Tamron SP 150-600 f/5-6.3 VC Review

[hksfrank]

this lens seems pretty good for what its supposed to do, that is give you a big long zoom range in a relatively light and compact package that works in good light. that's not what i want, i want a really good 600 f/4 that doesn't cost $12000. i guess sigma is working on one (cr1). it seems that everybody that is interested in this lens wants 600mm so just make a prime!

in over 90% of time i am using it at 600mm , only zoom out while i travel and looking for target
(too complicated location, cannot find birds keeping at 600mm - wildlife newbie common issue)
tamron does not have prime now ... (only those macro lens)
then the tele prime will not exceed 8) (seems true... not sure why they not making prime lens)


sigma will have sport series new lens and as sigma really working hard on new lens series , it should be great but of coz the price will get closer to canon (maybe like 50% to 70 % price tag ?)
i love my 35.4 A and the 120-300 sport are impressive too (just playing it a few times while a good person let me try it , that lens have 2.8 fast aperture although the size and price much bigger than this tamron , working well for me in job which i use 70 200 2.8 II + 1.4/2x TC there . their target are different , like a value tele lens and a premium tele lens hoho~.

 

[Marauder]

this lens seems pretty good for what its supposed to do, that is give you a big long zoom range in a relatively light and compact package that works in good light. that's not what i want, i want a really good 600 f/4 that doesn't cost $12000. i guess sigma is working on one (cr1). it seems that everybody that is interested in this lens wants 600mm so just make a prime!

in over 90% of time i am using it at 600mm , only zoom out while i travel and looking for target
(too complicated location, cannot find birds keeping at 600mm - wildlife newbie common issue)
tamron does not have prime now ... (only those macro lens)
then the tele prime will not exceed 8) (seems true... not sure why they not making prime lens)


sigma will have sport series new lens and as sigma really working hard on new lens series , it should be great but of coz the price will get closer to canon (maybe like 50% to 70 % price tag ?)
i love my 35.4 A and the 120-300 sport are impressive too (just playing it a few times while a good person let me try it , that lens have 2.8 fast aperture although the size and price much bigger than this tamron , working well for me in job which i use 70 200 2.8 II + 1.4/2x TC there . their target are different , like a value tele lens and a premium tele lens hoho~.

I concur Frank. I think there is a real market for an "affordable" long lens, that is substantially less expensive than the Canon primes, but still has decent performance/quality. I don't expect it to match the big Canon primes optically, but it could still be significantly better than the current offerings. And some good quality zooms too. The Sigma 120-300 F2.8 Sport shows that it's possible to create a good lens which, while not "cheap," still offers a massive savings over anything else in the Canon/Nikon catalogue and is optically impressive, with good AF capabilities. The only thing that keeps me from getting the 120-300 is that 300 can be a bit short for birding, albeit using it on a crop mitigates that somewhat. Still, a nice 400 F4, 500 F5.6 and 600 5.6 for less than 5k (say 4) would be very nice for those of us who are on a budget! Not a pro--just an enthusiastic amateur. Mind you, I keep drifting to the thought of saving up for a second hand Canon 500mm F4 IS series I, which seem to be around 5-6 grand. Still a lot of cash, but possibly at least "doable!" :

 

[surapon]

sorry bros , i am frank wong from it.wyswig.com

my ISP though it was kind of DDOS and they blocked the 80 port

now i am dealing with them , hole get back soon. lucky that canonwatch they hosted the picture

=[ sorry guys , my dumb isp was too "smart"

Thousand Thanksssss, Dear Frank, For your Great Review/Report, And Great sample photos of this Great Tamron Lens---I Say Great, Because Of Tamron company do a great job = The Quality Lens Per US Dollars cost, Dollars Per Dollars, No one can match Tamron Company, Yes, I Have TAMRON SP AF 11-18 MM F/4.5-5.6 DI II LD IF( for more than 10 years) and TAMRON AF 28-300 MM. F/3.5-6.3 LD IF MACRO( for more than 15 years) still love their Quality of Tamron Lenses. Yes, I have 18 Canon Lenses , That Include 9 " L " Lenses ( 600 mm Too), And I still in love with Tamron Lenses.
Happy Holiday, my new friend.
Surapon

 

[rbr]

i want a really good 600 f/4 that doesn't cost $12000. i guess sigma is working on one (cr1). it seems that everybody that is interested in this lens wants 600mm so just make a prime!

There has never been a better time to buy a big lens for less money if you're willing to buy a used one. The old Canon 600f4 is still a fantastic lens, and the 800 is also readily available used for a lot less than a new one. Those lenses didn't turn into pumpkins at midnight the day the newest lenses started shipping. People are still taking and selling great shots with them and will continue to do so for many years to come.

 

[HankMD]

I think the question is, is this "good enough" for those who want to have a super-telephoto available because there are times when even cropping won't do. That's sorta where I fit in. Most of the time I won't use a super-telephoto, but on the other hand, I'm finding I want something (200-400ish, maybe a bit longer) around to use it. Sure, there's renting, but after I rent a handful of times it's almost as if I should have just bought it. If this lens can deliver reasonably good images/video for $1100 in this range...it might just be worth it. The 100-400 w/1.4x will be a lot closer to $2k. And even if they release a new 100-400 with much upgraded optics that make the 100-400 w/1.4x or 2x TC much better IQ than this Tamron...the lens itself I'm sure will be quite a bit over $2k.

There is a cheapo solution for those like me who cannot (yet) commit to a 600mm -- it's called SX50 (or the upcoming SX60.) It's no good for BIF or low light/low contrast but neither is this Tamron.

Some samples (not mine), I think using a tripod:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomson_tsao/with/11685619154/

 

[Maximilian]

Says Frank

“I am very impressive with this lens .”

Don't you just love these translation engines? ;D

Well, to some this lens will actually make one look impressive

*lol* exactly my thought when i read that line.

 

[hksfrank]

Says Frank

“I am very impressive with this lens .”

Don't you just love these translation engines? ;D

Well, to some this lens will actually make one look impressive

nono , i made english version for them and i typed myself , my bad english haha
ROFL~ i did not mention that until i read your post (facepalm =口=)

but i am sure that google translate cannot handle my chinese
( hong kong chinese + cantonese was too hard for google to translate )

 

[Maximilian]

...and looks to be a steal at only $1069.

I am very, very impressed of that price. I thought It would be much more north of 1.500 USD/EUR.
Although I still like to wait for some "independent" sample pics and some reviews of sources I can sort out better,
I'll be with CRs take.

 

[that1guyy]

Thanks for the review frank.

Some people seem very quick to write this lens off but I'll wait until more reviews and hands on. I was considering the 100-400 Canon before I heard about this lens. Honestly, if this lens can outresolve the Canon at the 200-400 length and have decent sharpness at the 500-600 focal lengths I am sold. Of course, the AF speed should be at least on par with the Canon if not better. If that is all in then I will buy one in a heartbeat. I am not a pro but just need a super tele for the rare times I shoot wildlife or sports.

 

[Draco3D]

Another review,against big guns on 3 body,2 pages.A week old,but i think lot of people didnt see it here.
http://www.trinitylumberton.org/category29/

 

[mrsfotografie]

Says Frank

“I am very impressive with this lens .”

Don't you just love these translation engines? ;D

Well, to some this lens will actually make one look impressive

nono , i made english version for them and i typed myself , my bad english haha
ROFL~ i did not mention that until i read your post (facepalm =口=)

but i am sure that google translate cannot handle my chinese
( hong kong chinese + cantonese was too hard for google to translate )

Hi Frank, that's cool you translated it this way, and I respect that you admit it, too! I've been brought up internationally (lived abroad, attended international schools) and I love the diversity of people who attend this forum. It's just great

 

[hksfrank]

Says Frank

“I am very impressive with this lens .”

Don't you just love these translation engines? ;D

Well, to some this lens will actually make one look impressive

nono , i made english version for them and i typed myself , my bad english haha
ROFL~ i did not mention that until i read your post (facepalm =口=)

but i am sure that google translate cannot handle my chinese
( hong kong chinese + cantonese was too hard for google to translate )

Hi Frank, that's cool you translated it this way, and I respect that you admit it, too! I've been brought up internationally (lived abroad, attended international schools) and I love the diversity of people who attend this forum. It's just great

=D actually there are more detail in english version which i cannot wrote correctly in chinese .__.
i know the english phrase but no aviliable Chinese phrase . watch too much streaming and play with NA server people made me wrote a english article easier than made a chinese one although the grammar and english fail sometimes like "i am impressive with this lens " YOLO~

 

[hksfrank]

Another review,against big guns on 3 body,2 pages.A week old,but i think lot of people didnt see it here.
http://www.trinitylumberton.org/category29/

oh seems similar to what i expected and memories when i try out the big canon prime cannon(dat price and size , g8 bokeh and sharpness , i only able to hand held and use about 15-20 second before my hands shaky)

and the test show that 2x TC was really a bad choice and use it while aren't any better option. i found that crop without 2x is better than pics with 2x on my 70 200 2.8 II , expected result on 300 2.8 with 2X ,greatly chop down the contrast and sharpness .

too hard to afford that price /_\ 5D3 , canon 85L and 70 200 2.8 II already spend me a lot
(my pocket like a onion , made my cry while i open it.... then i kept my 600D and value combo too -1855 kit , 55250 , 50.8)

i asked certain of people and meet next week to compare it towards canon 100 400 / bigma , not sure can we found a 200 400 1.4 tx but we gonna try hard. sony did not like tamron having VC on the lens , i need a lens with vc to using with e mount NEX / A7 . while no IBIS and with that LA -EA , lens VC are important =[

tamron super zoom coming soon , cheers

 

[lycan]

"my pocket like a onion , made my cry while i open it."

I've never heard that one before! It's amazing and funny! good one Frank

 

[hksfrank]

"my pocket like a onion , made my cry while i open it."

I've never heard that one before! It's amazing and funny! good one Frank

credit giving to the original : "my wallet is like an onion. when i open it i cry" <you can this series of photo at google search
i collect certain of meme and using in my facebook =D

but i doing in my way cause it was hard to memorize all of them.
we knew that expensive lens are good just like flag ship cars , but most selling are in lower price tag lens .
btw it was strange that anyone will get a flagship smartphone ~"~
they like to spend like 700 USD for a flaghip samsung but not a DSLR + LENS ,weird

for some situation i prefer smaller cmos/frame size like APS, 4/3 or even smartphone . just because i dont need to stop down too many to get enough DOF , for smartphone they are 5mm , F2 , act as a 24mm. for that 2.5 mm aperature (DOF) i need to like F10 on 24mm on a fullframe . i've been too painful for shooting small object and Miniatures , before i knew how does the DOF work (trade off accepted by using smartphone)

 

[Lee Jay]

Two things give me pause about this lens:

1) The VC. People keep saying it doesn't work that well, but the VC I tried in the 18-270 did. I routinely use mode 1 (2 axis) in panning situations when shooting airplanes at airshows so that I can use slower shutter speeds to preserve prop blur. I'd love to hear more about how well the VC works both on stationary subjects and while panning. I currently use the 70-200/2.8L IS II and 2x TC III, which has outstanding stabilization.

2) The F!@#$%N zoom ring rotates in the wrong direction. Everyone does this wrong (Tamron, Nikon, Sigma) and Canon does it right. ;D I'm not sure I could get used to switching back and forth between this one and my Canon zooms.

 

[mrsfotografie]

2) The F!@#$%N zoom ring rotates in the wrong direction. Everyone does this wrong (Tamron, Nikon, Sigma) and Canon does it right. ;D I'm not sure I could get used to switching back and forth between this one and my Canon zooms.

Actually Sigma goes either way, depending on the lens, sample from their website:

I've used zooms from different manufacturers and have gotten used to switching back and forth on the zoom direction, just like each lens is different ergonomically.

 

[unfocused]

I've used zooms from different manufacturers and have gotten used to switching back and forth on the zoom direction, just like each lens is different ergonomically.

Totally off-topic but what I find much more annoying is the way Canon switched around the zoom ring and focusing ring on the 24-105. Now THAT is irritating.

 

[Lee Jay]

Interesting.

The only Sigma zoom I've ever had was the 70-300APO, so I assumed all the Sigma's were the same way. By the way, that lens was also the only lens I've ever tossed in the trash. It's totally worthless.

Still interested to hear about the performance of the VC on the 150-600.

 

[Lee Jay]

I've used zooms from different manufacturers and have gotten used to switching back and forth on the zoom direction, just like each lens is different ergonomically.

Totally off-topic but what I find much more annoying is the way Canon switched around the zoom ring and focusing ring on the 24-105. Now THAT is irritating.

Not sure I understand. They are the same on the 24-105 as they are on the 70-200 (inner = zoom, outer = focus).