We are trying to develop a community where photographers can come and discuss nature, wildlife and pet photography related matters. We encourage you to enter the forums to discuss this article as well as to share your photographs and experiences in our forums here at NWP.

The Nature, Wildlife and Pet Photography Forum Presents:
Nikon 500 VR Review by Tony Bynum

Edited by James Morrissey

A First Look at Nikon's AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR: finally long lens VR for the active wildlife photographer!

Okay, let’s cut straight to the chase. There really are three things that everyone wants to know about this new lens: does the VR really work as well as Nikon says, is the focus fast and accurate, and how good is the image quality? Well, in my view, this new powerhouse lens is capable of producing sharp, contrasty images with accurate colors when coupled to the D300. The Auto Focus is accurate, hyper-fast, and tenacious, so fast it may even have left Barbaro standing in the gates at the Preakness has it been available at the time! The highly touted 4 stop VR II simply works; couple that with the ED Glass and new Nano Crystal Coating and this lens is as good as anything in this range Nikon has ever produced! To see what brought me to my conclusions, read on.

These results are from my short field test, the conclusions are not scientific, and did not come from a traditional style, “bench-test.” I did, however, operate the lens, in the house, under controlled conditions just to make sure it was functioning properly out of the box.  After the initial functionality “test,” I replaced the lens foot with an after-market LP-47 Kirk dovetail foot (about $90 – recommended). Next, I attached the carbon fiber hood and classic yellow and black strap and mounted to it a D300. The whole unit then got flung over my shoulder and I headed out the door to see how well this lens operates under real day-to-day shooting conditions.  Unfortunately, I did not find any wild animals so I settled on a few fast moving cars, a train, and some horses. It's the dead of winter in Glacier Park and there are few wild critters within range. Oh yeah, before I forget, be sure to register your new gear with Nikon as soon as you are satisfied with it! 

Lens Supports:

I must mention a few things about supports and my shooting style. I like to hike and be “free.” I chose the 500 VR for it’s relatively lighter weight and smaller size compared to the 600mm. I’m pretty sure that most wildlife photographers will always want more reach, but I had to compromise a bit in order to be able to take the lens into the backcountry; I think the new 600 VR would be too big and likely never be safe on a medium sized tripod. With the Nikon 200-400mm VR, I am able to use the smaller, lighter carbon legs. I’m sure most of you assumed I would use the larger legs and a gimbal head for this test, but I’m not.

I actually slipped the after-market foot of the nearly nine pound 500 VR and the 3 pound D300 (with grip and two batteries) into the receiver of a Foba Super Ballhead that was atop a Manfrotto 055MF3. YES, a little carbon 055! I like to use the smaller lightweight Manfro because it’s much easier for me to haul around the hills and through the trees than a set of larger full size legs. If I’m going cross country, I stick with the 055MF3 because of its small size, strength to weight ratio and the winged locks, they are so quick and easy to adjust that I just can’t get away from them.

The 4 pound 055MF is rated to handle 15 lbs but I will caution you, be careful. 15 pounds is a lot of weight, and if you put too much pressure on the top spider when you have one or more of the legs opened wider than the standard 25 degree position, you can break the lockouts that keep the legs from opening all the way. I know. I’ve done it. Much to my surprise however, the lockouts held strong a long while before one finally gave way. I blame myself for the breakage (after all I was using it as an ice axe and a tripod) - it’s not a defect at all. I just put way too much down pressure on the legs and the lockout broke.

I’ve always tried to get away with more than I was told to try (this is one of the main reasons I sprung for the 500 VR; I envisioned that it would help compliment my active shooting style). As most long lens shooters know, the relationship between lens shutter speed and focal length is an important consideration if you want sharp images. The type of support you use and the techniques you employ also can make a drastic difference in the final image. I do take some care with my technique, but my purpose is to get out and capture those rare moments that only can be found if you’re out chasing down the action. With large, bulky legs and head, often you can’t even get to the action.

It looks now that with the 500mm VR, I can get away with less of a solid a platform. Is this ideal, probably not, but on the other hand, it’s safe, and the whole point of VR technology is to counter act lens movement thereby increasing the likelihood of bringing home more “keepers,” right? Sure there are limits, I’m not shooting this lens hand held from atop a box of rocks on a moving rail car, but as I had hoped, the VR would let me get away with more, or less in this case, than I could with the non-VR 500mm f4. I’ve heard some argue that the VR in the long tele’s is a waste of time and money because “proper lens support and techniques,” really is the solution. Well, okay, that works fine from a hide, or on the boardwalks in Ding Darling. My goal is have a good time while photographing wildlife; If VR lets me do that, and stray from conventional huge, clunky supports, I’ll do it all day long!

Switches and Buttons:

When finally I got behind the “wheel” of the 500 VR, I liked the feel and its simple operation. Nikon lenses, to me feel sturdy, solid and silky smooth. This lens, like it’s predecessor, the 500mm f4 AF-S II, is built to work hard, last long, and look great all at the same time. One of the first obvious difference between this lens and the previous long lenses is the addition of the VR On/Off ring control. The switch makes it easy to disable the VR. I imagine that this should help prevent the VR from getting accidentally switched on or off, which on most other Nikon lenses equipped with VR is a constant issue. The new “ring” has a “lockout” button that must be pressed to change the setting from 'on' to 'off.' This is a great new feature that should prove invaluable.

On the barrel, the VR Mode can be toggled between “Normal and Tripod.” Nikon improved this function as well changing it from the old style "Normal and Active." Nikon recommends you switch to "Tripod" mode when the lens is locked-down and it recommends the "normal" mode when the lens is “loose,” or on a monopod.

The Manual/Auto switch also has a new function. Unlike on the 200-400 VR and the 70-200 VR which has a two position switch, the 500 VR has three positions: Auto/Manual (A/M), Manual/Auto (M/A), and straight Manual (M). Both A/M and M/A allow auto focus with manual override. The difference is that the new A/M position reduces the sensitivity of the manual focus ring. For example, if you just tweak the ring slightly, while keeping auto focus engaged, the AF will still reengage. In M/A mode, as soon as you rotate the focus ring, the auto focus is deactivated. The focus operation buttons located on the barrel are in a better, more useful place than they are on the 200-400 VR. The other switches (Focus limiter, custom button function – AF-L, AF-ON, and sound monitor) are the same as on the 200-400VR. The manual focus ring is smooth and accurate and functions well enough to use the lens manually.

Accessories:

This lens ships with the classic metal lens trunk case, straps for both the case and the lens, lens hood and cover, a simple, easy to read manual, and interchangeable monopod foot.

Conclusion:

My brief field tests prove for me that this is “the lens” that serious Nikon tele-shooters have been talking about, demanding, and waiting for, ever since VR first was made available! Thanks Nikon, this year, I’ll be bringing home more keepers than ever.

About the Author:

Tony Bynum is a part-time scientist and a freelance wildlife, nature and portrait photographer who makes is home in East Glacier Park, MT. His images can often be seen in Montana Magazine, Montana Outdoors, Fair Chase – a broadly circulated periodical of the Boone and Crockett Club – calendars, and a host of web and local publications. He can be reached at tony@tonybynum.com.

If you find that this article is interesting and would like to share it with others, please place a link to NWP from your website or blog.

If you have a story about your photographic journeys or want to write about a product you are using and would like to share please contact us.