Which zooms lens to buy for Nikon
Sep 28, 2017 13:18:01 #
I need the opinion of some of you who have used these lenses. I have a Nikon D500 and D800. My longest lens is a Nikon 18-300mm Dx which I use for my D500 as a walk around lens. There are occasions I need a longer lens, e.g. moonshot, birds on flight, sports. If I could, I’d like to use an FX lens for my D800. My main consideration is sharpness at near maximum focal length. My choices are: Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 contemporary or sports, Tamron 150-600. Is there any other? What do you think is the best value for the money if it were you? Or buy the new Tamron 18-400 for half the price? It is a DX lens and would give me 600mm on both my D500 and D800? I could use it as my new walk around lens over my 18-300 which I could sell.
Sep 28, 2017 13:29:29 #
Any of those will be fine. But the Tamron 18-400 will not give you 600 mm. It is 400 mm at the long end.
Sep 28, 2017 13:38:16 #
Consider the Tamron 70 - 200 which can use teleconverters to get you out to 400 mm. The Tamron 18-400 would give you 600 mm on your D500, but only 400 on the D800. Plus you'd miss the benefits of a full frame sensor with a Dx lens.
Sep 28, 2017 13:57:21 #
Actually the 18-400 will give me 600 if I use the DX mode in my D800. I need to check if I have that option. I think my D500 has a 1.3 option which I have not used. From what I read, it would give me a crop factor of 1.9 which almost doubles the focal length of a dx lens.
Sep 28, 2017 14:04:32 #
noeT wrote:
Actually the 18-400 will give me 600 if I use the DX mode in my D800. I need to check if I have that option. I think my D500 has a 1.3 option which I have not used. From what I read, it would give me a crop factor of 1.9 which almost doubles the focal length of a dx lens.
Cropping, be it with a sensor or in PP, is still CROPPING. You are essentially throwing away pixels by using an FX body in DX mode. The D500 gives you many more pixels on target than the D800 will when shot in DX mode.
Try the 150-600mm lenses from Tamron and Sigma, best reach for the buck by far! And will give you the FOV equivalent of 900mm when mounted on your D500.
Sep 28, 2017 14:05:02 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
noeT wrote:
I need the opinion of some of you who have used th... (show quote)
Any of your mentioned lenses are very good. I would pick the Tamron 18-400mm for my DX camera. The reason would be the range, lighter weight, and the affordable cost. $649, the last I checked.
Sep 28, 2017 14:14:38 #
Sep 28, 2017 14:16:06 #
carl hervol
Loc: jacksonville florida
I would go with 200-500 f4.5 and its 4.5 all the way from 200 to 500 not like the other 2 ,sharpest of the 3 it cost more but you get what you pay for. 
Sep 28, 2017 14:17:19 #
RonM12
Loc: Washington State
I'm pleased with my Nikon 200-500 on my D810. She's heavy, but the images are sharp and the VR is exceptional.
Sep 28, 2017 14:17:21 #
Sep 28, 2017 14:23:21 #
I am leaning towards the Nikon 200-500. Perhaps I can find a refurb or a good used one. But if the Sigma or Tamron is anywhere close in sharpness, I would get it instead.
Sep 28, 2017 14:34:26 #
Sep 28, 2017 15:15:03 #
Sep 28, 2017 15:16:29 #
noeT wrote:
I need the opinion of some of you who have used th... (show quote)
I having use the Nikon 200-500. I find it easy to hand hold or put it on a monopod if I am out for hours shooting.Super sharp.
Sep 28, 2017 22:29:33 #
RonM12
Loc: Washington State
Another plus for me with the Nikon 200-500 is the 7.2' min focus distance. Not sure how that compares to Tamron or Sigma comparables. Read some of the reviews and if possible rent one to see for yourself.
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