Advice needed choosing telephoto lens Tamron 150-600mm f/5.6 vs NIKKOR 600mm f/4

[ioulia]

Stev,
thank you very much for your suggestions. Could you please specify your opinion on a tripod. There are 3 RRS tripods on B&H site: RRS TFC-34L MK2 Series 3 Long leg ultra light carbon fiber tripod, RRS TVC-34L Versa Series 3 MK2 Carbon Fiber tripod and RRS TFC-34L MK2 Carbon Fiber tripod. Could you recommend to me which one do you use? Thank you!

 

[ioulia]

Sorry for a typo in your name...

 

[Ken Miracle]

Stev,
thank you very much for your suggestions. Could you please specify your opinion on a tripod. There are 3 RRS tripods on B&H site: RRS TFC-34L MK2 Series 3 Long leg ultra light carbon fiber tripod, RRS TVC-34L Versa Series 3 MK2 Carbon Fiber tripod and RRS TFC-34L MK2 Carbon Fiber tripod. Could you recommend to me which one do you use? Thank you!

Hi ioulia I think the fastest way to make sure Steve sees your question is to reply directly to his comment or to start out @Steve that essentially tags him.

 

[Steve]

Stev,
thank you very much for your suggestions. Could you please specify your opinion on a tripod. There are 3 RRS tripods on B&H site: RRS TFC-34L MK2 Series 3 Long leg ultra light carbon fiber tripod, RRS TVC-34L Versa Series 3 MK2 Carbon Fiber tripod and RRS TFC-34L MK2 Carbon Fiber tripod. Could you recommend to me which one do you use? Thank you!

RRS changed their website so I had to look around a bit - the one I use is the TVC-34L MK2. I like the wider mounting plate, although I've yet to actually take advantage of it in any way. My wife has the TFC and likes it and has no issues - and it folds up a bit smaller. Still, I really do like the TVC-34L MK2.

 

[ioulia]

Thank you to everybody who posted their suggestions. I received the lens yesterday and it's a beauty! But what a heavy lens it is! Last night I had dreams about trying to hike with my equipment. Scary! We will be heading back to Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs in September so I am trying to be ready gathering all equipment.
Today I've ordered Kiboko 30L backpack, gimbal head and a plate. I tried to order the RRS TVC-34L MK2 tripod but it is out of stock, so back to the waiting game.
I do have a further question in regards to the camera. I am currently using Nikon D7100. Should I stay with the current camera or look at something else like Nikon D500 instead? Does D500 would work better capturing wildlife than D7100? I believe one gentleman have mentioned switching to a different body camera.
As always, I am grateful for everyone's suggestions. Thank you!

 

[Ken Miracle]

Thank you to everybody who posted their suggestions. I received the lens yesterday and it's a beauty! But what a heavy lens it is! Last night I had dreams about trying to hike with my equipment. Scary! We will be heading back to Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs in September so I am trying to be ready gathering all equipment.
Today I've ordered Kiboko 30L backpack, gimbal head and a plate. I tried to order the RRS TVC-34L MK2 tripod but it is out of stock, so back to the waiting game.
I do have a further question in regards to the camera. I am currently using Nikon D7100. Should I stay with the current camera or look at something else like Nikon D500 instead? Does D500 would work better capturing wildlife than D7100? I believe one gentleman have mentioned switching to a different body camera.
As always, I am grateful for everyone's suggestions. Thank you!

I had a D7100 and now use a D500 (actually have 2) and D850. The D500 is my primary wildlife camera and it has a lot of African game to it's credit. I shoot birds in flight and the D500 and D850 with battery grip and the big EN EL 18 battery the big battery speeds up the frame rate on the D850. The D500 gets the most work. I just got word yesterday that this image will be hanging in the Secretary of States Office here in Idaho. D500 and Tamron 150-600 G2 hand held.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[dabhand16]

I had a D7100 and now use a D500 (actually have 2) and D850. The D500 is my primary wildlife camera and it has a lot of African game to it's credit. I shoot birds in flight and the D500 and D850 with battery grip and the big EN EL 18 battery the big battery speeds up the frame rate on the D850. The D500 gets the most work. I just got word yesterday that this image will be hanging in the Secretary of States Office here in Idaho. D500 and Tamron 150-600 G2 hand held.View attachment 13473

Great shot! Not often you see a fish chasing an eagle!!

 

[Amit]

Everyone has different needs and it's impossible to say if the 600 F/4 is a good choice. In fact, many people don't know until they use it! In some cases, something like a 500PF makes more sense if you need a lighter weight, more portable alternative.

Disclaimer out of the way, I personally own not one but TWO 600 F/4s - one Nikon, one Sony. That lens is my bread and butter for wildlife work. It's fast, takes TCs well, and provides excellent sharpness and background rendering. In addition, it's a rare day that I talk to someone who purchased one and regrets the decision. Most tell me what Charlie said - no regrets. In fact, most of the time if someone rents one and tries it, the next move is to save for one of their own.

And, in fact, that's what I'd recommend here. $13K is a lot of money for a maybe. I recommend renting one for a few days. It's not a cheap rental, but it will completely answer your question and, if you decide it's not for you, prevent a $13K mistake. Plus, LensRentals has a "keeper" program or whatever they call it. On some gear, they allow you to purchase the rental - usually at a discount.

The other advantage to renting is you have zero emotional capital in it. When you make a purchase, there's a natural tendency to justify that purchase to yourself and "talk yourself into it" as it were. With a rental, it's easier to remain objective.

Im thinking purchase a second hand 600 F4 but ... since the future of Nikon is unknown (and seems going to 'less good" place) I still waiting . What do you guys/girls thinking about Nikon future ?

 

[Amit]

Hello,
My name is Ioulia and I love to photograph wildlife - mammals and birds, large and small. For the last several years, I have been successfully using Nikon D7100 with Tamron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 G2 lens and 1.4 TC to take pictures of wildlife. Last September my husband and I visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for the fourth time where we saw so much wildlife and I used my telephoto Tamron lens quite extensively. Right before my trip, I found this site and Steve's books. I purchased ebooks on Nikon autofocus and wildlife, have studied them and got a lot of help and advice on how to improve my pictures. The information is absolutely invaluable and had helped me a lot.
Last October I looked through the forum and started thinking about upgrading my telephoto lens to AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4 E FL ED VR lens. It is expensive ($13K including NY tax) and heavier but after reading reviews and looking through images taken with this lens, I was ready to pull the plug on it. In addition to the lens I was going to upgrade tripod as well. I have placed the order with B&H photo store in NY last October. The lens was supposed to arrive a month later, however here we are in January 2021 and the store still don't have the lens. More, B&H's customer service is so poor, they can't tell me when for sure the lens will be available.
I need advice from anyone who will read this post on whether I should go for the lens and therefore spend more money to upgrade the rest of my gear, i.e. tripod, backpack. Looking at the images taken with the NIKKOR, it is very easy to see the difference between images taken with Tamron and Nikon lenses. However, I really would like to hear from other photographers and Steve confirming my decision on getting the lens. Is it worth waiting for this lens? It seems like the B&H store is a sole distributor for this particular lens in the US. Would it work well with my Nikon D7100 and 1.4 TC? I am grateful for everybody's time answering my post.
P.S. We will be going back to WY this September and I am anxious to take more wildlife pictures.
Thank you,
Ioulia

Hi ,


About B&H customer service you are absolutely wrong. Im b&h customer for many years ... when I had a problem or a question I always been answer in the best way!!.

 

[Steve]

Im thinking purchase a second hand 600 F4 but ... since the future of Nikon is unknown (and seems going to 'less good" place) I still waiting . What do you guys/girls thinking about Nikon future ?

From the perspective of a second-hand lens, I think you're probably safe. If something did happen to Nikon, lenses like that may actually increase in value. Plus, there is a sea of second-hand Nikon gear out there as well, so I think you'd get your use from it.

Personally, I think Nikon will stick around. They were struggling with DSLRs a bit before the D3 came out and then every one wanted a Nikon. Where I'd worry is if they come out with higher-end Z8/9 bodies that are well behind the Canon and Sony offerings.

 

[ioulia]

In regards to the B&H customer service, I have had multiple conversations about lens availability and only one person at the end explained to me that they have no idea when the lens will be in stock, the estimates are only just that, estimates and availability of the lens depends only on Nikon. Before that every single B&H rep was giving me the date when the lens will be in stock. Since then, everything went smoothly, no problem with ordering other stuff.

 

[ioulia]

Steve, could you please comment on my question about D7100 and D500? thank you!

 

[Steve]

Steve, could you please comment on my question about D7100 and D500? thank you!

Oh, there's no comparison. The D500 is a far more capable camera. Heck, I had a D7000 and didn't upgrade to the D7100 because of the small buffer, I waited for the D7200. When the D500 came out, I don't think I ever used a 7xxx series again. Not that they are "bad" but the D500 is just so good.

 

[fulltimewanderer]

Have a D500, D850 and a D4, that I use with the 600, D500 and D850 both have grips. I use the D500 if shooting from a distance, with a barrier that prevents the subject from getting close, such as a river. D4 if the lighting is low and I need higher iso. D850 is my primary choice, gives so much more flexibility; allows closer distance to subject and higher iso than the D500, more pixels than the D4 if cropping is necessary. Im sure that you will enjoy the 600mm with your choice of camera(s). Happy Shooting.

 

[Jaap L]

.......... I just got word yesterday that this image will be hanging in the Secretary of States Office here in Idaho. D500 and Tamron 150-600 G2 hand held. ....

Great shot Ken! And certainly a valuable addition to the Secretary of States Office. Did the fish survived the grib of this beautiful eagle?

 

[Nikondale]

I have shot all mentioned. Today, with hand-hold in the rear view mirror of life, I have found the tripod is a must. Now to the lens dilemma. My suggestions is, based on actual use and given a moderate budget, the Nikon 500P, a good monopod with a gimbal-style head, and or a stout tripod and Whimberly head. If money is no object, the Nikon 600E. By the way your September trip sounds fantastic.
Keep shooting, Dale
PS a camera body upgrade might be nice and the D500 is a good starting choice.

 

[Ken Miracle]

Great shot Ken! And certainly a valuable addition to the Secretary of States Office. Did the fish survived the grib of this beautiful eagle?

Thank you probably not since it was stunned from passing through the turbines of the dam but possible.

 

[Abinoone]

Hello,
My name is Ioulia and I love to photograph wildlife - mammals and birds, large and small. For the last several years, I have been successfully using Nikon D7100 with Tamron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 G2 lens and 1.4 TC to take pictures of wildlife. Last September my husband and I visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for the fourth time where we saw so much wildlife and I used my telephoto Tamron lens quite extensively. Right before my trip, I found this site and Steve's books. I purchased ebooks on Nikon autofocus and wildlife, have studied them and got a lot of help and advice on how to improve my pictures. The information is absolutely invaluable and had helped me a lot.
Last October I looked through the forum and started thinking about upgrading my telephoto lens to AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4 E FL ED VR lens. It is expensive ($13K including NY tax) and heavier but after reading reviews and looking through images taken with this lens, I was ready to pull the plug on it. In addition to the lens I was going to upgrade tripod as well. I have placed the order with B&H photo store in NY last October. The lens was supposed to arrive a month later, however here we are in January 2021 and the store still don't have the lens. More, B&H's customer service is so poor, they can't tell me when for sure the lens will be available.
I need advice from anyone who will read this post on whether I should go for the lens and therefore spend more money to upgrade the rest of my gear, i.e. tripod, backpack. Looking at the images taken with the NIKKOR, it is very easy to see the difference between images taken with Tamron and Nikon lenses. However, I really would like to hear from other photographers and Steve confirming my decision on getting the lens. Is it worth waiting for this lens? It seems like the B&H store is a sole distributor for this particular lens in the US. Would it work well with my Nikon D7100 and 1.4 TC? I am grateful for everybody's time answering my post.
P.S. We will be going back to WY this September and I am anxious to take more wildlife pictures.
Thank you,
Ioulia

Hi,
Just a FYI - you can apply for B&H's Payboo card and get an instant rebate on the NYS taxes (over $1,000 on the 600mm f4). I have one and save a ton in taxes every year. Good luck!

 

[ioulia]

Too bad, I found out about it after the purchase. Thank you.

 

[ioulia]

I had a D7100 and now use a D500 (actually have 2) and D850. The D500 is my primary wildlife camera and it has a lot of African game to it's credit. I shoot birds in flight and the D500 and D850 with battery grip and the big EN EL 18 battery the big battery speeds up the frame rate on the D850. The D500 gets the most work. I just got word yesterday that this image will be hanging in the Secretary of States Office here in Idaho. D500 and Tamron 150-600 G2 hand held.View attachment 13473

Ken, what a beautiful image. The heck with the Secretary of States office, you should frame it for your wall! Where was it shot? I saw lots of bold eagles in AK. thank you for advice on equipment.

 

[Abinoone]

Too bad, I found out about it after the purchase. Thank you.

I'm quite sure that you could return the lens, then repurchase it using the Payboo card. Heck, for $1,000+, I'd do it! You might first talk to B&H to see if they will make an adjustment for you without the hassle of doing a return. In the meanwhile, get the Payboo card - it's free!

 

[ioulia]

Have a D500, D850 and a D4, that I use with the 600, D500 and D850 both have grips. I use the D500 if shooting from a distance, with a barrier that prevents the subject from getting close, such as a river. D4 if the lighting is low and I need higher iso. D850 is my primary choice, gives so much more flexibility; allows closer distance to subject and higher iso than the D500, more pixels than the D4 if cropping is necessary. Im sure that you will enjoy the 600mm with your choice of camera(s). Happy Shooting.

Thank you for your reply. If I want just one camera for now and I have Nikon Nikkor 600mm F/4, Tamron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 and Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 lenses, which camera would you recommend, D500 or D850? I really don't see myself getting 2 cameras now. Also, it is very nice to have a designated camera for each lens and don't switch every time I see wildlife. Traveling to WY in September for 2 weeks, I need to be mindful of flying with all my equipment. If I hike, I will be bringing primarily Nikkor 600mm with me for wildlife, if I see something that moving fast, i.e. wolf, I could hand hold Tamron 600mm. Last September saw wolf and was able to get decent shots with hand hold Tamron 600mm. Also, saw a grizzly with a fresh kill (elk), spent several hours watching him. Have very nice pictures of him and his meal.

 

[ioulia]

Oh, there's no comparison. The D500 is a far more capable camera. Heck, I had a D7000 and didn't upgrade to the D7100 because of the small buffer, I waited for the D7200. When the D500 came out, I don't think I ever used a 7xxx series again. Not that they are "bad" but the D500 is just so good.

Steve, thank you for your advice!

 

[DRwyoming]

Thank you for your reply. If I want just one camera for now and I have Nikon Nikkor 600mm F/4, Tamron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 and Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 lenses, which camera would you recommend, D500 or D850? I really don't see myself getting 2 cameras now. Also, it is very nice to have a designated camera for each lens and don't switch every time I see wildlife. Traveling to WY in September for 2 weeks, I need to be mindful of flying with all my equipment. If I hike, I will be bringing primarily Nikkor 600mm with me for wildlife, if I see something that moving fast, i.e. wolf, I could hand hold Tamron 600mm. Last September saw wolf and was able to get decent shots with hand hold Tamron 600mm. Also, saw a grizzly with a fresh kill (elk), spent several hours watching him. Have very nice pictures of him and his meal.

If forced to choose one of those two cameras it would be the D850. Basically the D850's sensor in crop mode is very similar to a D500 so you more or less have a high density full frame camera with a D500 built in via DX crop mode. To get better FPS performance out of the D850 I'd suggest the vertical grip and larger battery if traveling with just the one camera.

That said, I always carry a back up camera body when traveling for wildlife photography even when traveling by air. It's a hassle and more gear to carry but a camera body failure at a distant location when only carrying a single body really sucks.

 

[MrB]

Everyone has different needs and it's impossible to say if the 600 F/4 is a good choice. In fact, many people don't know until they use it! In some cases, something like a 500PF makes more sense if you need a lighter weight, more portable alternative.

Disclaimer out of the way, I personally own not one but TWO 600 F/4s - one Nikon, one Sony. That lens is my bread and butter for wildlife work. It's fast, takes TCs well, and provides excellent sharpness and background rendering. In addition, it's a rare day that I talk to someone who purchased one and regrets the decision. Most tell me what Charlie said - no regrets. In fact, most of the time if someone rents one and tries it, the next move is to save for one of their own.

And, in fact, that's what I'd recommend here. $13K is a lot of money for a maybe. I recommend renting one for a few days. It's not a cheap rental, but it will completely answer your question and, if you decide it's not for you, prevent a $13K mistake. Plus, LensRentals has a "keeper" program or whatever they call it. On some gear, they allow you to purchase the rental - usually at a discount.

The other advantage to renting is you have zero emotional capital in it. When you make a purchase, there's a natural tendency to justify that purchase to yourself and "talk yourself into it" as it were. With a rental, it's easier to remain objective.

Very good counsel Steve. With the cost of gear nowadays, try before you buy is virtually mandatory, unless you are rolling in dough, of course.