And here it is your perfect Spy Tool! Tomorrow Tamron will announce that 150-500mm f/5-6.3 VC beast that will replace the current 200-500mm lens (here at Amazon). The new lens will have a superior optical quality. Price is still not known but the current 200-500mm lens sells for almost $1,000.
via CR.
Two Gold Box deals For German readers:
First price drop on ILCE-3000 at Amazon Germany.
And also on the A65 at Amazon Germany.
80 Responses
would be nice to ahve one for aps-c emount 🙂
No it would not. You need big and heavy body to carry it, at least A700/A77 size.
Why?
Because he wants one.
No I mean, why does Tamron think consumers want this?
Because several people like wildlife or sport photography.
And the 70400G2 is almost double the price, and the Sigma 50500 has a lot of issues in handling and IQ.
Considering the zoom factor (Tamron 3,3x, Sony 5,7x, Sigma 10x) I would expect it to deliver best IQ in direct comparison.
A shootout against the 70-400G will be most interesting!
Because many consumers really do want this.
I’d be happier with a 250-500 or 300-500 or better yet a prime, but if the quality is still good enough I’d probably go for one.
Crop facter makes this a 750mm ff equivelent on a c camera….also better depth of field.
Well, a shallower DOF. I wouldn’t say better.
C has more dof than ff.
But, a narrower angle of view, so the background will be less busy. Thus the DOF “Look”, not the actual DOF, will seem more out of focus.
Your comment totally disregards the porpose of more dof.
The porpose is to get the entire subject in focus. Not just an eyball or a nostri
Photographers used to wand good sharpness and everything in focus
SLR camera makers have done a good job of brainwasing people to want shallow dof and call it bojeh…because small poinnt and shoot cameras have great depth of field and slr makers didnt want to lose market share to point and shoot.
Perhaps deeper focus is a better way to say it.
Barry,
I think you need to take a chill pill. Noone talks about having more or less DOF is better. I was merely pointing out that a longer zoom will have a narrower angle of view, thus getting rid of more background than a FF.
Yes, in a DOF comparison, a crop camera has a wider in-focus range at the same F stop, when comparing to FF. Noone was disputing this…
Besides, it doesn’t take much to get everything in focus with a DSLR, when working portraits. All you have to do is, raise the F-Stop sufficient enough and ISO to compensate, and you’ve got yourself a portrait with everything in focus. Landscape is 99% of the time focused at infinity, so thats a non-issue usually in this type of shots. I never had a problem getting the whole group of people in focus when shooting at F4-F5.6 on APSc camera. If you have a problem with depth of field at F6.3, then I suggest you check your lenses for backfocus issues, rather than raise hell about an irrelevant issue.
So you want a 600mm lens for portraits?
Why? You have the Bigma and this one, can you name another afordable 500mm lens? I have the older version, the image quality was nice, but i hope they improved de AF, cause it was awfull… And internal AF would also be nice
Buy a full frame camera and you will know why.
while i wish it was a bit faster if good IQ i think im in for this that will put my kit at 16-80 70-200 and 150-500
it seemed some people thought it might be a 150-600 because of the Tamron patent that they found earlier this year on the web
That would have been better and more progressive.
was this patent:
http://photorumors.com/2012/10/25/tamron-files-a-patent-for-a-150-600mm-f5-6-3-lens/
Tamron filed patent 2012-208434 in Japan for a 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lens. Two different lens designs were described. Patent details:
Patent release date: October 15, 2012
Patent filing date: March 30, 2011
Focal length: 152.3068-582.0002mm
Aperture: 5.12-6.45
Angle of view: 16.30-4.23°
Lens design: 18 elements in 13 groups
Internal focusing
Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism
I would want one of thes 150-600s
Actually 200 or 300—600 or 700 would be even better, but I would be happy with 150-600 especially if it had goo close focus ability.
Still waiting for super zoom for emount.
Me wants 300-600 f5-f6.3
Is this a full frame lens?
Si
Yes, it’s full frame. Product description lists focal lengths for 35mm FF and equivalents for APS-C.
Yes it’s full frame.
Problem is with these new Tamron designs, they add VC which we end up paying for and it’s not on A mount versions. Also they put the newer AF motor in there and we pay for that too.
So basically Tamron are getting more expensive (look at the 70-200mm f2.8)
Ditto for Sigma they’re pricing upwards lately
Thanks. I think Sigma and Tamron have noticed that people are willing to pay for the G and ZA series lenses at almost double the price so they are capitalizing on that.
Si
Yes and no. Yes some people are paying for premium glass. And third party makers are “more affordable” and sometimes right up there performance wise.
On the other hand Sigma’s recent 24-105mm looks questionable (price and performance wise)
The classic Tamron’s 17-50mm, 90mm macro, 70-200mm f2.8 we get no benefit from paying for VC on those lenses, for the first 2 screw drive is just fine. The older 70-200mm f2.8 is screw drive too, but a lot cheaper than the new VC versions.
I don’t want to see Tamron and Sigma just go high end, part of their appeal is bang per buck too.
Very dissapointed…I was hoping for the 150-600 described in the tamron patent.
This is basically a remake of thier old lens.
I dont need this lens because I already have a sigma. 50-500 .
I’ve been looking at the Sigma 50-500 for a little while and it seems to be one of the best of the big lens bunch with versatility. Not bought one yet but this new Tamron now has me wondering because it is much newer and may be sharper. I like birds and nature photography. (I read that Sigma had autofocus gearing problems with some of their lenses on A65/77’s but not sure if that included the 50-500). I have an A65, Without highjacking the thread, any brief thoughts would be appreciated Barry 🙂
I have the older version..the newer one has ssm so focus should be more reliable.
The focus usually works and is pretty fast.
Sometimes it stops working..I relese the mount and reset the mount and click the camera power of and on yhen it works again.
The sigma…both the old and new have the same optics but closer focus on the new…is better than the old tamron..it does not sound like the new one will be much differrent.
Both sigma 550 zooms have the same optics and quality so the question to ask is if the closer focus and more zoom is worth the extra money.
Note…both new versions have ssm so focus should not be a problem if you buy either of the newer versions.
Barry. Thank you for your advice. What you say is very helpful and makes sense. I think that maybe the new Sigma 50-500 with it’s bigger range and closer focus is the one I should be saving for. Your help is much appreciated.
Unless the new Tamron turns out to be an affordable 150-600 then…….
Me too
Ken
Based on the new info about the 150-600 i am changing my reccomendation
Yes, somehow I thought you might 🙂 I now have to wait to see what the price is and do some comparisons for my needs.
I totally agree with you regarding Tamron not including VC in their Sony lenses yet still charging for the facility. That is totally and morally wrong. Why should we pay for something we don’t get. It stinks of profiteering. They should sell ALL lenses with the same facilities if they want to charge the same price for them.
For Sony without VC, I guess? =)))))
I use a the good ol’ 500mm minolta reflex for the long stuff. For the rest I use a Tokina 300mm 304 ATX-pro. That lens is dang sharp and for 450.00 I got a steal. I would like a 400 or 500 prime on the cheap, but a zoom I’ll pass on. Most don’t do stellar on the long end, are heavy and slow. Can someone for the love of God give us a 400mm F4 under 2 grand for crying out loud.
Take at look at this slighlty larger image. It seems to say “Tamrom SP 150-600mm”. This matches the patent from last year.
http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tamron150500.jpg
The picture you refer to appears to be fake….the. 6 is clearly an airbrushed 5 and not even a very good airbrush job.
Well, that picture is what this whole rumor is based on.
The rumer is based on a tamron patent for a 150-500.
The picture is just fake.
What 150-500mm patent?
The patent is for 150-600mm.
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2012-10-26&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtamron%2B150-600mm%2Bpatent%2Begami%26biw%3D1680%26bih%3D848
I meant to say 150-600 patent.
NSA Certified! 🙂
Pity it isn’t a 150-600. There are already options to get to 500mm, but nothing practical for 600mm unless you can afford some serious money.
You can still grab a minolta 800mm reflex on ebay.
Tomorrow it will become a 150-600mm. 😉
600mm is 20% longer focal length and 40% more light gathering power than 500mm.
There are plenty of 500mm zooms available.
I expect the 600 to wiegh between 6 and 8 lb
If this were to focus reasonably close say 1/3 magnification and be moderately priced say under $2000 it would be a great walk around lens for wildlife fans and sell very well.
I do indeed hope you are correct and this does turn out to be 600 instead of 500.
Looks like I was correct. Price looks good. Need to know how heavy.
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD
http://www.canon-board.info/obiektywy-21/tamron-150-600-f-5-6-3-vc-usd-93364/
Sounds great…if i assume cunstruction comparable to 500mm then i calculate the probable weight to be between 5 and 6 lbs.
Even if its a little heavier thats still managable.
Dotline makes a dl-v9 camera support that will handle 10 lbs and make this lens easy to handle without a tripod….i will probably get one…hope the lens is affordable and has good close focus ability.
Admin
You might want to tell sar readers about the Dotline DL-V9 dslr support at BH for $149
It supports 10 lb and would make using thevnew 150-600mm lens easy.
Does anyone know if the alpha cameras are technically incompatible with IS / VC on the lens? For a 500mm, I suspect lens IS / VC is superior to IBIS.
(Yes I know that steady shot cannot be used with lens IS / VC simultaneously).
Why oh why do they keep making tripod mounts do double duty as handles? A tripod mount closer to the lens’ CG is sturdier and vibrates the lens less. Is it to sell VC?
Two reasons
First…they need to attach to the studiest non moving part of the lens.
Seconf…big lenses do need a handle
95mm filter eek its a monster and priced at 1500 (i think not bad depending on IQ)
i need to see about saving now
jsut a 2nd thought this and a speed booster might be fun on a NEX3000
Can someone say plastic fantastic.
My eyes were on 200-500 with alpha mount since its within budget and also non-VC.
New lens will surly be costlier.
Speed booster is wasted on this lens.
As you zoom to wider angle your f# decteases without the help of a speed booster.
yep your right havign a lens that works liek a 100-400 4.5-5.6 is a waste. last i checked on FF 400 was a good birding range and onle a few coudl buy the 600 or 800mm lens. for a crop cam having the option on a bit of F stop speed if wanted is great if you need more long range and more MP that all on you not every one has the same needs
There are plenty of 70-300 f4-5.6 lenses available. A fraction of the cost size an weight.
This lens is built for its loooooooong focal length.
As you zoom out from 600 the f # decreases comparable to the effects pf the speed booster.
Putting extra optics between camera and lens that do nothing the lens alone cant do does not make sense to me.
http://www.tamron.com/en/news/2013/1107.html
Tamron announces the development of a revolutionary new 150-600mm Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens for full-frame and APS-C format DSLR cameras
SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A011)
No VC for SONY Version again -_-”
Quote
“The Sony mount does not include VC, since Sony digital SLR bodies include built-in image stabilization functionality.
The product name for Sony cameras is “SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di USD (Model A011)”, with out the VC designation.”
I totally agree that the tamron policy of not giving sony users the same features as other users AND not charging any less for a lesser product is a slap in the face for sony users.
Based on principle alone i would be tempted to say dont buy tamron.
The reality however is that thier products are still a good value even without the vr.
The choice to be made is stand up for your principle or buy the best product for the money.
I actually would feel better towards tamron if they would charge a little bit less for the sony mount so sony users dont feel insulted…even a small discount would go a long way towards making us feel we are not being taken advantage of.
In the end this product sounds so exciting that i will probably not stand on principle
When tamron and sigma make a comparable product and sigma has the stabilzation enabled/ tamron does not….
I will most definitely choose sigma for that reason.
In fact whenever choosing between sigma and tamron for comparable producta I always choose sigma because tamron is an insult to me as a sony user.
Sometimes tamron offers something none of the competition does, such as thier 60mm f2.0 macro and I have buy the better product/ value.
I am absolutely certain tamron sales to sony users are less than they would be if they did not disable the vr and charge full price.
Considering that e mount still does not have ibis the vr should be enabled like sigma does.
If tamron cannot give sony users squal value then charge a little less for sony mount.
Its not about price or quality its about fairness and customer satisfaction.
To add further insult tamron makes teleextrnders for cannon and nikon but not for sony
+100
Very nice, a 600mm f6,3 is awesome. just curious how they will price it…
New 150-600
Pluses
600mm
Lightwieght
Compact
Optics opimized for best performance at 600mm end
20% more reach than 500
40% more light gathering power than 500mm
Excellent choice/ compromise betwee f# and sizr/ wieght
Fast af
Minuses
Max magnification only 1/5…I would have liked 1/3
No vr for sony user…iy would be nice if they would at least charge us a little less bekause we are getting a little less.
Overall…a winner…hope it is priced well.
Seems like it has better than 1:5 magnification. 106″ at 600mm vs. the old 98″ at 500mm (1:5). 1:3 would have been nice, but I’ve never seen a Tamron with a focus range limiter, so getting super close may cause the lens to hunt more like the 200-500mm.
Hopefully, the lens is optimized for use at the long end and it needs to be priced under $2K USD.
The specs say 1/5… and the description indicates it is optimized for the longest focal lengths.
Non è per caso il 150/600 ?
http://www.reflex.it/tamron-obiettivo-zoom-ultra-tele-150-600mm/
Really need to have VC so that it can be used on the NEX and A7’s with VC. Some of us have these as 2nd bodies. I will have to continue to use my Sigma 50-500mm so Tamron will lose out on another sale and probably many more likewise.
Now which bank do I rob? It would be even nicer if it did not require that, however. I’ve got the equipment to support such a lens with or without stabilization and certainly the things to photograph even in APS. And in camera stabilization is in my a700s. Not interested in E mount at all. What stabilization Sony was going to provide in E mount or could provide has been known for some time, if folks bought it anyway they made their choice.
It’s been a long time coming for Tamron to bring out this longer tele. The 200-500 has been around in various forms for decades. I expect they realized with all the people who had become used to the reach of the 200-500 and some folks shifting to FF where they were going to take a hit in reach that they better bring it out. I suspect we should thank the FF folks for that. But I’m much more liking what it will do in APS.