telephoto lens question: looking for a single lens for my Nikon D7200 for a nature shoot from a distance and may have to switch to close very rapidly with no time to change lenses.

njarendt Loc: wisconsin

looking for a single lens for my Nikon D7200 for a nature shoot from a distance and may have to switch to close very rapidly with no time to change lenses.

Considering the Nikon 80-400 and the Sigma 50-500

Anyone have an opinion on this such as are these the lenses I should consider or are there others and if not which is best.

Thanks

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I have the Tamaron 150 600 on a Canon and have been satisfied with it. The Sigma and the Tamaron compare a about the same on most reviews. I believe either would be a good choice and the price is more competitive.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I'd probably lean toward the Sigma. I have had the 80-400 and the Sig 150-500. Currently I mostly use the 150-600 G2 or the Nikon 200-500 and prefer those two.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

njarendt wrote:

looking for a single lens for my Nikon D7200 for a nature shoot from a distance and may have to switch to close very rapidly with no time to change lenses.

Considering the Nikon 80-400 and the Sigma 50-500

Anyone have an opinion on this such as are these the lenses I should consider or are there others and if not which is best.

Thanks

Neither lens is great at their maximum focal length. I used a Sigma 50-500 for about 6 yrs. I was never thrilled with the image quality. The 80-400 was worse. The 80-400 VR is a little better but you can get a much better lens for the same price or less. The 150-600 Sigma Sport is a great lens, as is the Tamron 150-600 G2. Both will give you excellent image quality. I think it is too much of a sacrifice in image quality at the long end to get a wider zoom range.

whwiden

My solution is to use 2 different bodies. Tamron 150mm to 600mm and a 24mm to 85mm or an 18-140mm. I would like a one camera solution but have not yet identified one.

CO

I have the Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S lens (the newest version). It's sharp, has very fast autofocus, and has very well controlled distortion throughout the entire zoom range. I really think the nano crystal coating on the glass gives it slightly higher contrast than lenses with standard multi-coatings. I've been impressed with its autofocus. It tracks birds in flight very well (even small birds like terns).

Ira

I have a D7200 and I use a Tamron 150-600 G2. Great sharp lens with great stabilization -VC. It also focuses close, just a little over 7 feet.
Here are 2 links to shots I took with this lens and camera. One at 600mm and one at 380mm

https://www.flickr.com/photos/i_mark/39560996970/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/i_mark/40652549744/in/photostream/

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I agree with you, most people who are dissatisfied with the 80-400mm are using the D version not the G version.

CO wrote:

I have the Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S lens (the newest version). It's sharp, has very fast autofocus, and has very well controlled distortion throughout the entire zoom range. I really think the nano crystal coating on the glass gives it slightly higher contrast than lenses with standard multi-coatings. I've been impressed with its autofocus. It tracks birds in flight very well (even small birds like terns).

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I have the 200-400 Nikon G lens and there is nothing better in it's class.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

DaveO wrote:

I'd probably lean toward the Sigma. I have had the 80-400 and the Sig 150-500. Currently I mostly use the 150-600 G2 or the Nikon 200-500 and prefer those two.

Dave, can you notice any difference in sharpness between the Nikon 200-500 and the Tamron G2?

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

The Sigma 50-500 is not a good lens. Had it, sold it. I use and recommend the Sigma 150-600 C. You will appreciate the extra 100 mm. The Sport and Tamron both get rave reviews so you have enough choices available. Be very hard headed about whether the extra sharpness of the Sport is worth the extra weight and cost. Good luck.

anotherview Loc: California

You may wish to consider the new Sigma 100-400mm lens -- made for full-frame cameras, but it works on cropped-sensor cameras, too. It takes extenders.

I own and use this lens on a Canon 6D camera and can recommend it.

njarendt wrote:

looking for a single lens for my Nikon D7200 for a nature shoot from a distance and may have to switch to close very rapidly with no time to change lenses.

Considering the Nikon 80-400 and the Sigma 50-500

Anyone have an opinion on this such as are these the lenses I should consider or are there others and if not which is best.

Thanks

njarendt Loc: wisconsin

great photos - thanks

njarendt Loc: wisconsin

thanks

njarendt Loc: wisconsin

thanks to all