Another Option (Page 2): Did you ask that question when you were at the camera store?

leftj Loc: Texas

Erp1938 wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600, went to the camera store and tried out the Tamron 150-600mm lens, It was great they did not have the Nikkor 200-500mm to try or the Sigma 150-600 back ordered. My problem is the weight for a short 4'11, 66yr old women. Is there a zoom lens combination I could get with sharpness & length similar to the super zooms without the weight, or am I out of luck?

Did you ask that question when you were at the camera store?

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

Erp1938 wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600, went to the camera store and tried out the Tamron 150-600mm lens, It was great they did not have the Nikkor 200-500mm to try or the Sigma 150-600 back ordered. My problem is the weight for a short 4'11, 66yr old women. Is there a zoom lens combination I could get with sharpness & length similar to the super zooms without the weight, or am I out of luck?

I have two solutions that are worth considering. The lenses in discussion currently are all very large and very expensive. however:
1. get the 70-300 VR, smaller lighter, gives you 450mm effective, and if you need more reach crop in a bit, the 5600 gives you plenty to do that with, or...

2. Micro Four Thirds is a viable alternative, the Olympus 75-300 is cheap and light and pretty darn good also, this gives you a small 150-600 equivalent zoom, much easier to handle, and the Olympus cameras are quite cropable.

Hope this helps...

Canisdirus

Erp1938 wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600, went to the camera store and tried out the Tamron 150-600mm lens, It was great they did not have the Nikkor 200-500mm to try or the Sigma 150-600 back ordered. My problem is the weight for a short 4'11, 66yr old women. Is there a zoom lens combination I could get with sharpness & length similar to the super zooms without the weight, or am I out of luck?

I take it that you are shooting wildlife and such.
Get the Nikon 200-500mm ... and use a tripod.
Running around trying to shoot wildlife can work...but not the best.
Usually, you pick a good spot...let everyone acclimate to your presence...and then test your skills.
Gimbal, ball or fluid head...tripod.
Heck, get a chair and a nice cushion...maybe a martini.

Otherwise...use support when you can...anything...tree branch...log...car window.

The weight is worth the image return.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Erp1938 wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600, went to the camera store and tried out the Tamron 150-600mm lens, It was great they did not have the Nikkor 200-500mm to try or the Sigma 150-600 back ordered. My problem is the weight for a short 4'11, 66yr old women. Is there a zoom lens combination I could get with sharpness & length similar to the super zooms without the weight, or am I out of luck?

If you are looking for a lighter super zoom telephoto lens with a focal length 500-600mm, then you’re out of luck. Not sure what your subject matter is, but I assume wildlife / birds and that’s why you want the reach (750-900mm equivalent on a D5600). The Nikkor 500mm f5.6E PF would be an excellent choice if you are ok with a prime lens. More expensive but much lighter. Otherwise get the Nikkor 200-500. If you don’t need the reach, Nikkor AF-P 70-300 (couple versions) would be cheaper and light lens to consider if don’t already have one.

DanielJDLM

I am 70 and can highly recommend Cotton Carrier to help mitigate the weight while walking g around with whatever camera/lens combination you have or might have in the future. I also agree with the suggestion of using a good quality monopod.

CliffMcKenzie Loc: Lake Athens Texas

My friend and I shoot the Nikon 200-500 and he recently added the 500 prime to his collection. Major difference in weight on the D850. Expensive but he will say it is worth it and his bird pictures are worth it. Some have suggested a monopod, I have a couple and did an indoor shoot with one that has 3 leg option, really love it. Using a gimbal head on a tripod and even leaving the L bracket on the camera, weight goes to zero. Hope this helps, I am 70.

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

Erp1938 wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600, went to the camera store and tried out the Tamron 150-600mm lens, It was great they did not have the Nikkor 200-500mm to try or the Sigma 150-600 back ordered. My problem is the weight for a short 4'11, 66yr old women. Is there a zoom lens combination I could get with sharpness & length similar to the super zooms without the weight, or am I out of luck?

Erp1938, good morning, all of the lenses you have mentioned are heavy and hard to hand hold. I would suggest a much lighter lens like the Nikon 70-300, it would give you an effective field of view of 105-450mm lens.
I would also suggest looking at video's on how to approach and get near wildlife.
https://fstoppers.com/animal/wildlife-photography-how-get-closer-animals-384952

below is information on the Nikon 70-300, not only will this lens put a lot more in your purse, it has excellent reviews.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1275036-REG/nikon_20062_afp_dx_nikkor_70_300mm.html

stevetassi

Erp1938 wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600, went to the camera store and tried out the Tamron 150-600mm lens, It was great they did not have the Nikkor 200-500mm to try or the Sigma 150-600 back ordered. My problem is the weight for a short 4'11, 66yr old women. Is there a zoom lens combination I could get with sharpness & length similar to the super zooms without the weight, or am I out of luck?

Unfortunately super zoom lenses in that focal range are big and heavy. You could either try using one with a good monopod, or if you don’t require a zoom get the Nikon 500mm 5.6 pf lens.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Erp1938 wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600, went to the camera store and tried out the Tamron 150-600mm lens, It was great they did not have the Nikkor 200-500mm to try or the Sigma 150-600 back ordered. My problem is the weight for a short 4'11, 66yr old women. Is there a zoom lens combination I could get with sharpness & length similar to the super zooms without the weight, or am I out of luck?

I use my AF P 70-300 with my D3400. It is very sharp even with cropping and no VR. Crop factor makes it a 450mm FOV. If I need more reach I use my feet. Use it at the auto races.

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

ronpier wrote:

I use my AF P 70-300 with my D3400. It is very sharp even with cropping and no VR. Crop factor makes it a 450mm FOV. If I need more reach I use my feet. Use it at the auto races.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I have a D500 with the 200-500 and it’s a great combination, buts been largely replaced by my Olympus E-M1X with the 40-150 Pro lens and 2x teleconverter, especially if I’ll be hiking any distance. I haven’t tried the 100-400 lens yet but I’m considering it and it also works with the teleconverters. The 75-300 is also a nice lens that is much lighter and less expensive than the pro lenses. (I wouldn’t suggest the E-M1X to you because it’s the largest and heaviest M4/3 body there is. You’d want something like an EM5 Mark III or an EM1 Mark III or II.

Another option for a little more than the Nikon 200-500 is a Sony RX10MIV bridge camera. There are other 1” sensor bridge cameras that will give you the 24-600mm equivalent range of the Sony, or even more, but the Sony gives you that 600 equivalent at f/4 and it has the same focus tracking as their A9. It’s the only bridge camera I’ve found that will get me BIF from a kayak.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Assuming you can pack around what other senior photographers may be able to successfully carry seems unfair and requires the assumption that you should be able to do it as well. That may or may not be the case. Personally, as a long time Nikon user, I have had my eye on the Nikon 500MM PF for some time now. If it didn't cost $3,600 I most certainly would have one. The PF is nearly 2lbs lighter that my Tamron 150x600MM G2 lens. While 2lbs does not sound like a lot, I can say without any doubt it would make a big difference. I own two pro model tenor saxophones. One is two pounds heavier than the other. After about a half hour hanging from my neck those two extra pounds makes a big difference. So, how much are you willing to spend for a lighter lens?

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I have and use the Tamron 150-600 G2, but when I want a long tele and not to have to carry the weight, I use my bridge camera (Canon SX50 HS) or my pocket camera, either Lumix depending on which is more important, IQ and low light performance or focal length.
Life is a compromise.

photoman43

Bill_de wrote:

If you can get by without the zoom, the Nikkor 300mm f/4 pf or 500mm f/5.6 pf are much easier to handle than the zooms.

The 300 mm works well with the 1.4 teleconverter.

The Nikon 200 - 500 zoom is a very nice lens when it resides on a tripod.

Your mileage may vary.

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Before you buy any zoom lens even the Nikon 200-500mm, check out its weight and length. Many zoom lenses get longer as you zoom out to max focal length. Finding pictures of its extended length can be a challenge. This review contains such images:

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/200-500mm.htm

This tech feature is often not disclosed. For the Nikon 200-500mm at DPReview it is called: Zoom method Rotary (extending)

I also use the Nikon 300mm f4 pf and the Nikon 500mm f5.6 pf lens. These lenses are both smaller in length and weight than the Nikon 200-500mm which weighs about 5 lbs. The 300mm f4 pf weighs ---27 oz. The 500mm f5.6 pf--51 oz.

Also check out the Minimum Focus Distance for any lens you are considering as that distance or feature can be very important to you depending its intended purpose. I often use my 300mm f4 pf as a macro lens with a extension tube. Its MFD is 4.6 ft. The 200-500mm Nikon MFD is 7.2 ft.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Erp1938 wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600, went to the camera store and tried out the Tamron 150-600mm lens, It was great they did not have the Nikkor 200-500mm to try or the Sigma 150-600 back ordered. My problem is the weight for a short 4'11, 66yr old women. Is there a zoom lens combination I could get with sharpness & length similar to the super zooms without the weight, or am I out of luck?

Micro 4/3 cameras are best options for weight savings. 100-400 zooms have the field of view of a 150-600 on your Nikon… but are much lighter.