Well.... at first when I saw this video I thought to myself, "oh man I want that lens". Then I looked up the price and thought it was out of my range to spend $1300 on a lens just to take pictures of birds or wildlife. I must admit I kinda laughed at you in side my head for what I thought was a ridiculous purchase on your part just to take pictures of rabbits in the desert. Then , day by day, I started watching other videos of people using the lens and I started wanting it too! I mentioned to my wife, hoping she would tell me "no" because it's too expensive but she actually told me I deserve it because I've been working a lot and have the savings for it. I didn't expect that. I continued searching online for places to buy it. I finally gave in and bought a "used but in Excellent condition" one on Adorama for $300 off the posted retail price. It arrived and I absolutely love it. You made a convert out of me on this one. Thank you....and I'm sorry for laughing at you.
having sent a few tamrons back over the last 30 years i tend to skip them . no matter how good touters claim they are , im going back to when tamron used the adaptall 2 mount to 2018 , when i tried the 600 zoom , again problems , if i can afford my cameras brand lens then i have peace of mind .
Five pounds? Luxury! My vintage 600mm f/4 weighs 14 pounds. Thanks for the insightful video. It’s always appreciated when someone puts things in practical terms. Your videos always offer great information.
Good review, lots covered from a practical viewpoint. One caution I would add however in regard to heavy camera/lens combo use. Most folks have heard of tennis elbow and golf elbow but a lot of folks may be unaware of...drum roll please...camera/lens elbow. I know I'd never heard of it until I switched to a full frame Nikon 2 years ago. Sadly I am intimately familiar with the disorder now. Short and not so sweet camera/lens elbow is BOTH tennis elbow and golf elbow combined. Which results in very unpleasant pain on both the inside and outside of your elbow...sort of like a tooth ache in your elbow that doesn't go away! It is caused by repetitive lifting of heavy camera gear up and down, up and down and it's difficult to predict who will suffer from it. Worse yet by the time the symptoms show up the damage is done and it can take forever to reverse. In my case the pain got so bad that I had to stop using the offending camera/lens combo (Nikon D700 & D610 with 70-300 mm telephoto) for more than a year. And even now I have to be very careful not to use these outfits hand held for lengthy periods. So be careful out there, the elbow you save will be your own!
Extremely helpful video. I was using my 70-200 lens when shooting Snow geese. I really wished I had the 200-500 lens when shooting. The bad news for me is I have the older Nikon 5000 that does not shoot great in low light. I bump up the ISO but its not as good as newer Nikon's. However as I take photos mostly for my pleasure, I am not planning to step up with a improved Nikon. Your communication skills are very good, the way you speak is very natural, like speaking to a friend. And if you don't mind me saying, you look amazing too.
Just bought this lens today. Going to be pairing it with my D750 and my D7100 (if I want even more reach with the crop sensor). Super excited for it. My furthest reach is with my 180mm f/2.8 prime (super great old lens that Nikon has been making since the 90s) but I’ve definitely had those moments where it’s just not enough reach. I primarily photograph landscapes, wildlife, and the night sky/storms so this is REALLY going to help out with my bird shooting!
Hi! How did that 200-500mm work with your D7100? I have the same camera, and I'm looking for real-world experience. I really appreciate any help you can provide.
If you're at 200 and you want to go to 500 you can just push the front element forward instead of twisting the zoom ring. It makes it a lot quicker. I use mine with my D7500 because I can't afford the D500 just yet.
I absolutely love my 200-500 and it stays attached to the D500. I had been fantasizing about the 200-400 but couldn’t justify spending 7K. I’m sooo glad I didn’t. Considering the difference in image quality, if any, and price of the two lenses, it was a no brainer. I’m also very happy with the Ape case. It’s tight but fits perfectly as long as you don’t have a battery pack attached.
I've used the 200-500mm for the past year and had the 200-400mm f/4 VR-G v1.0 for 10 years prior. I do miss the rear filter drawer and drop-in polarizer, internal zooming, and extra stop, once in awhile. But not not enough to justify the price differential, now 10X more expensive. Too, VR is much quieter and noticeably better on 200-500 than early 200-400
For your lens focus travel issue, I use a metal pipe clamp with a screw type resizer. They're usually silver in different diameters. I drilled a small hole in the centre of the clamp, pushed thro a small hard drive bolt, tightened the clamp around the focus ring, found a small metal rod, 3.5 " long with a internal thread and screwed it to the bolt. Now I have a lever that, while on my tripod, I can rotate my 150-600 Sigma in and out in one sweep.
I was in the market for a super-zoom and I opted for the Tamron 150-600 g2. I think they are optically similar. The deciding factor for me was the extra reach but I don't think either would be a bad choice! Welcome to the long-zoom club though! I'm loving your photos with it.
I'm still hesitating between this one and the Tamron G2. In the 100 mm extra reach of the Tamron, they say it isn't as sharp anymore while the Nikon still is at 500 mm.The 5.6 or the 6.3 isn't that much of a difference I guess. Tamron has three VR modes and the follow focus seems really interesting. I never had a tamron lens before so I haven't got the experience.
I pair this lens with a BlackRapid strap and an Arca-Swiss compatible Fusion plate on the tripod collar. Also, the Nikon 200-500mm fits perfectly inside the Lowepro 13x32 lens case with the hood reversed.
I too have this lens and love it. I use it on a D7200 because when I purchased it the D500 wasn’t available yet and as an amateur photographer, I could not justify upgrading to the D500. Two things to consider: 1. Getting a Fittest lens hood that uses the filter threads to screw onto the lens. It is smaller and much more secure and I do not see any disadvantages vs the original lens hood. 2. Consider the Think Tank Streetwalker backpack. My D7200 with the lens and Fittest lens hood attached fits into this pack. (When I am just walking around with the camera and lens, I have the longer Fusion arca Swiss plate attached to the lens foot and a Black Rapid strap which distributes the weight to my shoulder instead of my neck.)
Great review, I really enjoy the way you explain things. I have just purchased this lens but haven't had the opportunity to use it due to covid-19 restrictions. Definitely going to find more of your videos. Thank you so much!
Nice review. I have this lens and love it and bought the Ape Case ACPROLC18 Professional Large Lens Case, Black/Yellow from Amazon delivered to the UK. Great case for putting in the car to keep the lens protected.
This is such a good video. I was wondering why I should keep both my 70-200 f2.8 and the Nikon 200-500 f5.6. You’ve just helped me make up mind that they are two completely different lenses for different situations.
I absolutely love the lens for sports, especially Polo, but I did get it mostly for wildlife, mostly birds. as far as portrait or people, the inherent charactoristics of a teli-lens is compression (adding weight and increased myopic distortion) fixable post production, but changing a lense takes less time
Great review! I also use a D500 and own this lens. The VR on it is spectacular but focus speed is...deliberate. It is slow...not good enough for sports for sure! That being said the DOF with birds crossing works well! It is a surprising good lens for the low cost. Recommended! I wish the VR on my other lenses worked as well as it does on this one...incredibly effective!!!
I have this lens as a next step telephoto next to my 70-200 paired with my D850. However, almost all my other Nikon lenses are darned fast, at f/2.8, so I was concerned that this f/5.6 lens would be awfully slow compared to how I have been spoiled with f/2.8s. But it wasn't until I took it out earlier this month to shoot July 4 fireworks over the skyline of my city at a distance of about 2.5 miles did I really get to appreciate its low light performance. I shot wide open at f/5.6 and 1.0 second at ISO1600 and I was REALLY impressed. Super sharp and lots of subtle detail in the reflections off surrounding glass buildings, and no serious grain to speak of. Of course, the full frame and 47mb images don't hurt this equation. And yes, the VR on this lens is rock solid. What a difference when shooting at the full 500mm. I originally thought this was going to have to be my broad daylight-only telephoto. Thankfully it's turning out to be far more versatile than that. I give it a big thumbs up! :)
One additional comment I'd like to add to my post (four years later): The lens hood on the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is a flipping JOKE. If you've owned this lens for more than, say, a week, by now you have either broken, lost, or dropped kicked this worthless solo cup. The mounting connectors are cheap and crack or they actually wear off after just a few uses. This hood will fall off if you breathe on it. And I'm barely joking. It's made of the cheapest plastic and it's so damned big you practically need a separate bag. And nothing says "I'm a seasoned pro" when you're surrounded by competitors like having the hood fall off while you're walking across an airshow tarmac or the sidelines of a Big Ten football game. It makes a lot of noise, and it's always great having some 6 year old kid hand you your hood and say, "Hey Mr. Don't you want this? Your camera's falling apart." :/ Whatever bag or case you find to safely carry this really great lens, you can expect that if you try to store the hood with the lens (upside-down along the barrel for example), you'll find that it won't fit. It's maddening. But here's a helpful tip: If you want to commiserate with fellow shooters along a rope line, it's so easy to do. Just look at all the glass pointed out at the target and look for the ones with duct tape holding the hood to the barrel. There's your Nikon 200-500 friends. Not kidding. Watch and you'll see. I use Gorilla Tape be cause it's black, so slightly less embarrassing. Once more: Lens great. Hood sucks. Happy shooting!
It certainly is an amazing lens, especially when paird with the 1.4 TC. I also made a slight modification, after having the lens hood fall off. I made a couple of tiny holes in the back of the hood using a hot needle. Then attached it to the lens body with a short piece of fishing line. Lens hood is expensive to replace. I carry mine using the tripod collar, with a wrist strap for security.
Try this.. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRSRCPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I just bought it, haven't used it yet. Watched a video and there was no noticeable sun flair from it.
Just received this lens from the family of a friend who passed away from cancer. I carry it with a black Rapid cross body strap. Its better than a neck strap.
B&H sells the Ruggard 12x5 padded lens case (holds this lens and its hood nicely) and the Ruggard Outrigger 65 DSLR backpack case that perfectly holds the D500 w/this lens attached. Cheers!
I get stunning images with this lens. It’s a steal if you need a long lens. The lady is correct that it is hand-holdable. I’ve used it with a heavy D3 and a monopod and a gimbal head for stationary things like an Osprey nest.
I have had this exact setup since 2016. And i too was looking for a way to bag it and transport it... and strap it. In the end i found the easiest thing to do was cradle it just like you do, and put it over my shoulder from time to time while walking. I gave up on straps. They just get in my way when trying to shoot animals. I know its a risk.... but it frees you so much. You will quickly get use to weight and hand hold it all day as you find subjects to shoot. You can also brace against a tree, or prop it up on a fallen log or tree. I put two extra batteries in my pocket, a lens wipe in a plastic baggy, and the lens cover in my back pocket. Then lens hood will actually keep most brush from contacting the lens. Thats my two cents and thanks for the excellent review.
I have this exact combo and if I need to zoom to 500mm quickly, I hold the zoom ring with my left hand, and spin the camera with my right; allows you to zoom in all in one movement. Good review.
I use it a lot for vehicle track-days. Easily hold-able for burst shots, but you probably need a monopod for any prolonged stints. As for carrying it... I use a dual shoulder-strap. Makes me look like a modern-day gun-slinger, but the weight is manageable and makes it easy to switch from my 70-200, as long as both lenses are attached to the straps and the camera is free to move between the two.
just watched this older video and loved all the info - but my first thought was -- why not use a black rapid sling - they are awesome for carryng this lens body combo. I have been using one for years and love the freedom it gives me.
Nice camera and lens setup! That is a fantastic combo. Put the lens in Raymond's pack and let him carry it around half the time. No one will think the lesser of you.
I use mine on my D7100 and my D850. It's a really good performer on both of those. The 7100 is actually a harsher critic than the 850 or 800E (have both) because the pixel density is so high. I've taken more than a few airplane photos with this lens on DX, and it definitely doesn't disappoint.
Thank you for your very full and informative review. I just purchased this lens to use on my D810, and Z7II. I hope to get great photos. I do realize the limitations of this lens, and I appreciate you pointing everything out with terrific candor. My main purpose would be to photograph wildlife, I realize it will be a challenge, I hope to succeed and achive enough clear and sharp images to be please. Thank you again. Great job! 👏 📸 🙏 😊
I got my lens used on eBay for $800 in great shape. It’s very heavy for me but as long as it does what I need it for then I don’t care. It’s going to be on a tripod so I can get great photos. Great video. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. ❤❤❤
I have been on the bench thinking about taking the 200-500 mm lens plunge. I have used your review multiple times to help me because your review is very pragmatic. Thanks
I recommend the Lowepro 13x32cm padded case for carrying. I use it with my Tamron 150-600 G2 which is roughly the same size and it's great for protection. A little bit expensive, but it's worth it.
Once some people learn that on same format f/5.6 gives same DOF regardless of the focal length when your subject frame size is same, they will stop hesitating to use larger F-stops to get more DOF and learns that to get the blurry background, it is done with longer focal length and not smaller F-stop.
I have the 200-500, awesome lens for the money. You mentioned a couple of times the extremely long zoom ring throw. A tip I heard that works well is to hold the zoom ring with your left hand and twist with the camera body with your right hand - much easier than trying to contort your left hand through 270 degrees.
My Nikon D500/Nikon 200-500mm is my go-to combo for all my wildlife photography, as well as some of my sunrise/sunset and landscape photography. If you're looking for a case, the Lowepro LP36307 13x32cm lens case from Amazon.com fits the 200-500mm lens perfectly. It runs around $40 USD. If you're looking for a case that fits both the D500 AND the 200-500mm lens, the Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 150 is a perfect fit for the camera, lens & battery grip with strap attached. It is available from B&H Photo Video for around $110 USD.
While I an not totally set on Nikkor glass. My buddy has that Tamron lens. He loves his too but the other day he was asking me why some of his photos are soft. I don't care for images above 300mm with the Tamron. Sorry I am not dissing your lens. I just demand sharper photos. That said, the deer photo she shows at about 4:20 is obviously high contrast but on my new 27" Asus monitor looks "soft" That may be motion blur or DOF. The jack rabbit later, seems tack sharp! Just some thoughts. Not trying to start trouble. Cheers from Cincinnati, Ohio USA
And this shows up in my video feed today? Odd... I have this same lens and it's nice, but noisy for video. :) I hope you're going well! Thanks for your years of reviews :)
Thank you so much for making this video. Decades ago I shot wildlife photography with a Minolta camera and now am jumping into the Nikon F4s with several lenses including this lens.
I love this lens. It is incredibly sharp. It is heavy. I use the Peak Design Sling attached to my D850 and hold on to the tripod collar turned upwards 180 degrees while I'm walking. I'm not sure you can do any more with regards to the weight. You can't have straps going everywhere.
Great Video and advice. Thank you. I'm so glad you addressed hiking because that would be my concern. I always hike with two back packs however - one on the back (for tent, sleeping bag etc) and one on the front for camera, wallet etc. For day hikes you could possibly reverse the two? For backpacking I have an Osprey Eja 58 (very light - less than 2IB) - the Eja 48 or even 38 would probably fit your camera gear. When wearing a backpack on the front, you need to put it on first - do the chest halter up; slip over your head and then tie the hip band up - and then put on the backpack. Hope this helps.
I'm glad I bought one and I also own a 50-250 for the Z50 that becomes a 75 - 375 with a closer focusing range and it's always a question of how much I want to carry.
I agree with everything you say, it's a fantastic lens for wildlife and (for me as well) aviation photography. Adding the 1.4 TC makes it even better. I also have it on the D500. One tip: The lens hood is not a firm fit, if knocked can come loose and fall off, and is expensive to replace. What I have done, is attach it to the lens with a piece of thin fishing line. I have done this with a couple of lenses. You may need to make a couple of small holes in the hood with a hot needle.
Hi. I know this comment is four years old, but wonder if you still use the 200-500 for aviation photography. I currently use a Tamron 150-600 and find the autofocus sometimes a little slow on flying aircraft. How fast is the focus on the lens? (I too would be coupling it to a D500). Thanks, Mike
Great lens for reasonable price. Great for bird watching and landscape telephoto. Sharp even at wide open. Used it with D610 and D7000. Maybe it dark a bit. Maybe it little bulky. Slow autofocus, but for fast - spend 8000$ or more, and get flagship Nikkor lens... Overall - love this lens.
I have never used the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E auto focus telephoto zoom lens. However, I do own and use the Nikkor 500mm f/4 IF-ED P manual focus telephoto prime lens. I would never “upgrade” my manual focus lens for the auto focus lens because my lens has an aperture ring that my older Nikon film cameras need for exposure control. The auto focus zoom does not have an aperture ring.
The only better solution for packing/hiking I would consider with the D500, would be to take a 300PF and 1.4 Extender :). True, the 200-500 is awesome but realistically, it's heavy at hands for long walks.
I couldn‘t resist buying this lens, given its price. I agree with everything you said. The only problem I have run into is that the hood comes off too easily. Thanks for investing the time and effort to prepare this review.
I agree with your assessment of the 200 - 500mm. I owned one and it seldom came off my D500, even though I also owned the fabulous Nikkor 300mm f4 PF ED VR + TC14EIII. If you are looking for a better means to carry it, take a look at the Cotton Carrier. I had the twin version and carried my D500 + 200 - 500mm on the chest holster and my Olympus EM1 mark II + Oly 300mm f4 on the hip holster. The weight is taken on your shoulders and not on your neck. It takes about 5 minutes to initailly set the Cotton Carrier up, then a few seconds to put it on and take it off after that. If you prefer a backpack, take a look at the LowPro Flipside 500AW. It will take a D500 with 200 - 500mm attached plus an EM1 mark II + Oly 300mm f4 (seperated) and a lot more.
Lowepro Flipside 300 will fit a D500 attached to the 200-500mm too, plus room for a 70-200mm OR 2 smaller lenses. I have used the combo of D500+200-500 lens with great success for wildlife and sports/actions. Awesome lens!
Just watched the first minute and to comment that I have had this for a year or so and I love it. Really skeptical when I bought because zooms are typically disappointing. This will get you very good images. Obviously has limitations vs $10k and over primes. (not that I own any, but you know). But working within its range, it will yield you some crazy good results. OK, I'll go back to seeing how you liked it now... :)
I've had this lens a couple of years and it's crazy sharp for a zoom! I've tried its competitors in the Sigma and Tamron 150-600 and they don't compare. Grea review.
Thanks Scott, I was going to ask about it compared to the Tamron 150-600, which I have. At this time I am happy with the Tamron but would like to be able to compare them side by side. Cheers
Paul Scott there are two Sigmas (the Contemporary and the Sport). I owned the Sport briefly and sent it back; it had awesome build quality but I hated the lack of sharpness and shadow noise. I used it on a Nikon D850 and a D500. That’s just my experience.
I use the same combination D500 and 200-500mm, if you want to zoom faster I suggest to hold the lens and rotate the camera, that's not what I do but another RUclips photographer suggested it, this lens is on my camera 80 percent of the time, in regards to carrying it around, I use a wrist strap attached to the collar mount, and if I need to have both hands free I use a shoulder strap, have not used a neck strap in forever.
Great lens, I use it almost exclusively for wildlife photography. I, like you, also choose to hand hold for my photos and am always walking to find my photo opportunities. I have been using a Kinesis E976 XXX-large lens pouch for a case, I am able to have the lens with the shade attached and extended and attached to a Nikon D850 with a battery pack, all fit in the case. I like using the holster because the camera is always readily available when I need it. The fit is snug but works. It's worked well for me and I thought I would pass that on to you as a possibility. Very nice review, thanks so much for putting that together.
I have a D500 and a D850. The D500 is having an issue so I purchased a D850. Lost the zoom of the lense but gained the MP. As a beginner I am still struggling to get used to it, but when I crop the Images they're just as good as the D500.. as an amateur and just starting out I can't afford the 600mm prime with teleconverter at1.4 that I want. This 200 to 500 is my goto thing. I have had a picture published unedited, that's how good this lense is.
I’m thinking about this one (in 2020) as well. I have the new AF-P 70-300mm with my Z6 FTZ which is amazing but sometimes you really want 500mm with VR.
Thanks for the great review. I had a D700 + Sigma 150 to 500 mm and I did great sport photography such as ocean swim and surfing. I recently purchase a D7500 from Catch and use it and worked O.K. I decide to buy the Nikon 200-500mm lens 3 weeks ago and did some surfing photography. The amount of detail you get with good lighting is unbelievable, and yes equivalent to 750mm. What I noticed is that when it is overcasting and there is low light, the result does not convince me. But the point is, as surfer photographer, do you want to capture the beauty of the ocean? if yes, then forget it about overcasting days and surfing photography. It does not make justice to the ocean. This is a great lenses for sure and I still need to explore it more. I am lucky to live 3 hours north from Sydney where I have kangaroos outside my place. I will be able to capture their fleas with this lens. Check my photography on IG jrsyd2049. Thanks again. Cheers, J.
Great review...waiting for the lens to arrive Thursday. One great feature about the D850 is being able to switch to DX mode on the fly and get that extra reach. I hope it works well with the D850...I've heard mix reviews.
I got this lens to shoot the eclipse with and just love using it.The eclipse pictures turned out awesome. i shot it on a crop sensor camera with the tele-adapter which worked out perfect and got me an amazing amount of zoom. It is a beast to lug around for sure, but I use it sooooo much. I use the Lowepro Lens Case 13 x 32 cm. It fits the lens and the hood and has enough room for the 1.4 tele-adapter.(squeezed in up top in a cloth bag). No room for the camera, but I think that would make it too big. I just use it for transporting the lens. When I'm shooting, i just carry the lens on the camera and use the case for my other lens. I'm looking forward to getting up to Estes Park soon to try out this lens. I also want to try getting some Milky Way shots with the D850, but I'm sure I'll see plenty of animals while I'm waiting for the sun to go down, so I'll be sure to take this lens with me. Thanks for the video. Cheers!
Very good user review. I recently bought this 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR lens for use with my D7200. Really satisfied with this lens and camera body combination. I did a lens resolution test with 4x6 Bob Atkins test cards at 20' and 45' (tripod mounted). Considering the price of the lens, I'm very satisfied with the resolution of this lens. Was also impressed with the VR of this lens... Still looking for a backpack that will hold this lens, camera body, and one other lens.....
The first description is the exact feeling I felt for the last 2 days..."I wish I could get a little closer"..I missed 5/6 beautiful moments only because I don't have a "telephoto" lens..🥲😓
Thats a re-branded old Tamron 200-500 mm f/5.6. Tamron now sells a 150-600 mm f/5.6-6.3 The Tamron is generally a better lens then Sigma. Nikon is a camera maker and had generally farmed out its lenses. While Canon was able to change its mount for the new DSLR line Nikon claimed it wanted to keep the old mount to use the M/F lenses they could not build an assortment of glass like the larger canon company and now Sony.
@@scraymond5597 it is generally the same lens. It came in a manual focus lens for NIKON back in the day. I have a Tokina manual 80-200mm f/2.8. The Nikon 200-500 is a Tamron...
@@JohnAvantiBK Do you have a source that it's a rebranded Tamron? It seems quite different to me in design. The old Tamron is manual focus, but the much newer Nikon AF-P is a rebranded MF lens? On the one hand I'm confused, on the other hand, I very much assume that all lenses for all brands, at least the internals, are all produced in solely 2 to 3 factories in the world.
Had the lens since 2016 Love it. I bought the Lowerpo 13X32 cm Lens case at the same time. It is a perfect fit (with hood and collar) but it is protective not for hiking. I usually hike with the 80-400 to save space and weight
POSITIVE COMMENT even though it starts off negative lol I bought one of these and thought i had wasted a lot of money as it just didn't take decent photos, i was deciding whether to send it back or not when the rubber seal around the mount decided to come out for no reason at all. I got a replacement as i was only half way through my 30 day return period. The one they sent me has been a million times better and will not be going back. So if you do buy one, make sure you get a good one. I'm almost glad the first one developed a fault.
Great review! Suggest: "Joby Pro Sling Strap" or maybe Blackrapid equiv. attached to the lens tripod mount bracket. I leave the bracket underneath the camera (so it's basically slung upside down) so that the strap doesn't get in the way when shooting. Been using this lens mostly for bird photography since it was first available (3 years ago?). Works beautifully on D7200, D500 and D850. Sharp edge to edge at F5.6 on the DX bodies. VR is by far the best of any long zoom I've used. Love it.
Thank you.....speaking to the converted..... I love this lens and like you I team it with my d500. I have had some cracking shots with it and would recommend it thoroughly. Thank you
I, too, have the 200-500 lens and it is currently my most used lense in my quiver. I added the 1.7 Nikon extender and quality-wise I can hardly see a difference and paired with the "Nikon auto ISO sensibility" function the world is my oyster!
Believe it or not I used the same combo this spring for high school graduation candids indoors. It was great because I could stay pretty much behind the scenes and get tight closeups of the students seating or speaking. I did setup 5 studio strobes to bounce around the grad pavilion.
Great info! I wonder if you've put this to use on a Z camera (with FTZ, of course) since the time you made this video and if you have any thoughts about that using it on a mirrorless body. (I've got a X6ii and _may_ upgrade to a Z9 when it becomes available.
I know lots of folks like a big strap but I'm a fan of the simple strap and supporting my lens with my hands when needed, which is pretty much constantly with this lens. :)
I agree - with a lens this heavy, it's better to support your rig from the tripod foot than by the camera. Either way you are holding the lens when you shoot, but when hanging from the strap, it's not putting so much strain on the lens mount. In addition I hook the foot into whatever belt I'm using when on long hikes.
A great lens for its price, there is no any doubt. Sharp images if you handle & tweak it well. I have been using it for birding for the last 2 years in combination with D 750 and am reasonably satisfied with it. It does have cons if you are a stickler for top quality pics. Certainly not as sharp and fast as prime lenses, which you do feel while photographing birds in flight and birds perched in low light among branches. Yet my thumbs up for this lens
i like the lens a lot .. the d500 though .i cant justify the price .when a d810 is similar priced ,, much prefer the realism of the full frame , compared to dx ,, thanks for the great video
I have both the camera and the lens and both are awesome. I also have the Tamron 150-600 as well and the Nikon is sharper and the VR is extremely good. The d500 iso is great. I bought the Ape case for the lens and it can be purchased from Amazon or eBay.
Well.... at first when I saw this video I thought to myself, "oh man I want that lens". Then I looked up the price and thought it was out of my range to spend $1300 on a lens just to take pictures of birds or wildlife. I must admit I kinda laughed at you in side my head for what I thought was a ridiculous purchase on your part just to take pictures of rabbits in the desert. Then , day by day, I started watching other videos of people using the lens and I started wanting it too! I mentioned to my wife, hoping she would tell me "no" because it's too expensive but she actually told me I deserve it because I've been working a lot and have the savings for it. I didn't expect that. I continued searching online for places to buy it. I finally gave in and bought a "used but in Excellent condition" one on Adorama for $300 off the posted retail price. It arrived and I absolutely love it. You made a convert out of me on this one. Thank you....and I'm sorry for laughing at you.
This lens is an absolute beauty for razor sharp images without the weight of the 400 f/2.8 VR. paired with the D850 it makes an incredible combination
I love this lense. Last year I was photographing eagles at Olympic NP and used it together with a 1.4 TC on my D500. The combination worked perfect
bought this lens two months ago for my bird photography and has been on my camera non stop, i love this lens great review
Revolutionary lens, I love it on my crop sensor. The 2 turns doesn't slow you down since I'm always keeping it at max zoom.
on a d850 you can put it on dx crop press of a button
Many people talk and make reviews on VR, but in my experience as user, Nikon's VR is phenomenally good.
having sent a few tamrons back over the last 30 years i tend to skip them . no matter how good touters claim they are , im going back to when tamron used the adaptall 2 mount to 2018 , when i tried the 600 zoom , again problems , if i can afford my cameras brand lens then i have peace of mind .
Five pounds? Luxury! My vintage 600mm f/4 weighs 14 pounds. Thanks for the insightful video. It’s always appreciated when someone puts things in practical terms. Your videos always offer great information.
That's not a lens, that's a canon. ;-)
Good review, lots covered from a practical viewpoint. One caution I would add however in regard to heavy camera/lens combo use. Most folks have heard of tennis elbow and golf elbow but a lot of folks may be unaware of...drum roll please...camera/lens elbow. I know I'd never heard of it until I switched to a full frame Nikon 2 years ago. Sadly I am intimately familiar with the disorder now. Short and not so sweet camera/lens elbow is BOTH tennis elbow and golf elbow combined. Which results in very unpleasant pain on both the inside and outside of your elbow...sort of like a tooth ache in your elbow that doesn't go away! It is caused by repetitive lifting of heavy camera gear up and down, up and down and it's difficult to predict who will suffer from it. Worse yet by the time the symptoms show up the damage is done and it can take forever to reverse. In my case the pain got so bad that I had to stop using the offending camera/lens combo (Nikon D700 & D610 with 70-300 mm telephoto) for more than a year. And even now I have to be very careful not to use these outfits hand held for lengthy periods. So be careful out there, the elbow you save will be your own!
I use this lens on my D750 for sports and love it (eventually want a lighter solution, but it takes great photos)
There won't be a lighter solution, at least lens wise. The only way to cut weight is to switch to a mirrorless body.
D750/200-500 VR here too,great combo,nice shots
Extremely helpful video. I was using my 70-200 lens when shooting Snow geese. I really wished I had the 200-500 lens when shooting. The bad news for me is I have the older Nikon 5000 that does not shoot great in low light. I bump up the ISO but its not as good as newer Nikon's. However as I take photos mostly for my pleasure, I am not planning to step up with a improved Nikon. Your communication skills are very good, the way you speak is very natural, like speaking to a friend. And if you don't mind me saying, you look amazing too.
I got this lens 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR , also got Tamron 150-600mm , Yes its a lot sharper than the tamron
Cesar Abraham Are you still happy with the Nikon? I’m trying to decide between this and the Tamron. Thanks.
@@keithdickson8364 same condition here , bro...
Great lens that I hope to own one day. Currently using a Tamron 150-600mm on my Nikon D7100 which gives me some amazing results.
@@stevehercules7372 I'm using the G2 on a D7500, more reach and better VR than the Nikon, also smaller and lighter. Its a great set up
Honestly, flipping the tripod unit around to use as a handle is really a simple, but very handy tip. Brilliant.
will using it as a handle damage the lens? :o
Just curious
@@mjohnsimon1337 No, its designed to hold the camera, and attached accessories on a tripod.
So its plenty strong enough for using it that way.
Just bought this lens today. Going to be pairing it with my D750 and my D7100 (if I want even more reach with the crop sensor). Super excited for it. My furthest reach is with my 180mm f/2.8 prime (super great old lens that Nikon has been making since the 90s) but I’ve definitely had those moments where it’s just not enough reach.
I primarily photograph landscapes, wildlife, and the night sky/storms so this is REALLY going to help out with my bird shooting!
Hi! How did that 200-500mm work with your D7100? I have the same camera, and I'm looking for real-world experience. I really appreciate any help you can provide.
If you're at 200 and you want to go to 500 you can just push the front element forward instead of twisting the zoom ring. It makes it a lot quicker. I use mine with my D7500 because I can't afford the D500 just yet.
11
I totally love this lens...for the price its a solid performer. I just used to take photos at an airshow and it did really well, I got some winners
I absolutely love my 200-500 and it stays attached to the D500. I had been fantasizing about the 200-400 but couldn’t justify spending 7K. I’m sooo glad I didn’t. Considering the difference in image quality, if any, and price of the two lenses, it was a no brainer. I’m also very happy with the Ape case. It’s tight but fits perfectly as long as you don’t have a battery pack attached.
I've used the 200-500mm for the past year and had the 200-400mm f/4 VR-G v1.0 for 10 years prior. I do miss the rear filter drawer and drop-in polarizer, internal zooming, and extra stop, once in awhile. But not not enough to justify the price differential, now 10X more expensive. Too, VR is much quieter and noticeably better on 200-500 than early 200-400
For your lens focus travel issue, I use a metal pipe clamp with a screw type resizer. They're usually silver in different diameters. I drilled a small hole in the centre of the clamp, pushed thro a small hard drive bolt, tightened the clamp around the focus ring, found a small metal rod, 3.5 " long with a internal thread and screwed it to the bolt. Now I have a lever that, while on my tripod, I can rotate my 150-600 Sigma in and out in one sweep.
I was in the market for a super-zoom and I opted for the Tamron 150-600 g2. I think they are optically similar. The deciding factor for me was the extra reach but I don't think either would be a bad choice! Welcome to the long-zoom club though! I'm loving your photos with it.
I'm still hesitating between this one and the Tamron G2. In the 100 mm extra reach of the Tamron, they say it isn't as sharp anymore while the Nikon still is at 500 mm.The 5.6 or the 6.3 isn't that much of a difference I guess. Tamron has three VR modes and the follow focus seems really interesting. I never had a tamron lens before so I haven't got the experience.
I pair this lens with a BlackRapid strap and an Arca-Swiss compatible Fusion plate on the tripod collar. Also, the Nikon 200-500mm fits perfectly inside the Lowepro 13x32 lens case with the hood reversed.
I just ordered the Black Rapid Strap from Adorama. 🙏
I too have this lens and love it. I use it on a D7200 because when I purchased it the D500 wasn’t available yet and as an amateur photographer, I could not justify upgrading to the D500. Two things to consider: 1. Getting a Fittest lens hood that uses the filter threads to screw onto the lens. It is smaller and much more secure and I do not see any disadvantages vs the original lens hood. 2. Consider the Think Tank Streetwalker backpack. My D7200 with the lens and Fittest lens hood attached fits into this pack. (When I am just walking around with the camera and lens, I have the longer Fusion arca Swiss plate attached to the lens foot and a Black Rapid strap which distributes the weight to my shoulder instead of my neck.)
Great review, I really enjoy the way you explain things. I have just purchased this lens but haven't had the opportunity to use it due to covid-19 restrictions. Definitely going to find more of your videos. Thank you so much!
Would love to see your comparison of this lens vs the Tamron 150-600mm G2
tamron doesnt come close sorry ,
@@tomhughes5123 what a load of rubbish, in reality they are very close and the tamron has better vr
Nice review. I have this lens and love it and bought the Ape Case ACPROLC18 Professional Large Lens Case, Black/Yellow from Amazon delivered to the UK. Great case for putting in the car to keep the lens protected.
This is such a good video. I was wondering why I should keep both my 70-200 f2.8 and the Nikon 200-500 f5.6. You’ve just helped me make up mind that they are two completely different lenses for different situations.
I absolutely love the lens for sports, especially Polo, but I did get it mostly for wildlife, mostly birds. as far as portrait or people, the inherent charactoristics of a teli-lens is compression (adding weight and increased myopic distortion) fixable post production, but changing a lense takes less time
Great review! I also use a D500 and own this lens. The VR on it is spectacular but focus speed
is...deliberate. It is slow...not good enough for sports for sure! That being said the DOF with birds crossing
works well! It is a surprising good lens for the low cost. Recommended!
I wish the VR on my other lenses worked as well as it does on this one...incredibly effective!!!
I have this lens as a next step telephoto next to my 70-200 paired with my D850. However, almost all my other Nikon lenses are darned fast, at f/2.8, so I was concerned that this f/5.6 lens would be awfully slow compared to how I have been spoiled with f/2.8s. But it wasn't until I took it out earlier this month to shoot July 4 fireworks over the skyline of my city at a distance of about 2.5 miles did I really get to appreciate its low light performance. I shot wide open at f/5.6 and 1.0 second at ISO1600 and I was REALLY impressed. Super sharp and lots of subtle detail in the reflections off surrounding glass buildings, and no serious grain to speak of. Of course, the full frame and 47mb images don't hurt this equation. And yes, the VR on this lens is rock solid. What a difference when shooting at the full 500mm. I originally thought this was going to have to be my broad daylight-only telephoto. Thankfully it's turning out to be far more versatile than that. I give it a big thumbs up! :)
One additional comment I'd like to add to my post (four years later): The lens hood on the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is a flipping JOKE. If you've owned this lens for more than, say, a week, by now you have either broken, lost, or dropped kicked this worthless solo cup. The mounting connectors are cheap and crack or they actually wear off after just a few uses. This hood will fall off if you breathe on it. And I'm barely joking. It's made of the cheapest plastic and it's so damned big you practically need a separate bag.
And nothing says "I'm a seasoned pro" when you're surrounded by competitors like having the hood fall off while you're walking across an airshow tarmac or the sidelines of a Big Ten football game. It makes a lot of noise, and it's always great having some 6 year old kid hand you your hood and say, "Hey Mr. Don't you want this? Your camera's falling apart." :/
Whatever bag or case you find to safely carry this really great lens, you can expect that if you try to store the hood with the lens (upside-down along the barrel for example), you'll find that it won't fit. It's maddening. But here's a helpful tip: If you want to commiserate with fellow shooters along a rope line, it's so easy to do. Just look at all the glass pointed out at the target and look for the ones with duct tape holding the hood to the barrel. There's your Nikon 200-500 friends. Not kidding. Watch and you'll see. I use Gorilla Tape be cause it's black, so slightly less embarrassing. Once more: Lens great. Hood sucks. Happy shooting!
It certainly is an amazing lens, especially when paird with the 1.4 TC.
I also made a slight modification, after having the lens hood fall off.
I made a couple of tiny holes in the back of the hood using a hot needle.
Then attached it to the lens body with a short piece of fishing line.
Lens hood is expensive to replace.
I carry mine using the tripod collar, with a wrist strap for security.
Try this.. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRSRCPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I just bought it, haven't used it yet. Watched a video and there was no noticeable sun flair from it.
Just received this lens from the family of a friend who passed away from cancer. I carry it with a black Rapid cross body strap. Its better than a neck strap.
I have a D500 with the same lens, I love this combination! I shoot mostly wide life and some landscape.
Can it focus flying birds?
I have this lens paired with my D500 = PERFECT MATCH! To new wildlife photographers, this is what you need.
yeah, im looking forward to buy one for mi d500 too
200-500 with D500 is a killer combination!!
Nail. On. Head! For under $3000 , it's unbeatable value, you've got to pay $1000s extra and get the primes to improve your photos.
I love how you put this into plain English with examples for the viewer to see. Excellent job!
Simply the best video on any topic, calm, to-the-point and covers almost everything
B&H sells the Ruggard 12x5 padded lens case (holds this lens and its hood nicely) and the Ruggard Outrigger 65 DSLR backpack case that perfectly holds the D500 w/this lens attached. Cheers!
I get stunning images with this lens. It’s a steal if you need a long lens.
The lady is correct that it is hand-holdable. I’ve used it with a heavy D3 and a monopod and a gimbal head for stationary things like an Osprey nest.
I have had this exact setup since 2016. And i too was looking for a way to bag it and transport it... and strap it. In the end i found the easiest thing to do was cradle it just like you do, and put it over my shoulder from time to time while walking. I gave up on straps. They just get in my way when trying to shoot animals. I know its a risk.... but it frees you so much. You will quickly get use to weight and hand hold it all day as you find subjects to shoot. You can also brace against a tree, or prop it up on a fallen log or tree. I put two extra batteries in my pocket, a lens wipe in a plastic baggy, and the lens cover in my back pocket. Then lens hood will actually keep most brush from contacting the lens. Thats my two cents and thanks for the excellent review.
I have still 70-200 VR from since 2003. Love it.
I have this exact combo and if I need to zoom to 500mm quickly, I hold the zoom ring with my left hand, and spin the camera with my right; allows you to zoom in all in one movement. Good review.
I use it a lot for vehicle track-days. Easily hold-able for burst shots, but you probably need a monopod for any prolonged stints. As for carrying it... I use a dual shoulder-strap. Makes me look like a modern-day gun-slinger, but the weight is manageable and makes it easy to switch from my 70-200, as long as both lenses are attached to the straps and the camera is free to move between the two.
just watched this older video and loved all the info - but my first thought was -- why not use a black rapid sling - they are awesome for carryng this lens body combo. I have been using one for years and love the freedom it gives me.
Nice camera and lens setup! That is a fantastic combo.
Put the lens in Raymond's pack and let him carry it around half the time. No one will think the lesser of you.
I use mine on my D7100 and my D850. It's a really good performer on both of those. The 7100 is actually a harsher critic than the 850 or 800E (have both) because the pixel density is so high. I've taken more than a few airplane photos with this lens on DX, and it definitely doesn't disappoint.
I have the Nikon P1000 and recently got the Spider Holster, for carrying it has been excellent especially on long hikes.
Thank you for your very full and informative review. I just purchased this lens to use on my D810, and Z7II. I hope to get great photos. I do realize the limitations of this lens, and I appreciate you pointing everything out with terrific candor. My main purpose would be to photograph wildlife, I realize it will be a challenge, I hope to succeed and achive enough clear and sharp images to be please. Thank you again. Great job! 👏 📸 🙏 😊
I got my lens used on eBay for $800 in great shape. It’s very heavy for me but as long as it does what I need it for then I don’t care. It’s going to be on a tripod so I can get great photos. Great video. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. ❤❤❤
I have been on the bench thinking about taking the 200-500 mm lens plunge. I have used your review multiple times to help me because your review is very pragmatic. Thanks
I recommend the Lowepro 13x32cm padded case for carrying. I use it with my Tamron 150-600 G2 which is roughly the same size and it's great for protection. A little bit expensive, but it's worth it.
I liked this info she said because I have a Nikon D500 and the Nikon 200-500 5.6ED. It was very very helpful and informing!
Once some people learn that on same format f/5.6 gives same DOF regardless of the focal length when your subject frame size is same, they will stop hesitating to use larger F-stops to get more DOF and learns that to get the blurry background, it is done with longer focal length and not smaller F-stop.
I have the 200-500, awesome lens for the money. You mentioned a couple of times the extremely long zoom ring throw. A tip I heard that works well is to hold the zoom ring with your left hand and twist with the camera body with your right hand - much easier than trying to contort your left hand through 270 degrees.
yup
I just got one and it is amazing on my d7500.
My Nikon D500/Nikon 200-500mm is my go-to combo for all my wildlife photography, as well as some of my sunrise/sunset and landscape photography. If you're looking for a case, the Lowepro LP36307 13x32cm lens case from Amazon.com fits the 200-500mm lens perfectly. It runs around $40 USD. If you're looking for a case that fits both the D500 AND the 200-500mm lens, the Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 150 is a perfect fit for the camera, lens & battery grip with strap attached. It is available from B&H Photo Video for around $110 USD.
I liked the 200-500 Nikon but I decided on the Tamron 150-600 g2 and I am more than happy with it!
While I an not totally set on Nikkor glass. My buddy has that Tamron lens. He loves his too but the other day he was asking me why some of his photos are soft. I don't care for images above 300mm with the Tamron. Sorry I am not dissing your lens. I just demand sharper photos. That said, the deer photo she shows at about 4:20 is obviously high contrast but on my new 27" Asus monitor looks "soft" That may be motion blur or DOF. The jack rabbit later, seems tack sharp! Just some thoughts. Not trying to start trouble. Cheers from Cincinnati, Ohio USA
And this shows up in my video feed today? Odd... I have this same lens and it's nice, but noisy for video. :) I hope you're going well! Thanks for your years of reviews :)
Thank you so much for making this video.
Decades ago I shot wildlife photography with a Minolta camera and now am jumping into the Nikon F4s with several lenses including this lens.
I love this lens. It is incredibly sharp. It is heavy. I use the Peak Design Sling attached to my D850 and hold on to the tripod collar turned upwards 180 degrees while I'm walking. I'm not sure you can do any more with regards to the weight. You can't have straps going everywhere.
Thx for the awesome Video. Mine is finally arriving for my z6 tomorrow.
14-30 f4, 24-70 f4 and 200-500 seems Like a good Go to for vacation.
i have the same i have now the 70 to 300 mm lens and i also want the 200 500 mm lens so i can get closer pictures
Great Video and advice. Thank you. I'm so glad you addressed hiking because that would be my concern. I always hike with two back packs however - one on the back (for tent, sleeping bag etc) and one on the front for camera, wallet etc. For day hikes you could possibly reverse the two? For backpacking I have an Osprey Eja 58 (very light - less than 2IB) - the Eja 48 or even 38 would probably fit your camera gear. When wearing a backpack on the front, you need to put it on first - do the chest halter up; slip over your head and then tie the hip band up - and then put on the backpack. Hope this helps.
Fantastic review, lots of good information...and that D500 is likely my next camera. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for this well communicated video. I will buy for my 7100
I bought for my D7500 for a forthcoming trip. How did you get on?
I'm glad I bought one and I also own a 50-250 for the Z50 that becomes a 75 - 375 with a closer focusing range and it's always a question of how much I want to carry.
I agree with everything you say, it's a fantastic lens for wildlife and (for me as well) aviation photography. Adding the 1.4 TC makes it even better. I also have it on the D500.
One tip: The lens hood is not a firm fit, if knocked can come loose and fall off, and is expensive to replace.
What I have done, is attach it to the lens with a piece of thin fishing line. I have done this with a couple of lenses. You may need to make a couple of small holes in the hood with a hot needle.
Hi. I know this comment is four years old, but wonder if you still use the 200-500 for aviation photography. I currently use a Tamron 150-600 and find the autofocus sometimes a little slow on flying aircraft. How fast is the focus on the lens? (I too would be coupling it to a D500). Thanks, Mike
Great lens for reasonable price. Great for bird watching and landscape telephoto. Sharp even at wide open. Used it with D610 and D7000. Maybe it dark a bit. Maybe it little bulky. Slow autofocus, but for fast - spend 8000$ or more, and get flagship Nikkor lens...
Overall - love this lens.
I have never used the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E auto focus telephoto zoom lens. However, I do own and use the Nikkor 500mm f/4 IF-ED P manual focus telephoto prime lens.
I would never “upgrade” my manual focus lens for the auto focus lens because my lens has an aperture ring that my older Nikon film cameras need for exposure control. The auto focus zoom does not have an aperture ring.
Bought one. Used it extensively in Africa & South America, used on a Nikon D800. I call it the brick, but would not want to be without it.
The only better solution for packing/hiking I would consider with the D500, would be to take a 300PF and 1.4 Extender :). True, the 200-500 is awesome but realistically, it's heavy at hands for long walks.
I couldn‘t resist buying this lens, given its price. I agree with everything you said. The only problem I have run into is that the hood comes off too easily. Thanks for investing the time and effort to prepare this review.
I agree with your assessment of the 200 - 500mm. I owned one and it seldom came off my D500, even though I also owned the fabulous Nikkor 300mm f4 PF ED VR + TC14EIII. If you are looking for a better means to carry it, take a look at the Cotton Carrier. I had the twin version and carried my D500 + 200 - 500mm on the chest holster and my Olympus EM1 mark II + Oly 300mm f4 on the hip holster. The weight is taken on your shoulders and not on your neck. It takes about 5 minutes to initailly set the Cotton Carrier up, then a few seconds to put it on and take it off after that. If you prefer a backpack, take a look at the LowPro Flipside 500AW. It will take a D500 with 200 - 500mm attached plus an EM1 mark II + Oly 300mm f4 (seperated) and a lot more.
Lowepro Flipside 300 will fit a D500 attached to the 200-500mm too, plus room for a 70-200mm OR 2 smaller lenses. I have used the combo of D500+200-500 lens with great success for wildlife and sports/actions. Awesome lens!
That handsome guy at 2:00 was gr8! Nice and very informative video.
Just watched the first minute and to comment that I have had this for a year or so and I love it. Really skeptical when I bought because zooms are typically disappointing. This will get you very good images. Obviously has limitations vs $10k and over primes. (not that I own any, but you know). But working within its range, it will yield you some crazy good results. OK, I'll go back to seeing how you liked it now... :)
I've had this lens a couple of years and it's crazy sharp for a zoom! I've tried its competitors in the Sigma and Tamron 150-600 and they don't compare. Grea review.
Thanks Scott, I was going to ask about it compared to the Tamron 150-600, which I have. At this time I am happy with the Tamron but would like to be able to compare them side by side. Cheers
NorthernLightss in my opinion, the Tamron is better than either of the Sigmas, but the Nikon is the best.
Agreed 100%
The sigma 150 - 600 is sharper and has a better focal range than the nikon and has better build quality than the tamron.
Paul Scott there are two Sigmas (the Contemporary and the Sport). I owned the Sport briefly and sent it back; it had awesome build quality but I hated the lack of sharpness and shadow noise. I used it on a Nikon D850 and a D500. That’s just my experience.
I use the same combination D500 and 200-500mm, if you want to zoom faster I suggest to hold the lens and rotate the camera, that's not what I do but another RUclips photographer suggested it, this lens is on my camera 80 percent of the time, in regards to carrying it around, I use a wrist strap attached to the collar mount, and if I need to have both hands free I use a shoulder strap, have not used a neck strap in forever.
Great lens, I use it almost exclusively for wildlife photography. I, like you, also choose to hand hold for my photos and am always walking to find my photo opportunities. I have been using a Kinesis E976 XXX-large lens pouch for a case, I am able to have the lens with the shade attached and extended and attached to a Nikon D850 with a battery pack, all fit in the case. I like using the holster because the camera is always readily available when I need it. The fit is snug but works. It's worked well for me and I thought I would pass that on to you as a possibility. Very nice review, thanks so much for putting that together.
I have a D500 and a D850. The D500 is having an issue so I purchased a D850. Lost the zoom of the lense but gained the MP. As a beginner I am still struggling to get used to it, but when I crop the Images they're just as good as the D500.. as an amateur and just starting out I can't afford the 600mm prime with teleconverter at1.4 that I want. This 200 to 500 is my goto thing. I have had a picture published unedited, that's how good this lense is.
I tried this lens with my Z7, FTZ and got very sharp images. Price is really low for what you get.
Ken Konard planning to get this for my z6 soon. Glad to hear you had good results
@@Zoso7227 I recently got one and am using it on my Z6. A really great lens! Use it for wildlife and I have gotten some pretty crisp shots.
I’m thinking about this one (in 2020) as well. I have the new AF-P 70-300mm with my Z6 FTZ which is amazing but sometimes you really want 500mm with VR.
Thanks for the great review. I had a D700 + Sigma 150 to 500 mm and I did great sport photography such as ocean swim and surfing. I recently purchase a D7500 from Catch and use it and worked O.K. I decide to buy the Nikon 200-500mm lens 3 weeks ago and did some surfing photography. The amount of detail you get with good lighting is unbelievable, and yes equivalent to 750mm. What I noticed is that when it is overcasting and there is low light, the result does not convince me. But the point is, as surfer photographer, do you want to capture the beauty of the ocean? if yes, then forget it about overcasting days and surfing photography. It does not make justice to the ocean. This is a great lenses for sure and I still need to explore it more. I am lucky to live 3 hours north from Sydney where I have kangaroos outside my place. I will be able to capture their fleas with this lens. Check my photography on IG jrsyd2049. Thanks again. Cheers, J.
Great review...waiting for the lens to arrive Thursday. One great feature about the D850 is being able to switch to DX mode on the fly and get that extra reach. I hope it works well with the D850...I've heard mix reviews.
Take a look at Mark Smith’s photos using the 850 and this lens.
I got this lens to shoot the eclipse with and just love using it.The eclipse pictures turned out awesome. i shot it on a crop sensor camera with the tele-adapter which worked out perfect and got me an amazing amount of zoom. It is a beast to lug around for sure, but I use it sooooo much. I use the Lowepro Lens Case 13 x 32 cm. It fits the lens and the hood and has enough room for the 1.4 tele-adapter.(squeezed in up top in a cloth bag). No room for the camera, but I think that would make it too big. I just use it for transporting the lens. When I'm shooting, i just carry the lens on the camera and use the case for my other lens. I'm looking forward to getting up to Estes Park soon to try out this lens. I also want to try getting some Milky Way shots with the D850, but I'm sure I'll see plenty of animals while I'm waiting for the sun to go down, so I'll be sure to take this lens with me. Thanks for the video. Cheers!
Very good user review. I recently bought this 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR lens for use with my D7200. Really satisfied with this lens and camera body combination. I did a lens resolution test with 4x6 Bob Atkins test cards at 20' and 45' (tripod mounted). Considering the price of the lens, I'm very satisfied with the resolution of this lens. Was also impressed with the VR of this lens...
Still looking for a backpack that will hold this lens, camera body, and one other lens.....
The first description is the exact feeling I felt for the last 2 days..."I wish I could get a little closer"..I missed 5/6 beautiful moments only because I don't have a "telephoto" lens..🥲😓
Wonderful common sense critique of this great buy lens, thanks
Thats a re-branded old Tamron 200-500 mm f/5.6. Tamron now sells a 150-600 mm f/5.6-6.3 The Tamron is generally a better lens then Sigma. Nikon is a camera maker and had generally farmed out its lenses. While Canon was able to change its mount for the new DSLR line Nikon claimed it wanted to keep the old mount to use the M/F lenses they could not build an assortment of glass like the larger canon company and now Sony.
Are you referring to the Tamron 200-500 that has an aperture ring, is f5-f6.3 and has a different barrel shape? Tell me what I'm missing...?
@@scraymond5597 it is generally the same lens. It came in a manual focus lens for NIKON back in the day. I have a Tokina manual 80-200mm f/2.8. The Nikon 200-500 is a Tamron...
@@JohnAvantiBK Do you have a source that it's a rebranded Tamron? It seems quite different to me in design. The old Tamron is manual focus, but the much newer Nikon AF-P is a rebranded MF lens? On the one hand I'm confused, on the other hand, I very much assume that all lenses for all brands, at least the internals, are all produced in solely 2 to 3 factories in the world.
@@scraymond5597 Of course it is not going to be a replica of the original 200-500 it is a modern design specific for NIKON to stand out.
@@JohnAvantiBK I think that you and I think of the term "rebranded" differently
Had the lens since 2016 Love it. I bought the Lowerpo 13X32 cm Lens case at the same time. It is a perfect fit (with hood and collar) but it is protective not for hiking. I usually hike with the 80-400 to save space and weight
POSITIVE COMMENT even though it starts off negative lol
I bought one of these and thought i had wasted a lot of money as it just didn't take decent photos, i was deciding whether to send it back or not when the rubber seal around the mount decided to come out for no reason at all. I got a replacement as i was only half way through my 30 day return period. The one they sent me has been a million times better and will not be going back. So if you do buy one, make sure you get a good one. I'm almost glad the first one developed a fault.
Thank you for your comments on the Nikon 200-500 zoom. I always enjoy hearing your thoughts on different photo topics. Keep up the great work....
Great review! Suggest: "Joby Pro Sling Strap" or maybe Blackrapid equiv. attached to the lens tripod mount bracket. I leave the bracket underneath the camera (so it's basically slung upside down) so that the strap doesn't get in the way when shooting. Been using this lens mostly for bird photography since it was first available (3 years ago?). Works beautifully on D7200, D500 and D850. Sharp edge to edge at F5.6 on the DX bodies. VR is by far the best of any long zoom I've used. Love it.
I get my D850 from Amazon next week and I received this lense yesterday.
Thank you.....speaking to the converted..... I love this lens and like you I team it with my d500. I have had some cracking shots with it and would recommend it thoroughly. Thank you
I like your review. You seem very down-to-earth and honest.
Thank you for the review, expecting my lens to arrive tomorrow, will be trying it on a Z50.
Had this lens in basket to purchase several times and ended up not buying it but having watched your review I think I’m off to buy one.
I, too, have the 200-500 lens and it is currently my most used lense in my quiver. I added the 1.7 Nikon extender and quality-wise I can hardly see a difference and paired with the "Nikon auto ISO sensibility" function the world is my oyster!
Oops, 1.7 Teleconverter, not extender.
Believe it or not I used the same combo this spring for high school graduation candids indoors. It was great because I could stay pretty much behind the scenes and get tight closeups of the students seating or speaking. I did setup 5 studio strobes to bounce around the grad pavilion.
Great info! I wonder if you've put this to use on a Z camera (with FTZ, of course) since the time you made this video and if you have any thoughts about that using it on a mirrorless body. (I've got a X6ii and _may_ upgrade to a Z9 when it becomes available.
Did you get this? I’m thinking of buying it now for my z711
You can try blackrspid sport breath camera strap to carry the lens
I know lots of folks like a big strap but I'm a fan of the simple strap and supporting my lens with my hands when needed, which is pretty much constantly with this lens. :)
I agree - with a lens this heavy, it's better to support your rig from the tripod foot than by the camera. Either way you are holding the lens when you shoot, but when hanging from the strap, it's not putting so much strain on the lens mount. In addition I hook the foot into whatever belt I'm using when on long hikes.
Thank you for your concise and thorough analysis. I ordered this lens today based on the strength of your review. 😊
A great lens for its price, there is no any doubt. Sharp images if you handle & tweak it well. I have been using it for birding for the last 2 years in combination with D 750 and am reasonably satisfied with it. It does have cons if you are a stickler for top quality pics. Certainly not as sharp and fast as prime lenses, which you do feel while photographing birds in flight and birds perched in low light among branches. Yet my thumbs up for this lens
$1200 camera body
$700 lens
Struggling to get sharp images and hasn't considered a tripod?
oh my
Mike Stevens 700 dollar lens?
No tripod. Hand held. Am a 71 year old man , lugging around this lens with the camera itself is enough struggle for me :)
Thank you so much for this video!
Especially referencing the D500 allows me to make my dicision PRO this lens!!!
i like the lens a lot .. the d500 though .i cant justify the price .when a d810 is similar priced ,, much prefer the realism of the full frame , compared to dx ,, thanks for the great video
I have both the camera and the lens and both are awesome. I also have the Tamron 150-600 as well and the Nikon is sharper and the VR is extremely good. The d500 iso is great. I bought the Ape case for the lens and it can be purchased from Amazon or eBay.