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Nikon has announced the development of the FX-format AF-S NIKKOR 500mm F5.6E PF ED VR lens. It uses the same type of phase fresnel element as the company’s AF-S 300mm F4E PF ED VR, which is 30% shorter and more than 50% lighter than its predecessor. By design, a Phase Fresnel element reduces chromatic aberration introduced by traditional refractive elements, while also reducing the overall length required to achieve high focal length magnification. This usually results in a decrease in total number of lens elements, as well as in overall size and weight.
Nikon hasn’t divulged any specifics, and more details, pricing and availability will be announced later this year.
Press Release
NIKON ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, A PORTABLE SUPER-TELEPHOTO FX-FORMAT LENS
The AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Will Deliver Exceptional Agility and Optical Performance in an Incredibly Compact and Lightweight Package
MELVILLE, NY (JUNE 14, 2018 at 12:01 A.M. EDT) – Today, Nikon Inc. announces the development of the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, an FX-format fixed focal length super-telephoto lens, which will offer a compelling combination of portability and performance.
The AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR will be a high-performance super-telephoto lens that is significantly smaller and lighter than comparable predecessors due to the adoption of the same type of Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element found in the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens, introduced in January 2015. Despite its 500mm focal length, the lens is small and light enough to use hand-held in a wide variety of situations where a photographer must capture unpredictable and fast-moving subjects, including sporting events and wildlife photography.
Phase Fresnel Lens Elements
The Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element developed by Nikon effectively compensates for chromatic aberration utilizing the photo diffraction phenomenon*. Compared to many general camera lenses that employ an optical system using the photorefractive phenomenon, a remarkably compact and lightweight body can be attained with fewer lens elements.
Price and Availability
Information regarding the release of the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens, including final specifications and pricing, will be announced later this year. For more information on the latest Nikon products, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
*Diffraction phenomenon: Light has characteristics as a waveform. When a waveform faces an obstacle, it attempts to go around and behind it, and this characteristic is referred to as diffraction. Diffraction causes chromatic dispersion in the reverse order of refraction.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)