fchretdet

I've been reading reviews until I could almost write one myself (but still can't decide on which one) for the Tamron 150-600mm 5-6.3 G2 vs. the Nikon 200-500 5.6 vr for my D7200 with MB-D15 battery grip.
Opinions, thoughts, experiences?
Thanks in advance.

Quixdraw Loc: x

I have no experience with Tamron, but the 200-500 virtually lives on my D7200 and does an excellent job - got a short sequence I shot yesterday. The lens was quick enough, but this time I wasn't! I can send them to you privately, if you like.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I have and use both. I feel in lower light, I do a lot of BIF and wildlife, that the 200-500 is quicker to focus. If I could only have one, it would be the Nikon. I rarely use a 1.4TC and would not purchase again.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I use a 300 f4.

I can crop a little to make up for focal length.

I can’t crop for speed, and it’s a great sports/action lens.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

I use the Tamron 150-600G2. It’s plenty fast enough but I highly recommend you learn and use back button focus with it as well

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I have both the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G2 and Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 and have achieved good results with both. I have used both on my D7200, but mostly with my D500. I'd go with the Nikon glass for the following reasons: 1) while both lenses are about equal in sharpness in the center, the Nikon is sharper both 1/2 way out from the center and certainly in the corners compared to the Tamron. Sharpness was the first thing I checked when I had both lenses together; 2) The Nikon focuses faster than the Tamron especially at longer focal lengths. I believe this is because the Nikon stays at f/5.6 throughout where the Tamron goes to f/5.6 around 250mm, f/6 around 325mm, f/6.3 around 450mm, so it's letting less light in to the AF system starting around 325mm compared to the Nikon; 3) You can AF with a 1.4x teleconverter with the Nikon lens, which goes to f/8 and the center AF point on a D7200 works at f/8, but AF will be noticeably slower. I do not recommend a 1.4x with the Tamron as it takes you beyond f/8 around 325mm, so you are manual focus only; 4) Tamron specs the lens at 600mm, but it is not, it's somewhere around 540 to 550mm. Reviewers have also found this. IMHO you are better off with the 200-500mm and a 1.4x teleconverter, which gets you to 1.4 x 500 = 700mm or an effective 1.5 (DX) x 1.4 x 500 = 1050mm; 5) To make a long story short, the Tamron was soft at longer focal lengths out of the box, ... , sent it back to Tamron with my D7200, ... , it was no better when I got it back. It wasn't until after I tuned it that I started getting good results beyond 450mm.

FWIW.

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

I have been using the Nikon 200-500 5.6 lens on my Nikon bodies in Florida wetlands for the past 4 years with excellent results. It was designed to work exclusively with Nikon camera's.
Comes with a 5 year warranty and best of all it is currently on sale at B&H. Hurry, sales do not last long but are repeated throughout the year. I have found this lens to be one of the sharpest lenses in my Nikon lens arsenal.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Nikon%20AF-S%20NIKKOR%20200-500mm%20f%2F5.6E%20ED%20VR%20Lens&sts=pi&pim=Y

Below is an example of the possibilities with this lens.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

better focus with the Nikon - that can and will matter for serious work ....

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

One of these days I have to get serious!

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

Having used both lenses (and a Sigma 150-600 Sport), on a D800 and D810, I can say that both are very good -

Compared to the Nikon, the G2 is a bit sharper, goes to 600mm, and has a moisture/dust resistant construction - something that lets you use the lens on less than good weather days. I have no experience with either lens on a crop camera. My basis for comparisons was 2 different lenses from NPS loaner inventory, and 2 borrowed G2s from friends, and no focus fine tuning. I had borrowed a Sigma Sport back in 2016 (before the G2 was available) and found it to be as sharp as my 600mmF4. I have since found the G2 to be just as sharp as the Sport, so I have no hesitation recommending either over the Nikon.

This is a very thorough review of the 200-500 and some comparisons with other lenses in its focal length range, and it strongly informed my decision to get the Sport.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-200-500mm-f5-6e-vr

And this might also be helpful:

https://photographylife.com/reviews/tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-g2/2

If you are a pixel peeper, and your goal is ultimate sharpness and good weather sealing, either the G2 or the Sport will get you that, especially at 600mm. If you are a little less demanding and willing to accept very good results, and don't plan to use the lens when there is rain (or snow) in the forecast, then the Nikon should make you very happy. If you plan to use the Nikon with a teleconverter, you'll be happier with the focus peformance, viewfinder brightness and image quality you'll have with either the G2 or the Sport.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I hear differing reports of the Tamron 150/600 G2 vs. 200-500 Nikon on Nikon bodies - I have the Tamron and have been happy with it on my D7200 (eventually adding a D500 or Z equivalent when it comes out). The Nikon might have better AF and compatibility with Nikon bodies especially if you plan to go Z. If you do get the Tamron get the tap in console to update firmware and TUNE the lens (I have the tap in but yet to tune it! One of my summer to do projects). Many will tell you it works fine without the tap in out of the box and some will say otherwise, but it's a good idea at the very least to update firmware. The D500+200-500 is a popular pairing for BIF/sports/wildlife....performance beast! BTW the Nikon is a weightier/larger beast than the Tamron probably due to 5.6 constant max aperture.

neillaubenthal

I did a long comparison between those same 2 lenses and after reviewing probably 25 reviews and comparisons I went with the Tamron because it has a little more reach...the overall reviews slightly favored it as well in my averaging them out.

Very nice for BIF.

photoman43

I use and love the Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF lens on my D500 for my birds in flight images. Sometimes I add the Nikon 1.4x tc, but that is mainly for more stationary birds. If the birds are big and closer, I may use my Nikon 300mm f4 PF lens.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

The Nikon 500mm PF, a great lens and very easy to shoot birds or other animals in flight hand-held even though you did not mention it. Very light lens and excellent. I also have the Nikon 200-500, which is heavy and I normally use on a tripod although I can hand hold for a bit by resting it when needed. Both lenses are great. I don't have the Tamron.

MG Audet

I used the 200-500 Nikon lens. Believe it is better quality and overall sharper lens than Tamron. Ultimately for Birding I purchased the Nikon 500 PF F/5.6 an incredibly sharper lens and much lighter the the 200-500 mm -- and more than 2X the price. But I have no regrets. I love the lens and much easier to carry all day with a Black Rapid cross shoulder strap. Used with a D850 it's a hard kit to beat for image quality and manageability.
Good luck.