Nikon 200-500 real world test

[Peeb74 2]

Nicely done.

Thanks! The blue sky is probably overcooked, but that's my initial reaction to most edits is to go crazy! I can pull it back if it wears on me after a couple of days.

 

[bulldurham6 1]

Almost everything I post on here is shot with the 200-500. Now, coupled to the D500, it's a real powerhouse with a crop factor of 750mm, and it's sharp as a tack at 750mm.

 

[Peeb74 2]

^Sharp!

 

[tirediron]

I'm continually impressed with mine. I was going to shell out for a new 300 2.8 when mine died last year, but when I looked at what I was doing at lengths longer than 200, I couldn't justify it. Almost everything I shoot at those lengths is either out doors, or for fun, and rarely did my 300 go below f4, and a lot was at 5.6, so I figured for 1/3 of the price of a god used 300 2.8, I could get a LOT more fun. Nikon really nailed it with this lens!

 

[greybeard36 8]

I've been thinking of a super tele zoom. Right now I am using a 70-300 and cropping the heck out of everything. You just made up my mind as to what my next lens will be. Nikon 200-500 f/5.6

 

[birdbonkers84]

Before:
View attachment 133776

After (no stick growing out of head and less 'blah' sky) ...
View attachment 133782

Great to see photos from other tele lens, I did look at the Nikon 200-500, but it was way out of my price ranged especially for a first tele lens.

The edit you've done on that Hawk shot is great and I personally don't think you've over cooked the blue.

The shot really makes you appreciate the sharpness of its beak and talons.

 

[Timppa]

You say that you enjoy this lens more than the Sigma C you have (or had?).
Is it that much better? really noticeable ? does the price difference justify the difference in quality ?
And don't you miss the extra 100mm reach on on sigma?

 

[Destin]

And don't you miss the extra 100mm reach on on sigma?

Not to hijack, but wanted to give you my feedback on this. As you know I have the Tamron 150-600 G2... I considered the 200-500, and in some ways wish I'd gone that way. I believe it's sharper at 500 than my lens is at 600, and the constant 5.6 is nice.

That being said, the large majority of my shots have been at 600mm and I'm left wanting more reach in many cases, even on my crop sensor D500. I'm not sure I'd trade the extra 100mm for the other aspects.

Also consider that the sigma and Tamron options offer far more fine tuning and customization options with their USB dock accessories.

OP: Nice shots, especially the edited version of the hawk! I don't think you over cooked the sky at all!