Nikon 200-500 real world test

[Peeb74 2]

Rented this lens to compare it with the Sigma 150-600 contemporary I recently tried. I paired it with a nikon 1.4x teleconverter for an effective 700mm f/8 lens and I must say it was impressive. I like it much better than the Sigma, tho I enjoyed the Sigma quite well.

I went to the Kaw Lake Annual Eagle Watch yesterday, and I'll post a few shots here (tho I'll defer the actual eagle shot until my second post, as I could really get close enough to capture any shots I'd consider keepers- even with 700mm of nikon fury at my disposal).

Saw a lot of smaller birds before I caught a whiff of an eagle- are these gulls? If so, I didn't know they frequented inland lakes (yeah- I should pay more attention):
1.

2.

Thought the lens did a pretty good job of catching BIF, especially considering the teleconverter.

3. If it had wings, I shot, so here was another capture:

4. Skeptical hawk is skeptical...

5. OK- don't want to discriminate in favor of wings only, so a shot the buffalo on the way home from the lake...

All in all- I was quite pleased! It's officially a wish list item.

 

[Peeb74 2]

And the promised Eagles- not great quality as they were cagey and SO far away that they began to break down from over cropping, atmospheric distortion, etc...

1. Best 'still' I could get- from 3/4 of a mile....

2. Flying eagle

3. Another eagle

3. Trio

None of these are 'bucket list' keepers, but they are certainly more than I coulda gotten with my 70-300, so I was impressed.

 

[ZombiesniperJr]

Nice set the first two are gulls the third is a northern mocking bird And the skeptical hawk is a juvenile red tailed hawk Dont worry about the eagles they can be a pain to get close to they like to fly away alot or perch in a farmers land

 

[Derrel]

Lens looks good. Very good. Shot #3 of the small bird shows off the optics.

 

[baturn]

Very nice! Especially 3 and 5.

 

[Peeb74 2]

Full set is here, if you are interested. All the shots were taken with the big glass except for the dam and the buffalo sunset panorama.
Eagle Watch 2017 by mjk41

 

[tirediron]

Great set from a fun lens!

 

[zombiesniper116 15]

Great set.
Looks like a good lens.

 

[Peeb74 2]

Nice set the first two are gulls the third is a northern mocking bird And the skeptical hawk is a juvenile red tailed hawk Dont worry about the eagles they can be a pain to get close to they like to fly away alot or perch in a farmers land

Yeah, it was good to 'scout' the area which is only about 40 minutes from my front door. In the words of the Terminator (model T-1000, if I recall): I'll be back.

 

[Peeb74 2]

Lens looks good. Very good. Shot #3 of the small bird shows off the optics.

Agreed! Viewed in full size, the detail in the feathers was quite nice, especially considering it had the 1.4 in the optical loop.

 

[Peeb74 2]

Very nice! Especially 3 and 5.

Thanks! I also loved 5- I thought the color rendition in that one was just delicious.

 

[Peeb74 2]

Great set from a fun lens!

It's going to be a sad day when it packs up to return to the rental vendor! Really enjoyed it.

 

[Peeb74 2]

Great set.
Looks like a good lens.

It was surprisingly good, I thought! Really was impressed.

 

[Peeb74 2]

Before:

After (no stick growing out of head and less 'blah' sky) ...

 

[zombiesniper116 15]

Nicely done.