Nikon AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens: I am still using my Tamron Gen 1 lens. Wondering if anyone in here uses the Nikon lens that is in the title bar as I am thinking of doing an...

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

I am still using my Tamron Gen 1 lens. Wondering if anyone in here uses the Nikon lens that is in the title bar as I am thinking of doing an upgrade.
How do you like it for image quality, etc. Any pros or cons.
My camera body is a Nikon D7200.
Thanks,
Marsha

Fred Frank Loc: Roanoke Alabama

I've had one for over a year with my D850. I love it. It's light enough for handheld shots I couldn't get with a 150-600. You'll love it to. Fred

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

No experience with the 500 PF personally.
I did talk with a pro shooter at Bosque del Apache who spoke highly of the 300 PF.

That's it for my input right now.

Bill_de Loc: US

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I am still using my Tamron Gen 1 lens. Wondering if anyone in here uses the Nikon lens that is in the title bar as I am thinking of doing an upgrade.
How do you like it for image quality, etc. Any pros or cons.
My camera body is a Nikon D7200.
Thanks,
Marsha

The 500 f/5.6 PF replaced my 500 f/4.0. I wasn't sure if I was going to miss the extra stop. I don't.
I used to carry the 500 f/4.0 on a tripod, over my shoulder. I carry the PF by the lens foot and leave the tripod at home. If I plan on walking for a while the battery grip come off the D7200, then I'm good to go.

I'm sure it's not perfect and somebody will point out some legitimate faults. If I lost mine somehow it would be replaced by the same lens.

On a smaller scale, I also replaced my old 300mm with the PF version.

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Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Bill_de wrote:

The 500 f/5.6 PF replaced my 500 f/4.0. I wasn't s... (show quote)

Are you happy with the IQ?

Bill_de Loc: US

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Are you happy with the IQ?

Did I forget to mention that?

Yes, very much so!

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Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Bill_de wrote:

Did I forget to mention that?

Yes, very much so!

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Thank you, Bill!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I am still using my Tamron Gen 1 lens. Wondering if anyone in here uses the Nikon lens that is in the title bar as I am thinking of doing an upgrade.
How do you like it for image quality, etc. Any pros or cons.
My camera body is a Nikon D7200.
Thanks,
Marsha

FWIW, by all reports the Tamron 150-600mm G2 is a very good step up from the G1.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

amfoto1 wrote:

FWIW, by all reports the Tamron 150-600mm G2 is a very good step up from the G1.

Yes, I've thought about that also. Just wondering if the difference is enough. For the money, probably yes. I do like it that you can zoom in our out.
Thanks.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Since you would be moving from a zoom to a prime, one test you could do now is to go our with your Tamron and lock the lens at 500 mm and shoot for several outings at just the 500 setting.

Then you will have a good understanding of the prime 500 versus the flexibility of the 100-500 or 150-600 zoom options.

Have fun, the search and decision making are always a good part of a new purchase.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

If you shoot Nikon, the 500pf is the hot lens for birding right now. Even those who have upgraded to the Z9 still use the 500pf with the FTZ II adapter.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I am still using my Tamron Gen 1 lens. Wondering if anyone in here uses the Nikon lens that is in the title bar as I am thinking of doing an upgrade.
How do you like it for image quality, etc. Any pros or cons.
My camera body is a Nikon D7200.
Thanks,
Marsha

I have great experience with crop frame 80D Canon. The optimum focal length for crop frame using a prime lens is 400mm like the Canon I use with extendability of 1.4X (f5.6 and AF to f8) - except Nikon does NOT make an affordable 400mm prime ! The only option for 400mm 5.6 Nikon is the expensive 80-400 zoom.

The 500mm PF is a great lens but mostly too long on a crop body as a single solution lens. 400mm f5.6 extendable with 1.4X is more versatile. Have you considered the Tamron G2 ?? or the Nikon 200-500 ?? The 500 PF is more versatile on full frame IMO.
.

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

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I am still using my Tamron Gen 1 lens. Wondering if anyone in here uses the Nikon lens that is in the title bar as I am thinking of doing an upgrade.
How do you like it for image quality, etc. Any pros or cons.
My camera body is a Nikon D7200.
Thanks,
Marsha

On a D7200 you may not see much of a difference. But on a higher MP full frame camera the Nikon may produce better images. However, unless you shoot where wildlife is relatively close, as you know from your Gen1, the extra focal length doesn't hurt, even if it is a prime lens.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Thanks everyone, I am reading the responses and thinking about them. (Now I'm really confused as to what to do..lol!) Maybe I should keep my Gen. 1 Tamron, get the 500 Nikon and I always have 30 days to return it after giving it a good try!
I'll check on the other lenses mentioned in here too. I do have a 300mm Nikon (older but a great lens) with a 1.4 tc on it but I like more reach.

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

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I am still using my Tamron Gen 1 lens. Wondering if anyone in here uses the Nikon lens that is in the title bar as I am thinking of doing an upgrade.
How do you like it for image quality, etc. Any pros or cons.
My camera body is a Nikon D7200.
Thanks,
Marsha

The lens is simply very very very sharp. It is light weight, very easy to hand hold, and very very very sharp.
Below is a image taken with the 500 on my D850. Black Crowned Night Heron flying directly toward me, shot wide open, it is the only way to shoot the 500. Have I mentioned it is very very very sharp.