Anyone Comparison of Nikon 80-400 v 200-500 v Tamron 150-600 ?

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At some point I may upgrade my Tamron 150-600 version 1.
There's the (a) Tamron 150-600 version 2
and the (b) Nikon 80-400 AF-S, and (c) Nikon 200-500 AF-S.

Does anyone have a good comparison (other than the focal length differences) of the 3 lenses ?

I like the short end of the 80-400, and the long end of the 150-600.
But the 200-500 would probably force me to 2 cameras with my FF using the 80-200 lens to fill in the short end in relation to sports.

Primary uses is diverse:
Aircraft/space photog - where 600 is nice for cropping. I take photos of aircraft up to around 8-14 miles away and crop in.
Birding - which I do not do much, only occassionally.
Sports - where full size fields are now dominating my shooting and I'm trying not to use 2 bodies and I do not have the $$ for 400+mm Primes.

Bodies: D750 & D500.
Whatever I do, I would probably have to sell the Tamron 150-600 to help fund a newer lens.
 
i dont know anything about the other two lenses, but I do have some experience using the 80-400.
not sure if there is a newer version now, ( i think theres a G version now) but having used the older 80-400 f4.5-5.6D VR version, I can say that the AF was pretty slow, and it hunted a LOT in what would be even modestly low light. the newer version might be better on that end though.
 
i dont know anything about the other two lenses, but I do have some experience using the 80-400.
not sure if there is a newer version now, ( i think theres a G version now) but having used the older 80-400 f4.5-5.6D VR version, I can say that the AF was pretty slow, and it hunted a LOT in what would be even modestly low light. the newer version might be better on that end though.
Everything that I've read about the old 80-400 and new 80-400 is a night and day difference especially in AF speed. Of course a night and day difference in used prices too.
 
At some point I may upgrade my Tamron 150-600 version 1.
There's the (a) Tamron 150-600 version 2
and the (b) Nikon 80-400 AF-S, and (c) Nikon 200-500 AF-S.

Does anyone have a good comparison (other than the focal length differences) of the 3 lenses ?

I like the short end of the 80-400, and the long end of the 150-600.
But the 200-500 would probably force me to 2 cameras with my FF using the 80-200 lens to fill in the short end in relation to sports.

Primary uses is diverse:
Aircraft/space photog - where 600 is nice for cropping. I take photos of aircraft up to around 8-14 miles away and crop in.
Birding - which I do not do much, only occassionally.
Sports - where full size fields are now dominating my shooting and I'm trying not to use 2 bodies and I do not have the $$ for 400+mm Primes.

Bodies: D750 & D500.
Whatever I do, I would probably have to sell the Tamron 150-600 to help fund a newer lens.
I owned Tamron 150-600 version 1 and switch to Nikon 200-500 1.5 years ago, here's my two cents.

Don't upgrade Tamron 150-600 to version 2 because there's not much improvement of picture quality, but the price is much higher. I'll not consider Nikon 80-400 because it's expensive and 400mm is inadequate.

Tamron 150-600 pros: good range, AF fast, picture quality is OK

Nikon 200-500 pros: larger aperture, best VR, keeps fine PQ when using Teleconvertor TC-14E III.

Switching from Tamron to Nikon may cost a lot, try to borrow or rent one for detail testing before you make the decision, Cheers.
 
If image quality is the desire, the more modest the zoom range, the better the image quality. The 200-500 should be the winner theoretically.
 
I agree with you that 200-500 seems to be the better choice out of these two lenses. If switching from 150-600 to 200-500 may not be the same. I sold my 150-600 only 40% of the original price after I owned for one year.

Although the image quality of 200-500 is better, it's just marginal. If downsize photo to web page size, you can't see any difference. 150-600 is also a very good lens with this price!
DSC_4624.jpg
 
I'm going to try out one of those AF-P 70-300 lenses on my D500 for sharpness. They're so cheap on the used market ($100ish for the non-VR and under $200 for the VR) I might as well since they are getting good reviews for what they are. I really need the low end 70-80 plus upper focal end for large sport fields .. I'm resisting carrying 2 cameras. LOL
 
I'm also interested in this lens, tell us the result after trying this. May be I'll get one to replace my 55-300VR.
 
I had the tamron v1 and compared it to the Nikkor 200-500. Image quality was conparable, but the Nikkors AF and VR won hands down. I know keep it on my D7100 with 1.4 (version II) TC. Never been sorry about it.
 
I don't use a tripod. Image quality and VR of Nikon 200-500(even with a TC14E III) give me incredible handheld results in the dark.
D7200@ 700.0mm (35mm equivalent: 1050mm), f/9.0, 0.077 s (1/13)
PCB_8557.jpg

D7200 @700.0mm (35mm equivalent: 1050mm), f/8.0, 0.067 s (1/15)
PCB_8507.jpg
 
Exactly! AF freeze-ups issue also occurred to my Tamron. Cos I didn't buy from our local distributor, they refused to fix this problem for me. Lastly, I sold it to the second hand shop.
 
Get the 200-500. I made the mistake of using my buddy's a few times and it's ruined my 150-600 for me
 

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