This lens has been a great performer for me but it is proving to be a bit too big for me when saddled to the BIG Bogen tripod and the D3 mounted on it. So I'm offering it up here for sale for $4,550.00 Firm!
If you want a perfect lens.... DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MINE please. It is IMO 97% because I actually took some pictures with it. The typical shine through where the Hood mounts is there... a very slight brush about 1" long on the focusing ring rubber is there, but you have to look hard to see it.
It's a BIG lens and some of these minor scuffs occur just putting it into the case under its own weight, so it's going to happen if you are going to use it.
That being said.... it is a terrific optic and the AF-S is excellent. Now I have not been shy in my posts by saying that I am old school and more often than not MANUALLY FOCUS all my lenses so I just want to put that out there. In general I trust ME more than I trust the AF on any lens. I'm including a picture of a Monarch Butterfly IN FLIGHT that I took just last week end with this lens manually focusing it.... see it for yourself.
I have the hard case as supplied by Nikon and the soft lens hood, the manual and the hard rear cap.
I will ship US ONLY and Paypal preferred and I will only ship when the money has transferred because I'm not sending this thing down the road until I have the cash!
Buy now and get it just in time for Migration season
tuannie wrote:
Terry, how much does the lens actually weight?
Tuannie the manual has it 7.6 lbs. This is the newer version pre-VR, so it isn't bad. My problem is that I am a left foot amputee and moving the camera, lens and tripod is now becoming quite difficult for me. It isn't that the lens is all that heavy.... it is more my circumstance than anything else....
Terry D wrote:
Tuannie the manual has it 7.6 lbs. This is the newer version pre-VR, so it isn't bad. My problem is that I am a left foot amputee and moving the camera, lens and tripod is now becoming quite difficult for me. It isn't that the lens is all that heavy.... it is more my circumstance than anything else....
Thanks. Terry. I just wanted to know the weight. I have been looking around for a telephoto but good one seem to be super heavy. I hate weight. I don't even like having D3 bodies because of weight.
tuannie wrote:
Thanks. Terry. I just wanted to know the weight. I have been looking around for a telephoto but good one seem to be super heavy. I hate weight. I don't even like having D3 bodies because of weight.
Have you looked into the new Micro Four Thirds camera Pano G1? Weight much less than the D3 and I am sure their (tele) lenses would too.
tuannie wrote:
Thanks. Terry. I just wanted to know the weight. I have been looking around for a telephoto but good one seem to be super heavy. I hate weight. I don't even like having D3 bodies because of weight.
I know... but it is the only way to get out there when you need to.
I might add that I believe that the 500 is truly the best overall choice for long teles if you shoot variety because you have variable range with the great 1.4 and 1.7 TC's... the 400 is too short and 600 is heavier and puts you in a bind if you want to shoot anything other than road racing or maybe football... it might be too long for football too Just my $.02
danjacquitaylo wrote:
Have you looked into the new Micro Four Thirds camera Pano G1? Weight much less than the D3 and I am sure their (tele) lenses would too.
I'm in love with my D3... I actually LIKE the weight of the camera... it's just when I have to move it all to change my angle of view (position) is when it gets complicated for me... I'm not an avid birder and I don't do sports any more, so I'll probably step down in focal length and make do..... but I'll miss the 500 no doubt about that.
Terry D wrote:
I'm in love with my D3... I actually LIKE the weight of the camera... it's just when I have to move it all to change my angle of view (position) is when it gets complicated for me... I'm not an avid birder and I don't do sports any more, so I'll probably step down in focal length and make do..... but I'll miss the 500 no doubt about that.
I shot a few 12-14 weddings this year with 2 D3 bodies and I am done. I suppose you are right on the weight issue. I though hard about the sigma 500mm 4.5 since the 500 is out of my reach. Anyway, I thought the weight might keep me from going out. I gotta think hard about this one
danjacquitaylo wrote:
Have you looked into the new Micro Four Thirds camera Pano G1? Weight much less than the D3 and I am sure their (tele) lenses would too.
Dan you must be joking right? I don't want toy cameras
I have a couple of questions about your lens. Can the aperture be adjusted manually? I often use my current lens, a 500F4 EDIF-P with an extension tube, stopping the lens down manually - TTL metering still works.
Can the camo fabric be removed from the lens hood (how is it attached)?
Can you direct me to few more photos taken with the lens?
I've heard good things about this lens in general and would like to replace my current 500mm manual focus lens with an autofocus one.
I've been taking photos of birds since about 1990. But, I've just joined the forum because a friend called my attention to your lens. You can see my bird photos at www.agpix.com/deballen
The typical shine through where the Hood mounts is there... a very slight brush about 1" long on the focusing ring rubber is there, but you have to look hard to see it. 
Just my $.02
Hey it's a great lens and somebody will give it a new home.