MT Shooter Loc: Montana

My Nikon 200-500mm lenses finally arrived today (well 2 of them anyway), so naturally I had to shoot one of them. I decided to do an impromptu long shot test, handheld, wide open against the Sigma S, Sigma C, and Tamron 150-600mm lenses. To make a straighter comparison I shot all lenses wide open at 500mm on a Nikon D750. I did notice the Sigma C model would shoot at F6.0 at 500mm where the Sigma S and Tamron had already stopped down to F6.3 by that time.
Shooting the lenses together did make me notice how large the Nikon is, much bigger in barrel diameter than even the Sigma S. Its also heavy, about half way between the Sigma S and the Sigma C in weight.
One Very obvious thing I immediately noticed was the AMAZINGLY fast VR response time, it was INSTANT. The Sigma S was second fastest, but the delay was noticeable. The Sigma C and the Tamron were the slowest to fully engage, but still did so with acceptable speed.
The pics are available for download so you can make your own judgements, keep in mind this was an off-the-cuff handheld comparison and NOT a scientific one.
Also, the skies are smoky from all the fires still burning in the area and the Crown Plaza hotel is a bit over two miles as the crow flies from me (12,325 feet on the range finder).
None of these lenses have been tuned to this particular body, they are all shot straight out of the box. No cropping or changes to resolution were done.

Nikon 200-500mm

(Download)

Sigma 150-600mm C lens

(Download)

Sigma 150-600mm S lens

(Download)

Tamron 150-600mm lens

(Download)

The "Four Horsemen"! Sigma S, Nikon, Sigma C, Tamron

(Download)

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

I would like to see the 3 600mm shot at 600 but with less smoke in the air.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The shot I can do, the smoke I cannot do anything about, probably not until the snows put out the fires again.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Thanks MT! The Nikon is definitely sharper, in my opinion!
It's a shame with all those wild fires!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks for posting.

I couldn't tell much difference between all of them.

O2Ra

Mt are you going to do a detailed test for us at a later date? I'm interested in either the Sigma S or the Nikon. I called n talked to you last February before renting the Sigma S. I really loved the lens but before buying I'd like to see what the Nikon is going to be like. I like the fixed aperture of the Nikon. Keep us updated.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I'm a little surprised at how much worse the Sigma S is over the others!!
At least as they were shot here! ;-)
SS

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice comparison. The first two are noticeably better. Next test: on a tripod.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I will need to borrow the Nikon 200-500 to try it out

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

At those sizes I do not see a significant difference.

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

I agree. These are preliminary tests. A clear day in winter with camera on a tripod would be a better test. Probably with mirror locked up.

SonyBug

Thanks MT Shooter. That is really helpful to see the comparison especially using the lenses the way we would shoot in real life. It does not directly answer which is better, but some have more reach, not tested. That may make a difference...

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

There is a guy on flickr that I follow and he posted a shot with the 1.4II tc. His word "Amazing" combo. So that seems like a good thing.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

:thumbup: I concur.

Rhankins70 Loc: Florida

Thanks for posting this!