Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4 D II ED Autofocus IF Lens, Black {52 Drop-in/Filter} with Tripod Foot

Nikon's 500mm f/4 supertelephoto built for serious reach

At 500mm with a maximum aperture of f/4, this AF-S NIKKOR gives you the focal length that wildlife and sports photographers depend on, with enough light-gathering to keep shutter speeds honest in difficult conditions. The Silent Wave Motor autofocus is fast and quiet, critical when tracking unpredictable subjects where a noisy AF drive would be a liability. Internal Focus means the barrel length stays constant during focusing, which keeps handling predictable on a monopod or gimbal head.

ED glass elements address the chromatic aberration that plagues long telephoto designs, keeping fine detail like feathers or jersey numbers from fringing against bright backgrounds. The 52mm drop-in filter system lets you add polarizers or neutral density filters without front-mounting oversized glass, a practical solution at this focal length. The included tripod foot allows quick switching between horizontal and vertical orientation without repositioning the head clamp.

This is an F-mount lens, so it pairs with the full range of Nikon F-mount bodies, from film SLRs to the D-series DSLRs. Glass of this caliber holds its value precisely because the optical formula doesn't age the way electronics do.

Who It's For

Wildlife photographers working from blinds or at distance will get clean subject separation at f/4 against compressed backgrounds. Sports shooters covering outdoor events need both the reach and the aperture to freeze action with adequate shutter speed under variable light. Birders in particular benefit from the Internal Focus system, which keeps subject tracking smooth during erratic flight paths. Photojournalists covering field sports or motorsports on Nikon F-mount bodies get a proven focal length that integrates directly with their existing kit.

Key Features

• 500mm fixed focal length with f/4 maximum aperture
• AF-S Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet autofocus
• Internal Focus (IF) maintains constant barrel length
• ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements reduce chromatic aberration
• 52mm drop-in filter system for internal mounting
• Includes tripod foot for quick orientation changes
• Nikon F-mount compatible with all F-mount bodies

FAQ

What autofocus system does this 500mm use?

AF-S Silent Wave Motor autofocus tracks subjects quickly and quietly, critical for wildlife and sports where motor noise can spook subjects or break concentration.

Will the barrel extend when focusing?

No. Internal Focus (IF) keeps the barrel length constant during focusing, which maintains predictable handling on a monopod or gimbal head.

How does ED glass help at 500mm?

ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements minimize chromatic aberration, preventing color fringing on fine details like feathers or jersey numbers against bright backgrounds.

What filter system does this lens use?

52mm drop-in filters mount internally, letting you add polarizers or neutral density filters without mounting oversized glass on the front.

Does it come with a tripod foot?

Yes. The included tripod foot allows quick switching between horizontal and vertical orientation without repositioning your head clamp.

What camera bodies is this compatible with?

F-mount design pairs with any Nikon F-mount body, including film SLRs and D-series DSLRs.

Why choose a lens like this over a zoom telephoto?

500mm f/4 gives you maximum light-gathering and optical performance at that focal length. A zoom covering this range would cost far more and sacrifice aperture. Fixed focal lengths also hold value because the optical formula doesn't age like electronics.