Phoenix, Arizona.

Usually, on Thursdays, I publish my response to the weekly Lens-Artists Challenge; however, the Lens-Artists team is our summer break. There was no challenge post on July 6, but on Saturday, July 13, the first of three guests will host July’s challenges. For the record, the July Lens-Artists Guest Host schedule is at the end of this post.

As a result, here’s my chance to share some photos I captured at the Phoenix Zoo. By way of disclaimer, this post is not a review; it’s a journal of my experience with a couple of long lenses. Visiting with other photographers about getting into birding and wildlife photography, I’d been recommended to purchase a long lens for my D500, a Nikon 200-500 mm F/5.6 that is very popular among Nikon shooters. I stopped at Tempe Camera to see what they had available in used lenses. I was shown a Nikon lens that met the recommendation for $850, but the salesperson also showed me a Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 offered at $350.

The Sigma appeared to be a little more well-worn than the Nikon I was shown, but besides the lower price, it had three other advantages. It weighs less than the Nikon, is shorter than the Nikon, and has an extended zoom range. I wouldn’t have to change lenses if I needed a wider shot.

Tempe Camera has a reasonable return policy on its used gear. I was told that I could evaluate the lens and return it if I wasn’t satisfied in five days. I fired a couple of test shots in the store, and the photos looked good as viewed on the back of the camera, so I plunked down my credit card. I added a lens carry case and a monopod to help me hold the large lens steady.

At the zoo, Lynn and I enjoyed wandering around while I looked for opportunities to take some test shots. When I got home, I downloaded the set and selected 13 photos to process and evaluate. I found that the lens’s stabilization worked nicely even at the slower shutter speeds, but these animals weren’t moving all that much anyway. The images are generally sharp, and the lens appears to have plenty of life left. I posted the original and edited versions of the Sigma photos on Flickr here.

I spent some time looking for reviews of the Sigma lens since it is no longer available as new. Finding online reviews was difficult as searches either brought up a predecessor or a newer replacement. Remembering there is a used Nikon option, and I could still return the Sigma, I watched some reviews of the Nikon 200-500 mm lens. I could still purchase that lens today for $1400 new, and despite the advantages of the Sigma noted above, I decided to spend the extra $500 for the used Nikon they had available.

I immediately noticed the Nikon’s extra weight. While I lost the advantage of a faster 50 mm wide angle, I gained an additional 1/3 stop at 500 mm. That extra light helped capture this mandrill in the shade, especially given the faster shutter speed I used. I also considered that Nikon’s service on this lens should be available if I ever need it.

Another trip to the zoo was in order. I could take advantage of Tempe Camera’s 5-day return policy on used equipment, and if I found anything wrong with the lens, they even had another used Nikon 200-500 available. I decided to keep the Nikon. Both lenses, designed for full-frame DSLRs, gave me extra reach on my D500, which is an APS-C crop sensor camera, giving me the equivalent of a 750 mm maximum zoom.

One key difference in my test shots between the Sigma and Nikon is that I used a faster shutter speed with the Nikon. After evaluating many of the Sigma images I shot, I realized that many of my photos were marred with motion blur, either from the animal or camera movements (even though I was using a monopod.) Still, I had plenty of Sigma shots that were not blurred, so I considered it a fair comparison, knowing that the blur was caused by operator error.

I purchased the lens in April, and after a couple of months of using it, I’ve learned that I can actually dispense with the monopod in some cases. While I may use it for some purposes, I’m building enough muscle to handhold the 5-lb (2.3 kg) lens. That means fewer trips to the gym for me. I posted the original and edited versions of the Nikon photos on Flickr here.

If I do not enjoy wildlife photography after all, I’m sure I can find other uses for this specialty lens. I brought it with the monopod to a track meet where my grandson ran in several heats. I had only a few unacceptable photos and learned to keep the monopod still when shooting.

As promised, here’s the schedule for guest hosts in July 2024:

July 13: Leanne of Leanne Cole explores TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

July 20: Elizabeth of Albatz Travel Adventures leads us with PAIRS

July 27: PR of Flights of the Soul presents BALCONIES

John Steiner