First Looks at Nikon 600mm f/4E AF-S FL ED VR Lens Image Quality and Some Additional Info

Image quality test results have been added to the Nikon 600mm f/4E AF-S FL ED VR Lens page. You are going to like these results.

There is a rather long story behind why test results from this lens' are showing up on the site at this time. I'll try to make this brief while filling in some blank space for you.

We first began testing Nikon lenses many years ago using a D3x. As imaging sensor resolutions increased, I felt the need to re-test Nikon lenses with the latest model, highest resolution Nikon camera available at that time. That was the D810. Not long after begining the D810 lens testing project, we ran into a number of bad lens copies that cost us significantly and I placed Nikon lens testing on the backburner. At the same time, many requests were coming in for Sony lens testing and thus, we moved Sony lens testing to a higher priority.

As we worked through the Sony full frame lens reviews, the Nikon lens testing project was rising on the priority list and now, the significantly higher-resolution D850 is available. I decided that we needed to acquire a D850 before investing further in Nikon lens evaluations (our like-new, lightly used D810 is for sale).

Then a few things happened, aligning the stars, so-to-speak. For over a year, I've had an elk photography trip booked at a private ranch in Idaho. Then Canon announced the replacement for my wildlife-go-to Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens. While the image quality promised to be similar (extremely good), the weight savings on the III is incredible. The difference is game-changing – and it feels even more significant when holding the II and III at the same time. I placed an order for the 600mm f/4L IS III the minute preorders opened. BTW, the 400 f/2.8L IS II and III weight difference feels just as major.

Back to the Nikon story: it seemed wrong for someone who reviews cameras and lenses to take a being-replaced lens for primary (almost exclusive) use on a big photo trip. Then a Nikon 600mm f/4E AF-S FL ED VR Lens in 9+ condition showed up in B&H's used department.

With the D850 closely approaching the resolution of my Canon EOS 5Ds R and boasting a much-faster 9 fps frame rate with the MB-D18 grip and EN-EL18c battery installed, I decided that I would sell my current 600 f/4L II to fund the III and use the Nikon 600 f/4E to challenge the D850 in the interim. The elk photo trip would be an especially great opportunity to get to know this gear (and I always love figuring out new gear).

While I am not often a proponent of buying used gear, buying used gear from B&H is relatively safe and I thoroughly tested the lens upon arrival. I was especially wary because, years ago, we tested a number of Nikon supertelephoto lenses that ... didn't perform very well. After AF calibrating the lens and giving it some initial testing, I had a close black bear and cubs encounter in heavy fog that proved out the functionality and capabilities of this setup. The gear worked great on my trip and ... my photo processing backlog has been greatly increased.

Photographing, evaluating gear and image processing – I can pick 2 of those right now and opted to narrow down and process images later, perhaps over the winter. I have spent a lot of time behind cameras and lenses this summer and fall and have a lot to share over the following months.

Back to the Nikon D850 results: note that, after careful consideration, we have increased the standard sharpness setting of the Nikon D850 results from "0" to "1" (using Nikon software for RAW conversion). Evaluating highly magnified images shows very slight sharpening halos present at this setting, but comparatively, we think "1" is the right number to go with. The Nikon 600mm f/4E AF-S FL ED VR Lens vs. Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens at f/5.6 shows the two lenses appearing similarly sharp with their respective high resolution cameras behind them (Nikon D850 vs. Canon EOS 5Ds R).

Also note that we remain committed to evaluating Canon gear as our highest priority (our primary kits are Canon) and will bring additional brand camera and lens test results and reviews as time and resources permit.

The excellent Nikon 600mm f/4E AF-S FL ED VR Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.

Rent the Nikon 600mm f/4E AF-S FL ED VR Lens from Lensrentals.