Nikkon 300-500 f/5.6 vs Tamron 150-600 G2: I'm looking for some opinions. I have the Tamron G2 but am strongly considering the Nikkor 300-500. I have the D500 with a hefty variety of...

A. T.

I'm looking for some opinions. I have the Tamron G2 but am strongly considering the Nikkor 300-500. I have the D500 with a hefty variety of nikkor lenses that I'm extremely happy with; however, I would like a zoom that's a bit faster and sharper than the Tamron. I shoot wildlife and landscape.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

It's a 200-500 f5.6 The only experience I have with Tamron big zooms is a 200-500 that I have that is about 10 years old. It's a pretty good lens. It starts getting soft beyond about 450mm, focus is a bit slow and searches frequently, especially in low light.
My 200-500 Nikon is a LOT heavier and a LOT better. Sharp out to 500 in good light. Focus is great. I don't have a problem with mixing cameras and lenses, but in this case the Nikon lens wins hands down.

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

I had the tamron G1 150-600 and struggled with it for 2 years to get consistent sharp photos. In the end I dumped it and got the N 200-500 and everything is fantastic and sharp. Make sure you get the fine focus adjust dead on ,don't use a UV filter and you will love it. I understand the G2 is not as Sharp as the G1 at the centre but better at the edges.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

A. T. wrote:

I'm looking for some opinions. I have the Tamron G2 but am strongly considering the Nikkor 300-500. I have the D500 with a hefty variety of nikkor lenses that I'm extremely happy with; however, I would like a zoom that's a bit faster and sharper than the Tamron. I shoot wildlife and landscape.

I have and use both and I doubt that most could tell the difference in image quality between the two lenses. My 200-500 is quicker to focus in lower light and the G2 has a longer reach...

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

"Quote" doubt that most could tell the difference
Depends on the camera ..if you are using a D850 it will hit you in the face

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Pistnbroke wrote:

"Quote" doubt that most could tell the difference
Depends on the camera ..if you are using a D850 it will hit you in the face

I have intentionally used both the 850 and 500, switching lenses at the same scene while on a tripod. On either camera, it is quite difficult to differentiate which lens was used. I'm not talking about comparing cameras.

A. T.

Retired CPO wrote:

It's a 200-500 f5.6 The only experience I have with Tamron big zooms is a 200-500 that I have that is about 10 years old. It's a pretty good lens. It starts getting soft beyond about 450mm, focus is a bit slow and searches frequently, especially in low light.
My 200-500 Nikon is a LOT heavier and a LOT better. Sharp out to 500 in good light. Focus is great. I don't have a problem with mixing cameras and lenses, but in this case the Nikon lens wins hands down.

Okay, thanks.

A. T.

DaveO wrote:

I have intentionally used both the 850 and 500, switching lenses at the same scene while on a tripod. On either camera, it is quite difficult to differentiate which lens was used. I'm not talking about comparing cameras.

Well, I guess I need to conduct more research because I'm getting such a wide variety of opinions on these lenses. Thanks for your help.

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

A. T. wrote:

I'm looking for some opinions. I have the Tamron G2 but am strongly considering the Nikkor 300-500. I have the D500 with a hefty variety of nikkor lenses that I'm extremely happy with; however, I would like a zoom that's a bit faster and sharper than the Tamron. I shoot wildlife and landscape.

I have been using the Nikon D500 with the Nikon 200-500 5.6 lens for about three years now in Florida wildlife preserves. I have found the lens very sharp and very easy to hand hold. I have added a handle to the tripod foot to help with transport. You cannot go wrong with this lens. First two photo's are the handle I use, third photo was a grab shot of a Green Heron at Wakodahatchee and last shot is of a Great Egret in mating colors also at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach Florida. No post on last shot, right out of the camera.

Bill Gordon

Your bird shots have left me thinking about them longer than most. I like the unusual drama of the dark backgrounds, but thinking also I would like to see a little more detail in those. But I'm feeling uncertain about this. Then I come to the question of how you metered the exposures, particularly the shot of the egret. Curious about the metering pattern you used and your intentions, particularly as this is sooc. All in all, enviable work.

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

Bill Gordon wrote:

Your bird shots have left me thinking about them longer than most. I like the unusual drama of the dark backgrounds, but thinking also I would like to see a little more detail in those. But I'm feeling uncertain about this. Then I come to the question of how you metered the exposures, particularly the shot of the egret. Curious about the metering pattern you used and your intentions, particularly as this is sooc. All in all, enviable work.

White birds require a different exposure than dark birds. You also develop a personal approach to nature photography. Exposures become a personal choice. I like to isolate my subjects against backgrounds so attention is on the bird. I like to invoke a emotional response to my work. If it is different, then, for me at least, it is good.

Bill Gordon

You invoked both an emotional and intellectual response, at least in me. Maybe it's because we are both Nikon users named Bill, which I had failed to notice earlier. I believe I felt the images' impact and perceived, if not the particular intention, then at least that there was intention. Hope to see more of your intentions on the hog.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee, WA

There have been many threads here on UHH that address this specific subject. The opinions are varied, mainly depending on what you own. I have read through many of those threads and I believe you may be the first person who owns a Tamron 150x600MM G2 who states they don't particularly like it. Most of the reviews of both lenses I have read put them just about even. Of course I could post a couple of the best shots that I have taken with my G2 - but you already own one so what good would that do? Before you lay down another $1,300 for another long lens, do yourself a favor and rent one for a day and study he results.

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

Bill Gordon wrote:

You invoked both an emotional and intellectual response, at least in me. Maybe it's because we are both Nikon users named Bill, which I had failed to notice earlier. I believe I felt the images' impact and perceived, if not the particular intention, then at least that there was intention. Hope to see more of your intentions on the hog.

I will be announcing a show in Youngstown, Ohio this coming fall that will feature more of my wildlife photography. I will be giving the particular's later on this year.

Jamers Loc: Michigan

I like you handle, where can I get one?