Nikon 500mm f/4 NIKKOR P ED IF Manual Focus Lens {39 Drop-In/Filter}

Model #220925
  • $668.00

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New in box complete with manufacturer's USA warranty. Not previously owned or used.
Essentially new with no signs of use. “Open box.” In manufacturer's packaging with original accessories and instructions. 180-day warranty.
Barely used with virtually no traces of wear. Only the closest inspections will reveal slight use. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Lightly used with limited signs of wear. Exceptionally nice but may have slight wear on finish visible. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Noticeably used with average signs of wear. Shows moderate wear for the age of the item, with the possibility of blemishes and/or minimal dings. Lens glass may have average dust and zoom/focus ring tension may have slight looseness or tightness overall, but will not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Frequently used with above-average wear. May have dents, dings, or finish loss. Lens glass may have small scratches, dust, and blemishes, and zoom/focus ring tension may have moderate looseness or tightness overall, but should not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Heavily used with extensive visible wear. Equipment is rough, with multiple impressions in the finish, excessive finish loss and brassing. Glass will have marks, fungus and/or heavy/cloudy haze which could affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. Not covered under KEH warranty.
Non-functional or damaged. Equipment will not work. Usable for parts. Not covered under KEH warranty and non-returnable.
EX Excellent
With Caps, Hood and Filter
$668.00
Only 1 left!
BN Bargain
With Case, Hood and Filter
$561.00
Only 2 left!
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The Nikkor 500mm f/4 P ED IF is a professional level large aperture super-telephoto manual focus lens for Nikon F-mount 35mm film and digital SLR cameras. It's a renowned if not legendary lens that's been used for some of the worlds best wildlife and nature photography. It's a lens that produces top-tier optical performance and seriously high magnification without the additional weight required by a 600mm f/4 or autofocus motors; this combination of capabilities and top-level mechanical construction have made design an particularly popular hit with photographers who backpack their gear.

Optically this monster tele is brilliant, it uses 8 elements in 6 groups (not counting the protective front glass or rear drop-in filter) including three ED (Extra Low Dispersion) glass elements to minimize abberations while producing most excellent sharpness, contrast & color. The f/4 maximum aperture allows a relatively bright viewfinder and produces tremendous background blur that re-enforces the sharpness with background separation. The f/4 aperture also makes practical use of high quality Nikon teleconverters such as the TC-14B and TC-301 possible.

Even though it's a manual focus lens the 500mm P ED IF actually has electronics that communicate with Nikon autofocus cameras to convey aperture and focal length information for metering and exposure control. It's one of the proud few Nikon Ai-P lenses meaning it has a built-in chip and electronic contacts for the CPU in the mount. This AI-P design allows Nikon camera Shutter Priority and Program Autoexposure modes to work without issue.

The Nikkor 500mm f/4 P ED IF was originally released in 1988. As of 2017 the Nikkor 500mm f/4 P ED is still the lightest 500mm f/4 lens available. Newer 500mm designs exist but this is an outstanding lens and value if you don't need autofocus.

Key Features

  • Nikon F-mount fast aperture 500mm
  • 5° angle of view
  • Outstanding optics deliver excellent sharpness, contrast & color
  • 3 ED (Extra Low Dispersion) elements
  • Bright f/4 maximum aperture
  • Useable with high quality teleconverters
  • Ai-P chip and CPU contacts enhance compatibility with AF & digital bodies
  • Mechanical aperture control allows use on broad range of cameras or adapters
  • Lightweight 3.0kg
  • Professional grade construction
  • Integral rotating tripod mount
  • Integral strap mounts
  • Classic Nikon crinkle finish
  • Front glass protects 1st ED element
  • Accepts 39mm drop in filters and 122mm front filters

Available accessories include the CT-500 Trunk Case, HE-17 Extension Hood, TC-14B teleconverter, TC-301 teleconverter, C-PL1S drop-in circular polarizer.

Brand Name Nikon
Filter Size 39mm
Focus Type Manual focus (only)
Lens Mount Nikon F Mount Ai & contacts (Ai-P)
Lens Type Telephoto / Long
Max Focal Length 500mm
Min Focal Length 500mm