Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR vs Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR

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AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR compared with AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR
Overview
Released
Released	July 2015	April 2013
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	500 mm	800 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups plus one protective glass element	20 elements in 13 groups plus protective glass; supplied converter has five elements in three groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements and two fluorite elements	Two ED and two fluorite elements in the lens; one ED element in the converter
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the protective glass	Nano Crystal Coat; no fluorine coating claimed in the maker specification tables used here
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	f/5.6–32 without the converter; f/7.1–40 with the supplied TC800-1.25E ED
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 5°; DX 3°10′	FX 3°10′; DX 2° without converter
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; electromagnetic aperture control restricts compatibility with some older DSLRs	CPU-equipped E-type Nikon F lens; electromagnetic aperture control requires compatible camera operation
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Original Nikon announcement lists TC-14E, TC-17E and TC-20E series; autofocus operation depends on the converter and camera aperture support	Supplied matched TC800-1.25E ED is exclusive to this lens and gives 1000 mm f/7.1; original US announcement names D4, D800 series and D600 for full autofocus with it
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	3.6 m	5.9 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.15×	0.15×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; autofocus and manual focus	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; autofocus and manual focus
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 3.6 m; focus limiter selects FULL or infinity–8 m	Maker main minimum distance 5.9 m; Japan converter table gives 5.9 m in autofocus and 5.8 m in manual focus with the matched converter. Focus limiter selects FULL or infinity–10 m
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	Nikon Japan publishes 0.15× without converter in AF and MF, used in the main specifications; UK gives 1/6.7. Japan lists converter ratios of 1/5.3 in AF and 1/5.1 in MF
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions on an FX DSLR; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported	Lens-shift VR rated 4.5 stops under CIPA conditions in NORMAL mode on an FX DSLR; NORMAL and ACTIVE modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	–
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	52 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	140 mm	160 mm
Length
Length	387 mm	461 mm
Weight
Weight	3,090 g (better)	4,590 g
Controls
Controls	Reviews describe A/M and M/A modes and four configurable buttons for AF-ON, AF lock or focus memory recall	–
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread	52 mm drop-in holder system; pitch 0.75 mm
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Original Nikon announcement describes sealing and gaskets against the elements; no waterproof rating stated	–
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 140 mm maximum diameter × 387 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 160 mm maximum diameter × 461 mm from the mount flange; matched converter approximately 62.5 mm diameter × 16 mm between bayonet reference planes, 29 mm overall
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 4,590 g lens; supplied matched converter approximately 135 g
In the box
In the box	Nikon UK lists slip-on front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-34 hood, 40.5 mm NC filter, CT-505 case, LN-2 strap and monopod collar	–
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon US specified mid-July 2015 retail availability; the 2 July announcement is not used as the first-sale date	Original Nikon US announcement specifies April 2013 retail availability; January introduction is not used as the first-sale date