Used 500mm f4 vr or 600mm f4 vr

[DRT730]

I have been on a waiting list for a 500mm PF for awhile (B&H + 2 local stores) and I am getting impatient. I am seeing a couple of used 500mm/600mm F4 at FM site. Is it worth buying used or just maybe jump ship to Sony A9+200-600 kit route?

 

[gchappel]

I too was on the waiting list for the 500pf for several months. For other reasons I moved to sony 6 months ago. The 200-600 is a very nice lens. But it is no 500mm f4 prime. I have a pristine 500mm vr nikon lens sitting here, unused for months. It really is too heavy and cumbersome for me now, and the 200-600 is doing what I need. But the 500 is magical.
Gary

 

[Allan]

500 f/4 is much heavier than the PF. If weight matters I wowuld wait for the PF.

 

[Randy]

make sure it's the new 500e, much better balance

 

[Butlerkid]

While I agree with Allan and Randy, the 500 f4 is a stop faster and incredibly sharp. I used mine on tripod, so that extra weight wasn't a big deal. If you walk around a lot or hand hold, the 500 e is much more practical.

Have you called around to Murphy's Camera, District Camera and other well regarded smaller stores? I was offered one after only 2 months.....and that was about 6-9 months ago.

 

[Allan]

If you follow Karen's logic, get a 600. The more reach the better.

 

[Randy]

call district camera in Burke VA and ask for Eldar and he should be able to help with a 500pf

 

[DRT730]

Thanks for all the good insight and suggestions. I will start calling around for the 500pf. But come to think of it why Nikon is not pushing production of high demand lenses such as the 500pf and now the highly anticipated 70-200 Z lens. Maybe a marketing strategy? But its making their loyal customers to jump over to their competitors who could provide the demands of their customers...

 

[DRT730]

End up buying a used 500mm f4 Vr from drr1531. Still on the list for the 500pf which is still hard to come by?