VIVITAR 500mm F8 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens - Lightweight Super

In this review the VIVITAR 500mm F8 manual focus telephoto lens is evaluated as a no-frills, budget-friendly option for photographers who need extreme reach without the weight and cost of modern autofocus supertelephotos. The bottom line: this lens is for photographers who are comfortable working manually and want a long-reach, fully multi-coated glass with a rotatable tripod mount for balanced support. It delivers a strong value proposition for wildlife and distant subject shooting where portability and price outweigh the need for fast apertures or autofocus.

Key Features

• 500mm focal length: Provides long reach for distant subjects such as wildlife and landscape details where getting closer is impractical.
• F8 preset aperture: Offers a consistent, relatively small aperture that simplifies exposure control and keeps the lens compact and lightweight.
• Manual focus only: Lets experienced shooters fine tune focus precisely, particularly when using a tripod and the included T mount adapter on Nikon SLR bodies.
• Rotatable tripod mount: Mount placement improves balance on a tripod and rotates quickly for easy vertical format shooting without rebalancing the rig.
• Fully multi-coated optics: Anti-reflection coatings on every element reduce flare and improve contrast for clearer distant subject rendition.
• T mount for Nikon: The included T mount enables straightforward attachment to compatible Nikon SLR cameras for immediate use.

Who It's For

The VIVITAR 500mm F8 is aimed at hobbyists, birders, and travel photographers who need a long focal length on a budget and are prepared to work with manual focus. It suits shooters who prioritize reach and portability over fast aperture or autofocus performance, and who typically use a tripod or monopod for stable shooting.

This lens is not the right choice for fast-action sports where autofocus and wide apertures are essential, or for photographers who need modern optical stabilization. Users who require peak optical sharpness at wide open apertures should look to interchangeable autofocus telephotos instead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very long 500mm reach in a relatively compact, lightweight package for a supertelephoto.
• Rotatable tripod mount improves balance and makes switching to vertical framing quick and secure.
• Fully multi-coated elements reduce flare and preserve contrast for distant detail.
• Includes a T mount for Nikon SLRs, so the lens is ready to fit compatible cameras out of the box.

Cons

• Manual focus only, which can slow shooting on moving subjects and requires practice to use effectively.
• Fixed F8 aperture limits low-light performance and depth-of-field control compared with faster telephotos.

Specifications

Brand	Vivitar
Focal Length	500mm
Aperture	F8.0 preset
Focus	Manual focus only
Coating	Fully multi-coated, anti-reflection
Groups / Elements	4 / 4
Mount	T Mount included for Nikon SLR

Our Verdict

The VIVITAR 500mm F8 offers a cost-effective way to gain long reach with a lightweight, tripod-ready design. It is excellent value for photographers who can accept manual focus and a fixed F8 aperture in exchange for strong telephoto reach and practical features like a rotatable tripod mount and full multi-coating. Buy this lens if you want an affordable supertelephoto for wildlife or distant subjects and plan to work from a tripod.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this lens work on Nikon DSLRs?
Yes, the lens ships with a T mount for Nikon SLR cameras and will fit compatible Nikon bodies for manual focus use.

Is this lens autofocus?
No, this is a manual focus only lens designed for tripod or steady handheld use where manual adjustments are acceptable.

How does the rotatable tripod mount help?
The rotatable mount improves balance on a tripod and allows quick switching between horizontal and vertical framing without re-mounting the lens.