Nikon 500mm f/4 VR or ?

For a start, all the long lenses from Nikon have outstanding IQ, 300 f2.8 VR, 400 f2.8 VR, 500 f4 VR and the 600 f4 VR. I have the 300 f2.8 VRII and the 500 f4 VR, I also go birding with a friend who has the 600 f4. I could show samples from my lenses, but be assured the results are spectacular.

For an ultimate birding lens, the 600 is the one to have due to reach, but it is BIG and HEAVY! You can use it with almost no penalty in IQ with the 1.4x TCII, little penalty with the 1.7x TCII and 2x TCIII. However you mostly need a tripod or monopod to use it, but we have managed the 600 without these with superb results, but you end up with a sore arm after a while!

The 500 f4 is a more versatile lens for birding in that it is a lot more handholdable, I rarely ever use a monopod or tripod and opt to ramp up ISO if required on the D800 and now my D800E. It will accept the 1.4x TCII with very little penalty but you do need to check AF fine tune. You can use the 1.7x and 2x TC, but again, you need to check AF fine tune and need to stop down a couple of stops toget best results. I rarely go beyond the 1.4x TCII as you really do need a tripod or at very minimum a monopod.

The 400 f2.8 is also a gem of a lens and a very good alternative and from what I have seen and heard accepts all the TC's very well. However, it is just as heavy as the 600 f4 and almost as big and from all reports a little more unwieldy due to the large front element hanging way out if front.

For me, the 300 + 500 combo is about the best combo for versatile birding. Do not discount the 300 f2.8 VRII as a compact birding set up as it accepts all the TC's with impunity with almost no penalty to IQ. I use this combo when I want to go light and leave the 500 at home.

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