willy6419

I shoot Nikon D500 and D850, wildlife and landscape.

D500 and 300 PF 4, with or without a 1.4 TC, usually, sometimes a 70-200 2.8 with or without 1.4 TC (heavy).

Use 24-70 2.8 on D850. I also own Nikon 28-300 3.5-5.6 that i use hiking on either body, walking around, plus 15-30 Tamron 2.8 (also heavy).

I'm thinking adding the Tamron 100-400 for some composition flexibility on the D 500, realizing I'll lose a stop or two (and there's never enough light).

Wondering experience with the 100-400 sharpness, issues. I'm thinking I'm not gaining, perhaps slipping, use the 300 pf for modest reach, the 28-300 w/o tc for composition flexibility.

The 200-500 is potential and the 500 pf would be great, but $$$.

Thoughts?

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Have you considered the Nikon 80-400? It's an FX lens, though, with the extra weight and cost. I have one and use it on both my D7200 and D500. BTW, I have the Nikon 500 f5.6 PF and really LOVE it!

willy6419

I've not consider the 80-400. I'd love to have the 500, heard it is great, but fixed, and those have better clarity, unless you are too close---but how often dose that happen.

I'd do the 500 before the 200-500 i think.

CO

I rented the Tamron 100-400 4.5-6.3 Di VC for two weeks last summer. It's impressive what Tamron was able to do for $799. It's fully weather sealed and weighs only 1135 grams which is comparatively light. There's only one negative I would say about it. The focusing was off a little in the middle of the zoom range. I checked it for focusing accuracy using my DataColor SpyderLensCal. It focused very accurately around 100mm and 400mm but focusing accuracy was off a small amount in the middle of the zoom range. If I purchased it, I would get the Tamron TAP-in console. You can fine tune the focusing at different focal lengths with it. I would recommend purchasing the Tamron 100-400 4.5-6.3 Di VC but with the Tamron TAP-in console to fine tune autofocus.

I own the Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G ED VR AF-S lens. It's an awesome lens but pricey. It focuses very accurately throughout the entire zoom range. It's also very sharp, has fast autofocus, and great vibration compensation.

I took this photo with the Tamron 100-400 4.5-6.3 Di VC on Nikon D7500

(Download)

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

I also have a D500 and D850 and have used the Tamron 100-400 extensively on both. The Tamron 100-400 pretty well stays on my D500 as I use it around the bird feeders. At the 400 end I'll use f/8, but even at f/6.3 the center is quite good. I have a 28-300 and to me there's no comparison between it and the Tamron. The link below is to my last post in the Photo Gallery using the D500 and 100-400. If you need the extra reach , and weight of the 200-500 vs the 100-400 that's one option but as far as image quality with the Tamron 100-400, I have no issues.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-686316-1.html

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

The 200-500 is about 1/3 the price of the 500 5.6 and is more versatile than the 500.
I own both and both are sharp, I would give an edge to the 500, but that said the 200-500 used correctly will deliver.
The shot below, Black Crowed Night Heron, D850, 200-500 at 500mm f6.3, iso 800, 1/2500 sec.
Second shot, Black Crowned Night Heron, D500, 500 5.6 lens, 1/4000 sec. iso 800
Like I said, both lenses will deliver

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I was thinking about getting the Tam 100-400 as a lighter alternative to my 150-600 G2 ; 400mm gets me close enough in most cases. If you go Tamron definitely get the Tap-in console for updating firmware, tweaking focusing and other parameters. If you plan on any tripod shots get the collar too as it is extra.

The 200-500 is a great alternative to the 500pf but at a third of the cost...and some added bulk and weight over the other zooms in its class. Tough choices.

agillot

nope , but the 150 600 would do it .

willy6419

great experiences to consider. Choices are good. Thanks for your time to respond.

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

There is also the Tamron 150-600 G2 you could add to your list of options

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-597795-1.html - GET the Tamron ! you will love the size/weight/sharpness.
Sell the 300 PF. Then, if you are really serious about birds/wildlife save for the 500 PF.
.

photonaut Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

I have the Tamron 100-400mm lens and recently used it on my Nikon D500 at the Bosque del Apache refuge in New Mexico. I bought a collar for it from a Chinese company and it cost much less than the Tamron one and works and fits perfectly. I also bought the Tap-In to keep the lens updated. I have a very sturdy tripod but find I tend to use the lens handheld most of the time. I am very pleased with sharpness and find it focusses fast enough for the cranes that are standing in the field and most of the time for birds in flight. Sharpness at the far end is much better than I expected and the vibration compensation helps me a lot. For me, at least, this has become a lens that stays on my D500 when I'm photographing birds and wildlife.

SENG

I have the 150-600. I like it but is a heavy piece. I mostly always have it on a tripod.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You can get some idea comparing online test photos:

Tamron 100-400mm at 300mm versus your 300mm PF:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1178&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=1040&CameraComp=614&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Tamron 100-400mm at 400mm versus your 300mm PF with 1.4X TC:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1178&Camera=453&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=1040&CameraComp=614&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=1

Tamron 100-400mm versus Nikkor 200-500mm:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1178&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=0&LensComp=1035&CameraComp=1210&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Unfortunately, the above comparisons aren't perfect... The Tamron lens test shots were done on Canon cameras, while the Nikkors shots were done with Nikon cameras. I've selected the most similar resolution full frame for the best possible comparisons: 1DsIII (21MP) and D3X (24MP) in the first two cases and 5Ds-R(50MP) and 850D (45MP) in the third.

I was surprised how well the Tamron seems to hold up compared to the 300mm lens. When the 300mm is being used without a teleconverter, it's a full stop faster than the Tamron.

The Tamron also seems to hold it's own against the Nikkor 200-500mm at focal lengths they share (both suffer a little when shown on very high resolution cameras). With both at 200mm it's the same f/5.6 aperture as the Nikkor... at 300mm and beyond the Tamron is 1/3 stop slower (f/6.3) than the Nikkor (f/5.6).

The Tamron's weakest focal lengths are toward its 100mm end.

The above website also has means of comparing distortion, vignetting, flare, etc. It's pretty thorough testing, though there are limited review of brands other than Canon, its primary emphasis. There's a good write up on the Tamron though it is the version for Canon. There isn't a full review on that site for either the 300mm PF or the Nikkor 200-500.

There is option of fitting a tripod mounting collar (sold separately) on the Tamron lens. Personally, I'd spend the extra for that because it would be nice to have at times, I'm sure (I often use the collar on my Canon 100-400mm, putting the lens on a gimbal and tripod). Also, in recent lens models, including the 100-400, Tamron has been been incorporationg an Arca-compatible dovetail into their tripod collars.... That's a thoughtful feature I wish more manufacturers would do, so a separate lens plate wouldn't be needed.

The Nikkor 200-500mm's tripod mounting foot isn't very compatible with typical lens plates (AFAIK, only Hejnar makes a special one for it). So when folks want to use it on a gimbal or want Arca quick release compatibility, many opt either to replace the foot or even the lens' entire tripod collar. Kirk Photo, RRS, Hejnar Photo and others offer various options, adding cost of course.

Compare size, weight and cost: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Tamron_100-400mm_f_4.5-6.3_Di_VC_USD_Lens_for_Nikon_F_vs_Nikon_AF-S_NIKKOR_300mm_f_4E_PF_ED_VR_Lens_vs_Nikon_AF-S_Teleconverter_TC-14E_III_vs_Nikon_AF-S_NIKKOR_200-500mm_f_5.6E_ED_VR_Lens/BHitems/1362803-REG_1111442-REG_1052071-REG_1175034-REG