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]

DCFever published a set of 16 sample pics shot with the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD super zoom ($1069, Adorama | B&H Photo). Original size of the pics can be downloaded.

 

All pictures copyright by Frank Wong, used with permission.

Update 2: the original post is online again.

Update: Frank Wong’s server is experiencing heavy traffic load, it may be unreachable. You can download a zip file with all pics here (27MB). Please be aware that the pics are without description, so to get the whole story you have to wait for Frank’s server to come online again (hopefully soon).

Frank Wong published a review of Tamron’s latest lens, the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD superzoom (Adorama | B&H Photo). Moreover, Frank was so kind to provide an English version of his review (thanks!). More about the Tamron 150-600mm, auto-focus test video, and product and sample pics after the break.

Source: DicaHub

Sun Photo published a sort of first impression (translated) of the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, Tamron’s recently announced super zoom (see all Tamron 150-600 posts here).

According to Sun Photo they reviewed a pre-production model but I think it shouldn’t be to much different from the final model. A bayonet mount was used for tripod. You have to deal with automatic translation so use all your interpretation skills. :-)

Previously Sun Photo published sample pics shot with the Tamron SP 150-600mm.

B&H has the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD available for pre-order for $1069. The lens is set to ship January 17, 2014.

• Canon EF Lens Mount
• Aperture Range: f/5 to f/40
• Three Low Dispersion Glass Elements
• eBAND and BBAR Coatings
• VC Image Stabilization
• Ultrasonic Silent Drive Autofocus Motor
• Full-Time Manual Focus Mechanism
• Nine-Blade Circular Diaphragm
• Removable Tripod Mount
• Includes SILKYPIX Developer Studio