Dossile

Also shot in RAW with a Nikon 850, this is more representative of the central sharpness of most of my photos. The files are too big to send on most of the photos, but this is one that would transmit.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

Until quite recently I owned both the Nikkor 200 - 500mm and the Nikkor 300mm PF ED VR + Nikkor 14TCIII and used them with a Nikon D500. I bought the 300mm about a year before I bought the 200 - 500mm and have to say that I believe it is a brilliant lens. It is incredibly lightweight and even with the 1.4TC fitted produces superb images. Having said that, within a few days of purchasing the 200 - 500mm my brilliant 300mm PF ED VR hardly saw the light of day for the next 12 months. I became used to the weight of the 200 - 500mm and, in my hands, it seemed to capture birds in flight quicker than my 300mm with the 1.4TC attached. If you are going to walk for miles (as I do) the 300mm may serve you better: otherwise, go for the 200 - 500mm. Take a look at Hog member Steve Perry's YouTube site - he compares both lenses.

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

I know you asked about the 200 - 500, but I would like to recommend that you consider the Sigma 150 - 600 sport lens. A little above your $1500 budget, but well worth it.

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Largobob

Certainly doesn't answer the OP question....

Largobob

Ditto to whom, Mike?

mstuhr Loc: Oregon

Sorry. Guess I should have clicked on the original. I was "dittoing" your comment that it was an excellent lens.

mike

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Royce Moss I shoot league soccer and the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 Nikkor was a disappointment and not even close to my AF-S 200-400mm f/4 and I quickly abandon it for action sports... while its VR is impressive keep in mind that VR is totally useless for action sports... the 200-500mm focus system is painfully slow to lock (even in "release" mode) and caused way too many missed shoots in fast moving soccer matches...

That said, I currently use and love the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 Nikkor for editorial fashion and beauty narratives in which the talent is basically static... for dynamic action shots I use the AF-S 200-400mm f/4 however it is not the easiest glass to hand hold...

Please note that the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 Nikkor vintages considerably on full frame FX senses (I no longer shoot crop) and is seriously wanting for acuity past 400mm while my AF-S 200-400mm f/4 exhibits superb acuity across it's entire focal length range even wide open and with only a tad of vintage at f/4 which goes away stopped down to f/5.6.

I can only assume that the glowing reviews on the 200-500mm Nikkor optic are likely from those who shoot crop sensors and have not personally used the AF-S 200-400mm f/4...

If you are considering working professionally in sports the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 Nikkor will likely compromise your ability to compete at the commercial level... experience is a brutal teacher...

I wish you well on your journey Royce Moss

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

It's both. The prime will be faster full stop than the zoom, on any camera. In my experience, the camera body makes a difference too.

old poet

I love my 200-500 for my D 7200 for bird photography. It has great VR and crisp AF for following motion.

cessnalvr Loc: West virginia

I am still learning mine. But when i get it right i impress myself with the pics. Use it on a d7200

cessnalvr Loc: West virginia

I am still learning mine. But when i get it right i impress myself with the pics. Use it on a d7200

kellerlane

I own it, use it, and would purchase it again. 😊👍

Royce Moss Loc: Irvine, CA

Thanks for the info Thomas. I am not a pro just a guy with a camera having fun and not really interested in action sports I will stay with with the 7200. Just looking for a long range lens for sunsets, nature. lands etc.capes Trying to decide between Nikon 300 f/4 + 1.4 teleconverter, Nikon 200-500. Also looking at the Sigma and the Tamron super zooms too.

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

Then I'd think you'll be happy with any combo, from my reading anyway. I've heard great things about the Sigma Sport and Tamron G2 optically speaking. Steve Perry (assuming you're familiar with him) favours the Nikon zoom over the prime he used to use (can't remember which one), as picture quality is exceptional, and for us consumers the cost is incredible.