Chienngo Loc: SoCal

I am planning on buying a zoom lens for birds and wildlife photography. I am seeking your advice on what zoom lens should I get for my Nikon Z7. I am thinking of either a Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 or a Tamron/Sigma 160-600mm. I don’t have any experience with long lenses, the longest lens I have is a Nikkor AF-S 18-300mm kit lens.
Does anyone out there have experience with these lenses please advise. Thank you so much.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I have the Nikon 200-500 and love it. My copy is super sharp through the entire range

Quixdraw Loc: x

Ditto!

Chienngo Loc: SoCal

Thank you for your inputs.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

There have been many discussions around lenses of this size, centering around whether you intend to use a tripod or not. Some people, like myself, feel that the 200-500 is too large for easy or long-time hand-holding, and needs to be on a tripod or monopod. The more athletic among us feel that it is fine for hand-holding. The Sigma/Tamron models are a little lighter, but the same considerations may apply depending on your abilities.

There are hand-holdable alternatives, such as the Nikon 300PF paired with a TC-14e, or a 100-400 from several manufacturers. If you want to jump a grade, you can look at the Nikon 500 PF, which is a full two pounds lighter than the 200-500.

It all depends on your intended use and your comfort level with the weight and size.

Chienngo Loc: SoCal

Thank you for your advice. I didn’t realize that the Nikon 200-500 weight 5 lbs. I have to use a monopod or a tripod for sure with this long lens regardless of the make and model because I am not capable of holding it for long especially when you zoom in.

CO

I would just rent for now and wait for these Z series lenses to come out. You won't have to mess with the FTZ adapter and the performance will probably be better because they're designed specifically for the Z series cameras.

100-400mm S premium telephoto zoom
200-600mm full-frame supertelephoto zoom
400mm S supertelephoto
600mm S supertelephoto

Chienngo Loc: SoCal

Oooh! That’s exciting! Good idea! I wonder when do they plan to launch all that lenses. Do you have any idea?
In the meantime I will rent to learn more about the long lenses.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I have read that lens control on the Z2F works better with Nikon OEM lenses.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Unless you know the individual why pass along your personal physical limitations. That you can't handle the weight of a lens or camera is your issue. No problem hand holding the 200-500 a month from 76. Push the limits!

bkwaters

I owned the Nikon 200-500 for several months. Fantastic quality and good value, but too heavy for me, so I sold it. I rented the Nikon 500 PF for a week and enjoyed it a lot more.

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

I second the suggestion of the 500 PF if you don't require zoom. It is amazingly sharp, and lightweight. And the IS is fabulous.

CO

The 100-400mm S lens is supposed to be out this year. I'm not sure about the other lenses.

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

OK, the nice thing about it is the fact with mirrorless you do not have to do any LENS CALIBRATIONS, this is the good news.
Now for a lens suggestion, I have used the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 for many years in the Florida wetlands, it is very sharp especially at 500 mm. I would not hesitate to recommend that lens to anyone, it is also an E lens. What that means is that it has an electronic diaphragm, not a mechanical one, what this means is that if you shoot at a high frames per second like I do, every exposure in your sequence will be exposed correctly, there is a tendency for non electronic diaphragm lenses to vary slightly on exposure and focusing from frame to frame at a high frame per second. For wildlife photography this is very important. I would also recommend the Nikon 500 5.6 FL lens, but it is hard to find and over twice the price.
Also, Nikon should be bringing out a 200-600 for their mirrorless camera's within a year. So, do you wait? Personally I would snatch up that 200-500 so fast your eyes would water.
Yes, I can personally testify to the sharpness of that lens. I will bet you thank me after you have it mounted and use it on the Z7.
Below are two images from the 200-500 mm lens.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If fast accurate AF matters, the 200-500 - but the AF of the Z7 is already suspect - otherwise, whichever is the best "deal" for you financially.
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