Nikon NIKKOR 20082 500mm
A Phase Fresnel element and magnesium alloy build shrink this 500mm prime to just 3.2 lbs, enabling handheld shooting with 4-stop Vibration Reduction. Its Nano Crystal Coat and three ED elements deliver high contrast and sharpness across the frame, even wide open at f/5.6. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a lightweight, full-frame super-telephoto for extended field use.
Обзор
The 30-Second Version
The Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF is a super telephoto prime that's shockingly light and sharp, making it a top pick for handheld wildlife photography. Autofocus can stumble in dim light, but the optical quality and VR performance are outstanding. If you need 500mm of reach without the back pain, this is the lens to beat.
Pros & Cons
Плюсы
- Incredibly lightweight and compact for a 500mm prime 98th
- Excellent sharpness even wide open at f/5.6 93rd
- Effective VR makes handheld shooting very practical 90th
- Fast, accurate autofocus in good light
- Well-balanced on bodies like the D500 and D850
Минусы
- AF can hunt in low light or with small subjects
- f/5.6 aperture limits low-light flexibility
- Button lettering tends to wear off over time
- Bokeh can get swirly in certain backlit scenes
- Pricey for hobbyists who don't shoot wildlife regularly
Мнение владельцев
The Word on the Street
Как менялось мнение владельцев со временем
ЭксклюзивНа основе того, когда покупатели действительно писали отзывы, - чтобы увидеть, оправдались ли первые похвалы.
- Q2 202693/100
Overwhelmingly positive: buyers praise the lens as exceptional for birding, citing sharpness and portability. One brief complaint exists.
- Lens is sharp, portable, and ideal for birding/nature photography.
- One buyer's first shot with the lens was a failure (0 stars).
- 93% of all reviewers give the lens 5 stars.
- Lens holds up well over extensive use.
- Q4 202494/100
Buyers in this period praise the lens for its light weight, sharpness, fast focus, and good VR; minor drawbacks include swirly bokeh in strong sunlight and button lettering wear.
- Lightweight design praised for portability and ease of use on long outings.
- Optical quality is sharp with fast, accurate autofocus.
- Bokeh generally good but can produce swirly backgrounds when pointed toward sun.
- Side button lettering can rub off over years of use.
- Q3 202283/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, fast focus with Z9, and perfect tripod pairing; one warned against using tripod mount as Arca Swiss.
- Lens is very sharp and quick to focus on Z9
- 500mm prime and Fotopro tripod perfect match for D850
- Tripod mount not suitable as Arca Swiss mount; use proper plate
- Q2 2022100/100
Buyers love this lens for its lightweight design, sharpness, and compatibility with teleconverters and Z cameras. It opens new opportunities for wildlife photography.
- Exceptional sharpness, especially for bird feathers
- Lightweight and portable compared to other telephotos
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Works well with 1.4 teleconverter and Z cameras
- Q1 202293/100
Buyers love the lens's compact size, light weight, sharpness, and fast autofocus, especially for bird photography. Some delivery issues were noted.
- Compact and lightweight 500mm lens fits in standard camera bag.
- Excellent sharpness and instant autofocus for bird photography.
- Works well for older users, enabling handheld bird-in-flight shots.
- Expedited delivery delayed, took 6 days instead of 1-3.
- Q4 2021100/100
All five-star reviews praise the lens as very sharp, light, and fast to autofocus, especially compared to Sigma alternatives.
- Sharpness is outstanding, even cropped near 100%.
- Lightweight and easy to hand hold for extended hiking.
- Autofocus speed much faster than Sigma 150-600mm.
- Great balance of price and performance for wildlife.
- Q3 2021100/100
All five-star reviews praise the lens as sharp, lightweight, and perfect for bird/wildlife photography, especially on the D500 and Z7ii.
- Sharp, fast autofocus, and image clarity praised by all reviewers.
- Lightweight compared to Nikon 200-500mm f/4, easier to carry and maneuver.
- Ideal for bird photography on D500 and compatible with Z7ii.
- One reviewer notes needing a steady hand or tripod; no complaints about reliability.
- Q2 202182/100
Users praised the lens for its lightweight design, sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent VR, though some noted missing zoom and a loose tripod collar.
- Lightweight and portable; easy to handhold for extended periods.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often better than the 200-500mm.
- Fast, accurate autofocus with good tracking for wildlife and birds.
- Tripod collar base may loosen; no zoom and shorter minimum focus distance noted.
- Q1 202198/100
Buyers praised the lens for its light weight, sharpness, and fast autofocus. Some noted trade-offs like lack of zoom, cost, and occasionally unpleasing bokeh.
- Lightweight and portable, easy to handle compared to heavier alternatives.
- Sharp image quality, surpassing previous lenses like the 80-400mm or 200-500mm.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, great for wildlife and birds in flight.
- Lack of zoom ability and sometimes unpleasing bokeh due to fresnel element.
- Q4 2020100/100
Buyers consistently praise the 500mm f/5.6 PF as exceptionally sharp, lightweight, and compact, ideal for handheld wildlife photography. Many upgraded from a heavier 200-500mm zoom.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, even wide open.
- Lightweight and compact design enables comfortable handheld use.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, with good tracking for moving subjects.
- Excellent lens with minor drawbacks: low-light performance drops and backlit subjects show flare.
- Q3 202089/100
Buyers rave about the lens's light weight, sharpness, and excellent VR, making it ideal for handheld wildlife photography. Some note autofocus struggles in low light and bokeh issues.
- Lens is lightweight and easy to handhold for long periods.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, even wide open.
- Autofocus is fast in good light but deteriorates in low light conditions.
- Bokeh can be busy in complex backgrounds due to PF design.
- Q2 2020100/100
Buyers praise this lens for its sharpness, light weight, and hand-holdability, enabling bird photography even at age 80+ and with Z6/FTZ adapter. Low-light noise noted but manageable.
- Sharp image quality, often compared favorably to faster lenses like F4s.
- Lightweight and compact; great for handheld use and older photographers.
- Compatible with Z6/FTZ adapter and TC-14 III teleconverter.
- Low-light performance has noise; requires post-processing.
- Q1 202053/100
Most buyers love the image quality and lightweight design, but some report severe vibration reduction issues at certain shutter speeds.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and clarity praised.
- Lightweight design enables handheld use without tripod.
- Vibration reduction fails at shutter speeds up to 1/1500, occurs 1/3 of time.
- Long wait times (up to 10 months) but lens ultimately satisfying.
- Q4 201998/100
Buyers praise the lens for its light weight, sharpness, and value, noting it's ideal for wildlife and handheld use despite some low-light limitations.
- Lightweight and portable, ideal for long walks and handheld use.
- Excellent sharpness and image quality, comparable to higher-end lenses.
- Good value but limited in low light, requiring high ISO.
- Narrow field of view makes tracking moving subjects difficult.
На основе 108 датированных отзывов покупателей, сгруппированных по календарным кварталам. Анализ по периодам - на английском языке.
Факты
Performance
Out in the field, the autofocus is generally snappy and accurate thanks to Nikon's Silent Wave Motor. It tracks birds in flight well and locks onto larger subjects almost instantly. That said, the AF performance sits around the 53rd percentile in our database, which reflects a real-world quirk: it can hunt a bit in low light or when trying to grab focus on very small, low-contrast subjects against a busy background. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's something to be aware of if you shoot a lot at dawn or dusk.
Sharpness is the headliner here. The 500mm PF resolves incredible detail, and you can comfortably shoot wide open at f/5.6 without feeling like you're sacrificing clarity. Bokeh quality is a middle-of-the-pack 56th percentile. It's generally smooth and pleasing, though some users note it can get a little swirly when you're pointed toward bright, dappled light. The Vibration Reduction is a standout, genuinely delivering on its 4-stop claim and letting you pull off sharp shots at surprisingly slow shutter speeds handheld. For a lens this long, that's a huge practical advantage.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 500 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
| Elements | 19 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings, Fluorine coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 kg / 3.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 95 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 3000 |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.55 |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E, the 500mm PF is the clear winner for anyone who prioritizes weight and sharpness. The 200-500mm is a great lens, but it's a chunky beast that can wear you out on long hikes, and it doesn't quite match the prime's pixel-level detail. The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS is a completely different animal, a superzoom for crop-sensor cameras that can't touch the Nikon's reach or optical quality, but it's also far cheaper and more flexible for general use.
If you're shooting Sony, the G Master SEL70200G is a fantastic 70-200mm f/2.8, but it's not in the same super telephoto league. You'd need a teleconverter and a lot of cropping to get near 500mm, and you'd lose light and sharpness in the process. The Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM is a wide-angle zoom, so it's not even a competitor in terms of reach. For Nikon shooters who need 500mm and want to stay mobile, the PF is really in a league of its own among these alternatives.
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR 20082 500mm | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 500mm | 28-75mm | 10-18mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/32 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 | f/4 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 1451 | 540 | 260 | 320 | 495 | 420 |
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor | VXD | Autofocus | linear motor | STM | SSM |
| Lens Type | super-telephoto | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Товар | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Отзывы пользователей | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR 20082 500mm | 54.6 | 7.7 | 19.1 | 29.6 | 90.2 | 4.9 | 22.1 | 33.6 | 98.2 | 92.8 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.7 | 80.4 | 78.2 | 83.2 | 37.9 |
| Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 54.6 | 83.5 | 87.3 | 93.3 | 81.6 | 85.7 | 80.4 | 69.1 | 69 | 37.9 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88 | 83.1 | 50.3 | 90.2 | 85.7 | 44.2 | 93.1 | 63.7 | 83.2 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 86.9 | 25.9 | 70.2 | 80.4 | 85 | 22.6 | 98.1 | 77.1 | 87.9 | 98.5 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.2 | 80.1 | 75.5 | 31.1 | 86.9 | 69.8 | 63.3 | 92.3 | 50.4 | 92.8 |
Цена
Value & Pricing
Pricing on this lens is all over the map depending on where you look, with a spread from about $2,924 all the way up to a frankly absurd $630,742. Obviously, the low end is where you want to be, and if you can snag one around the $3,000 mark, it's a solid investment for a serious wildlife shooter. For the optical quality and portability you're getting, it holds its value well against heavier, more expensive exotic primes. The main alternative in Nikon's own lineup is the 200-500mm f/5.6E zoom, which is cheaper and more versatile but significantly heavier and not as sharp. If you value mobility and don't need the zoom range, the PF is worth the premium.
Мы отслеживаем цены на этот товар с 3 мая 2026 г.. График появится, когда накопится больше данных.
Подробнее
Overview
If you've been hunting for a super telephoto lens that won't require a gym membership to carry around, the Nikon NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED AF-S VR is basically in a class of its own. Nikon's Phase Fresnel (PF) element shrinks the whole package down to about 3.2 lbs and 9.3 inches long, which is wild for a full-frame 500mm prime. For birders and wildlife photographers who spend hours trekking through trails, the weight savings alone makes this lens worth a serious look. It's built for Nikon's F-mount, so it plays nicely with DSLRs like the D500 and D850, and it adapts well to Z-mount mirrorless bodies via the FTZ adapter.
Image quality is where this lens really shines. The optical formula packs 19 elements including three ED glass pieces and a Phase Fresnel element, all treated with Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings to keep flare and ghosting under control. In our database, its optical performance sits in the 90th percentile, which translates to stunning sharpness across the frame, even wide open at f/5.6. The Vibration Reduction system is rated for about 4 stops of compensation, and it lands in the 93rd percentile for stabilization, making handheld shooting at 500mm far more practical than you'd expect.
At its core, this is a specialist's lens. It's not trying to be a versatile zoom or a portrait lens. It's built for reach, and it delivers that in a package that won't leave your shoulder screaming after a long day. The constant f/5.6 aperture is a fair trade-off for the compact size, though it does mean you'll need decent light to keep shutter speeds up for fast-moving wildlife.
Common Questions
Q: Is the Nikon 500mm PF good for bird photography?
Absolutely. Its light weight and sharp optics make it one of the best handheld options for birding, letting you react quickly without a tripod.
Q: Can I use a teleconverter with the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF?
Yes, the TC-1.4x works well, giving you 700mm at f/8. Just make sure your camera body supports autofocus at f/8, like the D500, D850, or Z-series with the FTZ adapter.
Q: How does the Nikon 500mm PF compare to the 200-500mm f/5.6?
The PF is significantly lighter and sharper, but the 200-500mm offers zoom flexibility and costs less. If you always shoot at 500mm and hike a lot, the PF is the better choice.
Q: Is the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF weather sealed?
Yes, it has weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture, which is essential for outdoor wildlife photography in unpredictable conditions.
Who Should Skip This
This lens isn't for everyone. If you're a casual shooter who only occasionally needs long reach, the cost and fixed focal length will feel limiting. Landscape photographers who want flexibility will be better served by a high-quality zoom. And if you do a lot of low-light shooting at dawn or dusk, the f/5.6 aperture combined with the occasional AF hunting might frustrate you. In those cases, a used 500mm f/4 or the more versatile 200-500mm f/5.6 could be a better fit, even with the weight penalty.
Verdict
If you're a wildlife or bird photographer who values mobility above all else, this lens is an easy recommendation. The combination of reach, sharpness, and handholdable weight is something no other 500mm option on the F-mount can match. It's a joy to shoot with for hours on end, and the image quality is good enough to satisfy pixel-peepers on high-res bodies like the D850.
That said, it's not perfect. The autofocus quirks in challenging light mean you'll miss a few shots if you're pushing the limits at sunrise or sunset. And if you're not regularly shooting subjects that need 500mm of reach, the price tag is a lot to swallow for occasional use. But for the right photographer, this lens is a game-changer, just not the buzzword kind. It's the kind that actually makes you want to go out and shoot more.
