Review: Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 VC G2

[chrysoberyl]

At first I felt the same as the mood on this thread, but that was when I had only tested the lenses near minimum focus distance (which I suspect is what has been done in these tests). When at more normal shooting distances for lenses like this (25-50 feet+), there is a clear advantage for the G2 in contrast and resolution.

The one downside I see is that light transmission is better in the V1 lens (they added an element to the optical formula of the G2). Color rendering is completely different between the two lenses, too. Better bokeh on the G2. Handling is infinitely better in so many ways.

It's a solid upgrade, but if someone is looking for a night and day improvement, they had better open their wallets and move to the one of the super teles.

The cougar is wide open - 600mm, f/6.3. The focus is not calibrated, as I met the Tamron rep and got the lenses right before going to shoot.

Well! Sell me that G2!

 

[AJ]

At first I felt the same as the mood on this thread, but that was when I had only tested the lenses near minimum focus distance (which I suspect is what has been done in these tests). When at more normal shooting distances for lenses like this (25-50 feet+), there is a clear advantage for the G2 in contrast and resolution.

The one downside I see is that light transmission is better in the V1 lens (they added an element to the optical formula of the G2). Color rendering is completely different between the two lenses, too. Better bokeh on the G2. Handling is infinitely better in so many ways.

It's a solid upgrade, but if someone is looking for a night and day improvement, they had better open their wallets and move to the one of the super teles.

The cougar is wide open - 600mm, f/6.3. The focus is not calibrated, as I met the Tamron rep and got the lenses right before going to shoot.

Well! Sell me that G2!

Yes that looks very encouraging!

 

[Don Haines]

At first I felt the same as the mood on this thread, but that was when I had only tested the lenses near minimum focus distance (which I suspect is what has been done in these tests). When at more normal shooting distances for lenses like this (25-50 feet+), there is a clear advantage for the G2 in contrast and resolution.

The one downside I see is that light transmission is better in the V1 lens (they added an element to the optical formula of the G2). Color rendering is completely different between the two lenses, too. Better bokeh on the G2. Handling is infinitely better in so many ways.

It's a solid upgrade, but if someone is looking for a night and day improvement, they had better open their wallets and move to the one of the super teles.

I have gotten my hands on one and it has not stopped raining since..... I so desperately want to try it outside!

The build feels much better than the V1, and the zoom lock works quite well... I really want the rain to stop so I can go outside and play!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

At first I felt the same as the mood on this thread, but that was when I had only tested the lenses near minimum focus distance (which I suspect is what has been done in these tests). When at more normal shooting distances for lenses like this (25-50 feet+), there is a clear advantage for the G2 in contrast and resolution.

The one downside I see is that light transmission is better in the V1 lens (they added an element to the optical formula of the G2). Color rendering is completely different between the two lenses, too. Better bokeh on the G2. Handling is infinitely better in so many ways.

It's a solid upgrade, but if someone is looking for a night and day improvement, they had better open their wallets and move to the one of the super teles.

I have gotten my hands on one and it has not stopped raining since..... I so desperately want to try it outside!

The build feels much better than the V1, and the zoom lock works quite well... I really want the rain to stop so I can go outside and play!

Don't you hate when that happens! This is what often happens to me when I have a lens that I need to test for coma/astro. Build quality is very improved. I think it strikes a nice balance of build but without the weight penalty of the Sigma Sport.

 

[Don Haines]

have gotten my hands on one and it has not stopped raining since..... I so desperately want to try it outside!

The build feels much better than the V1, and the zoom lock works quite well... I really want the rain to stop so I can go outside and play!

Don't you hate when that happens! This is what often happens to me when I have a lens that I need to test for coma/astro. Build quality is very improved. I think it strikes a nice balance of build but without the weight penalty of the Sigma Sport.

The geese in the rain: 1/125th second handheld, 600mm, ISO2500, F8, 7DII
The fall leaves in the rain: 1/40th second handheld, 600mm, ISO3200, F8, 7DII

The IS appears to work quite well for a 1/40th second shot at 600mm handheld to have come out ok....

 

[Don Haines]

and I am still waiting to try it out on a sunny day....
deer in the rain: 1/250th second handheld, 600mm, ISO1600, F8, 7DII, 1 to 1 crop
Turkeys in the rain: 1/250th second handheld, 600mm, ISO1600, F8, 7DII, cropped to about 1/2 the image width

I suspect that the lens requires an AFMA adjustment.....

 

[AlanF]

and I am still waiting to try it out on a sunny day....
deer in the rain: 1/250th second handheld, 600mm, ISO1600, F8, 7DII, 1 to 1 crop
Turkeys in the rain: 1/250th second handheld, 600mm, ISO1600, F8, 7DII, cropped to about 1/2 the image width

I suspect that the lens requires an AFMA adjustment.....

Judging by the focus on the rain, it is back focussing.

 

[AJ]

TDP has just posted their complete review:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-150-600mm-f-5-6.3-Di-VC-USD-G2-Lens.aspx

 

[slclick]

The more and more I read, the Sigma C is the best bang for your buck of all 3 150-600 variants, especially when you factor in CA and corner sharpness.