Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 PF VR lens confirmed

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Impressive lens, given the MFT it indicates to be better than the 500/4 E FL lens.

Do you mean the G VR?

The 500/4E MTF is higher than the 500/5.6E until the very last 4 mm of the image circle where the meridional 30lpmm line diverges with the f/4 version, the other lines stay higher in the f/4E. Both are given wide open. At f/5.6 the corners of the f/4 should be improved further.

Knowing how the 300 PF is, I would expect lower contrast and some residual diffraction in the 500 PF as well (compared to the corresponding fast supertele primes), but time will tell how the images look. Also distance may affect the different lenses differently.

I do agree the 500 PF MTF is very exciting, hopefully the lens meets expectations in practice.

[MILLIREHM]

Do you mean the G VR?

The 500/4E MTF is higher than the 500/5.6E until the very last 4 mm of the image circle where the meridional 30lpmm line diverges with the f/4 version, the other lines stay higher in the f/4E. Both are given wide open. At f/5.6 the corners of the f/4 should be improved further.

Knowing how the 300 PF is, I would expect lower contrast and some residual diffraction in the 500 PF as well (compared to the corresponding fast supertele primes), but time will tell how the images look. Also distance may affect the different lenses differently.

I do agree the 500 PF MTF is very exciting, hopefully the lens meets expectations in practice.

No I meant the E derived from this comparison
https://nikonrumors.com/2018/08/24/nikon-500mm-f-5-6e-vs-500mm-f-4e-vs-200-500mm-f-5-6e-specifications-comparison.aspx/

I am still not too used in reading MFT charts but  was irritated by the sag in the corner (we all now that the extreme corners are the most important part of the image composition ;-)
After reviewing it, I realize that the 500/4 E is indeed better although it is different to see

clearly the 200-500 ist not that good IQ wise. Its advantage is its versatility.

I am also looking forward how the also rumored 600/5,6 PF will be.

[chambeshi]

The MTF of this new PF is most impressive given it is a built around a  phase-fresnel prime. Compare MTF below - against E FL 400 and 500 primes, and 200-500 (tele MTF) and 300 PF

I agree we need to see filed tests of the IQ  but a 500 only 35mm longer and 35g more than the 70-200 f2.8E is remarkable. And good to see it have the locking-clip in the hood (also like the 70-200). I have lost the flimsy twist-on hood on my 300 PF walking in brush etc (but luckily found it each time)

Even if it is f5.6 with the TC Factor, but then feedback on TM thread said the AF was decent with TC14

[MILLIREHM]

Chambeshi, something in the assignment of the small MTF chart appears to have gone wrong,the 200-500 cant be that good

Furthermore I did a web search for the 200-500s MTFs and found several non consistent results

[Birna Rørslett]

Must be a mix-up of data, somewhere.

[F2F3F6]

Millirehm, have a better look on chambeshi's post : the data (MTF charts) for the 200-500 is the second one, (above the line "Nikon 5,6/200-500 ED tele).
The third is for the 4/500 E, the fourth is for 4/300E PF and the last 2,8/400E...so the 200-500 is way behind the new 5,6/500 (at less in the MTF charts !).

[MILLIREHM]

Millirehm, have a better look on chambeshi's post : the data (MTF charts) for the 200-500 is the second one, (above the line "Nikon 5,6/200-500 ED tele).
The third is for the 4/500 E, the fourth is for 4/300E PF and the last 2,8/400E...so the 200-500 is way behind the new 5,6/500 (at less in the MTF charts !).

OK i got it wrong (need new glasses for monitor view evidently), misaligned the text, i see it now thanks

[chambeshi]

see this short field report, which would appear to confirm what we hypothesize about IQ from the MTF comparisons above:

"I didn’t expect this baby lens to be capable of the same image quality as the F4E, but it is! The D850’s 46 megapixels place a huge demand on any lens, and the 500mm F5.6E PF really delivers. Bokeh looks great, I couldn’t persuade it to flare while shooting against backlighting and I didn't notice any issues with chromatic aberrations.

All-in-all, I couldn’t find any drawbacks compared to the F4E when it comes to image quality."

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/3889977670/shooting-with-nikon-s-new-500mm-f5p6-pf-in-kamchatka

[Roland Vink]

It's worth noting that the MTF graphs are for the lens at full aperture. That the 500/4 FL is better than the 500/5.6 PF (except for the outer 4mm) is remarkable given it is a stop faster. At f/5.6 I imagine the MTF is even better. The 500/5.6 PF is amazingly good, but then, I wouldn't expect any less for a long telephoto prime which is wide open at f/5.6...

[chambeshi]

Here is the link to Lenstip's review of the 500 f5.6E PF "...resolution test of the Nikkor AF-S 500 mm f/4E PF ED VR was based on RAW files from the Nikon D3x...tested Nikkor got as high as almost 43 lpmm so it should be praised. It is as close to perfection as it was possible."

https://www.lenstip.com/index.php?test=obiektywu&test_ob=540

[MFloyd]

I made now about 3'500 pictures with this lens. One of my best acquisitions ever.


Monza 2019
Nikon D5
Nikkor 500.0 mm f/5.6E PF
ƒ/6.3  500.0 mm 1/125s  ISO 100


24h du Mans 2019
Nikon D5
Nikkor 500.0 mm f/5.6E PF
ƒ/8.0  500.0 mm 1/160s  ISO 180


_8505146.jpg
Jura Suisse (already published)
Nikon D850
Nikkor 500.0 mm f/5.6E PF
ƒ/8.0  500.0 mm 1/500s  ISO 200

And one of the 3 pictures, out of 3'500, showing a phenomenon which might be attributable to the Fresnel lens type of construction:

powerful LED lights shining directly in the lens.

[atpaula]

Nice images.
You're making me reconsider the decision of not purchasing this lens.

[Roland Vink]

I'm assuming the colored flare and concentric rings around the headlights in the last image are the result of the PF lens. They don't greatly detract from the picture, and even add some character. The 500/5.6PF is obviously an outstanding performer, and selling very well for Nikon - it has been on the market for less than a year and has already outsold most previous 500/4 models which were on the market for many years.

[MFloyd]

Nice images.
You're making me reconsider the decision of not purchasing this lens.

Thank you  The only remark I have, is that in some situations, having an extra stop might be an advantage by gaining more light, or reducing the depth of field.

I'm assuming the colored flare and concentric rings around the headlights in the last image are the result of the PF lens. They don't greatly detract from the picture, and even add some character. ...

Yes, that was the reason for this 4th picture; but this happens only in extreme conditions; and it might give a nice outcome. Thank you, Roland, for your visit.

[Bill De Jager]

The 500/5.6PF is obviously an outstanding performer, and selling very well for Nikon - it has been on the market for less than a year and has already outsold most previous 500/4 models which were on the market for many years.

Performance is certainly part of that but so is price.  If you're willing to give up a stop and accept the backlit performance it's an absolute bargain compared to the f/4 lens.