Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm 1:5.6 E ED VR Lens (f/5.6)
Overall Rating:
This made-in-China lens is 9 years old and it debuted at a very affordable $1400 (USD). That's not a typo. This Nikkor 200-500mm lens is only $1400, which makes it a very popular lens among price sensitive or price conscious photographers. The Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/4 G ED VR N is also $1400 and does not even include a tripod mount!
What stands out is the reach and constant f/5.6 aperture. And, the built-in VR technology which makes using slower shutter speeds possible while handheld (more on this below). This lens has nine aperture blades. What's not clear is why it did not receive a gold ring. Is this because it lacks the Nikon Nano coating? Nikon used to put gold rings on almost all Nikkor lenses with ED glass. Well, no more. It features no less than three ED elements, two of which are quite large, and no aspherical elements which are uncommon in telephoto zooms like this, particularly at this price. Note that large ED elements are not necessarily indicative of good optical performance.
This is an "E" lens meaning that it lacks a mechanical coupling between the camera and lens for controlling the diaphragm/aperture. Yes, the aperture is controlled electronically. This is a varifocal zoom because it changes focus as it is zoomed.
This lens was introduced before the 45MP Nikon D850 and about a year after the introduction of the Nikon D810, a 36MP camera.
This lens competes in many ways with the AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR — a $2300 (USD) lens — which reportedly has inferior optical performance but focuses a little faster and is lighter. Plus the 80-400mm is brighter by 2/3 stops on the short end (even though the focal length is shorter). This lens may be a replacement for the $7000 (USD) AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR lens which also reportedly has inferior optical performance but lets in twice as much light while weighing 50% more. So perhaps this 200-500mm lens has a unique place in the Nikon line-up. Note that Nikon did eventually update the AF-S 200-400mm/4G ED VR with the $12,400 (USD) AF-S 180-400mm/4 E TC FL ED VR in 2018, three years after the release of the lens in this review.
Why did Nikon release an affordable super-zoom like this? Probably to compete with the popular Sigma, Tamron, etc. super-zooms of the world and hence the low price.
Size Compared
Optics are compared to these three lenses (see below).
Breathing
This lens exhibits focus breathing. As the lens focuses closely, it loses some focal length to the point that, at 500mm, it is roughly 100mm shorter. This means the focal length shortens throughout the zoom range. Multiply the focal length by 0.8 when focused at the minimum focus distance of 2.2m/7.22ft. This roughly makes it a f=160mm lens at the 200mm mark. It is unclear why Nikon design lenses with focus breathing. It may allow the lens to focus closer, make it more compact, allow for internal focusing, lower design costs... or all the above. Just try using a depth of field calculator with this lens because it is not clear how quickly the lens shortens as it focuses nearer!
Performance
There is color fringing found in the images particularly when zoomed to 500mm, and there's some vignetting to be found at this focal length, too. Distortion is present as expected from a zoom. Some pincushion is present. But it is really minimal.
It is semi-sharp until diffraction begins to take control somewhere after f/8. Infact at roughly f/8, this lens is at its sharpest with the most contrast.
The autofocus is relatively fast making it a good sports/action lens. With the right camera, it's possible to track a moving subject.
Color fringing detail at 3-to-1:
Like a wide-angle zoom lenses, the corners suffer in terms of sharpness and contrast. At f=500mm, it appears somewhat weak. The performance at this focal length will definitely hurt the overall sharpness score.
Vibration Reduction and Handling
The VR works well for a lens this long. It's rated for 4.5 stops of effectiveness. Nikon Z mirrorless cameras with IBIS only help to increase the effectiveness of the VR. This lens does not excel in its handling, because, at 5+ lbs, it is too difficult to hold while zooming with its huge zoom throw. And because of the VR, some will undoubtedly try to use it handheld. Some photographers like to use this lens at 200mm to acquire their subject and then zoom to 500mm to more or less fill the frame. Well, that's fine, but a tripod will be required to do this because the zoom throw is about 160°! Turn off VR when used on a tripod and use a remote release, a 10 second delay on the shutter release or a high shutter speed, whatever works for the subject matter.
Using Teleconverters
Typically, teleconverters perform best with prime lenses, not zoom lenses. Next, see how this lens performs with the TC-20E III, TC-17E II and TC-14E III teleconverters.
Using the TC-20E III Teleconverter
Using a 2× teleconverter for an effective f=400-1000mm/11 is feasible. While nowhere near as detailed as a f=1000mm lens, some details are recovered using the TC-20E III. DSLR autofocus systems support down to f/8 lenses, but Nikon mirrorless cameras can focus this lens at f/11 since the autofocus system is not behind a mirror. Still, the autofocus takes a noticeable hit with this teleconverter attached.
Sharpness declines and color fringing it out of control when using this teleconverter with this lens.
It should be noted that this combination does lose some contrast, but it is negligible.
Using the TC-17E II Teleconverter
This teleconverter increases this lens to a f=340-850mm/9.5 which is pretty slow. While better than an f/11 lens, this lens still requires a mirrorless camera for autofocus.
This teleconverter is a bit long in the tooth, but some lenses do better with it than the newer teleconverters (like this one).
Color fringing is a little out of control when combined with this lens.
The point of focus is the warning label on the transformer.
Using the TC-14E III Teleconverter
This teleconverter increases this lens to a f=280-700mm/8 which is pretty decent. Nikon DSLR and mirrorless autofocus systems can work with this.
Below, see that there is only a little color fringing when using this teleconverter.
This is the smallest, lightest general purpose F-mount teleconverter from Nikon.
The point of focus is the warning label on the transformer.
TC-14E III, TC-17E II and TC-20E III Compared
The below images are focused to approx. 100ft/30m (a reasonable distance) and cropped to 600×400 pixels.
The clear winner here is the TC-14E III with the TC-20E III coming in second. It's not perfect, but the results are acceptable.
AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF Compared
Since most people will use this lens at f=500mm, see how it compares against the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/5.6 E PF ED VR N lens.
Here, both lenses are shot stopped down some. Both are shot at f/7.1, and the below images are cropped to 600×400 pixels. Focused to approx. 100ft/30m. This is probably the comparison that most are looking for.
The AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF is much sharper with greater contrast than this lens.
AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF + TC-14E III Compared (f=700mm)
Here, both lenses are shot at f/10, and the below images are cropped to 600×400 pixels. Focused to approx. 100ft/30m. This is probably a comparison that many are looking for.
The AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF + TC-14E III is much sharper with greater contrast than this lens with this teleconverter, which holds up relatively well.
AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF + TC-17E II Compared (f=850mm)
Here, both lenses are shot at f/11, and the below images are cropped to 600×400 pixels. Focused to approx. 100ft/30m.
The AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF + TC-17E II is a little sharper here, but the AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF doesn't do well with this teleconverter.
AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF + TC-20E III Compared (f=1000mm)
Here, both lenses are shot wide open at f/11, and the below images are cropped to 600×400 pixels. Focused to approx. 100ft/30m.
The AF-S 500mm/5.6 PF + TC-20E III is much cleaner than this lens with this teleconverter.
AF-S 300mm/4 PF Compared
How does it compare against the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4 E PF ED VR N? Yet again, both lenses are shot stopped down some. Both are shot at f/7.1, and two of the below images are cropped to 600×400 pixels. Focused to approx. 100ft/30m.
The AF-S 300mm/4 PF is crisper. It has better contrast and sharpness.
AF-S 300mm/4 PF + TC-14E III Compared (f=420mm)
Again, both lenses are shot stopped down some. Both are shot at f/7.1, and two of the below images are cropped to 600×400 pixels. Focused to approx. 100ft/30m.
The AF-S 300mm/4 PF + TC-14E III is about the same as this lens at f=400mm.
AF-S 300mm/4 PF + TC-17E II Compared (f=510mm)
Since most people will use this lens at f=500mm, comparing it to the AF-S 300mm/4 PF + TC-17E II makes sense.
Here, both lenses are shot stopped down some. Both are shot at f/7.1, and the below images are cropped to 600×400 pixels. Focused to approx. 100ft/30m.
The AF-S 300mm/4 PF + TC-17E II is about as sharp as this lens at f=500mm, and is considerably more compact, but it's no zoom.
AF-S 70-200mm/4 Compared (f=200mm)
How does it compare against the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/4 G ED VR N at f=200mm? As previously, both lenses are shot stopped down some. Both are shot at f/7.1, and two of the below images are cropped to 600×400 pixels. Focused to approx. 66ft/20m.
The AF-S 70-200mm/4 ED VR is sharper and has more contrast.
Infrared
Not tested for infrared photography.
Ghosting & Flaring
Yes, flaring and ghosting are moderate problems thanks to the number of elements and the focal length of the lens. This lens includes a deep lens hood. Use it to help control these issues.
Bokeh
The bokeh is busy and it looks like an oil painting. This may be the worst bokeh ever — or the best if wanting something... uh... different.
Compatibility
Because this is an "E" (1:5.6 E) lens, it is compatible with all Nikon DSLR's except the D3000, D40/D40X, D60, D70/D70S, D80, D90, D100, D200, D1 series and D2 series. It is fully compatible with Nikon Z cameras using the FTZ adapter.
Construction
This lens is large and heavy (5.07 lbs/2.3 kg).
This is an all plastic lens, however, it is very solid feeling. The manual focusing feels good and there is no slop in the focus collar. The zoom throw is great, meaning long. As mentioned earlier, a shorter throw would have improved the handling. This certainly detracts from the the mechanics score. Probably Nikon opted for a long zoom throw because they assumed photographers would use the lens on a tripod given its weight.
The focus collar is closer to the camera while the zoom collar is towards the end of the lens. This is counterintuitive when manually focusing because it is better to zoom first with a collar near the camera then focus while supporting the lens with the focus collar near the end of the lens, especially with a heavy lens like this when using it handheld. Everything about this lens says it was designed for a tripod or monopod.
This lens has a focus scale but no depth of field scale since it is a zoom.
Fortunately, the 95mm filter threads do not rotate.
Rumors of Sample Variation
There are rumors that this lens suffers from sample variation particularly early samples. The rumors are that it suffers from soft corners due to de-centering of the lens elements or that it is not sharp when focused on far objects like those at infinity (∞). The rumors go on to say that Nikon "reset" their manufacturing line for this lens and have fixed all these issues. If with an earlier sample and concerned with its performance, then simply send it to Nikon to be recalibrated. They can address and fix all these issues. At the time of writing this, Nikon USA charge approximately $160 to perform maintenance on this lens which includes focus calibration. The lens being reviewed here does not appear to suffer from any of these issues, or at least it is inline with other reviews on the Internet. The serial number is US6061770 (LENS #2), if that helps. Just bear in mind that this is a $1400 f=500mm lens!
UPDATE: This review used two samples of this lens. The other copy had the serial number US6053188 (LENS #1). See a comparison between the images from these two lenses.
Conclusion
The above comparison images are 600×400 pixel crops from 46 megapixel images, so there is not really as huge a difference as it may seem there is at first glance. The performance of this lens simply fades as it reaches ∞ at f=500mm, and that is a shame because most users will use this lens at this focal length on distant subjects. On near subjects, the lens performs admirably.
Specifications
| Focal length | 200-500mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 |
| Lens construction | 19 elements in 12 groups (including three ED glass elements) |
| Angle of view | 12°20' - 5° (8° - 3°10' with Nikon DX format) |
| Minimum focus distance | 2.2m/7.22ft. (from focal plane) |
| Maximum reproduction ratio | 1:4.5 (0.22×) |
| No. of diaphragm blades | 9 (rounded) |
| Filter-attachment size | ø95mm |
| Diameter × length | Approximately 108 × 267.5 mm/4.25 × 10.5 in. |
| Weight | Approximately 2300 g/81.2 oz. |
| Supplied accessories | 95 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-95, Rear Lens Cap LF-4, Bayonet Hood HB-71, Lens Case CL-1434 |
| Price | $1400 (USD) (2015) |
Images
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