Shallow Review: Tamron 150-600 f/5-6.3 VC vs 300mm/2.8 II +2xTC III

[AlanF]

You could do a comparison. Print off the iso chart (you can find it on the internet) on A4 or US paper, and photograph it at a distance to give the same size image as I posted. Then photograph it with your 100-400 at the same distance and upsample it at 1.5x and compare.

I was only joking about your 300 being a bad copy - the lens is phenomenal.

[Pit123]

You could do a comparison. Print off the iso chart (you can find it on the internet) on A4 or US paper, and photograph it at a distance to give the same size image as I posted. Then photograph it with your 100-400 at the same distance and upsample it at 1.5x and compare.

I was only joking about your 300 being a bad copy - the lens is phenomenal.

In that case I need to copy your exact distance, camera, camerasettings and PP settings as well.
Also shooting at 2500 iso is meaningless if you are looking for details at 100% crops.
And printouts for test purpose? I dont find that to be suitable for high res comparisons.

Anyway, here is a 100% crop from my 100-400mm. raw file opened in fastone (no sharpening):

[Lichtgestalt]

Thanks for posting.
Comparing 100% crops side by side, I will say its day and night difference here. Even on iso 2500.
A lower iso shot would show even bigger differences.
I'm quite sure an upsampled 100-400mm shot will show same details as the Tammy.

when the tamy is a s good as the 100-400 until 400mm?
you think the 200mm more doesn´t add anything?  unlikely i say.

from what i read the tamron nearly touches excellent levels at f8 @600mm?

[lux]

Has anyone tried using the tammy to take pictures of field sports?  I'd love to know how it was compared to the 100-400 or the 300 2.8 in a real life scenario.

[candc]

thanks for the comparison alan, just the fact that there are comparisons being made says a lot for the tamron. something that cannot be overstated is the bargain price and how well it fits into a pack!

[AlanF]

You could do a comparison. Print off the iso chart (you can find it on the internet) on A4 or US paper, and photograph it at a distance to give the same size image as I posted. Then photograph it with your 100-400 at the same distance and upsample it at 1.5x and compare.

I was only joking about your 300 being a bad copy - the lens is phenomenal.

In that case I need to copy your exact distance, camera, camerasettings and PP settings as well.
Also shooting at 2500 iso is meaningless if you are looking for details at 100% crops.
And printouts for test purpose? I dont find that to be suitable for high res comparisons.

Anyway, here is a 100% crop from my 100-400mm. raw file opened in fastone (no sharpening):

OK, use your set up and conditions and post a 100% crop from your 600mm combo and an upsampled one from your 100-400.

[J.R.]

Thanks AlanF.

How do you find the AF for bird tracking (I know you shoot critters)? AF on Tamron lenses has been questionable in the past so it would be great if they have sorted this out in this lens. 

[Rienzphotoz]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for sharing the images ...   from whatever I read/saw so far, I am very impressed with the Tamron ... the fact that people are actually comparing it with lenses that cost far more, speaks volumes for the Tamron which costs just a little over $1000 ... looks like the third party manufacturers (especially Sigma & Tamron) have really stepped up their game. After the announcement of this Tamron lens, Nikon has recently dropped the price of their newest 80-400 VR II lens by $400. 

[Pit123]

You could do a comparison. Print off the iso chart (you can find it on the internet) on A4 or US paper, and photograph it at a distance to give the same size image as I posted. Then photograph it with your 100-400 at the same distance and upsample it at 1.5x and compare.

I was only joking about your 300 being a bad copy - the lens is phenomenal.

In that case I need to copy your exact distance, camera, camerasettings and PP settings as well.
Also shooting at 2500 iso is meaningless if you are looking for details at 100% crops.
And printouts for test purpose? I dont find that to be suitable for high res comparisons.

Anyway, here is a 100% crop from my 100-400mm. raw file opened in fastone (no sharpening):

OK, use your set up and conditions and post a 100% crop from your 600mm combo and an upsampled one from your 100-400.

We know the Tammy is very good at F8@600. And also very good at 400mm wide open. Question is, Whats best: upsampled 400mm wide open vs 600mm wide open. Please show us!
I cant see a comparison between my lenses (upsampled 100-400 vs 300mk2 +2xtc) can contribute anything. What I am saying is that my 100-400@400 f5.6 looks much sharper than your tammy @600mm f6.3 examples.
I agree the Tammy looks great at F8. But for me, f8 is not very useful.
However, if tammy @ 600f6.3 gives more details in a 100%crop than an upsampled tammy 400f6.3, it start to be very intersting. Hope you can make the comparison!

[TrabimanUK]

AlanF,

thanks for the images.  I am now seriously tempted to get this lens instead of the 100-400 for the extra range at the lower price, as the image quality looks (for my needs) pretty damn good.

thanks again 

[Lichtgestalt]

i try to buy it but amazon germany don´t have it.

two weeks ago there were a few resellers on amazon who offered the tamron.
but since sunday there is none.

all other resellers i trust have it on backorder.

i knew we should not have sold our family camera shop last year.
but i guess i would not get it faster then anyway.

[Rienzphotoz]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for sharing the images ...   from whatever I read/saw so far, I am very impressed with the Tamron ... the fact that people are actually comparing it with lenses that cost far more, speaks volumes for the Tamron which costs just a little over $1000 ... looks like the third party manufacturers (especially Sigma & Tamron) have really stepped up their game. After the announcement of this Tamron lens, Nikon has recently dropped the price of their newest 80-400 VR II lens by $400.

I wonder if this lens has put similar pressure on the upcoming release of the 100-400 by Canon?

I hope so ... it'll be good for all of us ... but again we've been hearing about the 10-400 L rumoros for a veeeeeeeeery long time, with no end in sight

[Rienzphotoz]

i try to buy it but amazon germany don´t have it.

two weeks ago there were a few resellers on amazon who offered the tamron.
but since sunday there is none.

all other resellers i trust have it on backorder.

i knew we should not have sold our family camera shop last year.
but i guess i would not get it faster then anyway.

This lens seems to fly off the shelves real fast ... I tried ordering it though my ex-boss, but between the time he added the lens to the cart and hit check-out, all the 16 lenses that were in stock (at the time of adding to cart) were sold out. Now the next available date is between 30 to 90 days
The excellent quality vs its very low price seems to have made it a big hit.

[Lichtgestalt]

I wonder if this will push its price up?

by the way.... i noticed the nikon and sony mount is 200 euro more @ amazon.

[Albi86]

i try to buy it but amazon germany don´t have it.

two weeks ago there were a few resellers on amazon who offered the tamron.
but since sunday there is none.

all other resellers i trust have it on backorder.

i knew we should not have sold our family camera shop last year.
but i guess i would not get it faster then anyway.

Ha! I preordered mine a few days ago when Amazon Italy went crazy and had it for 1099€