petermd

I presently own the Tamaron 150-600 G1 and looking to upgrade to Tamaron G2 or Nikon 200-500( r/o sigma because of weight). Read many reviews which have left me totally confused on which is best. I have Nikon 810 and 7000 ( probably will upgrade to D500 in near future) shoot wildlife esp BIF. Want to have significant improvement in sharpness and AF. Would like to hear UHH thoughts and suggestions

mleuck

Nikon 200-500 hands down.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Nikon lenses would be my only choice.
--Bob

OldTxun

I have an 810 and the 200 to 500 and have been extremely happy with that combination. The 200-500 has very fast focus, particularly if you limit it to not include the close up distances. The 810 does really well at high iso's and I have gotten some really nice shots at 1000-1600 ISO and high shutter speed hand holding. I would highly recommend it.


Regards

grandpaw

I am probably going to raise some eyebrows with this but here it goes. First of all I have shot Nikon for 47 years and I am a big fan of their equipment. I do own a Tamron 150-600 G1 original version and recently got the bug to get the Nikon 200-500mm lens. A few friends of mine have them so I was able to actually try it on my D500. My conclusions are that the Nikon is much heavier and I prefer the lighter Tamron. Both gave me sharp images. A slight edge might go to the Nikon. On the Tamron I have greater range on either end of the focal length which I think is a good thing. As far as the Nikon being a faster lens there its only about 1/3 of a stop difference between F5.6 and F6.3 which to me is no big deal. I would like to say that when I ask one of my friends to go out shooting and to bring his Nikon 200-500mm along the first thing he said when we met was if I hadn't ask him to bring the lens that he would have left it at home because he didn't want the deal with it's weight. I would like to say that I am a pretty big man but. was still bothered by the weight also. My conclusion is that The Tamron is easier to carry because it is lighter, the both get sharp pictures, (look at some of the pictures I have posted in the gallery) only a 1/3 stop difference in speed and more range. I also don't have to come up with any money. It is easy to get caught up in the "I want a new toy syndrome", but all things considered after trying the Nikon lens a couple of times is that I am keeping my Tamron. As much as I like new toys, I just think I will keep my Tamron and keep posting nice detailed pictures like I have been doing. "If it ain't broke don't fix it!"

I would like to add one more thing. Most of my photos are shot on the Tamron at the full 600mm and are hand held. Check out the detail on my pictures and try and convince yourself that the pictures are soft! Shooting technique and using the proper settings for the lens really make a lot of difference in the results you can achieve with any lens and is espeacilly true with longer lenses.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I have the Nikon 200-500 that I use with my D800. The 200-500 is an outstanding lens. You will not regret it.Welcome to the forum.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I have the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary for Nikon and the Nikkor 200-500. I prefer the Nikkor with a 1.4X teleconverter over the Sigma. I also have the Sigma Sport for Canon. It is a very well made lens but at 6+ pounds it does tend to get a bit heavy. It works quite well on a tripod with a gimbal head.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

At the risk of sounding a bit harsh and I apologize ahead of time. Photography is about optics and image quality. It's not about weight. But then I'm one who carries a 4x5 somewhere to get a photograph.
--Bob

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Bob, You are not harsh. You are so correct that Photography is about optics and image quality and I would add the photographers ability. It is not about weight. If weight is a concern, use a monopod or tripod or cotton carrier vest. I used to lug around a 8 x 10 Deardorff in my younger days.

grandpaw

I just want to say that I do agree that the Nikon is a great lens. The op mentioned weight in his post and for me the weight has a lot to do with it. Quality is definitely important but if you leave it home because you do not want to deal with caring around the weight then it is not going to do you much good at the house. The easier it is to carry around the more you will use it and isn't that what it's all about. I have women friends that have this lens and carry it around but all things considered I prefer the lighter lens with more reach. I'm not saying it is the right choice for everyone but I feel it is the right choice for me. As you get older weight begins to matter. If I feel like my hobby is turning into work and lessoning my enjoyment, the gain ain't worth the pain.

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

I am not a small person, but I do not carry around the Nikon 200-500, which I dearly love--except up to a viewing station where I can rest it on something. It is great for wildlife on auto tours. Weight IS an issue for me, as I don't want to carry around a tripod or that much weight. Besides, I have more luck from the car as we don't scare the birds away as easily. I might be singing a different tune if there weren't such great auto tours nearby, though. If you are strong and don't mind the weight and can keep it steady, you will love the Nikon.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Do a lot of birding and looked at a few lenses including the Sigma 150-600 Sport, Tamron 150-600 G2, and Nikon 200-500. Nikon is very expensive and very heavy but probably provides the best quality of the bunch, but at a slightly less reach. All the reviews say the difference in quality between the Sigma and Tamron would only be noticed by a professional, so went with the Tamron because of weight and, to some extent, price. After I tuned the lens to my D7200 body, I am getting great results handheld at 600mm f/8 range. Glad I went with the Tamron, but as always, its a very personal choice.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

I have the big Sigma as well as the Nkon 200-500, which I use on both of my Nikons the D-7000 and D-800. I just love the 200-500 Nikon. To my eyes it is sharper than the Sig on both Nikons. the Nikon is not a walk around lens, It needs some sort of support, this coming from a big guy. Happy shooting.

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

I found the Tamron G2 closest to my 600mmF4. I did not get the same results with the Nikkor 200-500. It was close, but the extra 100mm, better build quality and higher resolution of the Tamron G2s I've tried make it hard to recommend the Nikkor.

If you need to buy Nikon and are ok with slightly lower resolution and no dust it moisture sealing, then you,ll need to buy Nikon.

Personally I use a Sugna Sport - heavy, built like a tank, just as sharp as the Tamron.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Nikon 200-500, love mine, taking it to Costa Rica on Friday.