Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...looking for little extra reach when doing sports (in good light)..." you might a tad more specific MaxxtheDog there is a huge difference between beach volleyball and league soccer...

"...looking for some focus speed..." then turn off everything that requires cpu cycles a.k.a. VR, Low & Hight Noise reduction, Focus Tracking (turn this off for sure!) this list goes around the block... do your research here...

Ok for the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 VR it does acceptable for women's league soccer albeit is crippled by the fact it must be locked down before use otherwise it may jump out of the rotation ring and freeze in place... yes this happen to me (before I carefully studied Nikon's documentation where they explicitly state that the lens must be "locked in place" before use... This is a deal breaker for action sports, the only workaround is to shoot all horizontal (or vertical) and crop in post.

What do I primarily use? the AF-S 200-400 f/4 IF ED VR (which is a favorite in Europe for commercial soccer shooters)... Especially since it's weather sealed (yes I shoot in the pouring rain).

Below are women's league soccer with the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 VR.

Hope this helps... btw, buying used is a wise option for Nikkors...
All the best on your photographic journey MaxxtheDog
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af-s nikkor 200mm-500mm f/5.6 ed vr

(Download)

af-s nikkor 200mm-500mm f/5.6 ed vr

(Download)

ggab Loc: ?

Check out the Sigma 100-400 Contemporary for birding and outdoor sports.
I use it in conjunction with the Tammy 70-200 for sports and the Tammy 150-600 for birding.
Works very well.

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Good to know. Thanks.

MidnightManiac

Shooting a lot of sports find my Canon 70-200 f4 L lens for outdoor with a 1.4x extender to give great results. Indoor use a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 if needed with the same 1.4X extender with great results. Had a 2x extender and found it (in my case) useless. Did not get good results in any situation. The 70-200 lenses are great the 1.4X extender a great add on.

throughrhettseyes Loc: Rowlett, TX

Being a D500 owner I have both the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 and the Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 lenses. Typically a teleconverter slows down the auto focus system on the D500. So save up your money for the Nikon 200-500mm. You won't regret it. I saved up for a year to get mine with a little begging to my wife. The 200-500mm is so smooth and fast it compliments the Nikon fast focus system in the D500. You will use it to shoot all your football games just like you shoot basketball with the 70-200mm. The first time I used both of those lenses I couldn't believe the fast action focusing and beautiful clear shoots I get with my D500. 10fps and 500mm with continuous fast focusing. Nothing is better.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I had the Tamron. I guess I read that into the post without realizing it.