Nikon Service Advisory for the AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens

Nikon issued service advisory for the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR compact super-telephoto zoom lens designed for its full-frame DSLR cameras.

From the service notice we understand that the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lenses with a serial number under 2008365 will need a firmware update in order to fix a confirmed AF issue.

The AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR lens features 3 ED elements and a 9-blade rounded aperture. It has a minimum focus distance of 2.2m/7.1ft throughout the entire focal range, uses 95mm filters and also supports 1.4X, 1.7X, and 2.0X teleconverters.

Details regarding implementation of this firmware service are as follows from the official text.

AF issue on some Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lenses

To users of the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens

Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs.

Nikon will implement a service for updating AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens firmware. Details regarding implementation of this firmware service are as follows.

Firmware update details
We have confirmed that with autofocus shooting using the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens, autofocus may sometimes become disabled and focus operation switches to manual focus* when the zoom ring on the lens is rotated while the camera’s shutter-release button is pressed halfway, or the camera’s AF-ON button is held down.

*Autofocus operation can be restored by pressing the camera’s shutter-release button halfway again, or pressing the camera’s AF-ON button again.

To address the occurrence of this, we will implement a service for updating AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens firmware.

Updating lens firmware
Those who would like to have their AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR firmware updated may take or send their lens to a Nikon authorised service center, where the firmware will be updated free of charge.

Identifying lenses with which the firmware has already been updated
Firmware in lenses with a serial number of 2008365 or higher have already been updated.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens Price

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is available from the camera stores below.

via Nikon Europe