Tamron 150-600, Canon 100-400 Mk2 or other?

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smr

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Joel
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Hi all,

After my first airshow last week I am after a longer reach lens...

Which of these would be better, mostly it would be for wildlife but also Motorsport and Airshows...

I have a Canon 700D and my current zoom lens is a 55-250 STM.

I'm going to Silverstone GP for the race and am also wondering if the 55-250 will be enough reach from Farm Curve. If anyone has sat there before and knows I would be grateful to hear your experiences.

Budget wise I would rather spend as little as possible, but am willing to stretch to the 100-400 mk2 if it's much better than the Tamron for what I'll be shooting.

In the future I'll be upgrading to a 7D mk 2.
 
smr said:
Hi all,

After my first airshow last week I am after a longer reach lens...

Which of these would be better, mostly it would be for wildlife but also Motorsport and Airshows...

I have a Canon 700D and my current zoom lens is a 55-250 STM.

I'm going to Silverstone GP for the race and am also wondering if the 55-250 will be enough reach from Farm Curve. If anyone has sat there before and knows I would be grateful to hear your experiences.

Budget wise I would rather spend as little as possible, but am willing to stretch to the 100-400 mk2 if it's much better than the Tamron for what I'll be shooting.

In the future I'll be upgrading to a 7D mk 2.
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The 2 lens you mention, budget wise that sits in between you have the 2 sigma lens you coulkd look at the C & S versions.. i have the C, and it is a great lens.. might be worth a look.. The sport gets some really god reviews and comes in about £500 cheaper than the canon 100-400 if budget is tight..
 
The choice between the four lenses mentioned above is obviously a super-hot topic right now.

FWIW, I have owned the Tamron and Sigma C 150-600 lenses and was quite happy with both. I think I preferred the Tamron version but most would claim the Sigma is sharper.

That stated, I did though settle for the Nikon 300PF plus TCs for portability. Not a lens you need to think too hard about of course Joel.
 
Using my tamron for the 2nd time at Old Warden tomorrow. 1st time i was very impressed, and that was coming from a 300mm Nikon prime!
 
gary43 said:
The choice between the four lenses mentioned above is obviously a super-hot topic right now.

FWIW, I have owned the Tamron and Sigma C 150-600 lenses and was quite happy with both. I think I preferred the Tamron version but most would claim the Sigma is sharper.

That stated, I did though settle for the Nikon 300PF plus TCs for portability. Not a lens you need to think too hard about of course Joel.
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How did you rate the sharpness of the 150-600's vs the 300mm with TC?
 
smr said:
How is the weight on the 150-600? I'm 5"11 with a medium (I suppose normal build/frame).. just wondering if I'd get tired arms hand holding the lens.... Is it a good lens for panning too?
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i spent around 3 hours walking around with the tamron 150-600 the other day and had no real issues with its weight. in regard to panning there is a firmware on the canon only version of the tamron ( certain serial numbers arent affected as its already in place ) that allows horizontal panning and tracking ( BIF for instance) without the need to turn off the image stablization control.
if you were to get a SH one you want to make sure it has the firmware in place ( and not something easily checked 0 otherwise it would mean sending back to tamron to be updated.
ive only had my lens a few days and never really shot much that required panning so havent yet tested mine out to see if panned shots are sharp ( or subject is blurred without the firmware updated version due to vibration control kicking in when it shouldnt.

taken from tamron Eu website

Thank you for using our well-acclaimed Telezoom SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD.

This lens is a high quality Super Performance-Telezoom for various types of photography. Due to the original design, the use of VC (Vibration Compensation) function could potentially increase the probability of image blur when shooting fast-moving subjects, such as racing cars, using a panning technique.

Please be advised that the VC function of SP 150-600mm can be updated to accommodate panning shots with VC Mode “ON”.
Whether you try to capture a stationary subject or something moving at a relatively high speed such as automobiles, the system automatically selects the optimal VC mode by detecting the motion of the camera/lens outfit. Thus, no switch-over is required between “ON” and “OFF” after the update.

The modification can be done by overwriting the firmware data at Tamron authorized service stations. For handling procedures please contact your local distributor.

This update only effects lens performance when taking panning shots, so you may continue to enjoy the lens without this upgrade.

Please feel free to inquire about any further details. Thank you very much.

Note: This overwrite service will only apply to products which were legally and officially imported into the EU, Andorra, Gibraltar, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey or Ukraine, and distributed by an authorized Tamron Europe distributor (see also: Grey market).

Identification of Firmware Status by Serial Number

  • Locating your serial number. The serial number is located on the barcode sticker on the packaging as well as on the lens between the zoom ring and the focus ring.
  • Model A011 with the following serial numbers have the new firmware.
    Serial Number
    For Canon: 055889 to 055907, 055909 to 055986, 055988 to 056009, 057062 to 057151, 058382 to 058501, 058832 to 058951, 059102 and higher
    For Nikon: 046722 and higher
  • Some A011 outside of above serial numbers may have new firmware as well. Please contact your local Tamron distributor if you prefer the firmware update on your A011.
 
its a cracking lens ( s is the sigma 150-600 C ) both sub £1000 think its one of those 50/50 over which is better of the two but people are equally happy ( or not ) either way with them.
if buying new shouldnt be a problem with the serial number and firmware version so panning should be fine.
 
dean messenger said:
its a cracking lens ( s is the sigma 150-600 C ) both sub £1000 think its one of those 50/50 over which is better of the two but people are equally happy ( or not ) either way with them.
if buying new shouldnt be a problem with the serial number and firmware version so panning should be fine.
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Tamron has £100 cash back until august so that could sway some to the Tammy over the Sigma, although annoyingly you have to factor in a case (should you want one) and a lens hood if you buy the Tammy.
 
snerkler said:
Tamron has £100 cash back until august so that could sway some to the Tammy over the Sigma, although annoyingly you have to factor in a case (should you want one) and a lens hood if you buy the Tammy.
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That's odd - I got a lens hood with mine. In fact, I was going to mention if the wind blows the lens hood is like a bucket!
 
chuckles said:
That's odd - I got a lens hood with mine. In fact, I was going to mention if the wind blows the lens hood is like a bucket!
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Must've read it wrong then, thought I'd read otherwise. Thanks for the clarification (y)
 
To answer post no.5 above, I find the Nikon 300PF to be extremely sharp with all TCs attached but a bit slow to AF with the x2III onboard. I would say that, in terms of sharpness, the 300PF with x1.7II or even a x2III was comparable to the Sigma 150-600C. I do not have the Sigma lens now to do the comparison shots unfortunately.
 
gary43 said:
To answer post no.5 above, I find the Nikon 300PF to be extremely sharp with all TCs attached but a bit slow to AF with the x2III onboard. I would say that, in terms of sharpness, the 300PF with x1.7II or even a x2III was comparable to the Sigma 150-600C. I do not have the Sigma lens now to do the comparison shots unfortunately.
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Thanks for this. So another way of saying it is that the SIgma is as sharp as the 300mm with TC? The reason I'm asking the questions is I'm having several thoughts as to what I'm going to do about getting more reach. Thoughts are to get a 2x TC for my 70-200mm VRII, or 150-600mm Tammy/Sigma. Clearly there's 200mm difference in reach, but if the 70-200mm with 2 x TC was significantly sharper than the 150-600mm's I'd sacrifice reach. If the 150-600's are comparable with the 300mm with TC I'd imagine they are comparable, if not better, than the 70-200mm VRII with 2xTC?
 
Joeturner11 said:
70-200mm f/2.8VRII with 2x is shocking, really unusable image quality 95% of the time. 300mm f/4 with 1.4x is miles better setup
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Really? You're the first person I've heard say that, unless of course you're referring to the v1 or v2? Every review of the v3 I've read speak very highly of the TC-20e III with 70-200mm VRII :confused:
 
Have to say that I am with Joe on this. I would not recommend the Nikon 70-200VRII plus x2IIITC but would, in contrast, very much recommend the Canon versions of these lenses in combination. I have though only used a friend's version of the Nikon 70-200f2.8VRII but do not find that it takes TCs particularly well. The 300PF is different altogether. Micloi posted a Sigma 150-600C v 300PF plus x2IIITC comparison somewhere here on TP and the images were VERY close in sharpness.

The advantages of the 300PF include its very compact size and minimal weight, for hand-holding.
 
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gary43 said:
Have to say that I am with Joe on this. I would not recommend the Nikon 70-200VRII plus x2IIITC but would, in contrast, very much recommend the Canon versions of these lenses in combination. I have only used a friend's version of the Ninon 70-200f2.8VRII but do not find that it takes TCs particularly well. The 300PF is different altogether. Micloi posted a Sigma 150-600C v 300PF plus x2IIITC comparison somewhere here on TP and the images were VERY close in sharpness.

The advantages of the 300PF include its very compact size and minimal weight, for hand-holding.
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Interesting thanks. I actually have the 2xTC on hire next weekend and was looking forward to seeing what it could offer, not so much now :banghead:
 
snerkler said:
Really? You're the first person I've heard say that, unless of course you're referring to the v1 or v2? Every review of the v3 I've read speak very highly of the TC-20e III with 70-200mm VRII :confused:
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V2 Lens and V3 Converter, had the 70-200mm Nikon for 5years and I have owned the all the 1.4x, 1.7x & 2x current version Nikon converters and the 70-200mm with the 2x is a waste of time, the IQ is simply crap specially wide open, focusing is not so accurate aswell. I would say 1.7x at the max on the lens but preferable stick to the 1.4x or nothing.
 
Joeturner11 said:
V2 Lens and V3 Converter, had the 70-200mm Nikon for 5years and I have owned the all the 1.4x, 1.7x & 2x current version Nikon converters and the 70-200mm with the 2x is a waste of time, the IQ is simply crap specially wide open, focusing is not so accurate aswell. I would say 1.7x at the max on the lens but preferable stick to the 1.4x or nothing.
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Thanks, guess I'll find out for myself soon :(
 
Joeturner11 said:
70-200mm f/2.8VRII with 2x is shocking, really unusable image quality 95% of the time. 300mm f/4 with 1.4x is miles better setup
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gary43 said:
Have to say that I am with Joe on this. I would not recommend the Nikon 70-200VRII plus x2IIITC but would, in contrast, very much recommend the Canon versions of these lenses in combination. I have though only used a friend's version of the Nikon 70-200f2.8VRII but do not find that it takes TCs particularly well. The 300PF is different altogether. Micloi posted a Sigma 150-600C v 300PF plus x2IIITC comparison somewhere here on TP and the images were VERY close in sharpness.

The advantages of the 300PF include its very compact size and minimal weight, for hand-holding.
Click to expand...

My hired TC-20e III arrived yesterday and I think it works much better than expected after reading these posts I posted a quick grab shot on this thread https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/which-nikon-teleconverter.592431/. Looks sharp enough to me. Not as good as without granted, but not bad either imo, especially considering this was in bad light. I've been toying between the Tammy 150-600mm and the 70-200mm VRII with TC-20e III. Would the Tammy give equal or better results than this at 400mm, and what about 600mm?

The image can be found here to save clicking onto the other thread. It's far from the greatest shot you'll ever see, as I said it was a quick pick up the camera and grab a shot when the cat finally sat still for a few seconds ;)
 
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Hi snerkler, the sharp areas in the image linked-to seem sharp enough to me.

My reservation about this combination is though in part to do with the AF speed as well and I suspect that a 150-600 will AF faster. Have you tested this with the combination you have on moving cars or similar ?

And, of course, there is a HUGE difference between 400mm and 600mm if you need the FL. You do get over twice as many pixels per pigeon or whatever you are photographing (?).

Looks promising though ! Thanks for the update.
 
Have you read the thread on the SIgma 150-600 Sport ? It can be devastatingly sharp but it is heavy, and takes some getting used to get the best handheld. Best £1,500 i've spent on photography.
 
gary43 said:
Hi snerkler, the sharp areas in the image linked-to seem sharp enough to me.

My reservation about this combination is though in part to do with the AF speed as well and I suspect that a 150-600 will AF faster. Have you tested this with the combination you have on moving cars or similar ?

And, of course, there is a HUGE difference between 400mm and 600mm if you need the FL. You do get over twice as many pixels per pigeon or whatever you are photographing (?).

Looks promising though ! Thanks for the update.
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To be honest any difference in AF speed was imperceivable to me. I haven't tried the camera on anything moving but I wouldn't intend to use it for this (although you never know with me ;)). I appreciate that the extra 200mm is a lot, and I've tooed and froed over and over. I may have mentioned this before, but the main reason for the thought behind the TC was that this lens would mainly be used for my many trips to wildlife parks etc, and I love my 70-200mm so much that I want to use that as much as possible and then just use the TC for the odd shot that needs extra reach. Carrying around a TC would be much lighter to carry around than a 150-600mm. I did buy the Panny 100-300mm for the EM5-II

All this being said, I've just ordered the Tammy 150-600mm as I found it for £699 after cash back. I think the Sigma C is probably a better lens but with £200 difference I couldn't justify it. I'm hoping that it will be good enough to use in place of my 70-200mm rather than taking two lenses. I appreciate that it won't be as good as the 70-200mm but I'm hoping that a 'full frame' shot on the 150-600mm might be pretty close to a cropped 70-200mm. Might be wishful thinking, time will tell ;)
 
Jelster said:
Have you read the thread on the SIgma 150-600 Sport ? It can be devastatingly sharp but it is heavy, and takes some getting used to get the best handheld. Best £1,500 i've spent on photography.
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It does look unbelievably good I have to say, but I don't have that kind of money to spend, and it's too heavy a combo for my current needs tbh.
 
Well today I've discovered why people don't like the TC. For close subjects it's great, but anything far ish away is just plain awful. Glad I bought the Tammy now :D
 
snerkler said:
To be honest any difference in AF speed was imperceivable to me. I haven't tried the camera on anything moving but I wouldn't intend to use it for this (although you never know with me ;)). I appreciate that the extra 200mm is a lot, and I've tooed and froed over and over. I may have mentioned this before, but the main reason for the thought behind the TC was that this lens would mainly be used for my many trips to wildlife parks etc, and I love my 70-200mm so much that I want to use that as much as possible and then just use the TC for the odd shot that needs extra reach. Carrying around a TC would be much lighter to carry around than a 150-600mm. I did buy the Panny 100-300mm for the EM5-II

All this being said, I've just ordered the Tammy 150-600mm as I found it for £699 after cash back. I think the Sigma C is probably a better lens but with £200 difference I couldn't justify it. I'm hoping that it will be good enough to use in place of my 70-200mm rather than taking two lenses. I appreciate that it won't be as good as the 70-200mm but I'm hoping that a 'full frame' shot on the 150-600mm might be pretty close to a cropped 70-200mm. Might be wishful thinking, time will tell ;)
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Care to share where you had the Tamron for £799.??
 
Swanseajack said:
Care to share where you had the Tamron for £799.??
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Digital depot, but looks like they've gone back up to £899 since the weekend. Both canon and nikon versions were £799, but sony was still £899.
 
Just an update on the TC20E-III I hired. Whilst I was happy with my initial tests, after using it yesterday I was less impressed. It's more than fine with close subjects, but I really wasn't impressed with subjects taken far-ish away. I got better results using without and cropping heavily.
 
salsa-king said:
what did the original thread poster go for in the end?
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Neither yet, but I am really tempted to get the Canon from Panamoz of HDEW, about £1200. I don't really need the extra reach and I think the autofocus, build quality and IQ of the Canon sounds better than the Tamron. Also the minimum focus distance of the Canon sounds super... will be really nice for Macro.
 
I bought the Tamron when they first came out and it is a very capable lens but...the Canon 100-400 mkii is so much better imo. It also takes a 1.4x converter if you have a body that will af at f8 which makes it a 560mm lens with very little loss in IQ and providing the light is good, it focuses pretty well too. As you say, the benefit of close focus is also a massive plus as is the IS system which again, imo is far superior. I know it's twice the price but I think it is worth it. I also had the Sigma 150-600 both contemporary and sport models, but I have gobne back to the Canon as I believe it's the best of all worlds and as I said, with the 1.4x mkiii, I get near enough to 600mm anyway. The ability to crop is also an advantage as I use it with the 7D2 which makes a really great combination.
Hope this helps you, I don't think you would regret buying the Canon but as I said, the Tamron is a good lens.
Btw, Panamoz are totally reliable to buy from.
 
wardy07 said:
I bought the Tamron when they first came out and it is a very capable lens but...the Canon 100-400 mkii is so much better imo. It also takes a 1.4x converter if you have a body that will af at f8 which makes it a 560mm lens with very little loss in IQ and providing the light is good, it focuses pretty well too. As you say, the benefit of close focus is also a massive plus as is the IS system which again, imo is far superior. I know it's twice the price but I think it is worth it. I also had the Sigma 150-600 both contemporary and sport models, but I have gobne back to the Canon as I believe it's the best of all worlds and as I said, with the 1.4x mkiii, I get near enough to 600mm anyway. The ability to crop is also an advantage as I use it with the 7D2 which makes a really great combination.
Hope this helps you, I don't think you would regret buying the Canon but as I said, the Tamron is a good lens.
Btw, Panamoz are totally reliable to buy from.
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Thanks for the helpful advice. Panamoz over HDEW ?
 
I haven't used HDEW to be honest but Panamoz were really good and from what I've read, they are very good at after sales if any problems occur.
From memory, from order to receipt was about a week.
 
I took the Tern shot earlier this year with the 7D2 / 100-400 mkii + 1.4x extender from a decent distance at Snettisham in Norfolk and the Dragonfly from around 4ft in with the same lens at Titchwell.
Not too sure if the pictures are great but it shows what can be done with this combination.
 

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smr said:
Thanks for the helpful advice. Panamoz over HDEW ?
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Hi
I have bought 2 items off hdew and had no problems I also know half a dozen other people who have bought from them again very good service.
Regards
Richard
 
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