[davidmanze]

I'm a bit suspicious about that 200-500/5.6

 

It appears to be a miracle how much Nikon is asking for their new 500 and 600 lenses  - only for the update there's a price difference to the old version one could buy this 200-500 as well. So, there's no free lunch and I'm looking forward to read what will be the downsides?

 

It's a bit heavier than it's 150-600 rivals (except the Sports version from Sigma). Closest focal distance is 2.2 m vs. 2.6 m (Sigma) which is nice for butterflies.

 



 

I haven't seen a picture of the lens at full extension and I wonder if the tripod collar is sufficent to hold it. There's a zoom lock on the Sigma and it is needed, I have to lock at 600 mm when I want to snap the moon.

 

Also, my experience with the new VR of  the 300/4 PF E was not that exciting. The lens remained a month at Nikon until they got the firmware delivered and in it's repair report they mentioned a lot of parts. And I'm not confident about the "weak shutter times". Those are improved but taking a picture with 1/125 is gambling, at least with my hands. Therefore not only a software update. I hope they learnt their lesson, but for sure, I wouldn't run for it even if I hadn't got the Sigma after 8 months wait.

 

Good thing with Nikon is: Announcement and rollout are close, question is only if they have enough units in supply.

 

I'm a bit hesitating to post a link to my testshots with the Sigma as I'm a total newbie with lenses > 200 mm. But maybe there a re other newbies as well, so from newbie to newbie: https://sojujo.smugmug.com/Testshots/Sig...600-Sports

 

Most of them are crops, as 600 mm might be enough for experienced birders (where I'm also a newbie). But I do see them in a distance...  :mellow:

  We will have to wait and see how the Nikon shapes up, in terms of  VR, I have the AFS 70-300mm which works well but Nikon have this area around 1/160 sec which produces soft results and is best kept clear of, ( maybe a conflict of frequency of the VR system)  However it will be competing with the Tamron who's VC is in question when panning.

    When shooting BIF VR is of little consequence as shutter speeds need to be nearer 1/2000 sec to keep beating wings sharp and even at those speeds the Tamron's VC blurs the result when panning so I rarely use it, except for stationary targets, moon shots and the like. 

   The bottom line is decent long zooms have been thin on the ground until the last year or so I give a big welcome to all comers that arrive at the party especially when they are around the grand mark, bring them on!

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124690178@N08/