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Question to Nikkor 200-500 /5.6 users:
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Feb 2, 2019 08:27:04   #
Tom337
 
I'm 73 and have no problem handholding. If I'm going to be at it for along time I take the tripod collar off.

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Feb 2, 2019 08:43:22   #
Old44
 
I agree with Mac, the 300mm f/4E PF is very light and extremely sharp, even with the 1.4 TC, although the total price is very dear.

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Feb 2, 2019 08:43:22   #
jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida
 
Greer wrote:
I am a former deer hunter and have a ground blind from which I see many deer, foxes, bobcat, and beautiful birds. I have been an event/portrait photographer since 2012. With hunting behind me I have developed a desire to shoot wildlife/birds (pardon the pun) with my new D750. While driving I notice birds in flight and beside ponds. I long to get a 200-500 but have a question. The reviews are mostly great and this is the best I could possibly afford. However, some owners complain it’s too heavy to handhold. I am 62 years old and in decent health. Need opinion from those who own (have owned) this lens. Please help. Don’t want to make expensive mistake.
I am a former deer hunter and have a ground blind ... (show quote)


65 hear. Use the 200-500 all the time handheld. I do have a very nice camera shoulder strap. From Pro Media Gear
https://www.promediagear.com/
I like how it clips on to my camera and when using a large Len plugs into the lens handle. I also use at times a Manfrotto Monopod.

Here is couple hand helds. Hawk about 100 feet but the other two 150 yards or so.







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Feb 2, 2019 09:08:08   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
One comment...even though you can most likely hand hold this lens on a D750, don't try to use it on a skimpy tripod. It will not be stable enough, and you will risk a catastrophic camera/lens tumble. The 200-500 does sacrifice on materials and build design, and it doesn't strike me as a lens that will survive a fall or drop.

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Feb 2, 2019 09:16:52   #
willy6419
 
Really timely for me. I use a 300mm f/4E PF ED VR on my D500 with or without TC-14E III and love the IQ. Been thinking the 200-500, for composition flexibility. I've had instances whereby I could not fit the image into the 300 with TC. Although the TC 14 is compatible to the 200-500, it pushes 5.6 to 8, which might be inadequate for early/late wildlife light. Thanks for the input, as I pound through my decision.

Regarding carrying, I use a Cotton Carrier and even the weight of my 70-200 f2.8 is comfortable, and the 300/with TC 14 is no problem at all hiking all day. Nice weight distribution, secure straps, quick availability. I'm 72, 165 and in good shape.

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Feb 2, 2019 09:42:22   #
wapiti Loc: round rock, texas
 
photogeneralist wrote:
You have a ground level blind. Why not use a tripod with a gimbal head? The ground should be adequate for solid support of the tripod legs and the gimbal head would give easy flexibility in aiming with the business end of the lens poking out through slots in the blind.



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Feb 2, 2019 09:52:29   #
J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio
 
Greer wrote:
I am a former deer hunter and have a ground blind from which I see many deer, foxes, bobcat, and beautiful birds. I have been an event/portrait photographer since 2012. With hunting behind me I have developed a desire to shoot wildlife/birds (pardon the pun) with my new D750. While driving I notice birds in flight and beside ponds. I long to get a 200-500 but have a question. The reviews are mostly great and this is the best I could possibly afford. However, some owners complain it’s too heavy to handhold. I am 62 years old and in decent health. Need opinion from those who own (have owned) this lens. Please help. Don’t want to make expensive mistake.
I am a former deer hunter and have a ground blind ... (show quote)

Greer I'm 62 years old and use this lens on the D500 with the grip. I hand hold it without problems

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Feb 2, 2019 09:55:32   #
FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA
 
jccash wrote:
65 hear. Use the 200-500 all the time handheld. I do have a very nice camera shoulder strap. From Pro Media Gear
https://www.promediagear.com/
I like how it clips on to my camera and when using a large Len plugs into the lens handle. I also use at times a Manfrotto Monopod.

Here is couple hand helds. Hawk about 100 feet but the other two 150 yards or so.


I clicked on the link to their website but then I could not find any thing resembling shoulder straps. A few waist types but I did not find any shoulder ones. I will need to call them. I would be interested in the shoulder straps. Their gimbals look nice.

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Feb 2, 2019 10:09:22   #
Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal
 
Greer wrote:
I am a former deer hunter and have a ground blind from which I see many deer, foxes, bobcat, and beautiful birds. I have been an event/portrait photographer since 2012. With hunting behind me I have developed a desire to shoot wildlife/birds (pardon the pun) with my new D750. While driving I notice birds in flight and beside ponds. I long to get a 200-500 but have a question. The reviews are mostly great and this is the best I could possibly afford. However, some owners complain it’s too heavy to handhold. I am 62 years old and in decent health. Need opinion from those who own (have owned) this lens. Please help. Don’t want to make expensive mistake.
I am a former deer hunter and have a ground blind ... (show quote)


Too heavy? depends on how long you intend to hold it. The ergonomics of the weight distribution of the lens plus camera is not very good for human beings to hand hold this thing for long periods, especially if you intend to be "at the ready".

Get yourself a tripod with a gimbal head and a decent pair of binoculars. Use the binocs for spotting/tracking and let the tripod do the heavy work. With practice, I have found that swathing from the binocs to the camera to be pretty quick. It did take some time for me to get the hang of the "workflow" but once I got the routine sown, it was pretty easy. Better yet, shoot in pairs: one for spotting and one for shooting, like sniper teams.

Good luck and let us know how it workds out for you.

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Feb 2, 2019 10:12:19   #
Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee
 
Greer wrote:
I am a former deer hunter and have a ground blind from which I see many deer, foxes, bobcat, and beautiful birds. I have been an event/portrait photographer since 2012. With hunting behind me I have developed a desire to shoot wildlife/birds (pardon the pun) with my new D750. While driving I notice birds in flight and beside ponds. I long to get a 200-500 but have a question. The reviews are mostly great and this is the best I could possibly afford. However, some owners complain it’s too heavy to handhold. I am 62 years old and in decent health. Need opinion from those who own (have owned) this lens. Please help. Don’t want to make expensive mistake.
I am a former deer hunter and have a ground blind ... (show quote)


I'm 73 and I have this lens. In my opinion, it's not too heavy. I shot a high school baseball game with it last year, and it was fine. After about 3 hours of baseball shooting it is pretty heavy. The lens is also very sharp. I got some great, very sharp shots of the outfielder catching a fly ball (about 100 yards away) at a pro baseball game. I highly recommend this lens.

Now, for all day shooting, you definitely need a tripod or monopod.

Kozan

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Feb 2, 2019 10:17:46   #
davefales Loc: Virginia
 
I'm not sure if anyone has commented on your soccer shots. The "throw-in" is quite artful.

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Feb 2, 2019 10:35:28   #
LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America
 
vonzip wrote:
Not too heavy, I'm 68. It's easy to haul around by the lens foot or just cradle it in one hand. I vary holding techniques as not to get too tired from just one carrying method. The VR works great. Some of my best shots are hand held with the VR on. vz


I missed you were using this on a blind, which changes the calculus considerably.

I would still rent first, but if the distance to a blind isn’t too far and you have a decent lid you should be fine.

My shooting is primarily HS, college and minor league sports and planes in flight.

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Feb 2, 2019 11:09:14   #
tmgoonan
 
I own this lense and have found it easy to use whether on a tripod or hand hold. Plus the sharpness is out standing.

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Feb 2, 2019 11:28:58   #
pnittoly Loc: Mountainside, New Jersey
 
I’m 70. I use the 200-500 with a Manfrotto monopod and ball head for HS football both day and night under the lights. It’s a great lens and not at all heavy for me. Go for it !

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Feb 2, 2019 11:39:26   #
suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ
 
Beautiful images!! Are these taken with the Nikon 300 f4 mm lens?

Jerrin1 wrote:
I owned a Nikkor 200 - 500mm f5.6 and a Nikkor 300mm f4 PF ED VR + Nikkor TC14EIII and used them on a D500. I bought the 300mm f4 + 1.4TC initially; and the combination was beautifully lightweight, short, and produced excellent results. Sometime later I purchased the 200 - 500mm f5.6 for the extra focal length. Though far heavier than my 300mm PF, I found it to be an outstanding lens. It did not take long for me to be able to handhold it for shooting birds and insects in flight - and I am a little older than you are. What I did find an issue, however, was carrying it for 7 hours/15 miles a day, 5 days a week. I also had with me an Olympus EM1 mark II + Olympus 300mm f4 + 1.4 TC and the combined weight (with flash guns and tripod etc., caused me to give up my Nikon gear. If you only have a reasonable distance to walk to your hide, I doubt the weight of the 200 - 500mm will cause you any problems. It is a terrific lens which I actually preferred to my 300mm f4 PF for BIF. But, if you are concerned by the weight, try the 300mm PF ED VR + TC14EIII.
I owned a Nikkor 200 - 500mm f5.6 and a Nikkor 300... (show quote)

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