Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR lens review

In fairness, I should explain the "30% of bird shots not in flight". This is with birds moving and hopping around in trees, so they're not completely static, and also, it was when I was shooting at the camera's highest frame frames - so there were still plenty of keepers. But I was surprised by how many shots were just a little out of focus - not quite hitting the birds eye, etc. I was using firmware version 4.00, which has recently been updated, so things could be improved with the new firmware.

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[christopherfrost]

In fairness, I should explain the "30% of bird shots not in flight". This is with birds moving and hopping around in trees, so they're not completely static, and also, it was when I was shooting at the camera's highest frame frames - so there were still plenty of keepers. But I was surprised by how many shots were just a little out of focus - not quite hitting the birds eye, etc. I was using firmware version 4.00, which has recently been updated, so things could be improved with the new firmware.

[samuelediprofio]

I'm waiting for the 16-55mm mark II review

[FellowEnginerd]

Thanks for reviewing this, Happy Holidays, I got a lot of value from your lens reviews, Thank You. If at all possible can you try it with 1.4x teleconverter? I hear there are problems and curious how the quality goes down.

[anthonyhurren]

Thanks for the review Chris. I have been using this lens since the end of November when it first hit uk stores as I have been waiting for years for Fuji to produce a longer prime like this. I think it’s a sweet spot for APSC and wildlife photography for the reach and overall weight and image quality. I previously owned the 150-600 but sold that with a another Len’s to get this one it’s definitely the best long prime alongside the 200mm f2 to own for wildlife photography from Fuji. But your right in terms of Fuji needing to improve their autofocus algorithms on their cameras for birds in flight to get the best out of this Lens, for birds in branches etc I have found the hit rate fine defo higher than 30% for me if using zone or single point combined with bird eye detect rather than the wide tracking mode which isn’t as reliable I have found on Fuji cameras. I do hope the hit rate for critical focus in BIF will get some attention from Fuji as I am getting some beautifully sharp shots but also some where it just misses the eye as well. Thanks for you review. Kind regards Anthony 🙏

[attenia]

aww when I saw 500mm I at first thought the review of the TTArtisan 500mm f6.3 was made. cheers to hoping! :D

[opalyankaBG]

Thanks for another great review! I enjoyed the samples, too. Pity about the low hit rate with the X-T5. P.S.: a nit pick, but the 500mm f/5.6 is 'just' 2/3 stops faster than the 150-600 when set at 500mm.

[sargisshirinyan]

Do you have the new 16-55 2.8 m2 review coming?

[VermillionInvades]

This is one I really want to add to my bag eventually. Thanks for the great review!

[scottswank]

The X-T5 firmware update just came out. Did you by any chance have that installed for this review? I'm mostly curious because of the poor AF hit rate on perched birds. Thanks so much!

[KK-fims]

There is a real lack of bright super telephoto lenses specifically designed for APSC mirrorless cameras.

[atselykovskiy]

This shows how good that GF mount lens is

[SCEmissary]

I was irrational and bought this one. Irrational, because I don't really need it, but was curious whether such a long prime lens fits my needs and makes a noticable different to the 100-400.
It definitely feels lighter than expected. In some quick test shots with an USAF target my lens showed quite some sharpness boost at f7.1 over f5.6 but I'll check this again. Bird tests are pending and I'm wonderng about my focus hit rate. At least the 100-400 on my X-T5 had no problems with static birds. :)

[subramoniams]

Thanks for the detailed review. I am more or less off my plans to go Canon or Sony and ditch Fujifilm that I have since 2013.

Is this lens twice as fast as XF150-600? f5.6 is one stop faster than f8, isn't it?

Fuji's size is almost same as Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS (20mm shorter but diameter is 4mm more) and filter size is the same at 95mm. With a full plastic construction Sigma is same weight as Fuji at 1370gm. Sigma is about $3000 too. Both are primes 🙂

[gamebuster]

You can't really design a 500 f/5.6 smaller. A 500 f/5.6 still requires a 90mm diagonal front element, no matter what sensor it is designed for

[Met.Photography]

What is sharper?This lens or the Z 800mm pf lens?

[nageshj-vw]

Hi Chris as usual excellent review. also please do review 16-55 f2.8 mark 2.

[carminedepaola]

What you means with a "medium format sensor on an aps c"?

This lens does actually have technically a sensor coverage similar to medium format ?

[KK-rcfp]

Hi, may you reveal the whole size of test chart for image quality in the video? Thanks.

[vivalasvegas]

“30% birds NOT in flight(static)”……LMAO 😂

[Met.Photography]

If you need Af in fuji which is usable get the xh2s.