In few weeks I shall travel to Alaska and I am wondering if the 80-400 is the best choice compared to 150-600 by Tamron or Sigma. Does anybody use these lenses with D850 and gets good IQ at 600/6.3. .
What camera are you using? What subjects do you intend to photograph? How close do you think you will be to your subjects? Nature photography spans a lot of subjects.
Whilst I feel the 80-400 f4.5-5.6G VR is very underrated it may not be long enough depending on what you are going to photograph. It's big advantage is that it is relatively small and light compared to the Tamron 150-600 and Sigma 150-600 Contemporary. However, both of these two zooms are excellent, but I think the Tamron has the slight edge over the Sigma Contemporary. I think the Tamron is probably a tad sharper at 400mm than the Nikon is at 400mm. They are reasonably close in centre performance but the Nikon is better at the edges. I have used the Tamron and found it to be an excellent lens, but you have to be sure you have enough room and are happy to carry the weight.
Another option is the 200-500 f5.6, which serves many owners very well. Especially with the D500. OTH, to pair on you D850 consider the combo of tele-zoom with a telephoto prime. Or 2 primes....
If not 80-400 G, then 70-200 f4G (or even better the f2.8E version) with a 500 PF as it's so lightweight.
Or consider both the 300 PF and 500 PF. They each couple well with a TC14 III
I happen to have both the 80-400 and the tamron g2 150-600mm, shooting with the d850.
The vast majority of the time, the 150-600 sits on my camera. I also shoot with the nikon 500mm f4 and 400mm 2.8 primes. I have been quite happy with the 150-600 images. Focus is a little, and I mean a little, slower. If I pixel peep the $10000 heavy prime lenses are sharper- but just a little. In print- 20x30" or larger- maybe I can tell the difference. Maybe. My prints hang in shows, galleries, homes. No one has ever said one of my prints was soft. Never.
I only use the 80-400 now when I need a filter.
Your mileage may vary, but the g2 is now my go to lens for birds.
Maybe I got a good copy. I have never tried the 200-500. I wanted 600mm.
Gary
chambeshi wrote:
Another option is the 200-500 f5.6, which serves many owners very well. Especially with the D500. OTH, to pair on you D850 consider the combo of tele-zoom with a telephoto prime. Or 2 primes....
If not 80-400 G, then 70-200 f4G (or even better the f2.8E version) with a 500 PF as it's so lightweight.
Or consider both the 300 PF and 500 PF. They each couple well with a TC14 III
Shotokan wrote:
What camera are you using? What subjects do you intend to photograph? How close do you think you will be to your subjects? Nature photography spans a lot of subjects.
For birds you need all the magnification you can get. Myself, i just carry the small 300 f4 PF and tc14. Probably would take a Nikon 200-500mm to AK though.
I am trying to compare the IQ of image shot at 400mm f5.6 with the Nikon 80-400 cropped to 600mm angle with image shot at 600mm f6.3 with Sigma & Tamron.
My doubt is: do any of the 150-600mm @600mm takes advantage of the D850 resolution?
or better stay with the 80-400 @ 400mm and crop?
Thanks
I am trying to compare the IQ of image shot at 400mm f5.6 with the Nikon 80-400 cropped to 600mm angle with image shot at 600mm f6.3 with Sigma & Tamron.
My doubt is: do any of the 150-600mm @600mm takes advantage of the D850 resolution?
or better stay with the 80-400 @ 400mm and crop?
Thanks
I am sure that the 500mm on the 200-500mm f5.6 are sharper than a cropped photo from the maximum 400mm of the 80-400mm. ( which I do have and though it has it‘s place for travel it seems not at it‘s best at the maximum focal length).
aznature wrote:
My doubt is: do any of the 150-600mm @600mm@ takes advantage of the D850 resolution?
or better stay with the 80-400 @ 400mm and crop?
Thanks
If you aren't using a tripod I highly doubt you'll see any difference.
aznature wrote:
If you compare the IQ of image shot at 500mm 5.6 with 200-500 with 80-400 @ 400mm 5.6 cropped to 500mm angle, is IQ identical or different?
My 200-500 is sharper than my 80-400 at equivalent focal lengths; i.e. from 200 mm through 400mm.
I found my 80-400 performed best at f10.
.....a few shots from both lenses
For some reason the Exif data is not showing. It may be because this is cropped from the cover shot of my book. I believe this was shot with the 200-500
Let me share some facts and thoughts (it cost me $15 here so it must be good....)
Recently i visited the west coast and had the opportunity to sample images from my son who was using D850+80-400mm. I was shooting with Sony A7 II + Sigma 150-600 C.
We were shooting sea lions in a distance i would estimate as 100 Yards.
My son was using 400mm @f5.6 i was using 600mm f8.
I am posting these two crops of these images, since i am so much interested in the details.
Please tell me which is which. Do not get me wrong, this is not an attempt to advertise any brand, just for evaluation purpose. At the end of the day, i sold my D810 and bought the D850 thinking about my future trip to Alaska.
There is one question on my mind: What could have been the result of D850+Sigma 150-600 @600mm, This thought was the reason to initiate this thread.
Please share your thoughts
Note:
I am aware that the settings are different, but the bottom line points are:
1. Trip far from home (traveling light) and rare opportunities.
2. Wildlife in a distance
3. shooting for details
aznature wrote:
Let me share some facts and thoughts (it cost me $15 here so it must be good....)
Recently i visited the west coast and had the opportunity to sample images from my son who was using D850+80-400mm. I was shooting with Sony A7 II + Sigma 150-600 C.
We were shooting sea lions in a distance i would estimate as 100 Yards.
My son was using 400mm @f5.6 i was using 600mm f8.
I am posting these two crops of these images, since i am so much interested in the details.
Please tell me which is which. Do not get me wrong, this is not an attempt to advertise any brand, just for evaluation purpose. At the end of the day, i sold my D810 and bought the D850 thinking about my future trip to Alaska....Show more →
The top one is the A7 and Sigma 150-600 C, while the bottom one is the D850 and 80-400mm. From what I know of both lens, they get softer towards the edges, but the Sigma more so. This leads me to believe the top image is not cropped as much (if at all), while the bottom image is, as the edges look better, as if I'm looking at just the center of the original. Also, the definition in the out of focus areas look more well defined and more in focus in the bottom image leading me to believe it's the shorter focal length.
aznature wrote:
There is one question on my mind: What could have been the result of D850+Sigma 150-600 @600mm@, This thought was the reason to initiate this thread.
Please share your thoughts
The image taken with the Sigma 150-600 C looks to have some kind of filter on it, which appears to be degrading your image. It would be difficult to compare as such. Both lens are capable and can provide good results. I may give the edge to the 80-400mm as the better lens however. It's better built and easier to travel with as well, but if you need 600mm, then it's moot.
dan.h wrote:
The top one is the A7 and Sigma 150-600 C, while the bottom one is the D850 and 80-400mm. From what I know of both lens, they get softer towards the edges, but the Sigma more so. This leads me to believe the top image is not cropped as much (if at all), while the bottom image is, as the edges look better, as if I'm looking at just the center of the original. Also, the definition in the out of focus areas look more well defined and more in focus in the bottom image leading me to believe it's the shorter focal length.
The image taken with the Sigma 150-600 C looks to have some kind of filter on it, which appears to be degrading your image. It would be difficult to compare as such. Both lens are capable and can provide good results. I may give the edge to the 80-400mm as the better lens however. It's better built and easier to travel with as well, but if you need 600mm, then it's moot.
Your reasoning does sound good, as I pointed out in my post, the Nikon does have better off centre sharpness and thus I would say that the first image is the A7 + Sigma 150-600. However, due to the fact that the aznature left the EXIF intact, then I am *sure* the first image is the A7 + Sigma 150-600. I agreed with your assessment before I realised that the EXIF was still intact.
