Wondering if anybody here has this lens or has tested used one and what your thoughts are on this lens.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on January 30, 2016 at 10:48 AM
I have the Tamron 150-600 and a friend just got a Nikon 200-500. A couple of days ago, I compared both at 500 mm, f/8, MLU, EFC on my D810 by shooting a cedar fence at 30'. In the center, both looked the same regarding sharpness. The Tamron was softer on the edges and corners while the Nikon looked rather good at the extremes. The Nikon seemed to have slightly better contrast. There are online reviews and comparisons, some with downloadable images.
Hi Douglas! I'm awfully interested in this lens as well but so far have only played with one in the camera store. The constant aperture is a big plus for me and the range is wonderful, and overall it seems like a nice balance of features and feel (although quite the twist to access the full zoom range). I think one of the more informative and neutral reviews I've seen on the lens is from NPN's own Brad Hill...not a single review actually but several observations/musings and updates so far on his blog here (scroll down to December entries).
There's certainly lots of comments on the lens on DPReview and even B&H. The main cons are usually the weight/size (although it is a 200-500mm after all!) and the fact it needed a firmware update shortly after release to fix an AF issue while zooming. Brad also notes the lens hood can come off at inopportune moments when used with various rain protection products. But there's lots to like, and with a few young telephoto users in the family, it certainly has my attention!
Thanks John and Doug I'll check those out. I did get a chance to use the lens this week and Im impressed with the image coming out of this lens. Yes there are things that you can point that are weak points but the price and image quialty are really what Im looking at here. I own the 500mm f.4 but its not something I can backpack up into the mountains with. I have of course but its not good for me or the lens! Im going to go check out Brad's blog but I'm pretty sure after last night Im going to pull the trigger on this lens soon.
Discussion
3 repliesThere's certainly lots of comments on the lens on DPReview and even B&H. The main cons are usually the weight/size (although it is a 200-500mm after all!) and the fact it needed a firmware update shortly after release to fix an AF issue while zooming. Brad also notes the lens hood can come off at inopportune moments when used with various rain protection products. But there's lots to like, and with a few young telephoto users in the family, it certainly has my attention!