Lensental’s Roger Cicala and Aaron Closz felt the pulse of the new Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD super zoom ($1069, Adorama | B&H Photo), and compared it to the  Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di, the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS, and to the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lenses. A super-zoom shootout, and the Tamron 150-600 is “the best bang for the buck”.

The shootout comes with lots of technical data and measurement charts, in the conclusion they write:

My summary would be that the selection between a Tamron 150-600, Canon 100-400 IS, and Sigma 50-500 OS should be made on criteria other than MTF 50. There are some minor differences in resolution, but nothing that makes one clearly better than another. Price, weight, autofocus accuracy, effectiveness of vibration control, and a number of other factors (did I mention price?) are more important considerations when choosing among these lenses.

It’s pretty obvious that the Tamron has both 600mm range and the lowest price. These tests, and everything I see from photographers using the lens in the field, support that it’s of at least equal image quality. Some people will prefer the extra wide range of the Sigma, others the lighter weight of the Canon. But for a lot of people, the Tamron is going to be the best bang for the buck.

[via lensrentals]

Dustin Abbott wrote an exhaustive review about the image stabilized Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD super zoom ($1069, Adorama | B&H Photo). He defines the Tamron as a “game changer” and compares the lens to the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS.

He breaks down pros and cons of his long review (with lots of sample images taken at different focal lengths).

Pros:

• A truly fantastic price/value
• Optical excellence throughout almost all the focal range
• Versatility of a 4x zoom range
• Reaches 600mm (900mm+ equiv on crop sensors)
• Sturdy, weather sealed construction
• Excellent VC
• Better than expected focus speed and accuracy
• 6 year standard warranty in North America
• Low CA and strong resistance to flare
• Excellent color rendition
• Smooth bokeh transition and highlights
• Good minimum focus distance = good maximum magnification
• Did I mention the price?

Cons:

• Slight sharpness falloff at 600mm
• Focus speed slightly slower towards longer end of zoom range
• Exhibits zoom creep
• No internal zooming means that overall length grows significantly
• Case not included
• 95mm filters will be expensive
• Maximum aperture of f/6.3 on the long end
• Fairly big and heavy

Flare resistance is very good thanks to Tamron’s new eBand coating of the lens. Color rendition is also excellent.

Be sure to check the comparison with the Canon lens. The difference in sharpness is minimal, though in favour of Canon.

The video below shows the auto-focus test of the Tamron 150-600mm.

[via CR]