imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Have you tested it ???- done a focus TEST ?

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Even the 1.4 teleconvertor will give you a pretty slow lens especially at the long end. Will your body even auto focus at that point? These are important considerations in my view, especially if you are trying to track and shoot moving subjects. Shooting long distance and high frame rates is one of the more expensive things in photography. Focus acquisition and tracking can also be an issue in long focal lengths especially with zooms.

If I were you I would probably take a very serious look at the Nikon 200-500...

rosjan

Yeah. I took it on safari in Africa. I couldn't be happier with it. The size and weight are real pluses as well.

davidb1879

Re: Moosus: PixelStan77's capture of a lion is marvelous, breathtaking. Davidb1879.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have just started really using my Nikon 200-500 and am liking it so far. Best of luck.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

The 200-500 isan excellent well priced lens. I love mine. Also have a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III for the 200-500.

Photo below using just 200-500mm.

You wont be disappointed.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

The 200-500 is an excellent, well priced lens. I love mine. I also have a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III for the 200-500.

Photo below using just 200-500mm.

You wont be disappointed.

neh

I use a Kenko 2x Teleplus extender and have had good results with a Canon 75-300mm lens on a Canon T3i camera. While I would like to have a better lens this is my stop gap solution until I can somehow save enough for. one of the desired lenses. Kenko makes some very decent tele extenders, and at a cost of less than $100 I found it to be an acceptable alternative, especially being on a limited budget.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I have the Tamron G2 version of the 150-600.
NOTE that if you use Live View, you don't need the Tap In console.
However, putting correction data in with the console is easy. Getting that data is hard.

Bill P

the wisest advice I was ever given was "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."

A. T.

Good advice. I have both the Tamron G2 and the 200-500 nikkor and you are absolutely correct. The Nikkor 200-500 is sharper than the Tamron without any fine tuning; a fabulous lens.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The "Tap-in" modules are used to fine tune things other than focus... such as AF speed, how image stabilization is handled and possibly more. They also might be used to install new firmware in a lens, such as may be necessary with some future camera. You don't "need" to buy them, but it's nice to have the option if you want control over some of the lens' features. I believe your D7200 has some sort of micro focus adjustment, anyway. The ability to "fine tune" the lens' focus would likely be more important to someone using a Nikon camera without that feature (D3000/D5000 series cameras?)

You should compare the image quality and general function of the "candidates" you're considering. Some high points:

Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm VR has continuous f/5.6 max aperture. The Tamron and Sigma are all f5 to f/6.3 variable aperture lenses. Autofocus speed should be similar.... The Tamron uses "USD" and the Sigma "HSM", which are both ultrasonic drive systems similar to the "AF-S, Silent Wave" drive the Nikkor uses. All of them have image stabilization, too.

Look for lens reviews online.

The-Digital-Picture.com primarily tests and compares Canon gear, but they have tested some Nikon, Sigma and Tamron stuff, too. For example, you can compare the image quality of the Nikkor 200-500mm with the Tamron 150-600mm G2, Sigma 150-600mm "Contemporary" and Sigma 150-600mm "Sport" lenses. Can't compare them on the same camera... though. The 46MP D850 was used for the Nikkor lens and the Canon EOS 5Ds-R for the Sigma and Tamron lenses. Both cameras are full frame, so the "corner" image samples you see won't apply to your DX camera. To my eye, there isn't a lot of difference between the Tamron and the Nikkor with both at 500mm... but the Nikkor is quite a bit sharper with them both at 200mm. https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1035&Camera=1210&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=1079&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=0

The Sigma 150-600mm "Contemporary" appears to have slightly better sharpness than the Nikkor lens with both at 200mm.... But the Nikkor appears to be considerably sharper at 500mmm. NOTE: the test shots from the Sigma were with done with a much more forgiving, 21MP Canon 1Ds III, so it was also necessary to switch to a more comparable 24MP D3X for the Nikkor test shots. https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1035&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=978&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=6&APIComp=0

The bigger, heavier, more expensive "pro-oriented" Sigma 150-600mm "Sport" appears to have an edge at both 200mm and 500mm (again using 1Ds III & D3X cameras): https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=1035&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=978&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=6&APIComp=0

I didn't look at the original Tamron 150-600mm, which was discontinued a couple years ago when the better G2 was introduced.

Bryan doesn't review the Nikkor in detail... But has extensive write-ups on the Tamron and Sigma lenses that you might find informative. The Tamron 150-600mm "G2" is the most recently introduced of these lenses, you can find links to reviews of the others: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-150-600mm-f-5-6.3-Di-VC-USD-G2-Lens.aspx

Pricewise:

- Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 VC USD (original model, discontinued)... $900
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 OS HSM "Contemporary"... $1000.
- Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 VC USD "G2"... $1300.
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 OS HSM "Sport"... $1800.
- Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 VR ED... $1400.

All the above are relatively large and hefty lenses. You will probably not want to hand hold any of them very long (the Sigma "Sport" is the heaviest) and will want a tripod or at least a monopod for use with them at times. If you prefer a more hand-holdable lens, you may want to consider:

- Sigma 100-400mm f/5-5.3 OS HSM (no option for tripod mounting ring)... $700.
- Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 VC USD.... $700 (optional tripod ring sold separately, $129)
- Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f.4.5-5.6 VR ED (incl. t'pod ring)... $2100.

Of them all, the last (and most expensive) is probably the best in all respects... sharpest, fastest focusing, most robust and best sealed for weather resistance.

Look around for more reviews and comparisons online. It may be difficult to find someone who has experience with all the lenses.

Geegnome

Hello, (new here). Any shot(s) you could share with the TC 1.4 mounted on your 200-500? I imagine there's at least a one-stop drop, but how does IQ hold up?
I have a Tamron 150-600 G-1. I always feel (for BIF) that I'd sure like just a little more reach at 600, plus my Tamron gets a bit soft at 600 esp. when shooting into shadow.

Thank you.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Personally I find Sigma's Dock (Tamron: Tap In Console) to be very valuable. They also allow firmware upgrades without sending your lens anywhere. For a one-time cost of about $60 (sometimes included free) they are quite the deal. The also work of all the mfr's lenses so you only need one for each brand. Best of luck.

aubreybogle Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I second Tigger1 (Garth's) comments. I find your posts and references to outside resources always extraordinarily helpful. Thank you.