I need your thoughts: I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated...

Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA

I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated using TCs on various lenses (70-200 f/2.8 on my main body Nikon D7100 becomes a 350mm + a 1.4 TC gives me almost 500 but ..
I have considered renting; however, the cost of renting each in turn for 2-3 days of testing will cost almost as much as one of the lenses.
I dont know what I expect from this plea for help. Perhaps one of you will come up with a scathingly brilliant idea to resolve my dilemma. Perhaps someone who has used one or more of these lenses will add something new or come up with a good reason to narrow the field. I hadnt thought of narrowing the choice until I typed this. What criteria would I use? Admittedly, the 80-400 is older technology but.
I feel like the protagonist in Fiddler on the Roof in that great scene where he is debating various choices.
Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Raleigh

19104 Loc: Philadelphia

if you buy from B&H they have a 30 day (I think) return time. TC are the lease expensive way to go. I have used them for years on everything from Hasselblad to leica R lenses. I have never any IQ issues. I have kenko TC for my nikkors and its great.

bruswen Loc: Eugene OR

Raleigh wrote:

I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated using TCs on various lenses (70-200 f/2.8 on my main body Nikon D7100 becomes a 350mm + a 1.4 TC gives me almost 500 but ..

Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Raleigh

If reach is your primary concern, the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is a no brainer. All of these lenses will give you good results and more reach than you currently have, but you can use the Nikon 200-500mm with your D7100 and a Nikon TC1.4 II or III, and it will give you a 700mm f/8 lens which will autofocus on your D7100. I use this combination with a D7200 and I am very happy with the results.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

You could stack a couple of teleconverters on one lens but you are going to lose some clarity.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I have the Kenco tc 1.4 and the Tamaron 150 600 lens. The lens is the way to go in my experience. I tried pairing the tc with Canon 300L and it did work okay but lost picture quality and also one stop. The Canon tc would have cost almost as much as I gave for the Tamaron lens. I bought it less than a year old for $650.00. I will agree that the Canon tc is the best as far as TC but the cost at around 500.00 you can probably buy a used lens for about the same price. As far as picture quality I have found the Tamaron to be better than I expected.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Probably won't work on the OP's Nikon. :lol: :lol:

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I have not tried a 150-600,as tempting as it may be. I have the new 80-400 and 200-500 with the 1.4 III and am quite pleased. The 80-400 allows for more flexibility for those times when subjects may be close or far. Salt marsh birds are a good example. I keep both mounted and switch off,or use the 70-200 instead of the 80-400 and 200-500 with TC.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Raleigh wrote:

I need more reach. I have read all there is about... (show quote)

I was in your shoes a year ago. I opted for the Nikkor 200-500 and haven't looked back. Love it. Now, is it a professional lens? No! There are much better units . . . at 4-6 times the money. But, for what I need a long lens for, the 200-500 has filled the bill.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Raleigh wrote:

I need more reach. I have read all there is about... (show quote)

I prefer the Nikon 200-500. I had the tamron 150-600, but sold it because it took too long to gain focus, it would constantly hunt, and was noisy, the Nikon focuses quickly and I have not yet noticed it hunting for focus, plus it is quiet. you may also use a teleconverter with the Nikon, not the tamron. the 14 III will auto focus, the 1.7 you need to manually focus. I know nothing about the sigma, but many posts on this site recommend the sport over the contempory.

reader Loc: Los Angeles

I have a D7100 with the kit lenses and was looking to upgrade and for more reach. I was considering all the same lenses and the 300 f4 with a tc. Given my current lenses (the kit lenses, including a 55-300 DX), I chose to go with the refurbished newer 80-400 lens from Nikon. Actually waiting for delivery this week.

My thinking was to go with the added flexibility of the wider zoom range and what I perceive as faster, sharper reports and examples than some of the longer zoom lenses. Reports are that I should be able to hand hold, which is what I expect to want/need, especially for BIF.

I can add a 1.4 tc to gain even more reach.

While I am learning digital photography this will be all I need. If I still have lens envy after two years, I may go with the Sigma 150-600 Sport for dedicated tripod use.

Just my conclusions.

jmcgloth Loc: Ocean Park, WA

DaveO wrote:

I have not tried a 150-600,as tempting as it may be. I have the new 80-400 and 200-500 with the 1.4 III and am quite pleased. The 80-400 allows for more flexibility for those times when subjects may be close or far. Salt marsh birds are a good example. I keep both mounted and switch off,or use the 70-200 instead of the 80-400 and 200-500 with TC.

I have to agree. The 80-400 is a very versatile lens and quite sharp.

Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA

I agree with you about the Kenko TCs thanks.

19104 wrote:

if you buy from B&H they have a 30 day (I think) return time. TC are the lease expensive way to go. I have used them for years on everything from Hasselblad to leica R lenses. I have never any IQ issues. I have kenko TC for my nikkors and its great.

Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA

You are 100% right regardind thw TCs Jim. Thanks

jim quist wrote:

You could stack a couple of teleconverters on one lens but you are going to lose some clarity.

Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA

The Kenko and Tami would work and I might follow your suggestion Thanks

Old Timer wrote:

I have the Kenco tc 1.4 and the Tamaron 150 600 le... (show quote)

Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA

Nice lenses Dave and good advice. Thanks

DaveO wrote:

I have not tried a 150-600,as tempting as it may be. I have the new 80-400 and 200-500 with the 1.4 III and am quite pleased. The 80-400 allows for more flexibility for those times when subjects may be close or far. Salt marsh birds are a good example. I keep both mounted and switch off,or use the 70-200 instead of the 80-400 and 200-500 with TC.