Nikon 200-500 or 80-400 ??

jpgreenwood

jpgreenwood

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jason
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I want a lens for aviation type photography, and maybe some bird/wildlife. Something fast, good reach, good in low light.
I have a Nikon D500 and Sigma 150-600C, Nikon 300mm F4 prime, and an old Mk1 Sigma 50-150mm F2.8.

On a recent trip to a well known Lake District spot, for passing RAF aircraft, i was shocked at how restrictive the Bigma was. It got me too close and it was difficult to follow the aircraft through.
The 300mm prime was also very restrictive. Great as the Aircraft entered the valley, but as it got closer, again filled the frame.

I resorted to the Sigma 50-150 and came away with a few shots i was happy with, but its not as sharp as i would like.
There are photographers on these forums who i aspire to (Robmac et al) who produce phenomenal shots and maybe have much better equipment to hand. I also need to work on my technique in following the aircraft.

Im not getting the use of the Bigma so im thinking of trading it for either of the 2 choices in the title.

Thoughts???

Examples of the Sigma 50-150.....
_JAY0269 by jason greenwood, on Flickr
_JAY0238 by jason greenwood, on Flickr
_JAY0279 by jason greenwood, on Flickr
 
I have had great results with the Nikon 300 f4, the Tamron 150-600 and the Nikon 200-500.

All were similar- the 300mm shaded it but its a lot harder panning with the other 2 at 500mm at 1/250 than it is with the 300mm. If I was going for one of them I would probably say the Tamron in terms of value for money and that but extra reach! That said, I the 200-500 was very good and no problem in recommending that - cheaper used than the 80-400??
 
If the bigma was restrictive, what’s the reason behind a 200-500 ?
 
damianmkv said:
If the bigma was restrictive, what’s the reason behind a 200-500 ?
Click to expand...

Maybe a bit smaller, but I think it performs better, and its F5.6 as apposed to F6.3 for the Bigma.
The 80-400 is also F5.6 but ive been told lenses are always worst at their maximum length? However, im not sure if the older model will give me the results im looking for?
 
Ok, I meant that you said the bigma got you too close so surely 200mm min would be worse ?

I appreciate there’s advantages too
 
I agree with the above, it 150mm wasn't wide enough then 200mm is going to be worse. I also wouldn't sell the Sigma 150-600mm to replace it with the Nikon, IQ is comparable and you get more reach with the Sigma, and it's lighter. F5.6 vs f6.3 makes very little difference, especially on a camera that can handle noise as well as the D500.

If it's just a bought of GAS then maybe selling the 50-150mm and getting a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 or f4 would be a better option?
 
I agree with Snerkler, the Nikon 70-200mm would be a good choice and will take a 1.4 tc if needed.
 
If it's a straight choice between the 80-400mm and the 200-500mm I'd go for the latter. I shot the newer 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G on the D500 for about a year, mainly on aviation projects. The AF acquisition and tracking was ok not brilliant. I ran the 200-500mm f/5.6 along side for a few months and there was a noticeable improvement so the 80-400mm went.

The 70-200 f/2.8 VRII and the newer FL both perform really well on the D500 for shorter reach requirements.

GC
 
gcgraphs said:
If it's a straight choice between the 80-400mm and the 200-500mm I'd go for the latter. I shot the newer 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G on the D500 for about a year, mainly on aviation projects. The AF acquisition and tracking was ok not brilliant. I ran the 200-500mm f/5.6 along side for a few months and there was a noticeable improvement so the 80-400mm went.

The 70-200 f/2.8 VRII and the newer FL both perform really well on the D500 for shorter reach requirements.

GC
Click to expand...

Thanks. Your posts are also ones that I greatly admire.
 
jpgreenwood said:
I want a lens for aviation type photography, and maybe some bird/wildlife. Something fast, good reach, good in low light.
I have a Nikon D500 and Sigma 150-600C, Nikon 300mm F4 prime, and an old Mk1 Sigma 50-150mm F2.8.
Click to expand...

As you already have Sigmas how about the 120-300 2.8? adding a 1.4tc will also give a nice 170-420 F4. I really like my 200-500 but I fear it won't give you anything more than you already have.
 
If It Moves... said:
As you already have Sigmas how about the 120-300 2.8? adding a 1.4tc will also give a nice 170-420 F4. I really like my 200-500 but I fear it won't give you anything more than you already have.
Click to expand...

Good suggestion.
 
The Nikon 200-500 is no better than your Sigma 150-600.

Sounds like you need something in the 50-150 range that is better than your Sigma.

I’ll throw a curve ball. The Tamron 35-150 2.8-4. Is a very sharp well regarded lens.
 
Im wondering if my Nikon300mm F4 prime, with my Kenko pro 1.4TC would be any better than the 150-600 Bigma at full reach?
 
i have the sigma 120-300 2.8 os its a heavy [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] and im a big lad, ok on a monopod
but the nikon 200-500 can be hand held all day
i use both lens's on the d500 and d850 killer combos
 
jpgreenwood said:
Im wondering if my Nikon300mm F4 prime, with my Kenko pro 1.4TC would be any better than the 150-600 Bigma at full reach?
Click to expand...
Try it and see, my guess is no as the 300mm + 1.4TC is 'only' giving you 420mm vs 600mm, so on the D500 this would give you a 10mp image when cropped to a 600mm FOV, and reduce the IQ on an image that's already had it's IQ reduced by the TC (albeit not by much).
 
or try a sigma 50-500mm or there new 60-600mm
why not get a ff body !
 
holty said:
i have the sigma 120-300 2.8 os its a heavy b*****d and im a big lad, ok on a monopod
but the nikon 200-500 can be hand held all day
i use both lens's on the d500 and d850 killer combos
Click to expand...
Do you find much use for the D500 when you've got the D850?
 
mainly use the d500 as the second camera now
if i need the extra reach i just use dx mode which is a 20mp image
 
Last edited:
holty said:
mainly use the d500 as the second camera now
if i need the extra reach i just use dx mode which is a 20mp image
Click to expand...
That's what I thought, the D850 covers everything unless you need more than 9fps (y)
 
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