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

petefromzim said:

This is another one of Dustin's excellent reviews and has made me rethink my initial opinion of this lens, especially because Dustin posts some good sample pictures. Because I recently said farewel to APS-C DSLR's, I'm repositioning my experience with my long lenses and have yet to see if I'm truly satisfied with 400mm on full frame. If I find that 400mm is too short (and I've already decided not to use extenders on the 100-400), the Tamron 150-600 may just fit the bill for the occasional times I would need more reach. It's nice to know there is such an affordable go-to option thanks to Tamron, because in this focal length I most definitely can't justify the cost generally associated with these lenses.
 
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I'm rather underwhelmed. Please no flames. It's a $1000 lens - I get it. The point is, the images look like a $1000 lens. If your mindset is "I'll take whatever image I can get as long as I can get the shot", then I guess this lens would be for you. But if what your after is eye watering detail and quality for larger-size nature and wildlife wall art, I don't see this lens delivering the goods.
 
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To be honest.. I think this lens should be at least $2000, so IMO $1000 is a bargain... so let's face the good thing..

1- high quality optics from 150 to 600mm
2- Image stabilizer with 4 stops
3- compact and light from a 150-600mm lens
4- images from 400mm and over, looks almost like the real expensive from Canon's and Nikon's (over $5000)
5- This lens delivers super sharp images at 600mm.. very impressive!
6- 6 years warranty?.. WOW!
7- Moisture-resistant construction
8- super fast and silent auto focus
9- what else..??
 
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Those who say the images look like a $1000 lens have obviously not used it. It produces very good quality images, and exceptional for the price. The images are as good as those from my Canon 100-400, 400 f5.6 & 400mm DO.

Some people just can't accept that a lower-priced lens can produce as good images as a higher-priced lens. So let them go and buy the higher-priced ones.

The only fault I have found with the Tamron is that numerous people are having problems with AF in AI Servo mode. It sounds like their copies are defective.
 
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canonrumorstony said:
The only fault I have found with the Tamron is that numerous people are having problems with AF in AI Servo mode. It sounds like their copies are defective.

Huh ... Numerous users having problems with AF would mean that the problems with the AF unit of the production lenses are to be expected.

To suggest that there are numerous defective lenses out in the market speaks so much for the confidence you have with Tamron.
 
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J.R. said:
canonrumorstony said:
The only fault I have found with the Tamron is that numerous people are having problems with AF in AI Servo mode. It sounds like their copies are defective.

Huh ... Numerous users having problems with AF would mean that the problems with the AF unit of the production lenses are to be expected.

To suggest that there are numerous defective lenses out in the market speaks so much for the confidence you have with Tamron.

Don't forget something.. like Sigma, the Tamron brand is definitely changing their name, investing big money like: hiring new engineers, designers, professional's and buying new materials (fine glasses, UD elements, fluorite similar's, better plastics, etc)..

Now the old Tamron's are like the old Sigmas... bad lenses using cheap electronics and parts.. problems with focusing, cheap glasses resulting soft images, OOF, noise AF, etc...

But now, things have changed, look the New Sigma lenses (35mm 1.4 ART, 120-300 2.8 S OS, 50mm 1.4 ART, 18-35 1.8 ), like the new Tamron's (70-200 2.8 VC, 24-70 2.8 VC, 150-600 VC, 90 macro 2.8 VC) ... all amazing piece s of glass competing with the top notch from Canon and Nikon.. for half the price, just amazing!

So, the new 150-600 VC, belongs to the new Tamron line.. which means, high quality stuff! :D
 
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hemidesign said:
J.R. said:
canonrumorstony said:
The only fault I have found with the Tamron is that numerous people are having problems with AF in AI Servo mode. It sounds like their copies are defective.

Huh ... Numerous users having problems with AF would mean that the problems with the AF unit of the production lenses are to be expected.

To suggest that there are numerous defective lenses out in the market speaks so much for the confidence you have with Tamron.

Don't forget something.. like Sigma, the Tamron brand is definitely changing their name, investing big money like: hiring new engineers, designers, professional's and buying new materials (fine glasses, UD elements, fluorite similar's, better plastics, etc)..

Now the old Tamron's are like the old Sigmas... bad lenses using cheap electronics and parts.. problems with focusing, cheap glasses resulting soft images, OOF, noise AF, etc...

But now, things have changed, look the New Sigma lenses (35mm 1.4 ART, 120-300 2.8 S OS, 50mm 1.4 ART, 18-35 1.8 ), like the new Tamron's (70-200 2.8 VC, 24-70 2.8 VC, 150-600 VC, 90 macro 2.8 VC) ... all amazing piece s of glass competing with the top notch from Canon and Nikon.. for half the price, just amazing!

So, the new 150-600 VC, belongs to the new Tamron line.. which means, high quality stuff! :D

I think the one thing that neither Sigma nor Tamron have yet proven is long term build quality, repair/turnaround, and how their new lenses will hold up under the roughest of conditions. Not to say that Canon lenses always do, yet on the majority of their L lenses you mostly hear stories about how they kept working under some of the roughest of conditions. That's what a number of people are looking for and why they pay so much (besides IQ) for some of the Canon lenses. It'll be real interesting to see if Tamron and/or Sigma can start to break down that mythos that L lenses are the only way to go if you care about extreme conditions build quality.
 
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J.R. said:
How is the autofocusing with this lens? This being a variable aperture lens, does it stop working on cameras (other than 5D3/1DX) when you go beyond 400mm as you are f/5.6 limited with the AF?

AF will work because the lens 'lies' to the camera about the 6.3 aperture at the long end. Many third part zooms make use of this feature. Another example is the Sigma 150-500.
 
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canonrumorstony said:
Those who say the images look like a $1000 lens have obviously not used it. It produces very good quality images, and exceptional for the price. The images are as good as those from my Canon 100-400, 400 f5.6 & 400mm DO.

Some people just can't accept that a lower-priced lens can produce as good images as a higher-priced lens. So let them go and buy the higher-priced ones.

The only fault I have found with the Tamron is that numerous people are having problems with AF in AI Servo mode. It sounds like their copies are defective.

Yes, I haven't used it. Maybe it does punch way above it's weight. I'm basing my appraisal on the images submitted with the review. Fine for what they are and would probably get a lot of "Likes" in a Facebook post. But they are not of the quality that I would want to print big and hang on my wall. I'm contemplating renting it for a week to see if it really can deliver. I'm seriously wanting to move away from my current concentration on portraits and in to nature and wildlife. I've been getting some killer scenic/landscapes lately with the 24-70 2.8L II but my 70-200 2.8L II just isn't going to cut it for wildlife and no way I can invest in the Canon 600 f4L II. So if a 3rd party player like the Tamron can't deliver images that I would be proud to display as wall art, then I'm pretty much hosed. The only real test will be to get my hands on one and take it for a spin.
 
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J.R. said:
How is the autofocusing with this lens? This being a variable aperture lens, does it stop working on cameras (other than 5D3/1DX) when you go beyond 400mm as you are f/5.6 limited with the AF?

This video below is the PERFECT answer for you...

SIGMA 150-500とTAMRON 150-600のAF比較

Sigma 150-500 AF speed in 150mm and 500mm, and Tamron 150-600 AF speed, 150mm, 500m and 600mm

You will be amazed how fast the new Tamron performs against Sigma (and other lenses).. enjoy! ;)
 
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There are two similar threads going on this lens. The following is what I posted on the other one:

I was able to get out for a few minutes after work with my 150-600. I took a series of photos of a lighthouse across the lake from me using a monopod at several f stops. I need to get used to using the lens on this monopod as I was having issues controlling a sideways twisting motion. I posted the shots at http://www.pbase.com/lebthree/tamron_150600mm_test&page=all. All the lighthouse and tower shots have no sharpening or noise reduction applied. For each of these shots I have the full frame 600mm original shot and a heavily cropped version. The last two photos in the series will give you an idea of the distances involved. I don't know how much faith I would put in these shots as the variation between them could just as well be due to lens movement on my monopod and fading light.
 
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The Tamoron 150-600 has serious AF problems in AI Servo mode, which vary depending on the Canon body that is used. To read some of these problems reported by actual owners, please see:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1270895/0

It would not focus properly on either my 7D or 1D MK IV, so I returned it for a refund.

For static shots it appears to be great, but how many SEQUENTIAL shots of BIF's have you seen posted, with each frame in focus?
 
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