Pack light. Go big.

When photographing birds, wildlife, sports or action, mobility can make the difference between nailing the shot or missing it altogether. The AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is a fraction of the size of most full-frame 500mm lenses, freeing you to be as nimble as your subjects.

Super-telephoto reimagined

Versatile and durable

Key Features

Use with Your Nikon DSLR or Mirrorless CameraThe AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is also compatible with the new Nikon Z mirrorless camera bodies. To attach it, all you need is the Mount Adapter FTZ and you’re good to go with no loss of image quality. Auto Exposure (AE), autofocus (AF), and in-body VR (Vibration Reduction image stabilization) seamlessly work.Learn more about the Mount Adapter FTZ
Ready for the fieldThe AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is extensively weather-sealed and includes a protective front meniscus with Nikon’s Fluorine Coating (FLC), which repels water droplets, dust and grime and easily wipes clean.
More reach when you need itWhen shooting with a DX format DSLR or a full-frame DSLR in DX-Crop Mode, the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR produces a whopping 750mm equivalent angle of view. Add the optional AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III for 1.4x more reach with only 1-stop loss of light and maintain autofocus.
Consistent, even exposuresNikon’s Electromagnetic diaphragm (E) mechanism produces extremely consistent exposures, especially during high-speed shooting...shot after shot after shot.
Near-silent AF with seamless manual overrideThe Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) powers extremely fast, accurate and quiet autofocus. When manual adjustments are needed, just spin the smooth focus ring.
Stable continuous shootingWhen shooting sports or action, select SPORTS MODE VR for a specialized type of image stabilization that produces a more stable viewfinder image during high-speed continuous shooting and panning.
Internal FocusingAll focusing movements occur within the lens barrel, so the physical length of the lens never changes. You can also focus as close as 9.8 feet with a 0.18x reproduction ratio from your subject to reveal the finest details.
Focus recallWhen you can predict where action might occur—say, a basketball hoop, or the corner of the racetrack—save the focus position and then quickly recall it with the press of a button on the lens.

Technology

  • PF_Large.png

    Phase Fresnel

    Phase Fresnel (PF) lens elements effectively compensate for chromatic aberration and ghosting when combined with ordinary glass lens elements. The PF lens element is based upon the Phase Fresnel lens, which appears to have a series of concentric circles engraved onto it. Utilizing a Phase Fresnel lens element allows Nikon engineers to use fewer lens elements, resulting in a more compact and lightweight lens. Due to the characteristics of a PF (Phase Fresnel) lens that utilizes the photo diffraction phenomenon, when there is a strong light source within the frame or when light enters the lens from outside of the frame, ring-shaped colored flare may occur according to shooting conditions. This phenomenon can be minimized with “PF Flare Control” to be included in Capture NX-D (ver.1.1.0 or later). For more information, see software Help/manual. Capture NX-D is available from the Nikon website. Be sure to keep your software up to date.

  • ED_Large.png

    ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Glass

    An optical glass developed by Nikon that is used with normal optical glass in telephoto lenses to obtain optimum correction of chromatic aberrations.

  • N_Large.jpg

    Nano Crystal Coat

    An anti-reflective coating developed by Nikon that virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths. Nano Crystal Coat uses ultrafine, nano-sized* crystal particles to eliminate reflections inside the lens throughout the spectrum of visible light waves (380 to 780 nm) in ways that far exceed the limits of conventional antireflection coating systems. Nano Crystal Coat not only solves ghost effects caused by red light, which was incredibly difficult for previous systems. It also effectively reduces ghost and flare effects caused by light entering the lens diagonally. The result: clearer images.

  • E_Large.png

    Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism

    An electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel provides highly accurate electronic diaphragm or aperture blade control when using auto exposure during continuous shooting. With conventional D/G type lenses, the diaphragm blades are operated by mechanical linkage levers.

  • VR_Large.png

    Vibration Reduction

    A Nikon in-lens technology that improves image stability by automatically compensating for camera shake. Lenses that offer VR will feature the abbreviation VR on the lens barrel.

  • FLC_Large.jpg

    Fluorine Coat

    Photographers need gear that can withstand the elements. Nikon’s fluorine coat effectively repels dust, water droplets, grease or dirt, ensuring easy removal even when they adhere to the lens surface. Nikon’s fluorine coat endures a high frequency of lens surface wiping and its anti-reflective effect also contributes to the capture of clear images.

  • IF_Large.png

    IF Lens

    A NIKKOR lens in which only the internal lens group shifts during focusing. Thus, IF NIKKORS do not change in size during AF operation, allowing for compact, lightweight lenses capable of closer focusing distances. These lenses will be designated with the abbreviation IF on the lens barrel.

  • SWM_Large.png

    Silent Wave Motor

    AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM). This technology converts “traveling waves” into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables high-speed autofocusing that's extremely accurate and super quiet.

  • MA_Large.png

    M/A

    Select NIKKOR lenses have a focusing mode which allows switching from automatic to manual focusing with virtually no lag time by simply turning the focusing ring on the lens. This makes it possible to seamlessly switch to fine manual focusing while looking through the viewfinder.

  • AM_Large.png

    A/M

    A/M stands for Auto-Priority Manual Mode. This mode also enables an easy transition from autofocus to manual during AF operation. However, mode switch sensitivity has been altered to reduce the possibility of sudden unintentional switching to manual focus while shooting.

  • SIC_Large.png

    Super Integrated Coating

    Nikon Super Integrated Coating is Nikon's term for its multilayer coating of the optical elements in NIKKOR lenses.

*Based on CIPA Standard. This value is achieved when: FX-format compatible lenses are attached to an FX-format digital SLR camera.

The lens incorporates an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism. The following cameras are compatible with this lens:

D5, D4 series, D3 series, Df, D850, D810, D810A, D800 series, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300 series, D7500, D7200, D7100, D7000, D5600, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3400, D3300, D3200, D3100, Nikon 1 J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 with FT-1, Nikon 1 V1, V2, V3 with FT-1, Nikon 1 S1, S2 with FT-1

LCD, Video and Photo Gallery images are for illustrative purposes only

Tech Specs

  • Focal Length

    500mm
  • Maximum Aperture

    Maximum Aperture

    f/5.6
  • Format

    FX/35mm
  • VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization

    VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization

    Yes
  • Nano Crystal Coat

    Yes
  • AF-S (Silent Wave Motor)

    AF-S (Silent Wave Motor)

    Yes
  • Approx. Dimensions (Diameter x Length)

    Approx. Dimensions (Diameter x Length)

    4.2 in.106 mmx9.3 in.237 mm
  • Approx. Weight

    Approx. Weight

    51.2 oz.1460 g
  • Mount Type
    Nikon F-Bayonet
  • Focal Length
    500mm
  • Maximum Aperture
    f/5.6
  • Minimum Aperture
    f/32
  • Format
    FX/35mm
  • Maximum Angle of View (DX-format)
    3°10'
  • Maximum Angle of View (FX-format)
    5°00'
  • Maximum Reproduction Ratio
    0.18xx
  • Lens Constructions Elements
    19
  • Lens Construction Groups
    11
  • Compatible Format(s)
    FX, DX
  • VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization
    Yes
  • Diaphragm Blades
    9
  • Distance Information
    Yes
  • Nano Crystal Coat
    Yes
  • ED Glass Elements
    3
  • Fluorine Coat
    Yes
  • Super Integrated Coating
    Yes
  • Autofocus
    Yes
  • AF-S (Silent Wave Motor)
    Yes
  • Internal Focusing
    Yes
  • Minimum Focus Distance
    9.8 ft. (3.0 m) from focal plane
  • Focus Mode
    Auto, Manual, Manual/Auto
  • E-type
    Yes
  • Filter Size
    95mm
  • Accepts Filter Type
    Screw-on
  • Compatible with Nikon AF-S Teleconverters
    Yes
  • Approx. Dimensions (Diameter x Length)
    4.2 in.106 mmx9.3 in.237 mm
  • Approx. Weight
    51.2 oz.1460 g
  • Lens Type
    Prime

Product Forum

Support

Product Registration

Registering your Nikon product allows us to send you (with your permission) important updates, service information and helpful hints, and it makes it easier should you ever need to call in for help.

Register your product online now.

Nikon Answers Site

We store all resolved problems in our solution database. If you can’t find a relevant answer, feel free to submit a question to our technical support team.

View Questions & Answers

Resources