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.
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.
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!
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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 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
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
How is the spread between specimens? I have heard that you have to sort out a good copy. I plan to use it on a D700 and later on a D850 when I can afford to buy a used one
Did you ever find a solution for a backpack to carry the 200-500mm lens and cap in? I am buying that lens in June and want to be able to have all my gear in one place.
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!
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 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.
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 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.
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.
D850 or D500? If money were no issue I might still ask the same question. D500 is one third the cost but all the sample images I see from the D850 are just mind numbingly crisp in comparison to the D500 which seem to be just a little flat, at least to my eye? A used D500 with the reviewed 200-500 would be the same price as a new D850. I guess my question is, is it worth the investment? I am not a pro and rarely print.
TheSnapChick, why did you go for the Nikon 200-500mm if you want a walkaround zoom lens? Why not the Sigma 100-400mm? Which is imho a much better choice for that. For carrying your camera around in nature you might consider some solution like the Cotton Carrier CCS.
Hi Leigh, interesting video .. what's your thoughts on this lens today ( 2024 ), do you still own it? I'm a DX shooter still in DSLR terrotory thinking of getting one.
I just bought this lens and a Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW. Fits perfectly even with my d500 attached. Room for my second body and extra lenses. There is also space for waterproof and other bits in the top compartment. You access the camera section from the back which is a security benefit if you're traveling.
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 haven't seen one video where we get an idea how far way the camera is from the subject! Also have you done a review of the Nikon AF VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR? I'm on the brink of buying one. Thanks!
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.
Question: I have a Nikon F4s body and am buying the 299-500mm Nikon AF (VR) lens next week. If I turn OFF the (VR) on the lens, will the Auto Focus still work fine?
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.
This is really late to reply but hopefully you see this, but would you still choose this lens on a Nikon z9 body especially when the 180-600mm Z lens is coming out?
Nice video, but had you used it on a Z camera? I thinking about getting a zoom for my Nikon Z, and the price of the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED is well within my budget compare to the Z version.
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.
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.
Hi ! nice review ! It would be possible to have your opinion on the photo lenses? voila, I hesitate between the 150-600mm or 60-600mm or the 500mm f4.5 Sigma and the 200-400mm f4 or the 200-500mm f5.6 Nikon, for an FX camera for wildlife photography, especially birds, which would be best in terms of dive? the 60-600mm is really versatile but voila, I would really like to have a super dive in the recrop, I don't really know which one to choose, knowing that at the price level I found some on occasion and they all arrive in the same range ... I really hesitate, if you could enlighten me a little above, it would be nice :) thank you.
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 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 transport in Tarmac 5793 bag, fits in with mounted on camera and hood in shooting position. Anvil 27 will also take this in...portions are to be rearranged. To carry in field, I recently changed the collar to Ishoot which is Acra Swiss compatible, and on Bosstrap strap with Acra clamp. Added a padding on Bosstrap. Seems OK
Have you ever used this lens on a D7100? Also how loose/tight is the zoom adjustment? I've had lenses like this that would start. Owings if you were not holding it in position. Which can be a pain in some instances. Great review.
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.
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 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 UA-cam 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.
Hello Snapchick. Thanks for the video. I'm planning to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR. I would like ur opinion on which tripod would u suggest for this lens? Also should it be a ball head one? Thanks in advance.
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 bought the Nikon 200-500 and using it with my D850. When I turn the zoom while hand holding the lens shifts slightly on the mount in the direction I'm turning. Wondering if you're experiencing the same. Not sure if I should exchange for a different one or if all of them are like this. There is some play on the mount. Thoughts?
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 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!
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.
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.....
Hi , I am Dr bala. Does Nikon d3500 compatible with Sigma 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary or sports. And does it will be compatible with tamron 150-600. And Nicor 200-500mm. If so , which is best. Kindly please guide me sir.
I'm just going to disagree with your terminology a little bit. You say the lens is a "fixed aperture" lens, but I would call it "constant aperture.". "Fixed aperture" implies that you can't change the aperture, but you can. "Constant aperture" means that the f-number remains constant as you change the focal length. This is a great feature to have when shooting in manual exposure mode, as the exposure won't vary as you change the focal length.
Not sure if this is the right question on this blog so my apologies in advance if it is out of context! I have a Nikon D7100 and more recently I purchased a Nikon 200-500 lens (thank you TheSnapChick for the recommendation!). That being said I am considering to upgrade my camera - both FX and DX format options are on the table but I have difficulty deciding between FX and DX formats and them which model. Appreciate any help. I am open to all suggestions involving Nikon DSLRs as I have no budget limitations except that monster D5... :-)
Hi SnapChick and thank you very much for responding! My camera is by far meeting my needs but there are a few things which I am not entirely happy with: 1. Unable to shoot in RAW in HDR mode. 2. Unable to shoot in Overlay mode when liveview is on. 3. The image overlay is hard to work with. 4. Like build-in wifi and bluetooth to connect to smartphone. 5. Fixed lifeview - prefer the tilting ones. 6. Touch screen is highly preferred. 7. Happy with the camera sensor but you would never have a good enough sensor. I prefer upgrading to FX format for this reason but I also like the fact that I get more zoom out of the same lens on a DX. 8. Camera pixel is good (~24) but prefer one that is even higher but that would probably mean upgrading to some high-end FX models since no Nikon DX has as many pixels as D7100 or D7200. I hope I make sense… :-)
If you are interested in going full frame, the Z7 (mirrorless) and the D850 (DSLR) are the newest bodies. Both have #4 through #8, including DX crop mode where you can use DX lenses or simply switch to DX mode to see that crop factor you mentioned. As for #1, the Z7 is the only Nikon I know of that will save the RAW images used for HDR mode. I'm not sure about #2 - the D850 manual isn't specific about this so I can't give you a definitive answer. #3 is definitely personal preference. How important each of these items is for you will certainly inform your decision on whether or not to spend money on a new body. :)
Thank you the thorough answer! It is very helpful and much appreciate it! In the balance I think 850 would be my choice. Great minds think alike... :-) PS. Z7 would be a good choice but given the amount I have already invested in DSLR lenses going for Z7 would end up too costly.
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.
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
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.
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!
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
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
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.
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
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 .
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.
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.
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. ;-)
Simply the best video on any topic, calm, to-the-point and covers almost everything
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.
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.
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
I love how you put this into plain English with examples for the viewer to see. Excellent job!
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. 🙏
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
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!
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.
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 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
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 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.)
will it work with Nikon D850
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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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 just got one and it is amazing on my d7500.
How is the spread between specimens? I have heard that you have to sort out a good copy. I plan to use it on a D700 and later on a D850 when I can afford to buy a used one
Did you ever find a solution for a backpack to carry the 200-500mm lens and cap in? I am buying that lens in June and want to be able to have all my gear in one place.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
D850 or D500? If money were no issue I might still ask the same question. D500 is one third the cost but all the sample images I see from the D850 are just mind numbingly crisp in comparison to the D500 which seem to be just a little flat, at least to my eye? A used D500 with the reviewed 200-500 would be the same price as a new D850. I guess my question is, is it worth the investment? I am not a pro and rarely print.
I have the Nikon P1000 and recently got the Spider Holster, for carrying it has been excellent especially on long hikes.
TheSnapChick, why did you go for the Nikon 200-500mm if you want a walkaround zoom lens? Why not the Sigma 100-400mm? Which is imho a much better choice for that. For carrying your camera around in nature you might consider some solution like the Cotton Carrier CCS.
Hi Leigh, interesting video .. what's your thoughts on this lens today ( 2024 ), do you still own it? I'm a DX shooter still in DSLR terrotory thinking of getting one.
SnapChick, I bought this awesome lens! Were you able to find a good bag for it while it’s attached to the camera?
I just bought this lens and a Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW. Fits perfectly even with my d500 attached. Room for my second body and extra lenses. There is also space for waterproof and other bits in the top compartment. You access the camera section from the back which is a security benefit if you're traveling.
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 haven't seen one video where we get an idea how far way the camera is from the subject! Also have you done a review of the Nikon AF VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR? I'm on the brink of buying one. Thanks!
Tx for your insight. Have you tried it with a TC (1.4x or 2x)? If so, what was your impression?
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.
Question:
I have a Nikon F4s body and am buying the 299-500mm Nikon AF (VR) lens next week. If I turn OFF the (VR) on the lens, will the Auto Focus still work fine?
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.
This is really late to reply but hopefully you see this, but would you still choose this lens on a Nikon z9 body especially when the 180-600mm Z lens is coming out?
Nice video, but had you used it on a Z camera? I thinking about getting a zoom for my Nikon Z, and the price of the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED is well within my budget compare to the Z version.
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.
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
Pls how good will canon 6d Mark 2 with 70-200 USM iii
Hi ! nice review ! It would be possible to have your opinion on the photo lenses? voila, I hesitate between the 150-600mm or 60-600mm or the 500mm f4.5 Sigma and the 200-400mm f4 or the 200-500mm f5.6 Nikon, for an FX camera for wildlife photography, especially birds, which would be best in terms of dive? the 60-600mm is really versatile but voila, I would really like to have a super dive in the recrop, I don't really know which one to choose, knowing that at the price level I found some on occasion and they all arrive in the same range ... I really hesitate, if you could enlighten me a little above, it would be nice :) thank you.
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.
Still thinking about it just quick question I already have a nikon 300mm does the 500mm fit the same way
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'm considering this lens but have a Nikon D3500. Would it be fully compatible to use?
I transport in Tarmac 5793 bag, fits in with mounted on camera and hood in shooting position. Anvil 27 will also take this in...portions are to be rearranged. To carry in field, I recently changed the collar to Ishoot which is Acra Swiss compatible, and on Bosstrap strap with Acra clamp. Added a padding on Bosstrap. Seems OK
Have you ever used this lens on a D7100? Also how loose/tight is the zoom adjustment? I've had lenses like this that would start. Owings if you were not holding it in position. Which can be a pain in some instances. Great review.
I’ve been struggling in deciding between this lens, an the 80-400 f4-5.6. Thanks for the info!
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 am looking at Peak Design for a bag to store the 200mm-500mm. Did you ever find a bag that can store both the lens and a camera?
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
My only issue with the lens is when using a 2X converter, and the aperture goes to 11 forcing me to use manual focus
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 UA-cam 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.
Is it true it’s hit and miss on that lens when you buy one you could get a bad copy and then sometimes you can get a good copy
Hello Snapchick. Thanks for the video. I'm planning to purchase the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR. I would like ur opinion on which tripod would u suggest for this lens? Also should it be a ball head one? Thanks in advance.
Very nice photographs
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....
Have you use this lens with the Nikon d5600 ???
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.
200-500 or the tamron 150-600 g2...which do you prefer as i am looking for something to pair with my Z6?
Hi Sir,.... Can you please advise that At 500mm, who has the better image sharpness, Tamron G2 or Nikon 200 to 500 mm F5.6
I bought the Nikon 200-500 and using it with my D850. When I turn the zoom while hand holding the lens shifts slightly on the mount in the direction I'm turning. Wondering if you're experiencing the same. Not sure if I should exchange for a different one or if all of them are like this. There is some play on the mount. Thoughts?
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.
Thank you for the review. I was hoping to find one on this lens. By any chance have you tried it with the Z 6II?
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!
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!
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.
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.....
Hi , I am Dr bala. Does Nikon d3500 compatible with Sigma 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary or sports. And does it will be compatible with tamron 150-600. And Nicor 200-500mm. If so , which is best. Kindly please guide me sir.
Can you use it with DX body?
Yes
I'm just going to disagree with your terminology a little bit. You say the lens is a "fixed aperture" lens, but I would call it "constant aperture.". "Fixed aperture" implies that you can't change the aperture, but you can. "Constant aperture" means that the f-number remains constant as you change the focal length. This is a great feature to have when shooting in manual exposure mode, as the exposure won't vary as you change the focal length.
Hi Leigh, I really enjoy your content. I was wondering do you use the Vr on sport or normal ?
Any update on how to carry this lens? I currently use Peak Design Slide sling to my left so I pick it up by the lens foot.
Not sure if this is the right question on this blog so my apologies in advance if it is out of context! I have a Nikon D7100 and more recently I purchased a Nikon 200-500 lens (thank you TheSnapChick for the recommendation!). That being said I am considering to upgrade my camera - both FX and DX format options are on the table but I have difficulty deciding between FX and DX formats and them which model. Appreciate any help. I am open to all suggestions involving Nikon DSLRs as I have no budget limitations except that monster D5... :-)
What do you find lacking about your D7100?
Hi SnapChick and thank you very much for responding! My camera is by far meeting my needs but there are a few things which I am not entirely happy with:
1. Unable to shoot in RAW in HDR mode.
2. Unable to shoot in Overlay mode when liveview is on.
3. The image overlay is hard to work with.
4. Like build-in wifi and bluetooth to connect to smartphone.
5. Fixed lifeview - prefer the tilting ones.
6. Touch screen is highly preferred.
7. Happy with the camera sensor but you would never have a good enough sensor. I prefer upgrading to FX format for this reason but I also like the fact that I get more zoom out of the same lens on a DX.
8. Camera pixel is good (~24) but prefer one that is even higher but that would probably mean upgrading to some high-end FX models since no Nikon DX has as many pixels as D7100 or D7200.
I hope I make sense… :-)
If you are interested in going full frame, the Z7 (mirrorless) and the D850 (DSLR) are the newest bodies. Both have #4 through #8, including DX crop mode where you can use DX lenses or simply switch to DX mode to see that crop factor you mentioned. As for #1, the Z7 is the only Nikon I know of that will save the RAW images used for HDR mode. I'm not sure about #2 - the D850 manual isn't specific about this so I can't give you a definitive answer. #3 is definitely personal preference. How important each of these items is for you will certainly inform your decision on whether or not to spend money on a new body. :)
Thank you the thorough answer! It is very helpful and much appreciate it! In the balance I think 850 would be my choice. Great minds think alike... :-)
PS. Z7 would be a good choice but given the amount I have already invested in DSLR lenses going for Z7 would end up too costly.
o you recommend it for sports photography or is there another lens better for Nikon and thanks
I like your review. You seem very down-to-earth and honest.
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 for the review, expecting my lens to arrive tomorrow, will be trying it on a Z50.