Is The Nikon 200-500mm a true 500mm or less? I am looking to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm or the Sigma 150-600mm. The IQ of the lens are about the same. I read sometime back the Sigma...

mrd Loc: Eastern NC

I am looking to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm or the Sigma 150-600mm. The IQ of the lens are about the same. I read sometime back the Sigma was NOT a true 600, more like 560mm, if the Nikon is a true 500mm that is the one I would like, because of the constant f/5.6. Thanks to all!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

mrd wrote:

I am looking to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm or the Sigma 150-600mm. The IQ of the lens are about the same. I read sometime back the Sigma was NOT a true 600, more like 560mm, if the Nikon is a true 500mm that is the one I would like, because of the constant f/5.6. Thanks to all!

This says yes - http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3912606

But the Sigma Sport is noticeably sharper.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mrd wrote:

I am looking to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm or the Sigma 150-600mm. The IQ of the lens are about the same. I read sometime back the Sigma was NOT a true 600, more like 560mm, if the Nikon is a true 500mm that is the one I would like, because of the constant f/5.6. Thanks to all!

They are all true to focal length to 1%.
A couple years age Lens rentals.com claimed the Tamron 150_600 only went to 560mm when compared to the Canon 600mm F4 lens, but I replicated their test and found their fault. Results were posted here with the whole comparison explained.
My rental Nikon 200_500mm registers as 503mm in the Exit data of my D800E AND my D810.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

mrd wrote:

I am looking to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm or the Sigma 150-600mm. The IQ of the lens are about the same. I read sometime back the Sigma was NOT a true 600, more like 560mm, if the Nikon is a true 500mm that is the one I would like, because of the constant f/5.6. Thanks to all!

Most zooms are their quoted focal length at infinity ONLY - and the closer you focus, the more focal length you lose.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I't completely baffles me that people will spend so much dough on a piece of equipment based on what someone else says, rather than trying it out and deciding for them-self which they like better. Is it because they lack confidence to know what they like? Or is it lack of impulse control, the desire for instant gratification is too strong? Or is it simply laziness, the unwillingness to spend the time and effort? Or is it fear of spending a few extra dollars? (If that is the case buy the cheapest one).

MRD, Lensrentals.com or even better your local camera store that hosts rentals. Try both lenses out on the things you plan to shoot. Look at the results. Decide for yourself which you like better.

mrd Loc: Eastern NC

JD750, There are circumstances sometime that keep one from being able to do things the way one would like to, like being Caregiver 24/7 to a family member
and the closes camera store 65 miles away.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

mrd wrote:

JD750, There are circumstances sometime that keep one from being able to do things the way one would like to, like being Caregiver 24/7 to a family member
and the closes camera store 65 miles away.

Yes that is difficult and that is a very special thing to provide loving care and self sacrifice to better the life of your loved one.

I hope I did not sound harsh, I did not mean to, I'm just saying that you are the best person to decide what you like. FYI - Lensrentals ships to doorstep. If you have time to use the new lens, then surely you can find the time to evaluate lenses and pick the one you like best. No?

Not that UHHers advice is not good, it is. But there are other aspects to lenses that you will discover by using them some you may not have even thought of, that may play a big role in your selection.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

imagemeister wrote:

Most zooms are their quoted focal length at infinity ONLY - and the closer you focus, the more focal length you lose.

Your statement is incorrect: although the true focal length of a lens is defined when focused at infinity, as an object is brought closer to the camera, the focal length is INCREASED (you do not lose focal length) in order to maintain focus on that object. This becomes more evident when dealing with macro and close-up lenses; a good example is the Nikon micro 105mm/f2.8, where its effective aperture at the closest focusing distance can result in f/3.5 due to the increase in focal length and the resulting light loss.
In some lens designs, the change in focal length is negligible: the Nikon 200-500 zoom lens seems to break these rules with its unique design, which maintains its effective aperture and focal length throughout its focusing and zoom range.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

mrd wrote:

I am looking to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm or the Sigma 150-600mm. The IQ of the lens are about the same. I read sometime back the Sigma was NOT a true 600, more like 560mm, if the Nikon is a true 500mm that is the one I would like, because of the constant f/5.6. Thanks to all!

I believe that the issue to which you are referring is known as 'lens breathing'. A professional photographer named Matthew Gore explains it really well on his You Tube channel during his comparison test between a Canon 70 - 200mm f2.8L IS 11 and the Tamron equivalent. If you are bothered by the possible difference between stated focal length and actual focal length, it may worth viewing Matthew Gore's explanation before you make a decision as to which lens to choose.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Gene51 wrote:

This says yes - http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3912606

But the Sigma Sport is noticeably sharper.

Is it sharp throughout the range? Center sharpness goes to Nikon. What about other criteria such as distortion, chromatic aberration, vignetting, coatings to increase saturation, reduce flares, ghosting, vignetting, AF, construction, weather sealing, aperture blades, etc, etc.

https://photographylife.com/nikon-200-500mm-vs-tamron-150-600mm-vs-sigma-150-600mm-c/6

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Most zoom lenses are not immune to this concept known as focus breathing. A subject at say 15ft away on two lenses at the exact same focal length may result in images that are very different in size, but shot at infinity the images should be of equal size.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I do not own one of those 200-500 lens made by Nikon and in fact I have never used one. I can say though that Nikon is pretty accurate with their descriptions.
I am not immersed into wildlife photography reason why an old 80-400 VR lens is all I need when I do that type of photography.

wolfman

Mark7829 wrote:

Is it sharp throughout the range? Center sharpness goes to Nikon. What about other criteria such as distortion, chromatic aberration, vignetting, coatings to increase saturation, reduce flares, ghosting, vignetting, AF, construction, weather sealing, aperture blades, etc, etc.

https://photographylife.com/nikon-200-500mm-vs-tamron-150-600mm-vs-sigma-150-600mm-c/6

The link you provided compares the Nikon to the Sigma C. Gene was referring that the Sigma S is sharper than the Nikon.
Here's an article that compares the Nikon against the Sigma Sport. The Sigma Sport is obviously the better lens.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-200-500mm-f5-6e-vr/3

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Julian wrote:

Your statement is incorrect: although the true foc... (show quote)

You better do a little more research ....

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

mrd wrote:

I am looking to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm or the Sigma 150-600mm. The IQ of the lens are about the same. I read sometime back the Sigma was NOT a true 600, more like 560mm, if the Nikon is a true 500mm that is the one I would like, because of the constant f/5.6. Thanks to all!

It is probably shorter than 500, by how much I do not know. Nikon should have a spec sheet in which it notes the actual focal length on its long end.
Some lens reviews should shed a light on that matter as well!