OviedoPhotos

I'm at a crossroads, I own a Nikon 800e and the longest lens I own is a Nikon 28/300 but I also have a Nikon 80/200 2.8 Wanting to experiment with wildlife I rented one week the Nikon 200/500 and a subsequent week the Sigma Sport 150/600. I took more or less the same photos with both lenses.

I enjoyed the longer reach of the Sigma but also like the 5.6 f-stop of the Nikon at 500. I can get one or the other but not both. Both of them were sharp at the maximum reach.

But I'm worried about whether or not Nikon will disable third party lenses in future bodies.

Any suggestions?

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Obviously, I can't answer your worries, but if Nikon were to do that, they would angry many customers. I own the Sigma Sport and have used the Nikon. The Sigma is better weather sealed and the Nikon is a bit lighter and less $$. It's a choice you're going to have to make. Depend upon what you want to shoot with it and in what conditions. Personally, the weather sealing is more important. Best of luck.

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

did you read this:

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

It might help your decision making process.

srherrmann Loc: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

It's any bodies guess as to what Nikon may in the future do. I don't see it happening.

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

Check out Brad Hill's Blog: http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html Dates of Nov 20 and Dec 20, 2015. He has tested the both lenses.

OviedoPhotos

Thanks for the tip on weather sealing. I hadn't thought of that.

OviedoPhotos

Thanks for the link

OviedoPhotos

Good point.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

I was at the same crossroads just a few months back concerning the same two lenses. What tipped the scale for me, in favor of the Sport was.....

The ability to do updates myself. (I just did the first one to increase focus speed).
The ability to perfectly fine tune focus at 4 focal lengths and 4 distances on each of those, for a total of 16 (so far I have only used the 600 end and have found no need to fine tune it there.
Extremely sharp on the long end and I'm not certain about the short end (but, the short end is not what I bought this lens for).
The ability to program two custom setting perimeters for various shooting conditions, three total.
Additional 100mm on the long end and 50mm on the short end (not that I use the short end much).
Weather sealing.
Weight was not a consideration for me because I will always be using a Gimbal head.
Plus, I ordered a like new refurb directly from Sigma for $1,500 shipped. (some consider a refub better than new because it has been more closely inspected). I still would have went with the Sport even at the present $1,800 price.

Having said all of that, either of these two lenses should make you very happy.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I own the D800 and have been shooting the Nikon 200/500 for 6 months on a daily basis in Florida. It is the BEST lens for the money on the market hands down. If I were you I would have already been shooting this lens, I wouldn't be asking for advice. For what it is worth, the 200/500 is not weather proof, big deal, I have been shooting for over 50 years and have never shot wildlife in the rain yet.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I had the same quandary. was thinking about either the Tamron or Sigma 150-600, But when Nikon came out with the 200-500 with the fixed f/stop of 5.6 I purchased it and I am more than happy a great sharp lens. I used it with the D810 and now with the D500

MtnMan Loc: ID

They already did it with the Sigma 150-500 and D5300. Fortunately Sigma retaliated. But I had to send mine in for a "free" firmware upgrade to work with the D5300. Free is in quotes because it cost me $50 to ship it to them. They covered return shipping.

OviedoPhotos

Thanks

OviedoPhotos

Thanks for the replies.

brapoza Loc: Dartmouth, MA

Great review