Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR

Nikon F (DX/FX)

Review

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR is a prime telephoto lens that is particularly renowned among wildlife and sports photographers. It boasts a fast f/4 maximum aperture, which allows for excellent light-gathering capabilities and the ability to create beautiful background blur, making it a fantastic option for isolating subjects in a busy environment.

Build Quality and Design

This lens is built like a tank, featuring a robust magnesium alloy body that is both lightweight and durable, which is a significant advantage for photographers who spend hours in the field. The lens also has a weather-sealed design, providing protection against dust and moisture, which is an excellent feature for outdoor and wildlife photography. The integrated Vibration Reduction (VR) technology is another standout, reducing camera shake and allowing for sharper images even at slower shutter speeds.

Optical Performance

When it comes to image quality, the AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR delivers stunning sharpness and clarity, even wide open at f/4. Chromatic aberrations and flare are well controlled, thanks to Nikon's ED glass elements and a Super Integrated Coating. Bokeh is smooth and creamy, contributing to aesthetic visuals in portraits and wildlife images. The lens also performs admirably when stopped down, providing remarkable detail and contrast across the entire frame.

Autofocus System

The autofocus on this lens is fast, accurate, and nearly silent, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects. The multi-focus system ensures that tracking an action-filled scene is seamless, which is vital for sports and wildlife photographers. However, it’s worth noting that while the lens is geared towards high-end performance, occasional hunting in low light situations can occur, which may require manual adjustments for consistency.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent build quality with weather-sealing
• Outstanding optical performance with minimized aberrations
• Fast and accurate autofocus system
• Impressive low-light capabilities due to f/4 aperture
• Effective stabilization with VR technology

Cons

• The lens is quite expensive, which may deter hobbyists
• It can be cumbersome to handle without proper support, such as a tripod
• The weight might be unmanageable for some users over long shooting sessions

Verdict

Overall, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR is a fantastic lens that is primarily aimed at serious photographers who demand high-quality performance in their photography. While its price point may seem steep, the resulting image quality, build, and versatility are hard to beat for capturing distant subjects with precision and detail. If you are a professional or an enthusiast willing to invest in a premium telephoto lens for your Nikon F (DX) mount, this lens is definitely worth considering.