens enables agile shooting reliably under diverse conditions.

The latest optical design employing one PF (Phase Fresnel) lens element and three ED glass elements delivers high-resolution images with minimal color fringing via effective chromatic aberration compensation, that is optimized for high-megapixel digital cameras. High optical performance is retained even when VR SPORT mode is on or when a teleconverter is attached.

Also, by adopting newly developed lens materials, flare effect due to the characteristics of the PF lens is optimally controlled. Furthermore, Nano Crystal Coat that provides superb ghost and flare reduction even under harsh lighting such as backlight, as well as other Nikon coating technologies contribute to producing clearer images.

The AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is designed with a dust- and drip-resistant structure for enhanced reliability. Movable parts and other sections are sealed to protect the inside of the lens against dust and water droplets. Nikon's original fluorine coat, that effectively repels dust or dirt, is applied to the front lens surface to ensure high antifouling performance. These features give photographers the freedom to continue shooting in diverse environments and conditions.

By employing a lighter focus lens group, higher AF speed is achieved, assuring superb subject-tracking performance. The Vibration Reduction (VR) function providing an effect equivalent to a shutter speed 4.0 stops{sup} faster in NORMAL mode also offers SPORT mode that is particularly effective for shooting quickly and erratically moving subjects. Because a stable finder image can be reliably viewed even during subject tracking, the capture of images with the intended composition is enabled. This advantage also applies to movie recording.

The PF (Phase Fresnel) lens, developed by Nikon, effectively compensates chromatic aberration utilizing the photo diffraction phenomenon{sup(*)}. It provides superior chromatic aberration compensation performance when combined with a normal glass lens. Compared to many general camera lenses that employ an optical system using the photorefractive phenomenon, a remarkably compact and lightweight body can be attained with fewer lens elements.

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens comes with a full Australian warranty.