Nikon Announces Development of AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

From Nikon:

Offers superior agility and optical performance

June 14, 2018 – TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the development of the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, a fixed focal length super-telephoto lens compatible with Nikon FX-format digital SLR cameras.

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 used in the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, released in January 2015. This lens makes hand-held photography easy, despite it being a fixed focal length super-telephoto lens that supports 500 mm focal length. The portability of the lens allows it to be used in a wider variety of situations, and for capturing fast-moving and unpredictable subjects in scenes such as sporting events.

Details, including the release date and suggested retail price for this product, will be shared at a later date.

Nikon continues to encourage the pursuit of imaging expression possibilities through its innovative products and solutions, built on its 100 years of heritage and advanced technical capabilities.

PF (Phase Fresnel) Lens Elements

The PF (Phase Fresnel) lens, developed by Nikon, effectively compensates chromatic aberration utilizing the photo diffraction phenomenon*. It provides superior chromatic aberration compensation performance when combined with a normal glass lens. 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 less number of lens elements.

* 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.