thinking of new lens: Just wondering how do the users of the Nikon 200-500mm lens like it. I like to take wildlife, have 300mm lens would like to know how you actual users like the...

Robin19966

Just wondering how do the users of the Nikon 200-500mm lens like it. I like to take wildlife, have 300mm lens would like to know how you actual users like the lens. Instead of a commercial taunting how great the lens is. thank you, Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless.

Bill_de Loc: US

I like it. This was with a D7200.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-497404-1.html

I am able to hand hold this one.

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orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Robin19966 wrote:

Just wondering how do the users of the Nikon 200-500mm lens like it. I like to take wildlife, have 300mm lens would like to know how you actual users like the lens. Instead of a commercial taunting how great the lens is. thank you, Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless.

I had the tamron 150-600mm lens and sold it for the Nikon 200-500mm lens and am not sorry. It outperforms the tamron and give me excellent photos on my d750 and my d500. You may want to rent the lens and do a performance test for yourself before buying.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Bill_de wrote:

I like it. This was with a D7200.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-497404-1.html

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I use the 200-500mm with the D500 and couldn't be happier.

Robin19966

Thanks fellows, I have the 7200 camera

Robin19966

Thank you Bill. I have the 7200. Been thinking about getting this lens for some time.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

What would a performance test entail. What specific quantifiable measurable test actions required. I might run my current lenses through the routine.

orrie smith wrote:

I had the tamron 150-600mm lens and sold it for the Nikon 200-500mm lens and am not sorry. It outperforms the tamron and give me excellent photos on my d750 and my d500. You may want to rent the lens and do a performance test for yourself before buying.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

John_F wrote:

What would a performance test entail. What specific quantifiable measurable test actions required. I might run my current lenses through the routine.

I was simply suggesting renting the lens and taking photos to see if the lens would perform the way the OP wanted it to, sorry for the confusion.

Bill_de Loc: US

John_F wrote:

What would a performance test entail. What specific quantifiable measurable test actions required. I might run my current lenses through the routine.

> Attach lens to camera
> Insure card and battery in place
> Put camera on auto or program
> Point camera at a favorite subject
> Press shutter button
> Transfer image to computer with large monitor
> View image

Test complete.

If you like the image the lens passes
If image is no good, you failed

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Robin19966

ha, ha, love it, so easy an ol country boy like me can do it, do you have any pictures of the process?

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

Robin19966 wrote:

Just wondering how do the users of the Nikon 200-500mm lens like it. I like to take wildlife, have 300mm lens would like to know how you actual users like the lens. Instead of a commercial taunting how great the lens is. thank you, Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless.

I have used this lens on a D7200 and D500, hand held and on a tripod. I like it.
This pic right after I got it with D7200. Heavily cropped. Estimated distance 2.5 to 3 miles. Tripod mounted.

(Download)

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

I use the 200-500 with the 1.4 TC on a D500 and I am thrilled with the results. Birds are my most common subject.

Robin19966

Thank you Ms.Laura, great picture, i am sold!!

Robin19966

Thank you JR, think i am going to bite the bullet!

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

Robin19966 wrote:

Just wondering how do the users of the Nikon 200-500mm lens like it. I like to take wildlife, have 300mm lens would like to know how you actual users like the lens. Instead of a commercial taunting how great the lens is. thank you, Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless.

Robin, I have used the 200-500 on my D500 for over 18 months, I shoot wildlife six days a week. I used to own a Nikon 300 2.8 and the Nikon 200-400 f4, I have sold both these lenses in favor of the 200-500. IT IS THAT GOOD. Besides, the weight of those two lenses was becoming an issue. I hand hold because in my Florida wildlife preserves your close and you have to move quickly to get good shots of birds in flight.
I use F6.3 on my 200-500 as a minimum, for birds in flight I like to shoot at least 1/2000 sec. I also use GROUP AUTO FOCUS and use the center 5 spots. My keep rate in this mode is almost 97%.
I have shot Nikon lenses for over 50 years. The 200-500 with the D500 is the best wildlife combo for ME that Nikon has come up with yet. I do not care much about lab scores, for me what counts is what happens in the field. For me I have found nothing better for the price on the market.
If you look at the rating of this lens from actual users on the B&H site you will see that most reasonable people think the way I do.