FUJIFILM XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens

[Astigmatism]

I came across this here:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1855422-REG/fujifilm_16900408_xf_500mm_f_5_6_r.html

This sounds like a pretty exciting lens. It's a prime lens and, apparently, more compact than the zooms. It's compatible with the 1.4X and 2X lenses, too. The thought of ordering one flits through my mind now and then. It wouldn't be the most extravagant purchase I've ever made, but it'd probably be in the top 5.

Anybody have one?

[SJW]

I purchased one recently however I haven’t had much time with it in the field yet. Incredible reach, clear and not too heavy come to mind so far. I haven’t purchased any of large zooms but do have the 200 f2 and tc. 

[Astigmatism]

I read that is is designed to work particularly well handheld (an impressive goal for such a long lens). Perhaps they mean the OIS built into the lens is unusually good. SJW, do you have any opinion on that?

[SJW]

What little I have used it has been handheld. I found it reasonably comfortable to use however I was strapping it to the lens mount on a decent harness. I am developing an interest in wildlife photography so I imagine I will purchase another tripod to suit that better but definitely no issues walking and shooting.

[Love OspreysinCA]

On 2/23/2025 at 2:45 PM, Astigmatism said:

I came across this here:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1855422-REG/fujifilm_16900408_xf_500mm_f_5_6_r.html

This sounds like a pretty exciting lens. It's a prime lens and, apparently, more compact than the zooms. It's compatible with the 1.4X and 2X lenses, too. The thought of ordering one flits through my mind now and then. It wouldn't be the most extravagant purchase I've ever made, but it'd probably be in the top 5.

Anybody have one?

No, but I will shortly, I just have to have this for wildlife! My 150-600mm is very good, but the aperature is a bit large at f8.  I need that 5.6.  I'm hoping it will improve my CAF too. 

[Astigmatism]

I never followed up on this. I did get one. It's pretty amazing. Every shot I've taken with it is sharp, handheld or on a tripod, at least somewhere in the photo. I have experimented with it at home, but I live in woods and don't have very long sight lines; if there are trees in the photo, some will be sharp, but depth of field limits this.

Handheld, it's a little hard for me to aim accurately (I'm pretty shaky). Just now it's occurring to me I should have tried Continuous autofocus, but I only tried Single shot. I can't control what point will autofocus as a result. This is all the more true with the 2X extender.

On a tripod all of this is perfectly fine. I need to try a better environment, where perhaps handheld will work well. I live near the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River, famous for its bald eagles, which make for great targets.

One unusual feature: the lens can be programmed for a focus distance. You get it focused on something and press a button on the lens to set that distance. Then, whenever you want to return to that distance, you press one of the four buttons arranged around the barrel a little behind the front of the lens. I haven't done much with it.

Attached is a photo of a little monster figurine, 5" tall. Picture was taken with the 2X from 104 feet away with tripod. ISO 6400, f/11, 1/2000 s. I had to shrink the file size to upload; there's better detail in the photo I actually got. 

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