Tamron 150-600 take on Tamron 200-500, Sigma 50-500 OS, and Canon 100-400L.

[iGas]

Inconceivable, the Tamron zoom tie with the Canon L prime.

Perhaps it is a comparison between a sharp copy of the Tamron and a not so good Canon copy. However, I was interested in the Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 Sport, but now Tamron have my attention.

UPDATED: TAMRON SP 150-600MM VC SP USD VS CANON EF 400MM F5.6L USM

 

[iGas]

Tamron 150-600 Telezoom Shootout

There’s been a lot of interest in the newly released Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 SP Di VC USD lens. (For those wondering what the initials mean, VC means vibration control, the others all read ‘marketing drivel’.) But meaningless initials or not, with a price under $1,100, a superior range, and vibration control, this lens has created a lot of excitement.
Recently, the good people at Imatest have developed an ultra-high resolution, backlit chart printed on photographic film that is perfect for testing long telephoto lenses in the lab. The combination of a new, cool Imatest setup and a new, cool lens proved irresistible, so we decided to compare the new Tamron with the older Tamron 200-500mm, Sigma 50-500mm OS, and Canon 100-400 IS lenses...

The bottom line, though, is at 400mm the Tamron 150-600 VC and Canon 100-400 IS are virtually identical, with the Tamron 200-500 and Sigma 50-500 a bit behind. Let’s keep it in perspective, though, both the Sigma and Tamron 200-500 are still very good at 400mm.
(As an aside, because I expect it will come up in discussions, there are a number of people on the internet who say their Canon 100-400 isn’t as sharp at 400mm as it is at shorter focal lengths. My experience is this usually means a slightly decentered front element. Good copies are equally sharp throughout the zoom range.)

It seems as if the Tamron is well worth the money. The IQ match Sigma at the short end but a bit below Canon, and at the long end it come close/match Canon, however it still have the extra 200mm reach over the Canon 100-400L.

Look like this will be the first Tamron lens that earn a spot in my camera bag after 25+ years of photography.

 

[NAC]

Good work Tamron! They will only benefit by Sigma's recent sucess - minds are being changed regarding 3rd party lenses!

For my T4i, I currently have 3 Canon lenses:
18-135 STM
50mm 1.8
70-300 IS

As I plot out upgrades over the next few years, Canon might not make the list! An exception would be if I decide I want to try macro....

Sigma 18-35 1.8
Sigma 50-150 2.8

perhaps Sigma 50 1.4
perhaps Tamron 150-600
perhaps Canon 65mm Macro

 

[elitejp]

Why wouldnt you consider a 3rd party macro lens. From everything ive read macros are all optically excellent so that would be an area I would think you would give 3rd parties priority. That is unless you want the canon macro mp-e 5x

 

[shortylickens]

How come the massive zoom lenses from Canon are in white when all their others are always black?

 

[iGas]

How come the massive zoom lenses from Canon are in white when all their others are always black?

White colour absorb less sunlight/heat than black colour, thus minimize large glass elements expansion, warping, and distortion.

add:

Lenses: Black or white lenses?

Most EF lenses have black barrels, but a few are white (actually a light grey or beige). The white lenses are all large super-telephotos. There is a good reason for this.

Lenses contain glass elements. These expand with heat. This is not usually a problem with compact lenses − the amount of expansion is small. But large lenses contain large elements and here expansion can bring a lens close to the limits of its design tolerances. A white surface reflects sunlight, helping to keep the lens cooler.

Incidentally, you will find that the manual focusing action of some black lenses allows focusing past its infinity setting (sometimes called over-focusing). This is also to allow for expansion. If the lens is used in hot conditions, infinity focusing will be closer to the end of the travel.

 

[destrekor]

:hmm:
I'm subscribing to this thread, because it matches up with my interests.

I haven't shot Tamron since I had my old Nikon n65 35mm camera, and the kit I bought simply came with two Tamron zoom lenses. A photography teacher said he was impressed with the sharpness for those lenses, but I have a feeling at that time, that was still far from good primes.

Currently I have two Nikon primess for my D600 (50 F1.8, 85 F1.8) and a Tokina 16-28 F2.8 (gorgeous results).

After reviews, I have seriously considered the latest Sigma 35 prime (can't recall aperture), but at that price I'd much rather a far more versatile lens at this point in my "photography career."

Especially since the Tokina does so well, and so close (obviously the Sigma's 35mm performance should blow away the Tokina's 28mm performance, though I think the 28 range has some of the best performance on that lens), I really need something to cover the far reach so I can fairly easily adapt to situations in one easy to carry bag, as well as have far more potential to cover other photography interests to help build up my portfolio when I'm ready to really focus on that.

So much equipment I still truly need to even try making a living off of photography, at least this Tamron lens could make it more affordable to cover a lot of photography that doesn't need any more equipment (lighting, for instance).
I still would really need a second camera though - far reach is great, need something for when they are in your face too, and a lens change will mean missed shots).

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Is this new Tamron offering a cropped sensor lens or a full-frame lens? I honestly have done no research.

 

[NAC]

Why wouldnt you consider a 3rd party macro lens. From everything ive read macros are all optically excellent so that would be an area I would think you would give 3rd parties priority. That is unless you want the canon macro mp-e 5x

Agreed - I would certainly consider a 3rd party macro lens - but I don't think there is one like the Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5X.

 

[blastingcap]

How come the massive zoom lenses from Canon are in white when all their others are always black?

Canon's marketing department says it's because white reflects heat better but in reality it doesn't make much difference. Maybe for Canon-only fluorite lenses or something? Personally, whenever I see a guy using a white L-lens, I think "that guy's a mugging target."