Nikon d850 lenses: Ok, I just got a d850 which is beyond awesome. I did shoot with a d750 and still have a d780. My question to you experienced people who do a lot of bird photos which...

collins9000 Loc: Michigan

Ok, I just got a d850 which is beyond awesome. I did shoot with a d750 and still have a d780. My question to you experienced people who do a lot of bird photos which is your favorite lens? I have a sigma contemporary 100-600. I am thinking for about buying a Nikon 200-500.. is it a better lens. My other question is how to get the extreme close ups? Do you use a 2x converter or simply crop? Sample pics would be appreciated.

Lucius Loc: Denver, Colorado

My favorite lens the Nikon 24 to 70, 2.8
For close up I have the 105 2.8, but the 85 2.8 is also a good lens.

collins9000 Loc: Michigan

I have many lenses, 50mm, 85,mm 35mm, 24-70, 70-200, 100-400, 100 macro, 24-120, ND THE 100-600. I was just curious about the best for birding.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

collins9000 wrote:

I have many lenses, 50mm, 85,mm 35mm, 24-70, 70-200, 100-400, 100 macro, 24-120, ND THE 100-600. I was just curious about the best for birding.

I use the 200-500. It is excellent. You can crop a long way with a D850.

collins9000 Loc: Michigan

Thanks

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Lucius wrote:

My favorite lens the Nikon 24 to 70, 2.8
For close up I have the 105 2.8, but the 85 2.8 is also a good lens.

Those lenses aren't long enough for bird photography.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Lucius wrote:

My favorite lens the Nikon 24 to 70, 2.8
For close up I have the 105 2.8, but the 85 2.8 is also a good lens.

For birds????

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

collins9000 wrote:

Ok, I just got a d850 which is beyond awesome. I did shoot with a d750 and still have a d780. My question to you experienced people who do a lot of bird photos which is your favorite lens? I have a sigma contemporary 100-600. I am thinking for about buying a Nikon 200-500.. is it a better lens. My other question is how to get the extreme close ups? Do you use a 2x converter or simply crop? Sample pics would be appreciated.

I moved up from the Sigma 150-600 Sport after 5 years, to the Sigma 60-600mm Sport. It's better in literally EVERY way. I use both the D850 and the Z7

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

collins9000 wrote:

Ok, I just got a d850 which is beyond awesome. I did shoot with a d750 and still have a d780. My question to you experienced people who do a lot of bird photos which is your favorite lens? I have a sigma contemporary 100-600. I am thinking for about buying a Nikon 200-500.. is it a better lens. My other question is how to get the extreme close ups? Do you use a 2x converter or simply crop? Sample pics would be appreciated.

My main subjects are birds and wildlife, and I shoot with a Nikon D500. Up until I bought my Nikon 50.mm f5.6 PF lens, I used my Tamron 150-600mm G2 for my bird photography. Ever since that 500mm PF arrived, it's been the lens that lives on my D500. Way more expensive than the Tamron 150-600 but, IMO, worth it. I would not use a TC for extreme close ups. If I were to own the D850, I would shoot in the DX mode. That would give me a 750mm 35mm equivalent, and approximately 19MPs. A friend lent me his 200-500 and I did not like it. Heavier than my 150-600, AND it just did not focus as fast as my Tamron.

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

collins9000 wrote:

Ok, I just got a d850 which is beyond awesome. I did shoot with a d750 and still have a d780. My question to you experienced people who do a lot of bird photos which is your favorite lens? I have a sigma contemporary 100-600. I am thinking for about buying a Nikon 200-500.. is it a better lens. My other question is how to get the extreme close ups? Do you use a 2x converter or simply crop? Sample pics would be appreciated.

Read this before you spend any more $$$.

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

If you want to improve your image quality a 600mmF4 is an excellent choice. But if you want the flexibility of a zoom, the 180-400 F4, together with it's dedicated 1.4x TC, is an excellent choice.

If you are not shooting often in poor light, a Sigma 150-600 Sport will produce results at 600mm that rival the 600mmF4 at working apertures like F5.6 o F8.

After borrowing two 200-500 Nikkors, I felt that there were enough negatives for me on a 36mp camera that made the decision to buy the Sigma Sport easy. Build quality, weather sealing, front and rear lens coatings, etc were all better, and as you can see below, just as good as the 600mm F4 - and I can hand hold it.

.

D800, 150-600@600mm, F8, ISO 640, hand held

(Download)

D800, 600mmF4, F5.6, ISO 800, on a tripod

(Download)

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

MT Shooter wrote:

I moved up from the Sigma 150-600 Sport after 5 years, to the Sigma 60-600mm Sport. It's better in literally EVERY way. I use both the D850 and the Z7

Carter, can you go into a bit of the specifics as to the areas where the 60-600 is better than the 150-600. Reason I'm asking is that I've been lugging my 80-400 around in case I need a shorter focal length than the 500 of my prime or the 600 of my Tammy 150-600. The Sigma 60-600 might lessen my aggravation in some scenarios. Thanks!

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I started birding with a Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G2 and have gotten good results with it as it is sharp in the center, but a bit soft in the corners. It is one of the lighter lower cost long reach zooms. You do not want to use a teleconverter with this lens as it gets to f/8 somewhere around 330mm. The D850 won't AF over f/8 and with degraded performance at f/8. Along the way I picked up a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6. About the same sharpness in the center at the G2, but doesn't get as soft in the corners. It's about the same size as the G2, but a bit heavier. I like this lens although AF speed is nothing to write home about. You can use a 1.4x teleconverter with this lens, but at f/8. I bought a used Nikon 600mm f/4G from KEH.com. It is an amazing lens. It is big, bulky and heavy. I nicknamed it behemoth. I get amazing results with this lens even with an 1.4x teleconverter. I can kind of use it handheld, but you will really want a solid tripod with a gimbal head for best results.

collins9000 Loc: Michigan

Amazing

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I've been using the 200-500 with and without the 1.4 teleconverter for a few years now. I have absolutely no complaints except that it is heavy. I shoot birds with a tripod so it is not a big issue. With the D850 you can get away with significant crops when necessary. I use the lens on a D500 or D850.

Not that it matters but I started with a Tamron 150-600. I was never happy with the focusing so I sold it and got the 200-500 and TC.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I just bought a 200-400mm f4 vrll. Used from Mpb. Also a tc14e ll teleconverter. I have a 600f4 now for length and the 200-400 for close. Both take the teleconverter well. Reach is where it's at.