Get Steve Perry's E-BOOKS, and ALL your questions will be answered at a VERY reasonable cost!!..He's the "go-to" guy for most wildlife/nature photographers!!
Virtually ANY Nikon or independent brand of 100-105mm Macro/Micro will do the job from most tests that I've read. I have an older 105mm Nikkor that does the job very well..BTW..You may find some REAL BARGAINS on independent brands on Ebay!..Be sure that the seller has close to 100% positive feedback. Good luck!
I've been dealing with them for almost 40 years..Never a hitch..Excellent to work with!!!
I've had the Nikon D500 (crop sensor)mated to a Tamron 150-600mm G2 for over a year and a half, and I'm thrilled with the results I'm getting..No "buyers remorse" on THIS combination!!
Photoshop CC 2018 ONLY ( along with plug-ins from NIK, Topaz, and a few others..)
Check out Steve Perry..he's got a GREAT TUT for this. He also has a GREAT e-book on the Nikon Autofocus system..Very inexpensive download.. http://www.backcountrygallery.com
That should read "STEVE PERRY" (not "parry")..He'll be much easier to find now! (HA!)..BTW Steve is and INCREDIBLE teacher, and I also HIGHLY recommend his e-books!!
FYI..The Tamron 150-600mm G2 also has a USB dock available..My dealer threw it in as part of the sale..Funny though, in the year and a half I've owned the lens, I've had no need to use the dock!!
I've owned and used the Nikon D500/ Tamron 150-600mm since November 2016..GREAT combo! Sharp wide open, and the AF possibilities with this combo are outstanding! I think the Tamron is more bang-for- the- buck!!
Check out http://www.redriverpaper.com Great SELECTION, pricing, service, and LOTS of INFORMATION to help you along..I've been using them almost exclusively for more than 8 years for my printed images for myself, or for sale to clients or images for framing! They can answer virtually any question you may have!!
Did you try it with the VC ON #3 hand held?..Mine purchased together with a Nikon D500 over a year ago..NO complaints from me on either the lens or my camera for that matter..This lens really rocks!!
Other tests and reviews have considered the Tamron 150-600mm G2 to be comparable to the Sigma Sport in image quality, but over 2 lbs lighter, and around $500-600 "lighter" as well!..I considered the Nikon 200-500, and I felt its zoom be too short in range, and the lens itself too heavy as well..I chose the Tamron to couple with my Nikon D500 over a year ago, and have had no reason to quibble or have buyer's remorse on either the camera or the lens!
STEVE PERRY is the "GO-TO" man..Especially on modern day NIKONS!!! Go and BUY his e-Books on line at VERY reasonable pricing!..I learned all about back-button focussing from him, and a "plethora" of other important tricks and shortcuts....His info is usually better than anything you'll find in the factory manual, or any thing else in "paperback"!!
I purchased an an ARCA type "L" bracket designed specifically for my Nikon D500 with battery grip from an Asian company on eBay..Single piece construction and has been used on the camera for over a year (since new!)..I remember paying around $45 USD at the time..Delivery took about 2 weeks. I also have an ARCA type L-bracket from KIRK mounted on my D7000 Nikon which has been converted to an infrared camera.(No battery grip on this camera..)