Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4G ED II VR

Nikon has developed a range of telephoto lenses for the serious photographer. With an array of focal lengths from 85 mm to 600 mm, extraordinary optics and high-performance auto-focusing, telephoto AF Nikkors have much to offer.

G-type NIKKOR

The G-type NIKKOR has no aperture ring; aperture should be selected from camera body.

ED glass — an essential element of NIKKOR telephoto lenses

Nikon developed ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to enable the production of lenses that offer superior sharpness and color correction by minimizing chromatic aberration.

Put simply, chromatic aberration is a type of image and color dispersion that occurs when light rays of varying wavelengths pass through optical glass. In the past, correcting this problem for telephoto lenses required special optical elements that offer anomalous dispersion characteristics — specifically calcium fluoride crystals. However, fluorite easily cracks and is sensitive to temperature changes that can adversely affect focusing by altering the lens’ refractive index.

So Nikon designers and engineers put their heads together and came up with ED glass, which offers all the benefits, yet none of the drawbacks of calcium fluorite-based glass. With this innovation, Nikon developed several types of ED glass suitable for various lenses.

They deliver stunning sharpness and contrast even at their largest apertures. In this way, NIKKOR’s ED-series lenses exemplify Nikon’s preeminence in lens innovation and performance.

Vibration Reduction (VR)

This innovative VR system minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, and offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops (eight times) faster.* It allows hand-held shooting at dusk, at night, and even in poorly lit interiors. The lens’ VR system also detects automatically when the photographer pans — no special mode is required.

* As determined by Nikon performance tests.

Nano Crystal Coat

Nano Crystal Coat is an anti-reflective coating that originated in the development of NSR-series (Nikon Step and Repeat) semiconductor manufacturing devices. It virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths, and is particularly effective in reducing ghost and flare peculiar to ultra-wide-angle lenses. Nano Crystal Coat employs multiple layers of Nikon’s outstanding extra-low refractive index coating, which features ultra-fine crystallized particles of nano size (one nanometer equals one millionth of a mm). Nikon now proudly marks a world first by applying this coating technology to a wide range of lenses for use in consumer optical products.

Spherical lens elements

Nikon introduced the first photographic lens with spherical lens elements in 1968. What sets them apart? Spherical lenses virtually eliminate the problem of coma and other types of lens aberration — even when used at the widest aperture. They are particularly useful in correcting the distortion in wide-angle lenses. In addition, use of spherical lenses contributes to a lighter and smaller lens design.

Nikon employs three types of spherical lens elements. Precision-ground spherical lens elements are the finest expression of lens-crafting art, demanding extremely rigorous production standards. Hybrid lenses are made of a special plastic molded onto optical glass. Molded glass spherical lenses are manufactured by molding a unique type of optical glass using a special metal die technique.

Main Features

VR II operation realizes the equivalent of a shutter speed four stops faster

New Tripod mode reduces vibration that may occur at shutter release when shooting with a super-telephoto lens attached to a tripod

Enhanced optical formulas, engineered to produce exceptional sharpness, contrast and color, render outstanding image integrity

Three ED (Extra-low dispersion) elements control chromatic aberration while enhancing sharpness and contrast, even at the widest apertures

Exclusive Nikon Nano Crystal Coat and a Meniscus protective glass element combine to further reduce ghosting and flare for even greater image clarity

High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating realizes superior color reproduction while minimizing ghosting and flare

Nikon`s exclusive Silent Wave Motor enables fast auto-focusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful, super-quiet operation

Rounded diaphragm opening (9 blades) makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural

Newly added A/M mode reduces the possibility of unintentional switching from Auto to Manual

Focus Preset function instantly recalls preset focus points with the push of a button

Engineered to Nikon professional D-SLR standards to effectively resist dust and moisture

Magnesium die-cast for a lightweight body with rugged construction

Supplied lens hood effectively minimizes stray light

Detachable mono-pod collar provided

AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR Specification

Focal length

500 mm

Maximum aperture

f/4

Minimum aperture

f/22

Lens construction

14 elements in 11 groups (with 3 ED glass elements and one Nano Crystal Coat) and one meniscus protective glass element

Picture angle

5° (3°10’ with DX-format camera)

Closest focus distance

4.0 m/13.1 ft. (AF), 3.85 m/12.6 ft. (MF)

Maximum reproduction ratio

1/6.9

No. of diaphragm blades

9 (rounded)

Filter/attachment size

52 mm

Focusing

Internal Focusing (IF) system; auto-focus with a built-in SWM and manual focus

Diameter x length

(extension from lens mount)

Approx. 139.5 x 391 mm/5.5 x 15.4 in.

Weight

Approx. 3,880 g/8.6 lb.