This early this morning/late last night, Nikon made three somewhat surprise lens announcements. Highlighting those announcements were new 500mm F/4 and 600mm F/4 lenses, which will leave your jaw on the floor for several reasons.
Both the new 500mm and 600mm primes come with the latest and great that Nikon has to offer in terms of lens technology, coatings, and elements. According to Nikon, the use of Flourite for two of the elements in these lenses has reduced the weight significantly from their previous generation (20% 500mm, 25% 600mm). Both lenses also feature ED glass elements and Nikon’s coveted Nano Crystal Coating, which combined with the Flourite, will make these some of the best performing super-telephoto primes on the market.
The new lenses also feature a Fluorine coating, which repels dust and dirt, and generally makes the lenses much easier to clean after getting dirty. Sports and wildlife shooters will appreciate this feature immensely.
Each lens also features the latest Nikon VR technology, affording the shooter up to 4 stops of image stabilization – which is absolutely critical with lenses of this focal length. In addition to the VR, Nikon is also boasting about the AF tracking performance and an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism which enables stable and reliable auto-exposure with high-speed continuous shooting of sporting scenes, wild birds, and the like.
Nikkor 500mm F/4E FL ED VR Specs
- F Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
- Two Fluorite and Three ED Elements
- Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings
- Fluorine Coated Front Lens Element
- Silent Wave Motor AF System
- Vibration Reduction, Sport/Tripod Modes
- Internal Focus, Manual Focus Override
- Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism
- Detachable, Rotatable Monopod Collar
500mm Sample Images
You can view all of Nikon’s sample images over on their website here.
Nikkor 600mm F/4E FL ED VR Specs
- F Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
- Two Fluorite and Four ED Elements
- Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings
- Fluorine Coated Front Lens Element
- Silent Wave Motor AF System
- Vibration Reduction, Sport/Tripod Modes
- Internal Focus, Manual Focus Override
- Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism
- Detachable, Rotatable Monopod Collar
600mm Sample Images
You can find the rest of the 600mm sample images from Nikon over on their website here.
As you can see, both of these new lenses look to be the real deal for Sports/Wildlife shooters. But these improvements over the previous generation will come at a cost, a big one. The new 500mm F/4E will come in at $10,296.95, up from the ~$7000 price tag of the last model, while the 600mm F/4E will feature an astounding $12,296.95 price tag, up from ~$9,000.
If you happen to be one of the lucky few who has the funds for a lens upgrade like this, you can pre-order both lenses right now over on B&H. You can find the 500mm F/4E here, and the 600mm F/4E here.
In addition to these two long lenses, Nikon also announced a new DX 16-80mm F/2.8-4E lens. You can also pre-order that over on B&H here for $1066.
What are your thoughts on these new lens announcements from Nikon? Specifically, do you think the upgrades warrant the increased price? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!
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To Dream……………..
Just got a hold of the Sigma 150 – 600 sport; ok, different animal altogether, however, 2k for the lens, well, I know there may be a difference in quality, i’ll deal with it…
btw – that 150 – 600 sport, dang, it’s heavy heavy heavy… with a D810 & MBd12, uh, very heavy indeed… but I like it :)
Nice to drool over, and those shots are just amazing. I paid slightly more for my current car than the 600mm lens would run, but I still have three vehicles for which I paid less (son’s Prius, wife’s Prius, small pickup). Of course, if your business is wildlife photography, and you shoot Nikon, it’s going to be calling for you!
Must. Stop. Drooling.
These new Nikkor lens really set a new image quality level.
Now all we need is for Sigma to some out with some competitive rivals for $6000 and $8000 each.
Hmmm. What with my Sigma Art primes that I absolutely need, my killer new hi-fi and my Aston Martin, that top drawer is getting pretty full.
Typo: “… while the 500mm F/4E will feature an astounding $12,296.95 price tag, up from ~$9,000.”
I think you meant 600mm here.
That 500mm is the same price that we paid for our car. Looking at them I feel an attack of GAS but if ask the Leader of the Opposition for twelve thou’ for a new lens, I know what she’ll say and how she’ll say it. Best if I just lust after one silently.
Keep a picture of it in your top drawer. It can be your dirty little secret. :P
I can’t believe they are selling these at such a ridiculously cheap price. It makes me wonder if they are any good.
To be honest, I expected them to come in at around $1250 more than they did – I’m impressed with the pricing, even if it’s not anything I can afford any time soon. ;)
Gorgeous shots….obscene price tag…. New life goal, have enough extra money I can buy one of these without crying about it for weeks after….
Weeks? You would only be crying for Weeks? lol
I don’t know.. some lenses are like “do I really need this?” like when I bought the 14-24 for 2k .. was it a necessity? No, and i still look at and think, why do I own you? But the time I shot the 200mm f/2, a $6k lens, I decided right then and there I’d saw off my arm if it meant being able to keep it. Judging by the photos from the 600mm it would be something I could buy without regret. Now I just need the money. :D