Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR vs Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

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AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR compared with AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR
Overview
Released
Released	August 2014	September 2018
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	400 mm	500 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups plus meniscus protective glass; Nikon Japan and the original US announcement do not list the two aspherical elements appended to the UK table	19 elements in 11 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Two fluorite elements and two ED elements	Three ED glass elements and one Phase Fresnel element
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the meniscus protective glass	Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine coating on the front lens surface
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	Electromagnetic E-type automatic diaphragm
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 6°10′; DX 4°	FX 5°; DX 3°10′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon F mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	CPU-equipped E-type Nikon F lens; Nikon warns that some cameras restrict E-type lens operation	Nikon F mount with FX coverage, also usable on DX; Nikon warns that some cameras impose E-type lens restrictions. Nikon USA confirms Z6 and Z7 use with the FTZ mount adapter
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	–	Nikon confirms compatibility with the AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-14E III
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2.6 m	3 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.17×	0.18×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; autofocus and manual focus	Nikon internal focusing with an ultrasonic motor; manual focus possible
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 2.6 m; focus limiter selects FULL or infinity–6 m	Minimum 3 m from the focal plane; focus limiter selects the full range or infinity–8 m
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Nikon Japan publishes 0.17×, used in the main specifications; the UK table gives 1/6.9 and Digital Camera World lists 0.14×	–
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions in NORMAL mode on an FX DSLR; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported	Four stops under CIPA testing in Normal mode on a full-frame/FX DSLR; Normal and Sport modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	–	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	95 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	159.5 mm	106 mm
Length
Length	358 mm	237 mm
Weight
Weight	3,800 g	1,460 g (better)
Controls
Controls	–	Focus ring, focus-mode switch, focus limiter and VR switch; Photography Blog identifies focus-function buttons and memory recall
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in system, not a front screw-in thread	95 mm screw-in filters; 1.0 mm thread pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Both reviews describe weather sealing; the maker specification pages used here do not publish a protection rating	Nikon specifies dust- and drip-resistant construction with seals at moving barrel parts and other locations; fluorine coating helps repel dirt and water on the front lens surface
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 159.5 mm maximum diameter × 358 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 106 mm maximum diameter × 237 mm length from the lens mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 1,460 g
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Rotating tripod collar; the original maker announcement describes bearings for smooth rotation	Rotating tripod collar; Photography Blog describes the locking knob for switching between horizontal and vertical orientation
Lens hood
Lens hood	–	HB-84 bayonet hood included
In the box
In the box	Nikon UK lists slip-on front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-38 hood, 40.5 mm NC filter, CT-405 case, LN-2 strap and monopod collar	LC-95 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-84 hood and CL-M5 lens case
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon US specified August 2014 retail availability; Nikon Japan records 28 August 2014 release. Main month precision retains the earlier unspecified US availability within that month	Nikon USA announced availability on 13 September 2018; Nikon Japan records sale on 14 September 2018