Seeking advice on Zoom Lens (Page 2): I have the tamron 150-600 g2. I like it but heavy and I use a tripod and gimbal mount. I hand hold at lower ranges. still experimenting with it...

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I have the tamron 150-600 g2. I like it but heavy and I use a tripod and gimbal mount. I hand hold at lower ranges. still experimenting with it

tdozier3 Loc: Northern Illinois

Chienngo wrote:

I am planning on buying a zoom lens for birds and wildlife photography. I am seeking your advice on what zoom lens should I get for my Nikon Z7. I am thinking of either a Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 or a Tamron/Sigma 160-600mm. I don’t have any experience with long lenses, the longest lens I have is a Nikkor AF-S 18-300mm kit lens.
Does anyone out there have experience with these lenses please advise. Thank you so much.

Really love my Sigma 150-600 Contemporary. Haven't used a tripod with it yet and have gotten some really great shots with it at all focal ranges. Hard to beat for under 900 bucks

CWGordon

I have both the 500pf and Tamron 150-600. I have used the Nikon 200-500. The 200-500 is, as everyone says, sharp, but very heavy. The 500 is sharp and much lighter, a pleasure to use. I am happy to feel how light when I pick it up for wildlife. Unfortunately, it is not a zoom. Often, I need a zoom, this is where the later Tamron model comes into play. No lightweight, I find it quite manageable. It takes a very sharp image. At the price, it is a great bargain. Ultimately, the choice is yours; just one, I’d go Tamron. Extra reach, handholdable, and inexpensive as lenses go. Good luck.

StRoch Loc: New Orleans

billnikon wrote:

OK, the nice thing about it is the fact with mirro... (show quote)

Great shots billnikon. Can you post the particulars for each image?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Chienngo wrote:

I am planning on buying a zoom lens for birds and wildlife photography. I am seeking your advice on what zoom lens should I get for my Nikon Z7. I am thinking of either a Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 or a Tamron/Sigma 160-600mm. I don’t have any experience with long lenses, the longest lens I have is a Nikkor AF-S 18-300mm kit lens.
Does anyone out there have experience with these lenses please advise. Thank you so much.

The Tamron is highly regarded and has greater reach than the Nikon
Most serious bird photographers here use 600mm lenses and the Tamron meets that need.

Siemienczuk

I have the Nikkor 200-500/5.6. It is heavy. It's not that I can't handle it, but it's hard to keep the focus on the eye(s) while handholding for BIFs. I almost got a gimbal for my tripod but I am going to try a new tilt/pan head for my monopod first. For BIFs I'm nearly always at or near 500mm so the 500pf is a very attractive idea. I think it's expensive though...

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

Siemienczuk wrote:

I have the Nikkor 200-500/5.6. It is heavy. It's not that I can't handle it, but it's hard to keep the focus on the eye(s) while handholding for BIFs. I almost got a gimbal for my tripod but I am going to try a new tilt/pan head for my monopod first. For BIFs I'm nearly always at or near 500mm so the 500pf is a very attractive idea. I think it's expensive though...

I understand that the 200-500 5.6 is not the lightest lens available. But, it has a lot to do with the individual, I am 72 and not a weight lifter, I can handle the 200-500 on a D850 with a vertical grip without an issue.
So, whether on not the 200-500 is heavy or whether or not someone can handle it is up to the individual. It is not hard from some, but it is hard for others.
I believe the best way to handle this is to have the individual who is considering buying a long telephoto is to actually go to the photo store and put them in your hands and try them out.
Then each individual can determine whether or not a lens is right for them.

Chienngo Loc: SoCal

I want to thank everyone for their inputs. From what I gather is that there’s no one has experienced technical flaws to any of the lenses mentioned and only personal preference and perhaps budget. I have decided to rent the the lenses and try them out before making my final decision.
Thank you for time and your advice.
Best regards,
Chien

sholland98 Loc: Benbrook, Texas

I shoot wildlife and own both of those lenses. I prefer the Sigma for the extra reach, on both ends, and it is more friendly to a 1.4 converter. That being said, both are respectable.

TonyBrown

If you want the lens for bird photography you will find that you are always shooting at the 500mm end of the lens so just buy the 500PF. I have not used my 200-500 since I got the 500.

A. T.

Chienngo wrote:

I am planning on buying a zoom lens for birds and wildlife photography. I am seeking your advice on what zoom lens should I get for my Nikon Z7. I am thinking of either a Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 or a Tamron/Sigma 160-600mm. I don’t have any experience with long lenses, the longest lens I have is a Nikkor AF-S 18-300mm kit lens.
Does anyone out there have experience with these lenses please advise. Thank you so much.

I have the Tamron 150-600 and the Nikkor 200-500 5.6 and I will tell you that I rarely use the Tamron because the Nikkor is sharper throughout the entire focal length where the Tamron is not. The Tamron gets soft at the 600mm end and it's a light hog. As long as you have good light, it will do a good job but close to sunset or early golden hour you will need to increase your ISO or lower your shutter speed.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Chienngo wrote:

I am planning on buying a zoom lens for birds and wildlife photography. I am seeking your advice on what zoom lens should I get for my Nikon Z7. I am thinking of either a Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 or a Tamron/Sigma 160-600mm. I don’t have any experience with long lenses, the longest lens I have is a Nikkor AF-S 18-300mm kit lens.
Does anyone out there have experience with these lenses please advise. Thank you so much.

Check out Steve Perry's Backcountry Gallery website. He shoots Nikons and has reviews on the Nikon 200-500 and 500PF.