DxOmark (Click here) posted the Tamron 150-600mm lens test. They used the C-mount version but as you know there is an A-mount version too (prerder here at BHphoto). DxO confirms that this is the best superzoom they have tested to date:
If Tamron built this lens to outperform the Sigma offering then they succeeded with full frame cameras. The gain in performance over their rival’s offering is less noticeable on the APS-C cameras. Despite that, the image quality is a slight improvement over the Sigma. Given the longer range and similar price, it’s a pretty impressive achievement.
The Tamron even outperforms the pricier Canon lens on the full frame Canon EOS 5D Mk III though it’s less convincing when compared with the Canon EOS 7D. There’s likely too little in it to switch but for first-time buyers the new Tamron is attractive proposition.
Great lens!
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DxOMark didn’t use the C-mount version.
They used the EF-mount version.
so it is only tested at 150mm but is it a consistent performer throughout the range?
According to the DXO explanation of the score it says that the test score is based on the entire focal length and aperture range. The note just means where it is best, it’s not what the entire test is based on.
Other tests I have seen show best perormance at 400 mm
Tests also so excellent center sharpness particularly as t f8- 11.
Since the performane at the edges does not quite match the center performance this lens is a better choice for c size sensors than the above review would indicate.
It’s a shame those ‘Best’ scores are at the wrong end of the range to be a useful comparison.
Looking at the Dx0 scores for the Sony 70-400mm that beats the Canon 100-400mm and still seems a better choice unless you really need the extra reach of the Tamron
What is the hold-up with Tamron, it has only released the Canon version? Will there be a further delay between the release of the Nikon version and the Sony?
The sony and nikon mounts are not yet available.
The nikon mount will probably be available soon but the sony version probably at least a cople of months.
What I am really waiting for is 16-300 🙂 True jack of all trades 🙂
And master of none.
For a 16-300 lens, why dont you just save your money and buy a point and shoot? It is an insult to put that junk on a DSLR/ILC.
I think he was being facetious.
Same here, except I’m holding out for the: 8-1200mm f/2.8
The “REAL” jack of all trades :p
Dear Tamron, Sigma, et al: Why to you rip out the image stabilization on your Sony Alpha mount lenses. None of the Sony mirrorless bodies have IBIS. I’d buy this, the Sigma 24-105, and other products if IS were enabled for the Alpha mount, even though I’d have to absorb the cost of the Sony LA-EA4.
It’s not like it would cost you any extra development money. Tell the accountants to go away.
+1 Give users the option if you are charging the same amount (and supposedly installing the hardware in the a-mount lenses anyway)!
The A-mount Sigma 120-400mm has OS, pity it’s rubbish past 300mm.
Right, the only Sigmas worth a damn with IS for Alpha are the Macros. Another alternative would be a Nikon-E Mount adapter that powered the IS mechanism. Should be a simple pass thru
I would much prefer that Tamron would leave the image stabilization mechanism in the lens and let the A-Mount user decide which method is more suitable for a particular shooting situation. Or reduce the price accordingly for A-Mount users, currently they are screwing A-Mount users. Boycott Tamron and write customer service, let them know we don’t want to be treated as second class citizens.
I’ll stick with my tokina 300mm ATX pro F4 with a 2x tele for now. Holding out for that 400mm f4- a guy can dream can’t he?
I’m surprised Canon has still not updated their long-in-the-tooth 100-400mm. I used that lens to photograph wildlife in Tanzania. The push/pull design was a real dust blower. My sensor was absolutely filthy after using it for a couple of weeks.
Since Sony doesn’t want any of my money this year this has a good chance of ending up on my shopping list. 😉
Since Sony is making a transition to OSPDAF, all third-party lenses will slowly lose their usefulness…
We’ll have to only buy Sony and Sony/Zeiss lenses from now on
Oh yeah, forgetting the teensy tiny obstacle of Sony ever coming out with a 150-600mm zoom, I can just imagine how affordable a Sony G/Zeiss version of the same would be. 😉
Already you won’t be able to use 102 AF points of A99 with this lens.
And if Sony makes a full transition to OSDPAF, you will be able to only use CDAF. Good luck shooting your birds with that 🙁
You’re right about a Sony 150-600, but unfortunately with newer cameras that may be your only option in the future
I can but hope Sony fixes the crappy AF they use in their mirrorless e/fe mount bodies as they transition this tech to a-mounts. The buzz surrounding the a6000 suggests they have but we’ll have to see if it’s hype or reality.
I own the Tamron 200-500mm and it works pretty well on my a65. I’m leaning against picking up the Tamron 150-600mm primarily because it weighs 60% more than the 200-500mm which is reaching my limits of reasonable hand-holding. I bought a monopod for the 200-500mm but don’t really like using it.
I’m also not so keen on the Tamron colors. I actually like my results with the old Minolta beercan and a cheap used Tamron 7-element 2x teleconverter better but obviously that combo has some caveats.
P.S. to Admin: Please replace your CAPTCHA plug-in. This one sucks so bad it’s unbelievable!
Please note I just lost a whole long comment because of this stupid Captcha system. I typed it exactly as it says, and I lost my whole comment.
This DxO review is like a lot of their reviews very confused about what people use these long lenses for and why. It is all about reach. It doesn’t matter whether you are photographing birds, planes or surfers the same applies. Most people tend to use them most at the long tend. To get the same reach with a FF sensor that you get with a crop sensor, you would have to crop it to crop sensor dimensions. Cropping is still very common even with crop sensors. Crop sensors are available in higher pixel densities than FF sensors. Even those with FF cameras often use a crop sensor for telephoto work as they can extract a bit more detail.