200-500 ........i agree exceptional lens and image quality, i do find it to have the edge over the other excellent brands esepcially in colour, the 2.5-1 magnification ratio was my deciding factor.
Speaking of Sigma LOL below is a image from the old 150-500 with broken VR, it just dose so well still.
Taken on the D4 S hand held, this image is so down sized, the original is so tack sharp.
My colleague in the club who is an amazing bird photographer has everything money can buy ..........he is going out spending and doing it all while he still can, he feels if the kids get a couple of million more or less in their inheritance to bad.
Now he has the Z9 currently and ordered all his expensive trick hi end Z glass..........
Ok, he has the 500 PF and finds it amazing because its so small and light, as he shoots mostly at 500mm its his go to bird lens usually was on the D500 then the D850 lately the Z9.
He says the 200-500 is heavier and larger, of course very versatile, he loves it and has no complaints.
Performance difference he says, yes their is a difference, but their is not a lot in it in between them in the real world, he is optically etc very happy with either.
The big advantage with the 500 pf is simply weight and size as we know.
He is contemplating selling the 500 pf when the new Z exotics arrive, i feel their will be a lot of great used glass to choose from as time goes on.
I am seeing more used 400 2.8, 200-400, 500 F4, 600 F4 glass on the used market than ever before.
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