- FX coverage
- Autofocus (in-lens focus motor), rear focus
- 14 elements in 11 groups, 3 ED elements, nano coating
- 9-blade rounded aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 52mm drop in filter
- 12.6' (4m) minimum focus; 1:6.4 maximum reproduction ratio
- 15.4 x 5.5" (391 x 139.5mm) long, diameter
- 137 ounces (3880g) weight
- included HK-34 slip-on hood, CT-504 case, LN-1 strap, 52mm NC filter, caps
- US$8580
- Model Number 2172
- Announced August 2007
Thom's Full Review of the Lens
Thom's Mini Review: Good news: the 500 f/4 continues to be one of the exceptional exotics. Doesn't quite match my 400mm f/2.8, but it comes awful close stopped down one stop on a D3x or D800. Even wide open the corners are well above good. At f/5.6 they're very good, though a hint of chromatic aberration will rob a bit of the edge. Vignetting only reaches about a stop in the corners wide open, and is ignorable at f/5.6. Bad news: you often can't find one in the US, and even if you do it costs as much as a good used car. Overall: still the best "reach" option out there. While it gives up 100mm on the 600mm, it also gives up a lot of weight and size, a trade-off most users should and will make.
Highly Recommended (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
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