dubyacee

I recently bought the 200-500 to use on my D7200. Results are amazing! VR makes it easy to hand-hold at 500mm with sharp photos. Best decision I've made lately - I highly recommend it.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Let me put it pretty simply... any zoom lens with similar range of focal lengths with faster than f/5.6 aperture will cost a WHOLE LOT MORE!

The Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 is a great value. You can buy cheaper zooms, but they will have the same or smaller apertures and/or less range of focal lengths. Tamron and Sigma both offer 100-400mm lenses with f/5-6.3 apertures. 100mm less reach, and 1/3 stop slower aperture. Tamron and Sigma's 150-600mm are the same... f5.6 and finally f/6.3 at the long end of their range.

There's the Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4 VR II.... for $5699. And now there's also the Nikkor AF-S 180-400mm f/4 VR with built-in & matched 1.4X teleconverter (which makes the lens f/5.6 when engaged).... It's only $12,397.

Or you could switch to Canon.... They have their EF 200-400mm f/4L IS with built-in 1.4X teleconverter (which is what Nikon copied with the lens above)... on sale for $10,999 right now!

Or you could get a prime lens instead of a zoom.... 500mm f/4 or 400mm f/2.8. Of course, those are upwards of $10,000 too.

There ARE Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D (no VR) for $1349 and Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4E PF VR for $1997. But 300mm will probably come up short for a lot of wildlife photography.

EDIT: Oops, I forgot about the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8! It's certainly a lot faster.... two full stops. But it's 35 lb. and costs something like $25,000.

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chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Yep it's confirmed cost and weight go up exponentially for long tele/zooms < f/5.6

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The older Sigma and Tokina 100-300mm f4 zooms are GREAT lenses ( about $400 each.)- can use with 1.4X - NO IS tho .....

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billbarcus Loc: IPNW

I love the Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E VR. The attached Bald Eagle image was shot hand-held, D810 1/1600s @ f/8 -0.07EV ISO 800. This is just one photo of the hundreds that I have shot with this lens.

Would I like to own the prime PF 500 f/5.6? My answer is, Why? Would I like to own the prime 500 f/4? Again, Why... just because it's one stop faster? Of course, wouldn't we all like to own a prime 600 f/4, well ... I might be a minority in regards to owning lots of $$$.

Some attest that the lens hood is a piece of junk ... well, this particular item doesn't take the picture, and on the positive side it has taught me some new cuss words. As for the zoom sucking in dust, debris, etc. Big deal! Don't mistreat it. The fact that it's heavy ... that's a pretty lame excuse. I'm 74 and have MS. If I can pack this thing around ... any complaining pansy is just wasting time crying on my shoulder!

This lens takes stunning photographs, and for the money you can't go wrong. If you break it, buy another.

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Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I have no hesitation recommending the 200-500. I would buy another one instantly. The price is excellent for what the lens is capable of. I took this photo with a D810, handheld leaning against my house for support. The photo has been cropped and enhanced contrast only.

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smf85 Loc: Freeport, IL

And I thought my Nikkor 300 2.8 was heavy.

wetreed

If you are looking for a less expensive alternative you might consider the Tamron 18-400. It does not have quite the reach of the Nikon but is very versatile. This lens has excellent IQ is very sharp. I don’t think it is quite as good as the Nikon, but it is a little lighter and is also a great walk around lens.

Charlie C Loc: North Liberty, IA

At 16x the focal length for the 18-300 that's why it's not a great lens. Anything over 4-5x from minimum to max sacrifices sharpness. For the $$$ you can't beat the 200-500.

Charlie C Loc: North Liberty, IA

At 16x the focal length for the 18-300 that's why it's not a great lens. Anything over 4-5x from minimum to max sacrifices sharpness. For the $$$ you can't beat the 200-500.

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

The Canon 400 mm f4 lens is faster than f5.6 and does not cost anywhere near $12,000.
The Nikon 300 f4 on a D500 have an angle of view of 450 mm at f4 and also costs less than $12,000.