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Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR Review

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR

Main Features

  • 500mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 40mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 3090g.
  • Diameter: 140mm
  • Length: 387mm
  • Min Focus Distance:3.6m
  • Max Magnification:0.14x
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Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR Overview

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR is an Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Prime lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage and it is designed to be used with Nikon F (FX) mount cameras.

Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4D ED-IF II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4D ED-IF II
Compare
35mm FF 3800gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3880gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mount

Nikon 500mm F4E FL 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 500mm F4E FL ED VR has a fixed focal lenght of 500mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 750mm.

Teleconverter Compatibility

Nikon 500mm F4E FL 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 500mm F4E FL 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 1000 - 1000mm F8 Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II Lens Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II 850 - 850mm F6.8 Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III Lens Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III 700 - 700mm F5.6 Amazon B&H Photo

Weather Sealings

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR is a weather sealed lens which provides an extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have an effective protection, you have to pair the Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR with a weather sealed camera body such as Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D850.

Optical Image Stabilization

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.14x and has a minimum focusing distance of 3.6m. 0.14x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.

Aperture

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR has a max aperture of F4.0 and a minimum aperture of F22.0.

Optical Formula

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR's optical formula consists of 16 elements in 12 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • 3 ED
  • 2 fluorite. Nano Crystal
  • Fluorine coatings.

Lens Hood

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is HK-34.

Body Colour

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR

Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3880gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8G ED VR II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8G ED VR II
Compare
35mm FF 4620gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm F4E FL ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm F4E FL ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3810gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport Lens Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport
Compare
35mm FF 3310gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4D ED-IF II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4D ED-IF II
Compare
35mm FF 3800gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f4G ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f4G ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 5060gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3800gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 3150gr 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 500mm F4E FL ED VR


PROs
Image Stabilization
Weather Sealed
Built-in Autofocus
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Covers Full-Frame Sensor

CONs
Heavy
Pricey
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR Alternatives in Nikon F (FX) Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8D ED-IF II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8D ED-IF II
Compare
35mm FF 4800gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8G ED VR II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8G ED VR II
Compare
35mm FF 4620gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4D ED-IF II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4D ED-IF II
Compare
35mm FF 3800gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3880gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f4D ED-IF II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f4D ED-IF II
Compare
35mm FF 5900gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f4G ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f4G ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 5060gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3800gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm F4E FL ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm F4E FL ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3810gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5.6E PF ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5.6E PF ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 1460gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport Lens Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport
Compare
35mm FF 3310gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 3150gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Nikon 500mm F4E FL ED VR Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Nikon
Lens Type Prime
Lens Type Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Nikon F (FX)
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 500mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method No Zoom
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 1.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.0
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 16
Optical Groups 12
Special Elements 3 ED, 2 fluorite. Nano Crystal and Fluorine coatings.

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 3.6m
Max Magnification 0.14X
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 3090g
Diameter 140mm
Length 387mm
Materials Magnesium alloy
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 40mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Hood Code HK-34
Tripod Collar Yes
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR
is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR
is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR
Does Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR have Image Stabilization?
Does Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR
FOLLOW US


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