I've also have a gripped D500 along with the Tamron 150-600mm G2
for almost a year now!..no issues, and just LOVE the way this camera works with this lens!..You will love this combination!. Good LUCK!!

I have a lowepro flipside 500 which amongst other things, carries my gripped nikon D500 with my Tamron 150-600mm G2 attached with the lenshood reversed..Works VERY well and found it new on eBay from a reliable Asian supplier for about $75 USD..Delivery was about 2 weeks to me with free shipping.

I've used aftermarket batteries after careful research in my d70, d80, d7000 , and my D500 now for almost a year with NO ISSUES. BTW, Big Mike's were 2 batteries for $30, and free shipping!

I've had a "gripped" D500 for a year, and interchangeably use a Nikon, Promaster and "BIG MIKES" (from Amazon) These all work equally as well, however Big Mikes were the least expensive. These aftermarket batteries have been "reverse engineered" for use in the D500..Just make sure that you TELL your vendor that the battery will be going into a D500, and confirm that their batteries will work on your camera/vertical grip!

I have a Nikon D500 purchased about a year ago..No problems..and the noise that you speak of doesn't show up for me at all until around ISO 6400, at which time it can be easily dealt with in photoshop with the addition of a Topaz "DENOISE" plug-in for Photoshop.. I usually shoot in manual mode on on "AUTO-ISO", setting the ISO ceiling at 3200 for most purposes. I'm an active bird photographer, and use this camera i combo with a Tamron 150-600mm G2, which give me the equivalent reach of 900mm, and is tack sharp all the way open at F6.3..BTW, I'm older than most at almost 74! (YIKES!!) I use this combo with a Gimbal-headed Tripod, or a monopod, or even hand held if I'm "braced"..Good luck on whatever you choose to go with!!

I purchased a Nikon D500 /Tamron 150-600mm G2 almost a year ago, and have NOT looked back..I knew the Sigma Sport was too heavy, and I didn't care for the weight and feel of the Nikon 150-500 (along with 100mm less on the long end).. My D500 and the above Tamron G2, have proven themselves to me as being the BEST combo I could have purchased..A marriage made in heaven!!

If you are using a 150-600mm, I would go for a monopod with a tilt head, or even better, a Gimbal head on a sturdy tripod.. I use BOTH scenarios!

I use Auto ISO most of the time with my Nikon D500/ Tamron 150-600mm G2..I set a ISO ceiling of 3200, and keep an eye on my shutter speeds and apertures as of course I'm shooting in "manual" mode.Need to be especially careful in very low lighting conditions.

Sorry, but the D500 is NOT a full frame..But it's the BEST crop sensor DSLR you can buy!..The D7500 has may of the same features, but also lacking some.

lifepixel.com End of story..They have ALL the info and recommendations you are looking for!..They have converted 3 of my cameras over the years..Never a hitch!

Steve Perry has some GREAT downloads on using Nikons for nature and wildlife..Google him and see what he's got!..Very in-expensive for what you get

With the investment you made, I would definitely learn to shoot and edit raw (NEF) files..I have the same camera, and a few lenses..The one I use it with the most is my Tamron 150-600mm zoom for nature..The combination ROCKS when you shoot and edit in Adobe camera raw in Photoshop cc 2017..BTW, only $10/month USD for the photographers and worth every penny!!

Go for the Tamron 150-600mm G, which I have coupled to a Nikon D500..This lens is amazingly sharp, and works beautifully with my Nikon.. about the same price as the Nikon 200-500, but has a 6 year warranty, and a better range of focal lengths to choose from as well!

I don't know, But I would like an answer to this for myself as well.. My other half is going through it soon, and will have one for distance, and the other done for close-ups as recommended by her very well-known and recognized opthamologist surgeon.

I use an L-Plate on my Nikon D500, and the same for my D7000, and Have a Bogen (Manfrotto) 3-D head attached with an ARCA type clamp permanently affixed to this head on top top of an older Bogen 3018 aluminum heavy duty monopod (actually, not that heavy, but VERY strong.) I use it mostly for wildlife with a 150-600mm Tamron G2 attached to this clamp, but also use it with the camera mounted directly on the clamp for kid's sporting events with a Tamron 70-300mm VC .. works like a charm!!