500mm f5.6 pf

bandit993

Senior Member
Looks like there are none of the 500mm F5.6 pf lenses in Canada yet. Has anyone in Canada got one yet? They seem to be not available in the USA either... Just wondering what's going on...
 

PhilM_TX

Senior Member
I've had one order since early November. 1st estimate was 4 weeks, then 5, then 6,.... still waiting. :-/

EDIT: Just checked & I actually ordered mine on 10/16/18. Tic-tok.....
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Some one on a bird watching forum claims he got his on the 6th of Nov, keeps saying he hasnt had time to use it, believe what you want with that.:confused:
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
The 500mm f5.6 pf is on fire in terms of demand/sales. In Canada, you will be lucky to see one if you order it today, by APRIL! When you do get yours, do you mind just posting you got it, I am curious how long it is taking.

I have gotten a very, very small amount of time on one and it is an unbelievable lens. Light, reasonably fast (I can't completely verify this as I haven't had a chance to actually test it in the field), and takes an amazing image. Again, take that with a caveat, using it in a fixed location not of my choosing is not really testing it.... but I was blown away with the small test.

If it wasn't $5K, I would already have one. I need to test it properly first and check the images before I will plop that money down. If there is any consolation, DP Review raves over the lens.

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

I am not surprised. I have tested the 300mm pf lens and it is stellar! Again, the key feature being extremely light weight and amazingly sharp. I used it covering a Blondie concert and by contract, I can't post it anywhere other than the publication I published it in. If you want to see it, you have to go to FACEBOOK and download the magazine. It is a free download.

You can find it in the PINNED POST here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1327466460679207/

pg 45, full page image

If I needed a 300mm, this would be my first choice. I am sure the 500mm will perform equally as good or better.
 

PhilM_TX

Senior Member
Not what I was hoping to hear, but I was advised today that it will probably be early February before I receive mine.

At least I have a replacement foot & LeansCoat for it. :-/

Regarding the 300 PF, I agree. It is a really nice piece piece of glass. If the 500 is as good (or better?), I'll be happy - if I live to see it arrive.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
A quick update for those of you interested in the capabilities of the Nikon Nikkor 500mm PF.

I got my hands on one for a race and I subsequently did a review on the lens. You can download the review on my Facebook page, just follow the link. There are quite a few images in the review I think you will enjoy. The lens performs well!

Look for the PINNED post at the top of the page, open the PINNED POSTS.... there are currently 3 files you can download, just look for the review. Feel free to download the other pdfs as well.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1327466460679207/announcements/
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
I heard somewhere there is a big issue with cutting and QC on the fresnel glass. Not surprised! I have one on order, I just heard from the store they now want a deposit after keeping me waiting all summer long. This is AFTER the closed down one or more of their stores. Not sure how I will proceed, but you are NOT alone in the long wait. This seems to be the norm everywhere.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
In the words of Chief O'Hara, "Saints be praised!!", I got a call late yesterday that my dealer got 2 in and I'm the lucky recipient of one of them. Shipping today for delivery tomorrow, so hopefully I'll find some time this weekend to get out and give it a proper testing. Was hoping to get this before our trip to FL in a month but I'd given up hope, so it was a great end of the day surprise. Will post a full review when I can.

When I told a friend she mentioned that a big dealer in FL was seeing "3 or 4 a week" now with about 40 on their wait list, so they may finally have the kinks out of the manufacturing process?
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
In the words of Chief O'Hara, "Saints be praised!!", I got a call late yesterday that my dealer got 2 in and I'm the lucky recipient of one of them. Shipping today for delivery tomorrow, so hopefully I'll find some time this weekend to get out and give it a proper testing. Was hoping to get this before our trip to FL in a month but I'd given up hope, so it was a great end of the day surprise. Will post a full review when I can.

When I told a friend she mentioned that a big dealer in FL was seeing "3 or 4 a week" now with about 40 on their wait list, so they may finally have the kinks out of the manufacturing process?

As one door closes another opens :D

https://nikonrumors.com/2019/10/31/...oct-lens-pre-orders-temporary-suspended.aspx/
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
In the words of Chief O'Hara, "Saints be praised!!", I got a call late yesterday that my dealer got 2 in and I'm the lucky recipient of one of them. Shipping today for delivery tomorrow, so hopefully I'll find some time this weekend to get out and give it a proper testing. Was hoping to get this before our trip to FL in a month but I'd given up hope, so it was a great end of the day surprise. Will post a full review when I can.

When I told a friend she mentioned that a big dealer in FL was seeing "3 or 4 a week" now with about 40 on their wait list, so they may finally have the kinks out of the manufacturing process?

Oh my gosh! FINALLY!!! It's been a very long wait for you and others. I can't wait to hear your impressions, Jake - and of course to see your images. ;)
 

Danno

Senior Member
In the words of Chief O'Hara, "Saints be praised!!", I got a call late yesterday that my dealer got 2 in and I'm the lucky recipient of one of them. Shipping today for delivery tomorrow, so hopefully I'll find some time this weekend to get out and give it a proper testing. Was hoping to get this before our trip to FL in a month but I'd given up hope, so it was a great end of the day surprise. Will post a full review when I can.

When I told a friend she mentioned that a big dealer in FL was seeing "3 or 4 a week" now with about 40 on their wait list, so they may finally have the kinks out of the manufacturing process?

I am glad you got the lens. I preordered an 85 1.8 lens for my Z6 on August 5 out of New York and Mid October I still could not get any feedback as to when it might be in. I contacted a local brick and mortar camera shop and they had one in about 5 days. I had really underestimated them. It changed my whole attitude. I am going to start with them first from now on.

I hope that 500mm f5.6 works out. I understand it is noticably lighter than the 200-500 f5.6 lens. I will be anxious to see what you think of it Jake.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Got it about an hour ago. Light? 5lb 4oz mounted to the D500. That's the weight of just the 200-500mm by itself. It's no sweat to handhold. I'll start shooting with it this afternoon and start doing some "testing" over the weekend and put a post together.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Got it about an hour ago. Light? 5lb 4oz mounted to the D500. That's the weight of just the 200-500mm by itself. It's no sweat to handhold. I'll start shooting with it this afternoon and start doing some "testing" over the weekend and put a post together.

Sounds like a beast of a lens, Jake! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts - and if possible, would you please consider doing a comparison between this lens and the 300PF with a 1.4x teleconverter? I realize there is a difference in focal length (500mm f/5.6 vs. 420mm f/5.6), but it would still be interesting to hear if you ever decide to compare them.

Oh - and a comparison between your Sigma Sport and the Nikon 500mm would be an interesting comparison if you ever do it.

Have fun!
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Will do some more shooting and "testing" today, but I figured I'd share this one. It's from the row of trees at the intersection of our and our neighbor's properties. These berries are about 60 feet out and another 30-40 feet up. With the 500mm I managed to salvage a 2000px crop on the long side of this image, meaning there's no way I could have gotten this with just the 300mm.

J55_8014-Edit-copy.jpg


Lens is incredibly sharp and easy to hand hold. Tried some shots with the 1.4x on and it will focus though it seemed to miss more on birds in flight than on stationary objects, but I may need to shoot at 1/2000s or better given I have an effective focal length of 1050mm with that on, so it may be a combination of focus and movement.
 
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BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Hmmm, for me the photo in the above post isn't displaying inline. Is that true for the rest of you?

I'll try again. Here's another from yesterday, "Contentious Waxwings".

J55_8294-Edit-copy.jpg
 
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BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I could not get the first to open and the second did not appear as a link, though it did show your exposure comp number when I placed the mouse over it.

So odd. It will display for me inline in the editor, but when I select Preview Post it shows as it does here with just the filename, regardless of what I choose (thumbnail, medium, large, full size). What's also odd is that when I go to upload the image the Select window only shows the JPEG graphic in the preview pane instead of the image, so maybe there's some compatibility issue? I used to upload here all the time, but now I'm not sure what the deal is.
 
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