Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
F(FX) Mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
Reasons to Buy the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
Optical Image Stabilization |
Autofocus |
Distance Scale |
Compatible with Nikon Teleconverters |
Hood supplied |
Tripod Collar |
Full-time Manual Focusing |
Focus Distance Limiter |
Zoom Lock |
Constant f5.6 aperture throughout the range |
Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
500mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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No Weather Sealing |
Lens Extends while zooming |
Slow Aperture at Wide end |
Slow Aperture at Tele end |
Heavy |
Pricey |
Lens Mount
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is compatible with cameras that have a Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a maximum diameter of 108mm and total length of 268mm when not extended. It weighs 2300g / 81.1 oz.
Below, you'll find a scaled side-by-side image comparing the sizes of the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR and the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C, offering a better understanding of their dimensions in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a filter thread of 95mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR:
Focal Range
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a focal range of 200-500mm and 2.5X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 300 - 750mm.
Teleconverter Compatibility
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR changes below:
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Optical Image Stabilization
The Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 268mm and a weight of 2300g, the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Zoom Method
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
Zoom Lock
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.22x and has a minimum focusing distance of 2.2m.
Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Zoom type Nikon F mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f5.6 from 200mm all the way to the 500mm .
Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
200mm
|
F5.6 |
F32 |
500mm
|
F5.6 |
F32 |
Optical Formula
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR's optical formula consists of 19 elements in 12 groups . Special elements used in this design is 3 ED elements.
Lens Hood
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Body Colour
Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is available in Black color.
Popular Comparisons of Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Lens
Model |
|
Coverage |
Weight |
Focusing |
Street Price |
|
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
1,930 g / 4.25 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Nikon Nikkor Z 180-600mm F5.6-6.3 VR
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,140 g / 4.71 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,010 g / 4.42 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
1,355 g / 2.98 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Nikon AF Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
1,340 g / 2.95 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,115 g / 4.65 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
1,237 g / 2.72 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
1,930 g / 4.25 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED VR II
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
3,360 g / 7.39 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,700 g / 5.94 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,860 g / 6.29 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
|
Nikon Nikkor Z 800mm F6.3 VR S
Compare
|
35mm FF
|
2,385 g / 5.25 lb | AF
|
Amazon B&H Photo
|
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