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A new long lens
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Jul 15, 2019 09:37:01   #
sv3noKin51E
 
OldVirginia, still use our D300, D750 and D7200, with older Nikon 300mm glass (heavy as a boat anchor bur razor sharp) and newer Nikon and Tamron glass. We acquired the first 150-600mm as pre-owned, after the FW fix; it was as new, so when the price dropped last year, snagged another that stays on one of the bodies the majority of the time; both of them are great in standard lighting in the day or on a tripod. we have a couple of gimbals which make the weight a non-issue. The 150-600mm can be quirky but not often. These are different beasts than the other long lenses, but the time involved matching up technique with a bodies most favorable settings for whatever one is shooting isn't that long. For those who aren't able to buy the Nikon glass, it's a 'Mikey, try it, you'll like it' sort of experience. The 150-600mm also does amazing things on the D7200. Tamron has done a good job of reverse engineering to get these where they are now, thinking of what they would be if they didn't have to do so... The manufacturing facilities have put forth fairly good information and photos of parts of their process over time; none of these companies are slackers. Seeing a shot of a long lens rejected in QC, in pieces in a bin was distressing, but better that than having it end up in a dissatisfied customer's hands. sv

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Jul 15, 2019 09:46:41   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
billnikon wrote:
For every review that shows Nikon better than Tamron or Sigma, another will show the opposite.
For me, I am a shooter that displays his work all over my tri-state area. My show prints are either 20X30 ot 30X40. I have gotten good 30X40 prints from my Sony HX99V with a built in 24-720 mm Zeiss lens.
Bottom line, IT IS NOT THE LENS, IT WILL ALWAYS BE THE PHOTOGRAPHER. To hell with all the tests.
And, it will ALWAYS be this way.


LOL yes, the differences in lenses is very small and the differences in photographers is HUGE ....still, better lenses will make GOOD photographers better.
.

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Jul 15, 2019 09:53:12   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
imagemeister wrote:
LOL yes, the differences in lenses is very small and the differences in photographers is HUGE ....still, better lenses will make GOOD photographers better.
.


I don't think Ansel Adams would agree.

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Jul 15, 2019 10:01:20   #
jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio
 
Mark Bski wrote:
I've been taking bird and wildlife photos with my Nikon 300mm F4 for a few years now and it's doing a great job. I also use a teleconverter that brings me up to 420mm at 5.6. But, alas, I want more reach. Right now my top two contenders are the Nikon 200-500 or the Tamron 150-600 g2. I love my Nikon glass, but I know I will want more, so I tilt towards the Tamron.

Also, I do like my prime and I get great results with it. I noticed Nikon has a 500mm f5.6 prime out there, but it costs over twice as much as the 2-500. Sigma also has a few long lenses not outrageously over priced, but just quite expensive, like a 300-800mm 5.6, a 500mm 5.6, and an 80mm 5.6.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with any of these lenses, I'd love to get your thoughts.

Oh yea, I upgraded from my D7200 to a Z-6 ~ it's awesome.
I've been taking bird and wildlife photos with my ... (show quote)

I have used both the Nikon 200-500mm lens and the Tamron G2 lens on the D810 and the D500. In my opinion, the Nikon 200-500mm lens focuses faster and yields better image quality--even when you crop your Nikon 500mm image to the equivalent 600mm field of view and compare to the G2 at 600mm. Tony Northrup agrees:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz3zbpKXF4M&list=PLwIVS3_dKVps9t02MjysT3nRW5xnC_oIy&index=15

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Jul 15, 2019 10:14:26   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
GLSmith wrote:
As far as I know the Nikon 500 F/5.6 is still on backorder throughout the country...I’ve got alerts set up with B&H, Adorama & Nikon for arrival...So tired of the hype...Actually considering the 600 Nikon is supposed to be releasing in September...unless they hype that as well


Mine is supposed to be here next week so perhaps a shipment has come in.

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Jul 15, 2019 10:21:28   #
RRS Loc: Not sure
 
imagemeister wrote:
Yes, on FF you will want more reach ! I do not have either of these - but have shot both - the experienced consensus is that for fast accurate AF- if that matters- you want the Nikon. Stop down the aperture and CROP for more reach and use pixel enlargement if necessary. Beware, both of their tripod collars are highly compromised.
.


Could you explain or give more info on the last sentence? "Beware, both of their tripod collars are highly compromised? Thanks.

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Jul 15, 2019 10:27:42   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
Mark Bski wrote:
I've been taking bird and wildlife photos with my Nikon 300mm F4 for a few years now and it's doing a great job. I also use a teleconverter that brings me up to 420mm at 5.6. But, alas, I want more reach. Right now my top two contenders are the Nikon 200-500 or the Tamron 150-600 g2. I love my Nikon glass, but I know I will want more, so I tilt towards the Tamron.

Also, I do like my prime and I get great results with it. I noticed Nikon has a 500mm f5.6 prime out there, but it costs over twice as much as the 2-500. Sigma also has a few long lenses not outrageously over priced, but just quite expensive, like a 300-800mm 5.6, a 500mm 5.6, and an 80mm 5.6.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with any of these lenses, I'd love to get your thoughts.

Oh yea, I upgraded from my D7200 to a Z-6 ~ it's awesome.
I've been taking bird and wildlife photos with my ... (show quote)


One of my friends shoots Nikon and he's tried the Tamron 150-600 and he now has the Nikon 200-500. Says the Nikon is much better glass.

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Jul 15, 2019 10:35:24   #
CWGordon
 
I, too want a Ferrari. I have settled for less quite often. Still, I have an 80-400 that I love. I have the later Tamron G2. It does produce good images. I recently purchased the 500 5.6 of Nikon. I am still learning to use it. I have tried the 200-500. It was very sharp, but heavier than I prefer. I liked its’ being sharp and reasonably priced. I love zoom lens flexibility. It is a winner in my book even though, for my needs and aging body, I chose the 500 5.6. Good luck with this issue. I told you nothing you don’t already know. Just know everyone else is just as unsure as the next guy as to which would be best for them.

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Jul 15, 2019 10:52:08   #
RRS Loc: Not sure
 
billnikon wrote:
I don't think Ansel Adams would agree.


Ansel Adams was the King of the darkroom, he could turn straw, the best quality straw, into gold!

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Jul 15, 2019 11:34:20   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
RRS wrote:
Could you explain or give more info on the last sentence? "Beware, both of their tripod collars are highly compromised? Thanks.


It would seem, that the lowly tripod collar becomes an after thought in the design of these large zooms ! Prime lenses are somewhat better in this regard.

They have to find room for the focusing, zooming and stabilization mechanics....and ergonomicly, this takes up a LARGE area - exactly where the optimum place for where the tripod collar would/should be ! This results in the collar being very close to the camera body and very FAR away from the heaviest part of the lens - the front - which then acts like a huge lever against the collar. Add to this, the small size of the collar and "light weight" materials and you can see why even when bolted down to a good support there can still be considerable movement of the front glass. This becomes more of an issue when your shutter speeds start dropping (lower light) on stationary subjects. Ultra fast speeds on moving subjects will be less noticeable of course.

I noticed this especially using the Tamron G2 with the 1.4X

This is a long lens stabilizer that is used to "help" the collar stabilize the entire lens to the support.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/L200-Telephoto-Lens-Support-w-Moveable-Quick-Release-Plate-Camera-Bracket-Holder/362588202614?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
I use one of these on my 300 2.8 with extenders.

RRS and others make similar (more costly) versions.
.

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Jul 15, 2019 11:38:56   #
coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA
 
I purchased the Tampon 150-600mm but returned it because it just wasn't as sharp as my 80-400 in testing I did. I reached out to Tamron and sent them some files and they just could not explain it to me to my satisfaction.

Being an NPS member I requested the 200-500 to test for 2 weeks. Much sharper and faster focus. Ended up buying it.

I played with the Nikon 500mm at the WPPI show. Loved the lens but as you point out, much more expensive. Although maybe not as sharp and fast, I like the flexibility of my 200-500 for the kind of shooting I do.

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Jul 15, 2019 11:53:58   #
Todd G
 
Mark Bski wrote:
I've been taking bird and wildlife photos with my Nikon 300mm F4 for a few years now and it's doing a great job. I also use a teleconverter that brings me up to 420mm at 5.6. But, alas, I want more reach. Right now my top two contenders are the Nikon 200-500 or the Tamron 150-600 g2. I love my Nikon glass, but I know I will want more, so I tilt towards the Tamron.

Also, I do like my prime and I get great results with it. I noticed Nikon has a 500mm f5.6 prime out there, but it costs over twice as much as the 2-500. Sigma also has a few long lenses not outrageously over priced, but just quite expensive, like a 300-800mm 5.6, a 500mm 5.6, and an 80mm 5.6.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with any of these lenses, I'd love to get your thoughts.

Oh yea, I upgraded from my D7200 to a Z-6 ~ it's awesome.
I've been taking bird and wildlife photos with my ... (show quote)

I just got the sigma 150-600 and so far love it.

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Jul 15, 2019 12:28:54   #
Shooter313
 
Nice shot!!

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Jul 15, 2019 12:37:46   #
James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)
 
PHRubin wrote:
Apparently, you went from a DX to an FX camera. That works against "reach".

I have the Tamron G2 on a Canon APS-C camera. I love it.


==================

Yes!

I agree.

I as well make use of the Tamron 150 - 600, G2 - on a Canon 5D Mark II. And a Canon 5D Mark IV....

I had the first 150-600 that came to Saint Louis from SCHILLER'S Camera. When I Bought a Canon 5D Mark VI I also traded it in for the G2. The Six-Year Warranty was another great aspect - as I had to send it back twice for cleaning. (No fault of the lens It was used in Utah and uncovered in wind and dust. Not just any "dust" - the dust there is mainly silica, SAND. It was totally covered by the warranty.

One can not go wrong in the choice of this lens. ((See Photo Attached - Hand Held in the store.))

-0-

Enlarge to see the canvas weave of the fabric in this TEST Photo.
Enlarge to see the canvas weave of the fabric in t...
(Download)

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Jul 15, 2019 13:14:09   #
TerryTimes
 
I bought a Nikon Coolpix P1000 and getting acceptable results up to 600mm. Haven't really tried much beyond that zoom yet however the few I have shot are truly unacceptable. No detail in the blacks even though I have a perfect white balance, ISO below 600, well-balanced histogram with no peaking either end.
Any tips? I just can't seem to use this thing properly.

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