Moderator: E.J. Peiker

All times are UTC-05:00

  
« Previous topic | Next topic »  
Reply to topic  
 First unread post  | 87 posts | 
by Karl Egressy on Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:29 pm
User avatar
Karl Egressy
Forum Contributor
Posts: 39506
Joined: 11 Dec 2004
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Member #:00988
Any idea of Nikon 500 f 5.6 PF ED VR availability especially in Canada.
I phoned around and nobody seems to know when they are coming.
I hope I can buy one this year here in Ontario.
Any rumor?
 

by E.J. Peiker on Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:39 pm
User avatar
E.J. Peiker
Senior Technical Editor
Posts: 86761
Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Location: Arizona
Member #:00002
I am an NPS member (in the USA) and did an NPS buy and have been waiting for about 6 weeks already...
 

by Karl Egressy on Mon Oct 15, 2018 6:51 am
User avatar
Karl Egressy
Forum Contributor
Posts: 39506
Joined: 11 Dec 2004
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Member #:00988
E.J. Peiker wrote:I am an NPS member (in the USA) and did an NPS buy and have been waiting for about 6 weeks already...
It's not a good news but thanks. I just sold my Canon 500 f4.0 L IS II. and hope to get my hands on a Nikon 500 f 5.6 as soon as possible.
Maybe it'll speed up towards the end of the year, the distribution, that is.
 

by ricardo00 on Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:31 am
ricardo00
Forum Contributor
Posts: 264
Joined: 6 Apr 2014
Karl Egressy wrote:
E.J. Peiker wrote:I am an NPS member (in the USA) and did an NPS buy and have been waiting for about 6 weeks already...
It's not a good news but thanks. I just sold my Canon 500 f4.0 L IS II. and hope to get my hands on a Nikon 500 f 5.6 as soon as possible.
Maybe it'll speed up towards the end of the year, the distribution, that is.

It certainly would be nice if Nikon (as well as other companies) were more transparent about things like this.  Unfortunately, if anyone at the company knows about expected deliveries, production numbers, orders, etc. they aren't talking.  The photography store where I ordered my lens certainly didn't know anything.  When I called on Sept. 12, the day before the scheduled release, my store didn't know if I would receive the lens the next day!  They even checked with the Nikon rep for me.  I think they were as surprised as me when they called the next day to say that when they unloaded the truck my lens was there!
Image
 

by Karl Egressy on Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:22 am
User avatar
Karl Egressy
Forum Contributor
Posts: 39506
Joined: 11 Dec 2004
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Member #:00988
ricardo00 wrote:
Karl Egressy wrote:
E.J. Peiker wrote:I am an NPS member (in the USA) and did an NPS buy and have been waiting for about 6 weeks already...
It's not a good news but thanks. I just sold my Canon 500 f4.0 L IS II. and hope to get my hands on a Nikon 500 f 5.6 as soon as possible.
Maybe it'll speed up towards the end of the year, the distribution, that is.

It certainly would be nice if Nikon (as well as other companies) were more transparent about things like this.  Unfortunately, if anyone at the company knows about expected deliveries, production numbers, orders, etc. they aren't talking.  The photography store where I ordered my lens certainly didn't know anything.  When I called on Sept. 12, the day before the scheduled release, my store didn't know if I would receive the lens the next day!  They even checked with the Nikon rep for me.  I think they were as surprised as me when they called the next day to say that when they unloaded the truck my lens was there!
Image
Lucky you. The image is nice by the way, excellent details. I'll try to buy the D850 as well. Currently I have the D500 that I'm happy with.
 

by SantaFeJoe on Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:43 am
User avatar
SantaFeJoe
Forum Contributor
Posts: 8622
Joined: 28 Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere Out In The Wilds
Karl Egressy wrote:
ricardo00 wrote:
Karl Egressy wrote:I'll try to buy the D850 as well. Currently I have the D500 that I'm happy with.
D850 is available as a filmmakers kit at B and H, for those who may be able to use the included lenses or don’t care about spending the extra money:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1398453-REG/nikon_d850_filmmaker_s_kit.html

Joe
Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.  -Pablo Picasso
 

by Gary Irwin on Mon Oct 15, 2018 1:49 pm
Gary Irwin
Forum Contributor
Posts: 594
Joined: 17 Sep 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Hi Karl;
The rumors I've heard are that the first significant shipment to Canada isn't expected until late this year...so I figure that means December. Based on all the internet chat it seems unlikely all of the standing orders will be filled, so hopefully you got your order in early. (I have my name in for one as well but am likely to cancel at this point).
Gary Likes Nature.
 

by ricardo00 on Mon Oct 15, 2018 3:05 pm
ricardo00
Forum Contributor
Posts: 264
Joined: 6 Apr 2014
Karl Egressy wrote:
ricardo00 wrote:
Karl Egressy wrote:
E.J. Peiker wrote:I am an NPS member (in the USA) and did an NPS buy and have been waiting for about 6 weeks already...
Lucky you. The image is nice by the way, excellent details. I'll try to buy the D850 as well. Currently I have the D500 that I'm happy with.
   Thanks Karl!  Good luck on getting your 500mm f/5.6 soon!
PS.  The full image is on my flickr site, I still have not figured out how to put in a URL and get that to show so have to reduce the image a lot to post here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/60519499@ ... ed-public/
 

by photoman4343 on Mon Oct 15, 2018 4:50 pm
photoman4343
Forum Contributor
Posts: 1952
Joined: 1 Feb 2004
Location: Houston, TX
I am not in Nikon NPS. I have had my copy for over two weeks. I bought it from Hunts Photo and Video, a US retailer and I live in the US. .

Contact Alan and see if he can help you:
Alan Samiljan
Hunt's Photo & Video
100 Main St.
Melrose, MA 02176
(781) 462-2383
asamiljan@huntsphoto.com
Joe Smith
 

by Tim Zurowski on Mon Oct 15, 2018 6:59 pm
User avatar
Tim Zurowski
Forum Contributor
Posts: 18881
Joined: 4 Apr 2006
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
You guys in the USA have to understand that Nikon is a Country specific company when it comes to sales and warranties. We in Canada cannot purchase a Nikon product from outside of Canada, unless we are willing to give up any Canadian warranty and have the item(s) sent to and serviced in the USA. Basically (simply put) we have to purchase Nikon Canada products. 

Karl, I can't say for sure, but my gut feeling is if you are not on the wait list now for a 500 f5.6, then you likely will not see one this year. Canada is typically way behind the US for getting new Nikon products, and the few that come in will likely go to pre-orders. I am still "on the fence" about the 500 f5.6, but if I do decide to go for it, I will wait until all the new item hype has died down and just get one off the shelf (or used).
 

by Karl Egressy on Mon Oct 15, 2018 8:34 pm
User avatar
Karl Egressy
Forum Contributor
Posts: 39506
Joined: 11 Dec 2004
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Member #:00988
Tim Zurowski wrote:You guys in the USA have to understand that Nikon is a Country specific company when it comes to sales and warranties. We in Canada cannot purchase a Nikon product from outside of Canada, unless we are willing to give up any Canadian warranty and have the item(s) sent to and serviced in the USA. Basically (simply put) we have to purchase Nikon Canada products. 

Karl, I can't say for sure, but my gut feeling is if you are not on the wait list now for a 500 f5.6, then you likely will not see one this year. Canada is typically way behind the US for getting new Nikon products, and the few that come in will likely go to pre-orders. I am still "on the fence" about the 500 f5.6, but if I do decide to go for it, I will wait until all the new item hype has died down and just get one off the shelf (or used).

Thanks Tim. I just signed up today at Henry's. Henry's Canada will get 28 lenses this year the salesperson said, so it is highly unlikely that I will get one. I did not take a chance to sign up until I sold the canon 500.
 

by owlseye on Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:32 am
User avatar
owlseye
Forum Contributor
Posts: 1212
Joined: 4 Jul 2009
Location: Stillwater, MN
In my opinion the lens is worth the wait. I have been excited about the 500PF since the announcement and actually woke up at 5:00 a.m. to get in on a pre-order with NPS. I have had the lens for about 3 weeks now, and it is so much more than the 300mmPF. Having both has allowed me to compare the lenses, as well as compare the 500PF to the 200-500 and 200-400. After using the new lens in miserable light on multiple occasions w my D500's, I decided to sell my 200-400VR. The 500PF is super sharp, quick to AF, and extremely quiet. The near silent AFS motor was a surprise and has allowed me to get unusually close to some rather skittish deer.

The good news Karl, is that the 200-500VR is reasonable inexpensive, versatile, and good enough for most shoots. You might consider pairing one with your D500 to hold you over until the 500PF becomes available. You might be pleasantly surprised and decide to keep it for the versatility. While I sold my 200-400 and replaced it with the 70-200FLE, I decided to keep my 200-500... just something to consider.
cheers,
bruce
 

by Tim Zurowski on Tue Oct 16, 2018 11:25 am
User avatar
Tim Zurowski
Forum Contributor
Posts: 18881
Joined: 4 Apr 2006
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
Karl, I totally agree with what Bruce is saying there. I have the 200-500 f5.6 and it is a great sharp lens. I know 5 people, all very good photographers, who shoot with the 200-500 and are very happy with it. Four of them (one being me) have a 600 f4 VR, a 500 f4 VR and an 800 f5.6, and they all shoot with the 200-500 more often than with the big expensive glass. Regardless of what the MTF charts say, I personally could not see any difference at all between the 200-500 and my 500 f4 VR with regards to sharpness. Consequently, I sold the 500 VR and kept the 200-500. Where it is not as good is the AF speed and blurring of BGs. Plus, I was able to get the 200-500 for $1575 CAD brand new from Aden Camera (I purchase almost all of my gear from Aden). Not a big cost for such a great & versatile lens.The reasons why I would consider the 500 f5.6 pf are for smaller size, lighter weight and better AF speed. That being said, I am more likely to stay with the 200-500 for awhile and wait (hope) for the Nikon 600 f5.6 pf. ;)
 

by E.J. Peiker on Wed Oct 17, 2018 5:55 pm
User avatar
E.J. Peiker
Senior Technical Editor
Posts: 86761
Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Location: Arizona
Member #:00002
I misstated my wait time. I just got notification from Nikon that my lens has been shipped to my dealer so I went back and looked at the order and it has only been 4 weeks. I guess I must be eager to get my hands on it :)
 

by Karl Egressy on Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:34 pm
User avatar
Karl Egressy
Forum Contributor
Posts: 39506
Joined: 11 Dec 2004
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Member #:00988
Tim Zurowski wrote:Karl, I totally agree with what Bruce is saying there. I have the 200-500 f5.6 and it is a great sharp lens. I know 5 people, all very good photographers, who shoot with the 200-500 and are very happy with it. Four of them (one being me) have a 600 f4 VR, a 500 f4 VR and an 800 f5.6, and they all shoot with the 200-500 more often than with the big expensive glass. Regardless of what the MTF charts say, I personally could not see any difference at all between the 200-500 and my 500 f4 VR with regards to sharpness. Consequently, I sold the 500 VR and kept the 200-500. Where it is not as good is the AF speed and blurring of BGs. Plus, I was able to get the 200-500 for $1575 CAD brand new from Aden Camera (I purchase almost all of my gear from Aden). Not a big cost for such a great & versatile lens.The reasons why I would consider the 500 f5.6 pf are for smaller size, lighter weight and better AF speed. That being said, I am more likely to stay with the 200-500 for awhile and wait (hope) for the Nikon 600 f5.6 pf. ;)


Thanks, Tim. The 200-500 won't be good for me as it is only 2.0 lbs lighter than the Canon 500 I sold.
I can buy the 200-500 and the 500 f 5.6 but I rather spend my money on a D850 camera and probably a zoom lens to cover the low end.
I see everybody is running around with the D500/200-500 and they seem to like it. Ten years ago everybody was running around with the
big 500, 600 and some even with the 800 lens. Not anymore.
 

by George DeCamp on Thu Oct 18, 2018 5:33 am
User avatar
George DeCamp
Lifetime Member
Posts: 3812
Joined: 20 Aug 2003
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Member #:00147
E.J. Peiker wrote:I misstated my wait time.  I just got notification from Nikon that my lens has been shipped to my dealer so I went back and looked at the order and it has only been 4 weeks.  I guess I must be eager to get my hands on it :)
Looking forward to your thoughts!
 

by photoman4343 on Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:02 am
photoman4343
Forum Contributor
Posts: 1952
Joined: 1 Feb 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Kirk Enterprises just announced a replacement foot for this lens. It is double dovetailed and about 3.5 inches long. I used my 500mm f 5.6 lens the other night with a Nikon 1.4 tc on a gimbal head to take pictures of the moon. With the tc, I needed a longer lens plate to get it balanced than the one I had on the Nikon foot which was about three inches long. However, my camera was a Nikon in d 810 with a battery pack so that affected the balance point too. It will take some testing for each of us to figure out what we will need to use this lens on a tripod and head.
Joe Smith
 

by George DeCamp on Fri Oct 19, 2018 10:04 am
User avatar
George DeCamp
Lifetime Member
Posts: 3812
Joined: 20 Aug 2003
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Member #:00147
Its the same part number for both the 70-200VR FL and the 500PF at Kirk so its not new just a FYI if you already have one for the 70-200. I had ordered the 70-200 foot before I got the 500pf, was lucky! lol

Replacement lens foot for Nikon 500mm f/5.6E AFS PF ED VR lens
Part # : LP-64

Replacement lens foot for Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR "NEW IN 2016"
Part # : LP-64
 

by E.J. Peiker on Thu Oct 25, 2018 5:32 pm
User avatar
E.J. Peiker
Senior Technical Editor
Posts: 86761
Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Location: Arizona
Member #:00002
My first impressions after the first half day of testing:
- so tiny, so light, I could handhold this all day long even with a bum shoulder
- the Kirk replacement foot works like a champ
- this lens is much sharper with VR off when mounted on a tripod - even at 1/100s if your long lens technique is good.  I would only recommend VR on when not on a tripod.  With VR off this lens is on par with the 500 f/4 lenses.  With it on it is not, it's more on par with lenses like a Sigma 150-600 Sport which is good but not in super tele f/4 prime territory.  This is even more true with the TC-14E III
- with the TC-14E III AF is still very good and you can still select any AF point, even on an older body like a D7200
- AF is very quick and very accurate once calibrated but I haven't done any birds in flight yet.
 

by SantaFeJoe on Thu Oct 25, 2018 9:10 pm
User avatar
SantaFeJoe
Forum Contributor
Posts: 8622
Joined: 28 Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere Out In The Wilds
What camera are you using it on, E.J.?

Joe
Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.  -Pablo Picasso
 

Display posts from previous:  Sort by:  
87 posts | 
  

Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group