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

Optically this lens is great, as you would expect for Nikon. But it's a hand hold lens only! Do not trust the security of the tripod foot or remote shoot with this lens on a tripod unless you have a tether attached to your kit. Even when the foot is fully tightened it gives way. Other issues are flimsy plastic hood and fixings considering this lenses price. I've used 3 of these lenses now and all fog internally in wet weather conditions, something to be mindful of, or buy an over cover.
Personally if you have a three grand budget, consider picking up a good secondhand f4 VR 500mm prime, or a 300mm f2.8, VR II for the same or similar money to this 5.6. Yes, they are heavier lenses, but perform much better than this 500mm f5.6. All the strength in this lens has been milled out to save weight which has compromised it in my view as an all out pro lens. Light weight is this lenses main selling point. Mirrorless shooters will like this lens or those not wanting to carry a heavy lens will. I'm not saying don't buy it, just do your homework first, this isn't a heavy duty wildlife lens.

First glance at this lens, it looks an impressive package. That’s where it ends sadly. Optically its decent, you’d expect nothing less from Nikon, the VR and memory recall are what you’d expect, plus the lens is light. It’s main selling point. I have to say this is the poorest lens I have seen from Nikon in a long time. Why? In the field,
1, The tripod foot comes off too easily even when tightened as tightly as it goes, the release lever is so weak, if you catch it or get any vibration whilst it’s on a mono pod, it’ll give way. Tether your kit if you use the foot, because if not the gears on the floor.
2. The lens hood is thin plastic with weak fixings, I expect better for a lens of this price.
3. The thin filter threads are easy to cross thread and damage.
4. The lens I had wasn’t fully weather sealed either, it fogged internally in light drizzle.
Don’t knock the front lens elements, or you will be replacing the lens or repairing it. Nikon seem to have manufactured out the strength of what we expect from prime lenses. It’s a flimsy setup this really, this isn’t in my view what a prime lens should feel like.
This is an expensive lens at £3500.00. I have used the 200 to 500mm lens Nikon manufacture at the same 5.6 aperture, it’s significantly less expensive but on the same footing optically as this fixed 500mm PF lens. This fixed PF lens is not a serious wildlife lens, its possibly best suited at mirrorless users or those that don’t go out in the field much or shoot garden wildlife from indoors, or simply cannot deal with heavier lenses.
If you’re looking for a prime lens with reach, I wouldn’t recommend this lens, I’d go for a 300 mm 2.8 VR or the prime 500mm f4 VR pro lens, yes these are heavy but will take a knock, are faster apertures and can be sourced around the same price on the second-hand lens market as this PF lens is new. Plus, the optics and results if used right will be on another level.
Or if you’re looking for a 5.6 lens, buy the cheaper 200 to 500mm variant thus get a more flexible lens that’s equally as good optically, has greater closer in focus limit of just over 2m, the PF lens by comparison with fail to focus in under 3 metres away.
I conclude by saying it’s not a lens I recommend. Better cheaper options are available at this aperture, plus the option to find good faster pro lens on the second hand market at the £3500.00 mark are often there for the taking too.

This lens is fantastic, I always loved my 300mm F4 PF and this just takes it to another level, 500mm in a 70-200mm 2.8 body size and weight is just amazing. It now means I can carry it on walks with the dog, always easy to have it with you so that should mean you can capture things you might normally see when out wishing you had your camera with you