What I Don't Need (But Want Really Badly)

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I've an acquaintance who just added the D850 to his arsenal, and frequently pairs it with the Sigma Sport 500mm lens. What he is getting out of the combo is stunning. Now, I feel compelled to get either the camera, or a 500mm lens. With the current setup, he is seriously cropping the images he gets, so I'm inclined to go after the lens first. So, my dilemma is which lens to purchase; the Sigma Sport, the Nikon 500 f/4 (used), or the Nikon 200-500.

Any thoughts?

WM
 

lokatz

Senior Member
In my view, this is a solid review of the 200-500 vs the 500 that may help you decide. Having bought a 200-500 just a week ago, I also looked at lots of YouTube assessments and other online comparisons of the 200-500 vs the Sigma 150-600 Sports and got the impression that the 200-500 is still better, albeit by a hair. Ultimately, unless you have specific shooting preferences one of these meets better than the others, IMHO this comes down to price and weight, with IQ differences being small.

One things seems clear: none of these three is a poor choice.
 

hark

Administrator
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@BackdoorHippie has the Sigma Sport 150mm-600mm. Look through some of his posts about his Nikon 300mm f/4 PF coupled with a teleconverter. Maybe that combo will be another option for you to consider. ;) Hey...I like to spend other people's money!
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
...IMHO this comes down to price and weight, with IQ differences being small.

One things seems clear: none of these three is a poor choice.

If that is the case, then the Nikon 200-500 is the choice to make. Which is what I've told myself, but... sometimes I think I'm lying to myself.

And I do have the 300 f/2.8 and 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters. I just haven't been pleased with them on the 300mm. Maybe instead of a lens purchase, I need to send the lens to Nikon for a checkup and tuneup. That plus the D850 are still less than two of the three lenses by about $1000.

WM

WM
 

hark

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If that is the case, then the Nikon 200-500 is the choice to make. Which is what I've told myself, but... sometimes I think I'm lying to myself.

And I do have the 300 f/2.8 and 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters. I just haven't been pleased with them on the 300mm. Maybe instead of a lens purchase, I need to send the lens to Nikon for a checkup and tuneup. That plus the D850 are still less than two of the three lenses by about $1000.

WM

WM

Which brand teleconverters do you use? Nikon or Kenko? I use the Nikon 1.4x on my 300mm f/4 (non-VR), and the combo is stellar. In any case, between those 2 lenses, if it were my choice, I'd go with the Nikon.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Which brand teleconverters do you use? Nikon or Kenko? I use the Nikon 1.4x on my 300mm f/4 (non-VR), and the combo is stellar. In any case, between those 2 lenses, if it were my choice, I'd go with the Nikon.

Both of my TCs are Nikon. I guess that I'm a brand snob, but early on I got burned with third-party gear, and I guess I still rub the scars from that encounter from time to time. Some of the Sigma lenses are getting such good marks that I will consider third-party gear these days.

WM
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Both of my TCs are Nikon. I guess that I'm a brand snob, but early on I got burned with third-party gear, and I guess I still rub the scars from that encounter from time to time. Some of the Sigma lenses are getting such good marks that I will consider third-party gear these days.

WM

This is my take on this. Either get the Nikon 200-500mm 0r the Siggy sport 150-600 and use either one with the D500 that you already own. I wouldn't even consider the D850 for birding unless I also needed something for landscapes as well, which my D750 already covers (and quite nicely at that).
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
This is my take on this. Either get the Nikon 200-500mm 0r the Siggy sport 150-600 and use either one with the D500 that you already own. I wouldn't even consider the D850 for birding unless I also needed something for landscapes as well, which my D750 already covers (and quite nicely at that).

I thought the same thing about my D750, and I still love it. However, I've seen firsthand what he gets with his D850 over what he got with his D750, and I have to say that it is a totally new realm with the D850.

WM
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
If the D850 is a realm beyond the D750, my wallet is going to be in trouble. I think I’m good to put many more years on the D810 before I replace it, and have the D500 for the crop factor when I need it.


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RocketCowboy

Senior Member
But that said, I’ve been real happy with the 200-500, and with the 300mm pf, but I don’t think they compare IQ wise with your 300/2.8. But then, the Siggy 150-600 isn’t going to either. As Iokatz said, the benefits on the big zooms are price and weight.


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Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I'd like to see the shots where the 850 is in a different realm than the 750.

If the D850 is a realm beyond the D750, my wallet is going to be in trouble. I think I’m good to put many more years on the D810 before I replace it, and have the D500 for the crop factor when I need it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What I see that's a whole new realm is in the details in his shots. Things like the details in feathers, and aircraft cockpit interiors, that he is seeing with his D850 that just weren't quite there in the D750. To me, this is not a surprise due to the increase in sensor pixel density over the D750. How much of this is due to the new sensor design ("back side illuminated") incorporated into the D850, or due to the lack of the low pass optical filter, I don't know. It could be that he's now incorporating something else that helps his photography. I just see better details.

Mind you, I'm not complaining about the D750, which is still a phenomenal camera, and I don't plan to get rid of mine any time soon. What it may do is cause me to retire my D700, though.

WM
 

Danno

Senior Member
I cannot speak to the D850 I do like the Nikon 200-500 f5.6. It is just nice. I use it mostly on my D7200. I think it would do very well on the 850. My only problem is the I need a tripod or monopod for the lens these days. I am to wobbly otherwise :D
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
What I see that's a whole new realm is in the details in his shots. Things like the details in feathers, and aircraft cockpit interiors, that he is seeing with his D850 that just weren't quite there in the D750. To me, this is not a surprise due to the increase in sensor pixel density over the D750. How much of this is due to the new sensor design ("back side illuminated") incorporated into the D850, or due to the lack of the low pass optical filter, I don't know. It could be that he's now incorporating something else that helps his photography. I just see better details.

Mind you, I'm not complaining about the D750, which is still a phenomenal camera, and I don't plan to get rid of mine any time soon. What it may do is cause me to retire my D700, though.

WM

How much pixel peeping does it take to see a difference?
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I cannot speak to the D850 I do like the Nikon 200-500 f5.6. It is just nice. I use it mostly on my D7200. I think it would do very well on the 850. My only problem is the I need a tripod or monopod for the lens these days. I am to wobbly otherwise :D

I find the 200-500 to be an OK lens on my 750 and 7200. Probably my lousy technique, but I'm used to fast glass. For me, it would be awful on the 850 unless SS is around 1/3200.
 
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Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I find the 200-500 to be an OK lens on my 750 and 7200. Probably my lousy technique, but I'm used to fast glass. For me, it would be awful on the 850 unless SS is around 1/3200.

One of the common elements of the D850 reviews is that it will expose your flaws, as do the D8xx series, and, well, any others if your flaws are bad enough. Motion blur must be compensated for when handholding by increasing the shutter speed considerably.

WM
 

Danno

Senior Member
I find the 200-500 to be an OK lens on my 750 and 7200. Probably my lousy technique, but I'm used to fast glass. For me, it would be awful on the 850 unless SS is around 1/3200.

That is exactly why I am using the monopod or tripod. So I can keep the shutter speed around 1600 for birds and such, and slower for stationary stuff. Keeps me from looking like I am waving a magic wand about. :)
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
One of the common elements of the D850 reviews is that it will expose your flaws, as do the D8xx series, and, well, any others if your flaws are bad enough. Motion blur must be compensated for when handholding by increasing the shutter speed considerably.

WM

Funny how no one ever says that about the D7200 which pretty much has the same pixel density as the D850.
 
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