Which lens for Wisconsin eagles: I know, opinions are like noses and every one has one however, would you rent the Nikon 500 F/5.6 E AF-S PF ED VR or the Nikon 200-400 F/4G AF-S ED UR...

Keithc

I know, opinions are like noses and every one has one however, would you rent the Nikon 500 F/5.6 E AF-S PF ED VR or the Nikon 200-400 F/4G AF-S ED UR II to shoot wildlife and eagles. Both lens are twice the price I usually rent the Tameron 150 x 600 G2 for. A Nikon 80 x 300 is my walk around lens. All information is appreciated and thank you in advance for your time.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Usually you need the reach for eagles. The 500 PF is considerably lighter and easier to use. 200-400 is weak at the long end at further distances. 500 PF is superbly sharp. On balance, easy vote for the 500.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Keithc wrote:

I know, opinions are like noses and every one has one however, would you rent the Nikon 500 F/5.6 E AF-S PF ED VR or the Nikon 200-400 F/4G AF-S ED UR II to shoot wildlife and eagles. Both lens are twice the price I usually rent the Tameron 150 x 600 G2 for. A Nikon 80 x 300 is my walk around lens. All information is appreciated and thank you in advance for your time.

I shoot a lot of Eagles when they are around. Have the 200-500 and TC 1.4 E II which generally works well. Everyone raves about the 500, I would rent that and the newer TC1.4 E III. That combination should do a great job whether you need the extra distance the Telextender will get you or not.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Orphoto wrote:

Usually you need the reach for eagles. The 500 PF is considerably lighter and easier to use. 200-400 is weak at the long end at further distances. 500 PF is superbly sharp. On balance, easy vote for the 500.

Keithc

Thanks for your input. I’ll let you know how the 500 worked when we get back home.

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

Keithc wrote:

I know, opinions are like noses and every one has one however, would you rent the Nikon 500 F/5.6 E AF-S PF ED VR or the Nikon 200-400 F/4G AF-S ED UR II to shoot wildlife and eagles. Both lens are twice the price I usually rent the Tameron 150 x 600 G2 for. A Nikon 80 x 300 is my walk around lens. All information is appreciated and thank you in advance for your time.

I would rent the Nikon 200-500 5.6 lens. It is sharp throughout it's zoom range, lighter than the 200-400 but a little heavier than the 500 5.6 E.
However, the 200-500 5.6 is also an E, which means it has a electronic aperture, meaning that if your shooting say 10 FPS, each exposure will be exact.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Depending on your luck, I suspect you will be working at the full focal length of the lens most of the time, will very few occasions to use the zoom. I’d go with the prime.

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

Keithc wrote:

I know, opinions are like noses and every one has one however, would you rent the Nikon 500 F/5.6 E AF-S PF ED VR or the Nikon 200-400 F/4G AF-S ED UR II to shoot wildlife and eagles. Both lens are twice the price I usually rent the Tameron 150 x 600 G2 for. A Nikon 80 x 300 is my walk around lens. All information is appreciated and thank you in advance for your time.

I have a friend who shoots eagles along the Mississippi river. He gets great results using a Nikon P1000.

Photoladybon Loc: Long Island

I have had both, the 200-500 and the 500pf. The 200-500 weighs about two pounds more than 500. 500pf in my opinion hands down is a remarkable lens and is like a machine gun at continuous high. Go for it you won’t be sorry.

Bill_de Loc: US

If you will be shooting from a tripod, as usually the case at Conowingo Dam in Maryland, go for the 200-500. Shooting while moving around the 500mm PF is an excellent choice.

I bought the 200-400 when I was shooting a lot from a kayak. Once my back decided I was giving up kayaking I opted for the 200 - 500.

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Judy795

I have both and I use the 500 PF handheld with my D500 because it is so much lighter. The autofocus really locks onto the eagle. I only use the 200-500 on a tripod or on a tripod head on a dish..