EF 400L f/5.6 vs. Tamron 150-600

[lescrane]

if the key is to get the shot, only one of the choices goes to 600mm w/o a teleconverter. I have more "winners" by far with my Tamron 150-600 than I ever had with my 100-400L, 300 f4 L + TC, etc etc

My experience as many tests have shown is that at 500mm the Tammy outperforms the 100-400 at 400. At 600mm I never shoot under F8 and am happy with it. The 400 5.6 L is great too, but again, it's only 400, no IS/VC, etc

My only dislike of the Tammy is the weight, I personally must use a monopod or tripod to keep it steady. But I couldnt even get a 600mm F4 out of the case if that was my other choice.

 

[weixing]

Hi,

if the key is to get the shot, only one of the choices goes to 600mm w/o a teleconverter. I have more "winners" by far with my Tamron 150-600 than I ever had with my 100-400L, 300 f4 L + TC, etc etc

My experience as many tests have shown is that at 500mm the Tammy outperforms the 100-400 at 400. At 600mm I never shoot under F8 and am happy with it. The 400 5.6 L is great too, but again, it's only 400, no IS/VC, etc

My only dislike of the Tammy is the weight, I personally must use a monopod or tripod to keep it steady. But I couldnt even get a 600mm F4 out of the case if that was my other choice.

For a 600mm lens, the Tamron 150-600 is light and the IS work very well. I'm not a strong guy, but I can handheld the Tamron 150-600 at 600mm steady for just long enough for me to frame and take a decent shot... I was unable to do that with my EF400mm F5.6L.

Attached is a 100% crop of a shot I recently took at 600mm F6.3 handheld. Just crop and export using lightroom default setting with no other processing done. I think the lens sharpness is not bad at F6.3 if you get the focus right... the only problem is that the DoF is very thin at 600mm F6.3... when the eye area is in focus, the back of the bird is out of focus... ???

Have a nice day.

 

[bholliman]

Thanks for the input and excellent sample pictures, I'm sold on the Tammy. I plan to order one in the next few days so I have time to get familiar with it and perform AFMA before my trip north.

 

[dcm]

Thanks for the input and excellent sample pictures, I'm sold on the Tammy. I plan to order one in the next few days so I have time to get familiar with it and perform AFMA before my trip north.

I placed an order for it on 4/1 from BH so I'd have plenty of time before a July trip - haven't heard anything yet. Status is still "On Order". I wonder what the current lead time is.

 

[wickidwombat]

Thanks for the input and excellent sample pictures, I'm sold on the Tammy. I plan to order one in the next few days so I have time to get familiar with it and perform AFMA before my trip north.

I placed an order for it on 4/1 from BH so I'd have plenty of time before a July trip - haven't heard anything yet. Status is still "On Order". I wonder what the current lead time is.

there is a quite a backlog for them as they are super popular

 

[bholliman]

Thanks for the input and excellent sample pictures, I'm sold on the Tammy. I plan to order one in the next few days so I have time to get familiar with it and perform AFMA before my trip north.

I placed an order for it on 4/1 from BH so I'd have plenty of time before a July trip - haven't heard anything yet. Status is still "On Order". I wonder what the current lead time is.

there is a quite a backlog for them as they are super popular

I ordered last night from B&H, but am nervous about delivery now. We leave for AK in 6 weeks.

 

[Old Sarge]

Thanks for the input and excellent sample pictures, I'm sold on the Tammy. I plan to order one in the next few days so I have time to get familiar with it and perform AFMA before my trip north.

I placed an order for it on 4/1 from BH so I'd have plenty of time before a July trip - haven't heard anything yet. Status is still "On Order". I wonder what the current lead time is.

there is a quite a backlog for them as they are super popular

I ordered last night from B&H, but am nervous about delivery now. We leave for AK in 6 weeks.

I would love to have the Tamron for an upcoming trip but since I leave a touch over three weeks for a twenty-four day road trip (Texas to California to Yellowstone to Texas) I doubt if any will be available. I haven't pre-ordered because it isn't a necessary lens for any other trips I have planned this year so it might be wiser to leave the money in the photography account until next year.

 

[ifp]

I placed an order for it on 4/1 from BH so I'd have plenty of time before a July trip - haven't heard anything yet. Status is still "On Order". I wonder what the current lead time is.

there is a quite a backlog for them as they are super popular

Mine's been on order since 3/11. I had actually originally ordered it in February but was going to be out of town the week of their estimated shipping date (I got in touch with their customer service to find that out), so canceled my order. I should have asked if they could move me back in the queue instead. Oh well.