Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR vs Tamron SP 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR is faster by 2 stops (f/4.0 vs f/8.0), letting in more light.
| Spec | AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR | SP 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Nikon | Tamron |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Type | Prime | Mirror |
| Focal length | 500mm | 500mm |
| Max aperture | f/4.0 (faster) | f/8.0 |
| Released | 2015 | n/a |
| Blades | 9 | n/a |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 12 | 4 |
| Af motor | SWM | none |
| Elements | 16 | 7 |
| Weight g | 3090.0 | n/a |
| Length mm | 387.0 | n/a |
| Stabilized | Yes | n/a |
| Diameter mm | 140.0 | n/a |
| Min focus m | 3.6 | 1.7 (closer focusing) |
| Max magnification | 0.15 | n/a |
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR
500mm f/4 telephoto with fluorite elements, electromagnetic aperture and VR, introduced in 2015. It weighs about 3.1kg.
Pros
- f/4 with VR
- Fluorite elements
- Lighter than the previous 500mm f/4G
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Large
- Needs a gimbal head or monopod
Tamron SP 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2
Tamron SP 500mm f/8 Mirror Adaptall-2: a mirror telephoto lens with a 500mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/8, made for Nikon F mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series. Its catadioptric design keeps a long focal length compact and light.