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Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Review

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR

Main Features

  • 200-500mm Focal Range
  • F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 95mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 2300g.
  • Diameter: 108mm
  • Length: 268mm
  • Min Focus Distance:2.2m
  • Max Magnification:0.22x
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Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Overview

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is an Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage and it is designed to be used with Nikon F (FX) mount cameras.

Lens Mount

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is compatible with cameras that have 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.

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 Teleconverter lenses below:

  • Nikon AF-S TC TC-20E III for F-Mount
  • Nikon AF-S TC TC-17E II for F-Mount
  • Nikon AF-S TC TC-14E III for F-Mount


Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Model Coverage with TC Aperture with TC Street Price
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III Lens Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III 400 - 1000mm F11.2 Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II Lens Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II 340 - 850mm F9.52 Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III Lens Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III 280 - 700mm F7.84 Amazon B&H Photo

Optical Image Stabilization

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.

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.

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 .

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 is the eight most popular comparisons of 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 Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
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35mm FF 1930gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF Lens Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF
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35mm FF 1237gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
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35mm FF 2010gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR Lens Nikon AF Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR
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35mm FF 1340gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS
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35mm FF 2115gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
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35mm FF 2860gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S Lens Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S
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35mm FF 1355gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD
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35mm FF 1951gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pros and Cons of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR


PROs
Image Stabilization
Built-in Autofocus
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Zoom Lock
Constant f5.6 Aperture throughout the range
Covers Full-Frame Sensor

CONs
No Weather Sealing
Lens Extents while focusing
Slow Aperture at Wide end
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Heavy
Pricey
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Alternatives in Nikon F (FX) Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED VR II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED VR II
Compare
35mm FF 3360gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR
Compare
35mm FF 3275gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3500gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF Lens Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF
Compare
35mm FF 1237gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG Lens Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG
Compare
35mm FF 15700gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Nikon
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Nikon F (FX)
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 200-500mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 2.5X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F5.6
Min Aperture F32.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 19
Optical Groups 12
Special Elements 3 ED elements

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 2.2m
Max Magnification 0.22X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Focus Distance Limiter Yes
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 2300g
Diameter 108mm
Length 268mm
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 95mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar Yes
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
Does Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR have Image Stabilization?
Does Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
FOLLOW US


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