8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon Review

Whether you’re meaning to dabble into wildlife photography or looking to step up your architectural or landscape photography game, it is about time you add a telephoto lens in your gear. And if you are searching for something that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, then the Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon might be for you.

Let us walk you through what this powerful and inexpensive super-telephoto lens can do and see how it fits your requirements.

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Features

The Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon comes with the following features:

500mm telephoto lens with 2x converter

The Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon boasts of a 500mm focal length, which doubles to 1000m with a 2x teleconverter. Even without the 2x teleconverter, this telephoto lens has a minimum focus distance of 33 feet or 10.06 meters.

With such power, the Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon is highly suitable for taking wildlife photos, celestial images, and surveillance shots. Magnification power is up to 10 times.

Manual focusing

This telephoto lens requires a fully manual operation. To focus, you need to use the focus ring on the camera. Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO adjustments also have to be made on the lens.

If you are thinking of having the lens interact with the camera, then this is not the lens for you. The Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon is for those who love old school photography and don’t mind learning about a manual operation.

F/8 to f/32 aperture

With a maximum aperture of f/8, the Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon requires ample lighting to get decent shots. You can take magnificent landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, and wildlife with it in bright to medium lighting conditions.

Good optical construction

This high-power telephoto lens has four elements in four groups. It also comes with a high index, low-dispersion multi-coated optical glass to fetch you crisp, high-contrast, and flare-free compositions.

Built-in tripod collar

The Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon requires a tripod to get a stable shot. It is outfitted with a rotatable tripod collar for this purpose.

Compatible with all Nikon DSLRs

The Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon is compatible with 35mm film or full-frame digital sensor cameras. Matching models include Nikon DF, D40, D40X, D70, D80, D90, D100, D200, D300, D300S, D500, D600, D610, D700, D750, D800, D810A, D810, D850, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5600, D7000, D7200, and D7500.

The kit comes with a T-mount adapter for the camera to work with digital and 35mm Nikon DSLR cameras.

Lightweight and compact

For an 11.73 x 2.76-inch telephoto lens, this one is surprisingly lightweight, tipping the scales at only 638 grams or 22.5 ounces. It owes this to its aluminum alloy construction.

Pros

Very powerful magnification capability
Comes with a 2x teleconverter that doubles it telephoto powers
Has a built-in rotatable tripod collar
Works well with a solid tripod and a remote shutter trigger
Images taken within the golden hours come out crisp and clear.
Suitable for outdoor, wildlife, celestial, and surveillance photography
Lets you get a close-up view of your subject without distracting them
Lightweight and compact for a telephoto lens in its range.
Can be had at a very affordable price
Great beginner telephoto lens

Cons

Lack of weight makes the lens sensitive to movements.
As with most telephoto lenses, it requires a tripod or monopod and a remote for a steady shot.
Requires decent lighting conditions
Not suitable for taking sports action shots and concert photos
Operates on a completely manual mode
Takes some practice, especially if you are new to the manual lens focusing
Has no vibration reduction capability
Not for serious or professional photographers looking for an investment piece

Summary

The Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon is a high-power telephoto lens that offers you a minimum focus distance of 33 feet or 10.06 meters.

Used with its complimentary 2x converter, it doubles its magnification power, giving you an incredibly close-up view of your subject from a good distance.

Comparison

If you’re happy with the 500mm/1000mm focal length of the product-in-review but curious with how it compares to a Nikon telephoto lens of its range, then let’s check out the Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens. Be forewarned, however, that if you are tight on the budget, then the lens will cost you around 11 times more than the Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon.

But if you are looking for a real investment piece, then the Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens is sure to leave an impression. With a higher maximum aperture of f/5.6, it will definitely allow you to breach the limits set by the f/8 stop of the Vivitar model. For one, the competition lens lets you shoot sports action.

And if old school manual lens operation doesn’t appeal to you, then this lens allows you to use your camera’s auto functions. On top of that, this longer and heavier lens comes with a Vibration Reduction technology that fetches you sharper images. And if you want to increase its focal length limits, then this Nikon lens works with a 1.4x, 1.7x, and a 2x teleconverter (sold separately).

Verdict

For its telephoto power and price, the Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon makes for a great learning tool. As though its 500mm focal length is not enough, it comes with a 2x converter that doubles its telephoto capabilities. Great for capturing lunar phenomena, wildlife in their natural habitat, far-off cityscapes and landmarks, and more without breaking the bank!

However, this entry-level telephoto lens is completely manual. Unless you’re willing to put in the time to learn manual focusing and have the patience for it, you would want to keep searching. As it is, the Vivitar 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon offers a great deal for those looking for a beginner telephoto lens and who don’t mind learning manual operation skills on the side.