Photographers can now enjoy greater agility in tracking and photographing fast-moving subjects such as aircrafts, wild birds, and sporting events without compromising performance and clarity with the new AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR super-telephoto lens announced by Nikon Australia Pty. Ltd. today.
Featuring Nikon’s very own Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element, the FX-format lens weighs in at a compact approximate of 1460g but delivers superior optical performance with excellent subject-acquisition qualities and effectual Vibration Reduction (VR) support. A high-performance super-telephoto lens with 500mm focal length, this new lens also enables mobile handheld shooting with its compact and light body.
Getting into the rough terrains of dirt or caught in the inclement weather of the outdoors, this lens is covered for the action as it is designed with consideration to a dust- and drip-resistant structure, and fluorine coat application to the front lens’ surface. The adoption of a lighter focus lens group creates superb autofocus (AF) speed, without compromising the delivery of high-resolution and high-contrast images throughout the entire frame regardless of focus distance.
“The improved technical capabilities and optimised features of our new super telephoto lens are catered to meet the demands of professionals and advanced amateurs looking to convey the dynamism of their photography with agility. We are excited to bring together the cutting-edge technology of the PF lens element, combined with our existing expertise in delivering excellent subject acquisition, to ensure a beyond satisfactory user experience,” said James Murray, Managing Director, Nikon Australia Pty. Ltd.
In addition, the use of the Mount Adapter FTZ will allow the lens to be used with the mirrorless cameras Nikon Z 7 and Nikon Z 6, also announced today. Users will be able to enjoy super-telephoto shooting at 500 mm focal length with a system that is even more compact than ever before.
The Dot Sight DF-M1 (available separately), an accessory that is highly effective with super-telephoto photography will also be released. With super-telephoto shooting, a narrow field of view in the viewfinder tends to be made visible – making it easy to lose track of the subject. The Dot Sight DF-M1 makes it easy to keep track of the intended subject, even if the subject exhibits sudden movement.
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Primary Features
Agility in all conditions:
For photographers who demand dexterity as they photograph the lithe Arctic fox in the midst of its capture of the day or the movements of a cheetah on the prowl, the compact and lightweight body of the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR via the adoption of a PF lens element makes it the most competitive model available. The PF lens also helps to reduce PF (diffraction) flare thus bringing out the vibrancy of nature, wildlife and sports in image captures.
For wildlife or sports photographers who are constantly on the move to capture fast-moving subjects, the efficient VR function of the lens provides an improved VR performance immediately after the camera is turned on, and after reverting from the half-press timer being turned off, enhances shooting ease and impromptu in-the-moment captures.
Under challenging weather or harsh shooting conditions where photographers are required to perform shoots, the superb usability of the lens enables shooting with minimal worry. The lens, designed with consideration to dust- and drip-resistant performance qualities, offer users the versatility to utilise this lens under varied conditions. Fluorine coat applied to the front lens surface further enables an effective repelling of dust or dirt for easy removal when it adheres to the lens surface. This highly durable coating also provides an excellent anti-reflection effect, ensuring the capture of clear images.
Outstanding optical performance for impeccable shots:
Be it jet-ski shots taken in the bright sunlight, or swift movements of an eagle descending to a tree branch, the results with the lens are high resolution shots captured stably across the entire frame regardless of focus distance. Constructed with 19 elements in 11 groups, the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR consists of a PF lens element and Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements, and also with the adoption of Nikon’s own Nano Crystal Coat technology. The new PF lens element effectively controls PF (diffraction) flare. Nano Crystal Coat also effectively reduces ghost and flare effects for higher resolution images.
Even while a teleconverter is attached, such as the AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-14E III, high optical performance is still consistently retained.
Improved AF and VR functions to never miss a moment:
Shooting motorsports photography, the quick strokes at a swimming competition, or any other kind of sports-related photography can be an exciting and enriching experience with the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR’s lighter focus lens group, where the AF speed scan time of the lens is naturally enhanced to efficiently detect and capture subjects.
An efficient VR function is also made possible, providing the equivalent of a shutter speed of 4.0 stops faster*.
With the SPORT mode switched on, tracking of quick and erratically moving subjects such as the wildebeests in their migration movements or speeding race cars on the track is enhanced while also providing a stable viewfinder image even during continuous shooting for easy framing. This is especially useful in assisting photographers who require quick pan shots of fast moving subjects.
Furthermore, when the SPORT mode is turned on, optical performance is retained even when the VR lens unit is shifted to the maximum, thus enabling a stable composition of moving subjects during sports photography.
*Based on CIPA standards. In NORMAL VR mode when a DSLR camera equipped with a full-size, 35mm film equivalent image sensor is used
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