Tamron 150-600 f/5-6.3 VC Availability

[StudentOfLight]

I'm hoping for a lens that can live up to the IQ of Tamron's more recent releases (the 24-70VC and 70-200VC), but at only $1100 I'm also quite skeptical. I would have preferred it if Tamron spent an extra $200-300 to make a better lens (e.g. better glass, improved durability). Even at $1400 it would be still be a compelling alternative to the 100-400L if it could keep up optically. At $1100 it seems like the aim was more to be the best third party long zoom than actually compete directly with the 100-400L. 

Who knows, lets wait for the reviews...

[Albi86]

I'm hoping for a lens that can live up to the IQ of Tamron's more recent releases (the 24-70VC and 70-200VC), but at only $1100 I'm also quite skeptical. I would have preferred it if Tamron spent an extra $200-300 to make a better lens (e.g. better glass, improved durability). Even at $1400 it would be still be a compelling alternative to the 100-400L if it could keep up optically. At $1100 it seems like the aim was more to be the best third party long zoom than actually compete directly with the 100-400L. 

Who knows, lets wait for the reviews...

The more you go up in price, the less people want to buy 3rd-party lenses - for a number of reason.

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I'm hoping for a lens that can live up to the IQ of Tamron's more recent releases (the 24-70VC and 70-200VC), but at only $1100 I'm also quite skeptical. I would have preferred it if Tamron spent an extra $200-300 to make a better lens (e.g. better glass, improved durability). Even at $1400 it would be still be a compelling alternative to the 100-400L if it could keep up optically. At $1100 it seems like the aim was more to be the best third party long zoom than actually compete directly with the 100-400L. 

Who knows, lets wait for the reviews...

While I don't entirely agree with you, I will confess that a somewhat similar thought has been in the back of my mind.  The release price for the 70-200VC was $1599, the 24-70VC was either $1299 or $1399.  With the size of the front element I can scarcely see where production costs could be lower on the 150-600.  And yet Tamron is claiming weathersealing, robust build, and new technology in the glass.  We'll see.

If it turns out to be a fairly good lens, however, Tamron is going to sell a LOT of these.

[hoodlum]

Dustin, do you know what the pricing for Canada is?

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Dustin, do you know what the pricing for Canada is?

Not yet.  I wouldn't be surprised to see either $1099 or $1199, but I will know for sure in a few weeks.  I have been told that I will have a copy in hand by the first of the year.  I'm excited to try it out, although I wish it were a better time of year.  Wildlife in January is, well, sometimes hard to find!

[Artifex]

Dustin, do you know what the pricing for Canada is?

Not yet.  I wouldn't be surprised to see either $1099 or $1199, but I will know for sure in a few weeks.  I have been told that I will have a copy in hand by the first of the year.  I'm excited to try it out, although I wish it were a better time of year.  Wildlife in January is, well, sometimes hard to find!

If you are as lucky as me, you will end up with a lot of photos of wild snow banks! 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Dustin, do you know what the pricing for Canada is?

Not yet.  I wouldn't be surprised to see either $1099 or $1199, but I will know for sure in a few weeks.  I have been told that I will have a copy in hand by the first of the year.  I'm excited to try it out, although I wish it were a better time of year.  Wildlife in January is, well, sometimes hard to find!

If you are as lucky as me, you will end up with a lot of photos of wild snow banks! 

That's what I'm afraid of!

[Otara]

Summer in Oz!  But our problem will be more wanting to go outside because the streets are melting rather than the snow.

Also because of various changes in exchange rates and $1000 custom limits, its gone to something that might be 50% more in price Oz dollarwise compared to a year or so ago.

Otara

[hoodlum]

Tamron Canada just e-mailed me and said the official list price is $1299cdn.  But dealers may/will likely sell for less.

[crasher8]

More and more disbelief around here that anything short of a Zeiss can outperform a Canon. Too bad. Brand loyalty can be blind faith at times, Nikon users show us that!

[Marauder]

I must confess, I am curious about this lens.  Like many, I am a bit uncertain given the announced "rock bottom" price.  On the other hand, Sigma has managed to create an amazing lens in its 120-300 2.8 Sport, for a price that is well under what its closest Canon and Nikon competitors cost.  And no, I'm not saying I expect this lens to match the 120-300 optically while costing less than half its price.  What I am saying though, it's possible for a company to create a lens that "punches above its price point."  Only time (and some solid reviews) will tell.  It'd be awesome if it can match (or better yet, exceed) the IQ of the Canon 100-400L.  Not that I'd expect it to match the new version 2 that is rumoured to be replacing that lens, but aiming at a the nearly 14 year old current model might be "doable," -- perhaps even at this price-point.  Still, I expected this to be more expensive--like 3 grand or so, when I first saw the announcement.  It will be far less interesting if it is only the same IQ as the Sigma 150-500 or 50-500, both of which are reputed to be optically inferior to the 100-400L.  The other big challenge will be the AF performance, an area that many third-party lenses have failed to match the 'in house' brands.  Sharp as a tack doesn't help if it can't focus on what you're shooting!  Still, I'm intrigued to see how the various reviews pan out.  It'd be wonderful to augment my 100-400L with something that has more reach.  And the 500 and 600L's are just not economically feasible for me, despite their amazing IQ and features.  I really do hope Tamron pulls this off! This lens could be the bargain of the century, if it turns in a decent performance.  600mm on a budget is awfully tempting for someone with limited funds!

[Don Haines]

I must confess, I am curious about this lens.  Like many, I am a bit uncertain given the announced "rock bottom" price.  On the other hand, Sigma has managed to create an amazing lens in its 120-300 2.8 Sport, for a price that is well under what its closest Canon and Nikon competitors cost.  And no, I'm not saying I expect this lens to match the 120-300 optically while costing less than half its price.  What I am saying though, it's possible for a company to create a lens that "punches above its price point."  Only time (and some solid reviews) will tell.  It'd be awesome if it can match (or better yet, exceed) the IQ of the Canon 100-400L.  Not that I'd expect it to match the new version 2 that is rumoured to be replacing that lens, but aiming at a the nearly 14 year old current model might be "doable," -- perhaps even at this price-point.  Still, I expected this to be more expensive--like 3 grand or so, when I first saw the announcement.  It will be far less interesting if it is only the same IQ as the Sigma 150-500 or 50-500, both of which are reputed to be optically inferior to the 100-400L.  The other big challenge will be the AF performance, an area that many third-party lenses have failed to match the 'in house' brands.  Sharp as a tack doesn't help if it can't focus on what you're shooting!  Still, I'm intrigued to see how the various reviews pan out.  It'd be wonderful to augment my 100-400L with something that has more reach.  And the 500 and 600L's are just not economically feasible for me, despite their amazing IQ and features.  I really do hope Tamron pulls this off! This lens could be the bargain of the century, if it turns in a decent performance.  600mm on a budget is awfully tempting for someone with limited funds!

Every now and then a classic is made... About 25 years ago Tamron came out with a 90mm macro lens that was comparable to anything else out there and at half the price.... I hope that they can pull it off again... I doubt it, but I hope they can do it.

[Marauder]

I must confess, I am curious about this lens.  Like many, I am a bit uncertain given the announced "rock bottom" price.  On the other hand, Sigma has managed to create an amazing lens in its 120-300 2.8 Sport, for a price that is well under what its closest Canon and Nikon competitors cost.  And no, I'm not saying I expect this lens to match the 120-300 optically while costing less than half its price.  What I am saying though, it's possible for a company to create a lens that "punches above its price point."  Only time (and some solid reviews) will tell.  It'd be awesome if it can match (or better yet, exceed) the IQ of the Canon 100-400L.  Not that I'd expect it to match the new version 2 that is rumoured to be replacing that lens, but aiming at a the nearly 14 year old current model might be "doable," -- perhaps even at this price-point.  Still, I expected this to be more expensive--like 3 grand or so, when I first saw the announcement.  It will be far less interesting if it is only the same IQ as the Sigma 150-500 or 50-500, both of which are reputed to be optically inferior to the 100-400L.  The other big challenge will be the AF performance, an area that many third-party lenses have failed to match the 'in house' brands.  Sharp as a tack doesn't help if it can't focus on what you're shooting!  Still, I'm intrigued to see how the various reviews pan out.  It'd be wonderful to augment my 100-400L with something that has more reach.  And the 500 and 600L's are just not economically feasible for me, despite their amazing IQ and features.  I really do hope Tamron pulls this off! This lens could be the bargain of the century, if it turns in a decent performance.  600mm on a budget is awfully tempting for someone with limited funds!

Every now and then a classic is made... About 25 years ago Tamron came out with a 90mm macro lens that was comparable to anything else out there and at half the price.... I hope that they can pull it off again... I doubt it, but I hope they can do it.

It'll be awesome if they can!  Sigma's been upping the ante, so this might be Tamron's big play to make sure they aren't left in the dust.  I'll wait till there are a bunch of reviews before I make a decision! Waiting to see Dustin's review and also Lens Rental's.  And, of course, Bryan at The Digital Picture!

[dlleno]

Even if the IQ is acceptable, I worry about AF performance.  Either the aftermarket just doesn't have good reverse engineers, or Canon has hidden some things that can't be duplicated.    If Tammy could really nail the AF, for advanced AF cameras like the 5D3 and 1DX, I think many would accept small compromizes in edge sharpness, maybe a little contrast, and and even  bit of CA that could be corrected in post.  Its just that when you are out in the wild with a 600, the last thing you want is an AF system that misses some x percent of the time, as you probably won't get that moment back.     

[Albi86]

Even if the IQ is acceptable, I worry about AF performance.  Either the aftermarket just doesn't have good reverse engineers, or Canon has hidden some things that can't be duplicated.    If Tammy could really nail the AF, for advanced AF cameras like the 5D3 and 1DX, I think many would accept small compromizes in edge sharpness, maybe a little contrast, and and even  bit of CA that could be corrected in post.  Its just that when you are out in the wild with a 600, the last thing you want is an AF system that misses some x percent of the time, as you probably won't get that moment back.     

I believe it will be a personal decision whether that moment is worth paying 12,700$ for the 600/4 L or if a fair rate of misses are well worth what you save with the 1,070$ Tamron.