john maloney Loc: Columbia,Md.

how good is this lens?

Quixdraw Loc: x

Excellent! I have lots posted with camera and lens noted.

Bill_de Loc: US

Lot's of members have lot's of opinions.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=Nikon+200-500+lens&sectnum=0&username=

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PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

John The 200-500 is Super sharp through the entire range. The lens is great. That is beyond good. I started with the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 . It was NOT sharp through the entire upper range. Sold it and have been joyed with my 200-500 Nikon. Stan

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

I love it.
First purchased the Tamron 150-600mm. Did not find it as sharp as my 80-400mm Nikon. Returned it and bought the 200-500 Nikon.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Many purchase long glass for wildlife / birding. Assuming that's your purpose, for Nikon users the 200-500mm f/5.6 is one of the 7 lenses birder's on a budget buy. The lenses are the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 both G1 and G2 versions, The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary or Sport versions, Sigma 60-600mm f4.5-6.3 Sport, the 200-500mm f/5.6, but the hot new lens is the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF (most expensive of the group). Each lens has strengths and weaknesses and you'll just have to go through the specs and reviews to see which one is right for you, but the 200-500mm is a good choice. There are several more long lenses out there if you are going mirrorless, especially for Canon bodies.

There are a host of 300mm and 400mm primes and zooms around as well, but you can never have enough reach for wildlife / birding.

I've got both the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G2 and Nikon 200-500m f/5.6. Both have performed well and I have taken great shots (to me) with both lenses. I had to tune the Tamron to get good results, but the Nikon was good to go right out of the box and I like the ability to use a 1.4x teleconverter with the 200-500mm, although you are at F/8, so AF performance is a little degraded. The Tamron is a bit softer in the corners, but it's not really noticeable on a DX body as you are only using the center of the lens.

Quixdraw Loc: x

I have recently been using the TC - 14 E II with the 200-500 and have gotten shots that would otherwise have been impossible - it is quite good, (the III is purportedly better) and adds very little length and weight to the lens.
Edit: on my D7200 1050mm (35mm equivalent)

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Its a good lens for the money but it won't satisfy the pixel peepers.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I assume we all are pixel peepers?

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

You might be, I definitely am, and I know of some more...based on posts most UHHoggers are not.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

John those who are expressing "Opinions" without knowing what genere you work in or your current kit are at best "Talking Heads"... Especially if they don't document their inferences...

That said I see you are currently shooting BIF with a Nikon D500 and the AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 (a pumper).
Your work is beautiful! Your Febuary 17th imagery of "Glide Path" is epic... Kudos on your expertise...

Ok, the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is not the glass you need to take your work to the next level...
Yes I have this lens and quickly became disappointed with it for shooting League Soccer.
While it has excellent acuity it can not be rotated in it's tripod mount while shooting... Sadly Nikon warns to "Lock Down" this lens BEFORE shooting. This is a deal breaker for action sports and BIF. It will jump out of it's track and lockup on you.

I've migrated to an AF 300mm f/2.8 and have never looked back... The focus speed is truly several orders of magnitude faster (and far more accurate). My hit rate with League Soccer more than tripled!

If you stay in your current genre an IF prime will take you so much further than that "prosumer" Pumper... This pumper will fill with particulates over time... John there are many compelling reasons why commercial shooters use primes... for me this experience was a very brutal teacher... don't make this mistake.

Ok the 200-500 does work for studio and location fashion and beauty... below are examples of my efforts with this piece of glass... Yes it does have fabulous VR albeit since you are shooting at 1/3200 VR is virtually meaningless...

Hope this helps neighbor... we both live very close... lol
Oh, the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland is one of the finest BIF locations in the entire country. Enjoy!

Taken with the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

(Download)

Taken with the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

(Download)

Quixdraw Loc: x

I am not much of a tripod user, but my 200-500 has no problem at all rotating while shooting. I do have a Manfrotto plate on the foot, but that shouldn't make any difference. Actually adjusted carefully, the tripod collar lock screw can act like a damper when rotating. Certainly would like some of the pricier primes, but they are flat out un affordable for anyone who isn't making money with them or wealthy. I do use the lens a lot and have many samples posted, some pretty decent.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Shot at 500mm.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I replaced the original collar on the 200-500mm with an Arca Swiss collar found on Amazon, there are several choices, and have no problems at all rotating the camera on a gimbal. The lens is a bit heavy for BIF handheld, but quite manageable.

john maloney Loc: Columbia,Md.

thank you for all this. Maybe we can meet some day when it's safe again..:)