willy6419

Two bodies, d500, d850

Wildlife

Looking for more reach and composition flexibility, mostly on 500, with 1.5 factor approximately 120-600.

Like the weight versus 200-500 (2 pounds less).

I use 300 f 4, pf with tc 1.4 on 500 for bif.

Read mixed comments re focus speed and sharpness

Appreciate real life experiences

I also have 70-200, so with tc 14, and d500, about 147-420, faster f and very sharp

Thanks

Quixdraw Loc: x

Have the AF VR Nikkor 80-400 4.5 5.6 D, bought it for virtually the same reasons as you. It did not do the job for me (by all reports, the new version is better). Even on my DX 7200, not enough reach. I bought the Nikon 200-500, and it did most of what I needed. I added a TC 14 E II and it did it all. I have lots posted and usually identify the gear used. It is not particularly large and heavy, but pretty much a rig for far away subject matter. I usually have a shorter zoom along just in case. Best of luck with your decision and purchase!

HRBIEL Loc: Rapid City, SD

I also had the 80-400G version for awhile but it just would not hold focus. You could hear the lens trying to focus but it never settled to turn on the focus light it just kept flickering. Some shots in focus some not. So I sold it. I now shoot the D500 with the 300mm pf and a 1.4ii teleconverter. I shoot the D850 with the 200-500 f5.6 on a monopod or hand held. Also I shoot the z6 with a Nikkor 70-300 f4.5-5.6 with FTZ adapter. Best images come from the D850/200-500 combo. Most versatile combo is the D500/300pf with or without the teleconverter. Easiest combo for walk around/hiking is the Z6 w/70-300 zoom.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

I own a Nikon 80x400MM VR lens (second edition). It is the most expensive lens I own that I never use. I get better results and an extended reach with my Tamron 150x600MM G2 lens attached to my D500. I have no trouble hand holding that combination.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

I owned the original D version and it was slow to AF and not particularly sharp. Seldom used it for moving subjects. When the new one came out, I got one and it was a giant improvement. I use it regularly with my D500 and D850 when need to limit weight and need zoom capability. I find it exceptionally sharp and very fast and accurate AF, but very expensive. I have not compared it with the 200-500 or any of the off brand models. However, it is not like my 400/2.8 in AF speed or IQ, but not much out there is equal to the 400/2.8.

I have never fully bought in to the crop factor argument though. With the large size files from the D850, I can and do crop in to a D850 image to create a result similar to the crop effect of the dx body. I bought a D500 to have a smaller, lighter alternative to the 850 and also to carry as a second body. I find the hi iso performance of the 850 to be a lot better than the 500, so I often shoot with the 850 and crop rather than 500 if light is an issue.

And please don’t let the pro/con argument about crop factor overtake the discussion of the lens. My conclusions are based on my hands on tests of what works for me.

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

I borrowed a G version from NPS for a trip, hoping I'd love it. I didn't. I waited until I had a chance to look at all of the long zooms, and ended up getting a Sigma 150-600 Sport. I liked the Sport so much I sold the 600mmF4 AF-S II that I had. So now, instead of taking a LowePro Lens Trekker, tripod, gimbal, lens, camera body, etc - about 40lbs - I just take the lens and camera - about 8.5 lbs and use it hand held. I have no regrets and the image quality at working apertures - F7.1 to F11 - is a match for the 600mm F4. Of course, I'd love to have that F4 aperture for times when I need it, but the trade off isn't worth it to me. If the Tamron 150-600 G2 had been available when I got the Sigma, I probably would have bought it instead - same image quality, almost 2 lbs lighter.

willy6419

As hoped, great experience

Agree crop factor not the issue and higher iso on 850

I was very concerned focus speed and iq, apparently should be

I love the 500 and 300 f4 pf, with or without the tc 14. Someday 500 pf?, but fixed lacks composition flexibility

Probably test drive the 200-500 and tamron 150-600, but probably the former as I have tc 14, which could work at f8 on the Nikon

Thanks for your experience and time to respond

Thanks

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

I am 72 and have no issues hand holding my D500 with the 200-500 mm f5.6 lens. It is very sharp through out it's zoom range, especially at 500 mm. This lens would have a field of view of 300-750 on your D500. Below is an example of it's sharpness.

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

That is a very cool shot.

Rhinophoto Loc: Davis, CA

I used the original version of the 80-400 on a 7100 and was pleased with both at the time. A burglary gave me the "opportunity" to get the second version of the 80-400, and I used it for years for wildlife on a 7100 and was happy with it. In the last year I started craving more reach, and rented the 200-500 to use on my 7200. I liked the images but not the bulk. Subsequently tried and bought the 500 - 5.6. It has been a real upgrade; my non-photographer friends to whom I send images have noticed an upgrade in clarity. I miss the zoom capability at times, but for what it was purchased - the wildlife - it's great.

And with all my equipment, I feel it's usually my inability to maximize its potential, not the equipment's fault.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I purchased the 80-400, tried it for 2 weeks sent it back to BH and ordered the Sigma 150-600 sport. Mounted on D500 and love it. Shooting wildlife you never have enough reach.

Joexx

You are using a TC 14 E II with the 200-500? How do you like it? I was thinking about getting the TC 14 E II, but I thought using it with my 200-500 zoom would degrade the quality too much. Thanks

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

Thanks, I put the movement around the Anhinga in Photoshop.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

I bought the newer 80-400. Used it on a D500, D750, and D850. Very disappointed!!! Traded it in, bought the Tamron 100-400 for less than half the price of the Nikon 80-400, even when I added the optional tripod collar, far better image quality. In hindsight I would have bought the Tamron 150-600 G2 because there are times I ‘d like to have the additional reach.

willy6419

Thanks

It’s pretty clear that hhers have not been happy with the expensive 80-400

Thanks for all the input