super tele zoom: Looking to buy a super telephoto for my Nikon D810. I don't shoot sports but do wildlife including birds, and some landscape applications. I have been looking at the...

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

Looking to buy a super telephoto for my Nikon D810. I don't shoot sports but do wildlife including birds, and some landscape applications. I have been looking at the Nikon 200-500, both Sigma 150-600 models, and Tamron's new 150-600. The difference between f5.6 and f6.3 doesn't matter too much to me. Most of my shooting with the lens will be from a tripod. I'm most interested in a lens that will let me get the maximum sharpness out of the 810's abilities. Suggestions?

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I have the Nikon 80-400. It is a great lens, but I am going to get the Sig 150-600 this spring just for more reach.

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

The Nikon is excellent and a stop does make a difference, tripod or no. Wildlife moves. Of course, you have lots of ISO head room.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I own a Sigma Sport and have some experience with the first Tamron. Between those two and the Sigma Contemporary, I'd buy the Sigma Sport hands down. Now that the Nikon has been released, I might re-think that decision however, the Sigma sport has both weather sealing and a dock that the Nikon doesn't. The new Tamron I would not personally consider as my personal experience with Tamron lenses is just not that good. Although there are some on here that sign Tamron's praises, they wouldn't have replaced their older model so quickly if it was problem free. My personal opinion only. Happy Holidays to all!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

shutterbob wrote:

Looking to buy a super telephoto for my Nikon D810. I don't shoot sports but do wildlife including birds, and some landscape applications. I have been looking at the Nikon 200-500, both Sigma 150-600 models, and Tamron's new 150-600. The difference between f5.6 and f6.3 doesn't matter too much to me. Most of my shooting with the lens will be from a tripod. I'm most interested in a lens that will let me get the maximum sharpness out of the 810's abilities. Suggestions?

For the high resolution sensor of the D810, the Sigma 150-600mm Sport version is a clear favorite.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I just bought the 150-600 for my d810 , really haven't given it a good workout yet. Snow, rain, cold, all keeping me indoors.
Reviews are putting the contemporary images better than the sport.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

bdk wrote:

I just bought the 150-600 for my d810 , really haven't given it a good workout yet. Snow, rain, cold, all keeping me indoors.
Reviews are putting the contemporary images better than the sport.

Not sure what reviews you are reading, but I read the sport is the better optic. As with any lens of that magnification, practice is very important. Happy Holidays!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

shutterbob wrote:

Looking to buy a super telephoto for my Nikon D810. I don't shoot sports but do wildlife including birds, and some landscape applications. I have been looking at the Nikon 200-500, both Sigma 150-600 models, and Tamron's new 150-600. The difference between f5.6 and f6.3 doesn't matter too much to me. Most of my shooting with the lens will be from a tripod. I'm most interested in a lens that will let me get the maximum sharpness out of the 810's abilities. Suggestions?

If you do have the means (funds), stay away from the zooms and get a good prime ( if sharpness is your biggest concern)!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Before I got my D500 I used the Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 with my D810. Gave excellent images. For a long time, I was comparing the sigma and tamron 150-600 lenses but chose the Nikon for the fixed f/stop

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

shutterbob wrote:

Looking to buy a super telephoto for my Nikon D810. I don't shoot sports but do wildlife including birds, and some landscape applications. I have been looking at the Nikon 200-500, both Sigma 150-600 models, and Tamron's new 150-600. The difference between f5.6 and f6.3 doesn't matter too much to me. Most of my shooting with the lens will be from a tripod. I'm most interested in a lens that will let me get the maximum sharpness out of the 810's abilities. Suggestions?

Here are some lens comparison links.

http://photo.net/equipment/150-600_lenses
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/latest/articles/tamron-vs-sigma-150-600mm-the-7-key-differences-48183
https://photographylife.com/nikon-200-500mm-vs-tamron-150-600mm-vs-sigma-150-600mm-c

https://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare
http://www.lenscore.org/

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Have you compared it to the new Tamron G2 Lens?

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

shutterbob wrote:

Looking to buy a super telephoto for my Nikon D810. I don't shoot sports but do wildlife including birds, and some landscape applications. I have been looking at the Nikon 200-500, both Sigma 150-600 models, and Tamron's new 150-600. The difference between f5.6 and f6.3 doesn't matter too much to me. Most of my shooting with the lens will be from a tripod. I'm most interested in a lens that will let me get the maximum sharpness out of the 810's abilities. Suggestions?

I have used the Nikon 200-500 since it came out last year. It is as sharp as my Nikon 300 2.8 and 200-400 f4 lenses. I cannot get over it's sharpness, quick focusing and tracking ability, I mount it on my D500 and D810. Like the reach on the D500, fast focus, and my keep rate is in the high 95-97% range. Folks that have used both sigma's and tamron's have switched back to the Nikon once they try this outstanding lens. Get yours today and you will not be sorry, my 300 and 200-400 will be going on ebay next month. Look for them, they are both Mint as I tend to baby my stuff and I also shoot hard.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

speters wrote:

If you do have the means (funds), stay away from the zooms and get a good prime ( if sharpness is your biggest concern)!

I would love a Nikon 600mm, or even an 800mm prime, but I would rather continue not sharing sleeping quarters with my dog.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

alandg46 wrote:

The Nikon is excellent and a stop does make a difference, tripod or no. Wildlife moves. Of course, you have lots of ISO head room.

Actually it's less than a third of a stop difference.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I have the Sigma Sport and one feature I like is that both the speed of focus and the speed of vibration reduction is adjustable.