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Apr 12, 2016 17:59:58   #
Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA
 
Thanks for your thoughts Bruce
brucewells wrote:
I was in your shoes a year ago. I opted for the Nikkor 200-500 and haven't looked back. Love it. Now, is it a professional lens? No! There are much better units . . . at 4-6 times the money. But, for what I need a long lens for, the 200-500 has filled the bill.

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Apr 12, 2016 18:01:50   #
Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA
 
Interesting info Orrie! Thank You.
orrie smith wrote:
I prefer the Nikon 200-500. I had the tamron 150-600, but sold it because it took too long to gain focus, it would constantly hunt, and was noisy, the Nikon focuses quickly and I have not yet noticed it hunting for focus, plus it is quiet. you may also use a teleconverter with the Nikon, not the tamron. the 14 III will auto focus, the 1.7 you need to manually focus. I know nothing about the sigma, but many posts on this site recommend the sport over the contempory.

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Apr 12, 2016 18:05:01   #
Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA
 
You and several others seem to think the new 80-400 is the way to go. Might follow you. Thanks.
reader wrote:
I have a D7100 with the kit lenses and was looking to upgrade and for more reach. I was considering all the same lenses and the 300 f4 with a tc. Given my current lenses (the kit lenses, including a 55-300 DX), I chose to go with the refurbished newer 80-400 lens from Nikon. Actually waiting for delivery this week.

My thinking was to go with the added flexibility of the wider zoom range and what I perceive as faster, sharper reports and examples than some of the longer zoom lenses. Reports are that I should be able to hand hold, which is what I expect to want/need, especially for BIF.

I can add a 1.4 tc to gain even more reach.

While I am learning digital photography this will be all I need. If I still have lens envy after two years, I may go with the Sigma 150-600 Sport for dedicated tripod use.

Just my conclusions.
I have a D7100 with the kit lenses and was looking... (show quote)

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Apr 13, 2016 06:17:17   #
CO
 
You mentioned that the Nikon 80-400mm is older technology. The original one that was released in 2000 is outdated and has the slower screw type autofocus. The AF-S version that was released in 2013 is far superior. I have that lens. It's sharp throughout the entire zoom range and has very fast autofocus. I just got back from a trip to the Chincoteague wildlife refuge and took that lens and my D7000. I put the camera in 3D tracking mode and the 80-400mm easily tracked birds in flight. It can be used with a 1.4x teleconverter.

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Apr 13, 2016 06:30:33   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Raleigh wrote:
I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated using TCs on various lenses (70-200 f/2.8 on my main body Nikon D7100 becomes a 350mm + a 1.4 TC gives me almost 500 but …..
I have considered renting; however, the cost of renting each in turn for 2-3 days of testing will cost almost as much as one of the lenses.
I don’t know what I expect from this plea for help. Perhaps one of you will come up with a scathingly brilliant idea to resolve my dilemma. Perhaps someone who has used one or more of these lenses will add something new or come up with a good reason to narrow the field. I hadn’t thought of narrowing the choice until I typed this. What criteria would I use? Admittedly, the 80-400 is older technology but….
I feel like the protagonist in Fiddler on the Roof in that great scene where he is debating various choices.
Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Raleigh
I need more reach. I have read all there is about... (show quote)


I own the 80-400, 200-400 f4, 300 f2.8, 500 f4, and the 200-500 f5.6. For the past five months I have shot only one because of the weight and sharpness of the lens. Drum roll, and the winner is............................................. the 200-500 hands down.

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Apr 13, 2016 06:54:43   #
romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI
 
Raleigh wrote:
I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated using TCs on various lenses (70-200 f/2.8 on my main body Nikon D7100 becomes a 350mm + a 1.4 TC gives me almost 500 but …..
I have considered renting; however, the cost of renting each in turn for 2-3 days of testing will cost almost as much as one of the lenses.
I don’t know what I expect from this plea for help. Perhaps one of you will come up with a scathingly brilliant idea to resolve my dilemma. Perhaps someone who has used one or more of these lenses will add something new or come up with a good reason to narrow the field. I hadn’t thought of narrowing the choice until I typed this. What criteria would I use? Admittedly, the 80-400 is older technology but….
I feel like the protagonist in Fiddler on the Roof in that great scene where he is debating various choices.
Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Raleigh
I need more reach. I have read all there is about... (show quote)

First, the magnification of a lens doesn't change when you mount it on a DX sensor, only the crop area does. So you really don't gain the magnification you quote, only the appearance of it because of the cropped image your smaller sensor captures. If an animal is a given distance away it is the same distance whether you have a DX or FX camera- only the DX sensor captures a smaller area in the center of the field of view. So there is no magic potion that allows crop sensor cameras to increase magnification of a lens. Now, decide which lens you need based on what magnification you need.

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Apr 13, 2016 07:26:42   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
Raleigh wrote:
I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated using TCs on various lenses (70-200 f/2.8 on my main body Nikon D7100 becomes a 350mm + a 1.4 TC gives me almost 500 but …..
I have considered renting; however, the cost of renting each in turn for 2-3 days of testing will cost almost as much as one of the lenses.
I don’t know what I expect from this plea for help. Perhaps one of you will come up with a scathingly brilliant idea to resolve my dilemma. Perhaps someone who has used one or more of these lenses will add something new or come up with a good reason to narrow the field. I hadn’t thought of narrowing the choice until I typed this. What criteria would I use? Admittedly, the 80-400 is older technology but….
I feel like the protagonist in Fiddler on the Roof in that great scene where he is debating various choices.
Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Raleigh
I need more reach. I have read all there is about... (show quote)


I bought the AF-S 80-400mm 1:4.6-5.6G ED when my local Best Buy had it on sale for $1383.99. The sale was real and I could not pass it up.
The lens is sharp, even when coupled with a 1.4 TC.

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Apr 13, 2016 07:54:27   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
brucewells wrote:
I was in your shoes a year ago. I opted for the Nikkor 200-500 and haven't looked back. Love it. Now, is it a professional lens? No! There are much better units . . . at 4-6 times the money. But, for what I need a long lens for, the 200-500 has filled the bill.


Yes the Nikon 200-500 is now my long lens and love I am selling my 500 f/4 due to the weight factor. Also my 80-400 was retired to one of my sons

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Apr 13, 2016 09:17:54   #
abscess Loc: Marblehead, Ma. And winter in Naples, Fl
 
I had the Sigma 150-500 which didn't work for me, really soft shots at all lengths. I bought the Tamron 150-600 and have had great results with it even when using the Kenco tc's. Really outstanding quality prints from 150-600 and beyond. I highly recommend it. Maybe I got a fluke! I loaned it to a friend who took it to a wildlife preserve in Florida and he was super impressed by it. Mostly I have Canon L lenses from 14mm to 400mm so I do have the luxury of comparison. I guess I lucked out.

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Apr 13, 2016 09:57:44   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Raleigh wrote:
I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated using TCs on various lenses (70-200 f/2.8 on my main body Nikon D7100 becomes a 350mm + a 1.4 TC gives me almost 500 but …..
I have considered renting; however, the cost of renting each in turn for 2-3 days of testing will cost almost as much as one of the lenses.
I don’t know what I expect from this plea for help. Perhaps one of you will come up with a scathingly brilliant idea to resolve my dilemma. Perhaps someone who has used one or more of these lenses will add something new or come up with a good reason to narrow the field. I hadn’t thought of narrowing the choice until I typed this. What criteria would I use? Admittedly, the 80-400 is older technology but….
I feel like the protagonist in Fiddler on the Roof in that great scene where he is debating various choices.
Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Raleigh
I need more reach. I have read all there is about... (show quote)


If you do not mind the weight, the Nikon 200-500 is widely regarded as the best option for Nikons - including me.

TC's are to be avoided and cropping with pixel enlargement techniques/software preferred - IMO.

If your 70-200 2.8 is the LATEST version with the LATEST 2XTC, then I feel like that is also an option for you.

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Apr 13, 2016 11:16:38   #
chuckw514 Loc: Newport Coast,CA
 
I've been there. Buy the Nikon 200-500. Great lens for the money.

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Apr 13, 2016 11:28:24   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
If I were to buy one of these today, I would lean toward the Nikon 200-500 based upon price, quality and reports here. If I needed a lens that had better weather sealing, the Sigma Sport would be my choice, which is the one I own. That USB dock is a deal maker for me and I hope Nikon releases something similar soon. Best of luck.

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Apr 13, 2016 12:08:52   #
joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois
 
Raleigh wrote:
I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated using TCs on various lenses (70-200 f/2.8 on my main body Nikon D7100 becomes a 350mm + a 1.4 TC gives me almost 500 but …..
I have considered renting; however, the cost of renting each in turn for 2-3 days of testing will cost almost as much as one of the lenses.
I don’t know what I expect from this plea for help. Perhaps one of you will come up with a scathingly brilliant idea to resolve my dilemma. Perhaps someone who has used one or more of these lenses will add something new or come up with a good reason to narrow the field. I hadn’t thought of narrowing the choice until I typed this. What criteria would I use? Admittedly, the 80-400 is older technology but….
I feel like the protagonist in Fiddler on the Roof in that great scene where he is debating various choices.
Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Raleigh
I need more reach. I have read all there is about... (show quote)


Lenscore.com rates the new Nikon 80-400 better than the other two but it is also the most expensive. Its certainly the most versatile. 600mm f5.6 on the D7100 is not bad.

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Apr 13, 2016 12:11:29   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
joer wrote:
Lenscore.com rates the new Nikon 80-400 better than the other two but it is also the most expensive. Its certainly the most versatile. 600mm f5.6 on the D7100 is not bad.


I have been pleased with the 80-400 and 200-500 on both the D7000 and D7100.

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Apr 13, 2016 12:23:53   #
Raddad Loc: Lake Oswego, Oregon
 
I have recently added a new lens combo with the suggestion of one of our members and am thrilled with the result. I have been using a D7100 with a Nikon 18-300mm 3.5-6.3. Love is versatility! I have a developing interest in bird shots and wanted more reach. I went to full frame with the D750, the Nikon 300mm f4 with a 1.4 Nikon Teleconverter. When I set my image size to 1.5x I have the reach I have been looking for. It has been a wonderful investment and I'm having a ball!

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