Nikon 500mm f/4 Camera Lenses

Shooting Sporting Events and Wildlife with 500mm f/4 Lenses

There are some instances where you just can't get close enough to capture a detailed shot of your subject or, if you try, it quickly moves away. It's in situations like these that a super telephoto lens, such as a Nikon 500mm f/4, comes in really useful and allows you capture images that other photographers can't.

What Are the Advantages of a 500mm Lens?

Super telephoto lenses have the ability to capture distant subjects with clarity and speed, whether you're photographing sporting events or a wildlife safari. Modern telephoto lenses are brimming with state-of-the-art optical features, such as accurate image stabilization and ultra-quick autofocus motors that make them a pleasure to shoot with.

• The 500mm lenses are ideal for capturing subjects that are inaccessible at a closer distance, such as professional sporting events, or that you can spook easily, as is the case with wildlife, while still achieving super-sharp and clear images.
• AF-S telephoto lenses come with a built-in silent wave motor that enables faster autofocus (AF) capabilities with hardly any discernible noise.
• Most lenses also feature vibration reduction (VR), an image stabilization technology that minimizes camera shake blur. VR is particularly useful on super telephoto lenses where camera shake is more visible.

What Should You Look for When Buying a 500mm Lens?

Prime lenses, such as the f/4, tend to dominate when it comes to quality and length, although you can find telephoto zoom lenses, like 300-800mm, that will cover a wider variety of focal lengths.

• Be sure to take into account the sensor size on your camera, with Nikon DX-format APS-C cameras coming with a crop factor that will actually extend the focal length and effect the images that you can capture with particular zoom lenses.
• Another feature to consider is the aperture size, with wider apertures, like an f/2.8, faster but also much heavier than an f/4. Because of this, most super telephoto lenses don't come with extremely fast apertures, and you should consider the weight and how far you will be carrying the lens before purchase.
• Look for moisture-resistant lenses when you're going to be predominantly shooting outdoors to help protect the lens against corrosion.

Which Other Accessories Will You Need?

Due to their sheer size and practical considerations, you may want to consider other accessories, like tripods and teleconverters, to complement your super telephoto lens.

• When purchasing a super telephoto lens, you should consider whether you are going to shoot handheld—and endure the weight of the lens—or invest in a tripod to support the weight of the lens and reduce camera shake.
• You may want to consider a teleconverter that's compatible with your 500mm lens as it will extend its reach without compromising on features, like autofocus, VR, or image stabilization.

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