Reconvic Loc: clermont Fl

This a continuance of Best zoom lens for a Nikon D850. Much thanks to all that have given their opinions. As a result I have narrowed down my choices to either a Sigma Sport 160-600 and the Nikkor 200-500. The following photos were taken with the contemporary using : matrix or evaluative metering/manual mode/auto ISO/600mm/all were cropped and hand held. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO GIVE CRITICISM OR ADVICE.
I have been photographing for a year and need a critical eye.

1/2000 about 200 meters out

(Download)

1/2000 about 200 meters out

(Download)

1/2000 about 250 meters out

(Download)

1/2000 50 meters out

(Download)

1/160 75 meters out

(Download)

1/160 50 meters out

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Looks like a good combo to me. Nice set.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You need to get MUCH closer .....420mm on FF about 80 feet with a small crop

(Download)

Reconvic Loc: clermont Fl

thanks

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Unfortunately to get high quality photos of birds or any other wildlife you have to shoot in the best possible light. Of coarse there are exceptions but a rising sun is the best you can hope for. I have tried evening, sun going down but unless your willing to change the WB the warm light does not compliment most wildlife shots. That said, raising sun is about 7am to about 10:30ish. Of corse at 7am your ISO is still cranked up, but your camera, the same one I shoot with is well adjusted to higher ISO's. around 8:30 am to around 10:30 your sun is rising, no shadows to speak and your iso are low and now is the Best time to shoot. Of coarse the sun is on your back and your facing your subject. One mention of ISO I shoot with a Nikon and during the best possible light I always drop my exposure compensation down to about.-7. A lot of my birds are dark and white and this keeps the highlights from being blown. That said, in the morning hrs when I have the ISO cranked up I keep my exposure even which gives me a little brighter exposer but really helps keep the effects of higher ISO's at bay. Some much nicer results then shots taken even a little under exposed. You have to get close, even the professionals with their big zooms work to learn the subject to learn the habits to know when and when to be in the right place at the right time. Shooting from the car or just driving up to an area with just an hour to kill and hopes of Nailing the shot are few and far between. Your fixing to get about a hundred different opinions so I won't waste much more of your time. Just do yourself a favor and ignore all of the folks that never post any BIF or other wildlife, they are just repeating what they have heard or read on the net. Your Osprey shot shows a lot of promise, terrible light, iso to high or bad processing. At that distance and bigger birds you can freeze motion easily at 1/1200th shutter speed. When you get closer you need to crank it up more. That should give you a little more light. Go out in the best possible light and that will help as well. Have fun and keep up the good work.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-462737-1.html
Notice on all of these shoots the sun is shinning on the the whole front of the subject with a rising sun....
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-430049-1.html

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

An article about a comparison test I read about 6 months ago said that of the 4 150-600 models on the market at this time the Sigma Contemporary and the Tamron G2 are tied for IQ at 600 mm (why else buy a lens that goes to 600?) and the Sigma Sport and the Tamron G2 are tied for rugged build and weather sealing.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Nice set.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

😀 👍

crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Fantastic pictures

aaciolkowski Loc: Sugar Grove Illinois

All excellent

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

If your distances are accurate you must be very good at estimating them. But 200 meters is longer than two football fields.

Reconvic Loc: clermont Fl

Thank you for your time...with making light a priority and getting closer and better post processing I have ascertained that the Sigma Contemporary is as good as any of the "affordable" zoom lenses. This is after hours of internet search, watching you tube tutorials and rival tests of the four: Tamron G2, Sigma Sport,Nikkor 200-500 and Sigma Contemporary as far as performance...the Contemporary is just not as rugged as the others but "I don't shoot that way"

Reconvic Loc: clermont Fl

Fotoartist ...nope I actually took my tape measure and measured exactly to the target. I suck at distances but used to play football (middle linebacker) and with my older aged eyes could be off a meter or two. The point I was trying to make was some of the shots were further than the others. Thanks though, my next topic will be "TRying to find better measuring gadget"

raptort Loc: Saginaw, MI

Great osprey photos! While maybe not the most artistic of the group I especially like the image with the crow harassing the osprey. So unique!

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Good Work and love the last one