Nikon Af-s Nikkor 200-500mm F/56e Ed Vr Lens Review

Our Verdict

A far-reaching super telezoom, the Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR gives quality results at a reasonable cost, but isn't lite in the hand

For

• Outstanding zoom range
• Keen Vibration Reduction

Confronting

• Quite big and heavy
• Zoom ring takes a while to swivel

Space Verdict

A far-reaching super telezoom, the Nikkor AF-South 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR gives quality results at a reasonable toll, simply isn't light in the paw

Pros

• +

  Outstanding zoom range

• +

  Great Vibration Reduction

• +

Cons

• -

  Quite big and heavy

• -

  Zoom band takes a while to swivel

• -

The Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is the longest telephoto zoom lens that Nikon sells in its F-mountain range, and is the mother of all Nikkor telezooms. Ideal for aviation, sports, and wild animals photography with the Nikon cameras in our list of the all-time cameras for astrophotography (opens in new tab), this lens makes brusk piece of work of small subjects that are far away, and with the added ability to zoom in and out, it means recomposing shots is a doddle.

Information technology has a constant f/five.six aperture instead of a variable aperture range which is quite mutual amongst telezooms. Yet despite this, information technology comes in at an incredible price point,.

Essential info:

Type: Telezoom FX

Compatibility: Nikon F-mount

Focal range: 200-500mm

Aperture range: f/5.vi constant

Thread size: 95mm

Weight: 5 lbs (inc. tripod collar)

Designed every bit a full-frame FX lens, the Nikkor AF-South 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR besides works with crop-sensor DX photographic camera bodies (such as the D7500) where the magnification ratio amplifies the effective focal length range to 300-750mm - platonic for bird photographers.

In its construction, it has 19 elements in 12 groups (including three ED glass elements), has a minimum focusing distance of 7.22/ii.2 m ft from the focal plane (the focal plane tin be found as a circle with a line through it somewhere on your Nikon camera trunk), and feels incredibly sturdy with its metal/plastic/rubber body.

Four switches on the side of the lens allow for manual and autofocus switching, restrictive autofocus distance, on/off for Vibration Reduction, and a normal/sport mode for the VR. In that location's an additional switch (LOCK 200) that locks the lens to its shortest position (when the lens is zoomed to 200mm) to make it shorter during transportation and end unwanted extension. It'due south a monster of a lens, and ideal if y'all're taking photos of the moon. It'southward easily one of the best zoom lenses, if you're the proud possessor of a Nikon DSLR trunk.

Nikkor AF-Due south 200-500mm f/v.6E ED VR: Design

• Smooth zoom ring
• Not bad VR operation
• Zoom lock switch

If in that location'south one thing this lens is, it'southward heavy. Sure, information technology's nothing compared to the long telephoto prime lenses that are every bit thick as your thigh, but 5 lbs is nada to exist trifled with. If shooting handheld, you'll need to get-go hit the gym equally the Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/five.6E ED VR lens is nearly x.6 inches (27 cm) long. That said, most shooters volition likely use a monopod, gimbal, or tripod as a base of support because information technology lends itself perfectly to sports, wildlife, and aviation photography, where staying still with a big slice of glass is the accustomed norm.

(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Fifty-fifty though the Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/five.6E ED VR lens is rather hefty, the zoom ring is surprisingly smooth and light. A slight twist with a finger or thumb is all it takes to whirr it around. Compare that to the older Nikkor AF-Due south seventy-200mm f/2.8G ED VRII which feels much heavier, it makes recomposing a breeze. Still, if you desire to swap quickly from 200mm to 500mm, it will crave a half-plow of the focus ring. That might not sound like much, but when you consider the lens barrel is approximately iv.two inches (10.viii cm) in diameter, it tin easily take three or 4 turns from the left hand to become in that location. That ways more time spent faffing and less time shooting, resulting in lost shots - something that really can't be afforded in sports photography, or whatsoever of the other appropriate disciplines this lens is designed for.

(Paradigm credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Nikkor AF-South 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR: Functioning

Focusing can take a while on this beast, especially when the AF bespeak misses and the camera hunts to find its target subject. That'due south why one of the four switches on the side of the Nikkor AF-Southward 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens can restrict autofocus distance, with options of Total (which volition autofocus the entire range from its minimum focusing distance to infinity) or infinity - 6 meters. This cuts AF hunt fourth dimension drastically, which tin be the deviation between getting a shot or non when working with fast-moving, faraway subjects.

With the autofocus distance locking switch engaged to infinity - 6 meters AF quickly locks on to subjects even when moving with speed (Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Vibration Reduction (image stabilization) on the lens purports a whopping 4.5 stops, which is hefty even when compared with modern Mirrorless lenses and bodies. The Sport VR switch converts the VR in the lens to make information technology easier to follow the action on the pitch. It has a more reliable exposure control past utilizing Nikon's electromagnetic diaphragm control, making bursts of stills much more than consequent than the older mechanical link-up technology Nikon used to work with.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

As you tin can see, there's minimal chromatic aberration on extremely contrasted edges, even at 200% ingather it's hard to find areas with color fringing

Image ii of 3

(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

As yous can run into, there'due south minimal chromatic aberration on extremely assorted edges, fifty-fifty at 200% crop it's hard to find areas with color fringing

Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

There'south minimal chromatic abnormality on extremely assorted edges; even at 200% crop it's difficult to notice areas with color fringing in photos taken with the Nikkor AF-South 200-500mm f/five.6E ED VR lens.

With xix glass elements inside the lens, yous'd exist forgiven for presuming that there's likely a lot of chromatic aberration (color fringing) effectually contrasted edges in the frame. That's what we assumed before testing, merely taking a look at the results we're pleasantly surprised with just how competently it handled information technology. In some cases, nosotros had to ingather in to 200% before we even noticed any chromatic aberration at all, and even then it was only a small green section correct at the point of some intersecting lines. Although the lens suffers a little from some vignetting around the border, this adds charm to the photos and tin hands be removed in image editing software if so desired. The image remains sharp throughout the frame just does get slightly softer towards the very edges, as is to be expected from nearly any lens.

The four.5 stops of Vibration Reduction assist to alleviate camera or subject movement blur even when shooting in low lite levels or at slower shutter speeds, which helps keep the epitome precipitous. (Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Should you buy the Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/v.6E ED VR?

If y'all're into sports, wild fauna, or aviation photography - indeed if in that location's any run a risk y'all desire to capture a discipline that'southward either smaller or much further abroad - and you need good reach at a reasonable cost, then the Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/v.6E ED VR is definitely a fantastic choice. Information technology'due south practiced plenty for professional use, but those working in low calorie-free may want to consider some other telezoom with a wider maximum aperture, though the 4.5 stops of VR do a lot to help in that regard. This lens probably isn't ideal for a beginner (though information technology definitely won't concur you lot back) because the cheaper and lighter 70-300mm lenses mentioned below are probably a safer bet to be introduced to the telezoom earth.

If this product isn't for you

Although information technology's the merely lens in Nikon's F-mountain (opens in new tab) line-up that offers such a generous telephoto zoom range, the Nikkor AF-Southward 200-500mm f/v.6E ED VR isn't for everyone. It's well-priced because the price point of other lenses, costing most the aforementioned brand new every bit the 70-200mm f/2.8.

If upkeep's an issue, a meliorate option might be the more affordable Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.five-5.6E ED (opens in new tab) or Tamron'south equivalent Tamron SP lxx-300mm f/4-5.half dozen Di VC USD (opens in new tab), which offers much of the focal length range with a much lower cost tag. Simply beware of the strong chromatic abnormality of these lenses, information technology may pay to turn on the Lens Corrections when editing in post-processing software.

(Epitome credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

However, if you want to match the focal length range of the 200-500mm just assemble more lite for depression light shooting so the Sigma 200-500mm f/two.8 EX DG lens (opens in new tab) might exist an option, at most 6x the price. It does come with its ain acquit handle built into the lens, though.

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Jason Parnell-Brookes is an Internationally accolade-winning lensman, educator and writer. He won Gold in the Nikon Photograph Contest 2018/xix and was named Digital Lensman of the Twelvemonth in 2014. Jason is a qualified instructor, Masters graduate and works with many high profile international clients.

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Source: https://www.space.com/nikkor-afs-200-500mm-f5.6E-EDVR-review#:~:text=Even%20though%20the%20Nikkor%20AF,it%20makes%20recomposing%20a%20breeze.

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