Tracht3

Which lens will give me better iq with the d500

Asuri Loc: Brussels

I have been using 200-500 5.6 and I am pleased with its performance with my d500
Quite fast and autofocus with d500 is quite amazing. I have used it to catch birds which are swift. All my photos are sharp and the calrity is quite good. I have not faced any problems in shooting at 5.6 all the way.

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

This review is a bit old, but if you look at his other reviews, you may be able to interpolate your answer.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-300mm-f2-8g-vr-ii

My guess is that if the 300 F2.8 with a 1.4 TC is nearly as good as the 200-400 without one, and the 200-400 is considerably better than the 200-500 F5.6, I'd say that the 300 with the 1.4 TC III will out perform the 200-500 F5.6. I had one a while back as was completely astonished at how fast it focused and how crisp the lens was, even wide open. Of course, the cost is considerably higher between the lens and the TC.

I did my own analysis last summer and in September purchased a Sigma 150-600 Sport. Which is measurably and visually better than the 200-500. If I were buying it to day I might borrow/rent the Tamron G2, which from all I have read is as good as the Sigma Sport, and almost 2 lbs lighter. I did my testing with two D800s, and looked that the 200-500, original Tamron, Sigma Contemporary. It was really no contest - the Sigma is sharper than all of those, and quite close to my Nikon 600mm F4, but it's portable and hand-holdable and is best used in good light.

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

I did not like the lens creep in the 150-600 Sigma. When shooting on a tripod at an upward angle at an eagle's nest while waiting for the shot, the lens head would creep backwards due to the weight of the head at 600mm. I bought the lens as an experiment shooting at 600mm. Since then I have sold the Sigma and purchased a Nikon prime and I'm happy.

BebuLamar

The 300mm f/2.8 is much more expensive than the 200-500 lens plus it's a prime. If it doesn't outperform the 200-500 then it's way overpriced.

rcrogers6

Which Sigma, "C" or "S"?

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

You are the only person who can get IQ out of a lens. I owned the 300 2.8 with the 1.4 and I currently own the 200-500 f5.6. (I shot both off the D500) I could not see the difference, that's why I sold my Nikon 300 2.8. The weight difference is amazing and I have more options with the zoom vs. fixed focal length. But the bottom line here is, IT'S THE PHOTOGRAPHER, NEVER THE LENS IF BOTH ARE ABOUT THE SAME.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, the raw IQ should be a toss-up - but one is f4 @420mm and the other is f5.6 @420mm ......So the AF will be better with the 300 as well as isolation/blur and ISO noise. There will be a weight/management difference favoring the zoom.

advocate1982

I find the 300 2.8 to be considerably sharper than the zooms. Never used it with the teleconverter, but many times I prefer the image from the 300 that is cropped, than from the high zooms, and I've got an OLD 300 2.8 so no VR in it.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Just so we all know, the 200-500 gives it's best IQ performance @ around 400mm and of course the NATIVE 300 2.8's will be better than the zoom - period.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I have the Nikon 300 2.8 and use it with the 1.4 and the 2.0 TC (not at the same time) and was thinking of getting the 200-500. Now I am having second thoughts.
Thanks

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

I owned both, don't let others discourage you. I found the IQ very equal between my 300 2.8 with 1.4 and the 200-500. I liked the 200-500 so much, considering the weight difference, that I have sold my 300 2.8. The 200-500 is outstanding. I even own the Nikon 200-400 and now find myself with the 200-500 100% of the time attached to my D500, yes, it is that good.

pmackd Loc: Alameda CA

Not only is the 200 - 500 outstanding but you can put a Nikon 1.4x III TC on it and get 700mm (1050 FF equivalent) out of it, shooting at f8 or above. Great for static or slow moving subjects. Sharper at f11.

Sample variation has been reported so do an AF Fine Tune if you get one. My copy does not require correction.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I had the Nikon 300 2.8 VR II and the TC14EII and was shooting a D800E at the time. The Image quality with the 1.4 was super. Sold the lens due to weight issues.

To get to the point, I now have the 200-500E and use it with the D500 and D810. Its very good but it doesn't match the 300 & TC or its focus speed .

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