Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Review (a game changer)

Tamron SP 150-600mm

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 [shoplink 153]EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS[/shoplink].

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]

Why Did Scott Kelby Switch From Nikon to Canon (video)?

Long-time Nikon user Scott Kelby explains why he switched from Nikon to Canon 6 months ago.

Since lots of people asked Scott Kelby about the reasons for the switch, he decided to give an interview to Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon, addressing the questions he was asked.

The Canon DSLRs Scott Kelby switched to are the [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 4119]EOS-1D X[/shoplink]. The video gives all the answers, but let me give you a spoiler: ergonomics, menu system, and skin tones are among the main reasons.

[via PB] [shoplink 2431]Scott Kelby[/shoplink][shoplink 4119]Scott Kelby[/shoplink]

Canon Patent For New EOS M Pancake Lenses (18-40, 18-55, 10-20, 9-18)

EOS M Pancake

EOS M Pancake

Egami (tranlated) spotted a patent filed by Canon that appears to refer to new pancake lenses for the [shoplink 6091]EOS M system[/shoplink]: 18-40mm f/3.5-5.6, 18-55mm f/4-8, 10-20mm f/4-5.6, and 9-18mm f/4-5.6.

  • Patent Publication No. 2014-6275
    • Publication date 2014.1.16
    • Filing date 2012.6.21
  • Example 1
    • Zoom ratio 2.28
    • Focal length f = 18.10-29.78-41.20mm
    • Fno. 3.60-4.70-5.88
    • Half angle ω = 36.92-24.55-18.27 °
    • Image height Y = 13.60mm
    • 54.22-49.85-51.81mm lens length
    • BF 0.50mm
  • Example 7
    • Zoom ratio 3.00
    • Focal length f = 18.10-37.01-54.30mm
    • Fno. 4.20-6.20-8.20
    • Half angle ω = 36.92-20.17-14.06 °
    • Image height Y = 13.60mm
    • 64.74-56.63-62.13mm lens length
    • BF 0.50mm
  • Example 8
    • Zoom ratio 1.91
    • Focal length f = 10.30-15.00-19.70mm
    • Fno. 3.90-4.83-5.76
    • Half angle ω = 52.98-42.31-34.74 °
    • Image height Y = 13.66mm
    • 58.84-53.45-52.25mm lens length
    • BF 0.50mm
  • Example 10
    • Zoom ratio 1.91
    • Focal length f = 9.27-13.49-17.71mm
    • Fno. 4.12-4.93-5.76
    • Half angle ω = 55.84-45.36-37.65 °
    • Image height Y = 13.66mm
    • 60.98-55.27-53.91mm lens length
    • BF 0.50mm
  • Canon patents
    • The possible vibration damping by the second lens group
    • Feeding whole, front focus, focusing, rear focusing, etc.

Canon Sponsors 2014 Sundance Film Festival

Untitled

Canon USA press release:

Canon U.S.A. Supports the Craft of Filmmaking as a Sponsor of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival

PARK CITY, UT, January 17, 2014 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today the company will return as a Sustaining Sponsor to the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. The Festival-which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades of fostering a vibrant independent film community-will be held in Park City, Salt Lake City, Sundance, and Ogden, Utah from January 16-26, 2014.

The Festival’s diverse roster includes nearly 200 films, of which approximately 20 percent were shot using Canon equipment. Blue Ruin, Song One, Memphis, This May Be The Last Time, Cesar’s Last Fast, Happy Valley, Last Days in Vietnam, Life Itself,WHITEY: United States of America v. James J. Bulger, Mitt, Alive Inside, and Ivory Tower are just a few of the Canon-shot films screening in 2014.

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