The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is a weather-sealed super telephoto prime lens for Nikon F mount, weighing just 1460g thanks to its Phase Fresnel optical element — making it one of the most hand-holdable 500mm full-frame lenses available for Nikon F cameras.
Key Specifications
- Focal length: 500mm prime (fixed)
- Maximum aperture: f/5.6 across the full range
- Lens mount: DSLR-ready Nikon F mount, full-frame coverage
- Optical construction: 11 groups / 19 elements including Phase Fresnel (PF) element
- Image stabilisation: Yes — Nikon VR (Vibration Reduction)
- Autofocus: Silent Wave Motor (SWM) — fast, quiet AF
- Minimum focus distance: 3 metres
- Weight & size: 1460g, 23.7cm long, 106mm diameter, 95mm filter thread
- Weather sealing: Yes — suitable for outdoor use in challenging conditions
- Aperture blades: 9 (rounded)
Who is the Nikon AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR for?
If you shoot birds in flight, wildlife on safari, or athletes on a track, this lens was built with you in mind. At 1460g it's dramatically lighter than traditional 500mm f/4 super telephotos, which means you can hand-hold it for extended sessions without a monopod — a genuine game-changer in the field. The Silent Wave Motor delivers fast, quiet autofocus that won't spook skittish animals, and the built-in VR stabilisation helps you nail sharp shots even when conditions aren't ideal. The 3-metre minimum focus distance also means you're not locked out when a subject gets close. Paired with a Nikon teleconverter, you can stretch the reach further while keeping the F-mount compatibility across your existing Nikon F cameras lineup. It's equally at home on a DX-format body like the Nikon D500, where the crop factor effectively gives you even more reach. If you shoot sports or wildlife and want a portable, capable 500mm prime, this is one of the sharpest tools in the Nikon telephoto arsenal.
Buying a used Nikon 500mm PF
A pre-owned Nikon AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is a smart way to access serious telephoto reach without paying the full new price. These lenses are built to professional standards with full weather sealing, so a well-cared-for second-hand copy is typically in excellent shape. At Camera-tweedehands.nl, every lens is hand-inspected for optical and mechanical condition, individually photographed, and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty — so you can buy with confidence. Check the variant listing for the exact warranty period on your specific copy.
