Wildlife lens (TAMRON v Sigma Lens)

Big E

Senior Member
Thinking of getting a lens for long reach for some wildlife shots, money is limited so I have looked at the following two
(1) Tamron 200 - 500 f5-6.3 SP AF DI
(2) Sigma 150-500 f5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM

Has anyone used or tried the above any opinons welcome, have researched both but no to sure on which might be best both have good points and bad Tamron slow focus but have extra ring for filters Sigma faster focus but feel it might be softer at full 500 end
 

Alokchitri

New member
I have had a long discussion on this in different fora. The crux that came out:
1. If you can live without VR, Tamron will produce better result.
2. If you must have VR then Sigma is the one.

Tamron is optimized to produce sharpest result at 500mm end which Sigma 150-500 is not (but Sigma 50-500 OS is). As for wildlife you shall use 500mm end mostly I think 200-500 is a better choice.
May I suggest that you should take a look at 80-400VRfrom Nikon, if you have compatible body. Or you can wait a little as a AF-S version of 80-400 is due as well as a 100-400 (according to Nikon rumors).
 
Last edited:

Johnathan Aulabaugh

Senior Member
there is also the USED section of places like borrow lens and other places where you can get better lenses for a little less $$$
here is my take. Most wildlife action happens early in the morning or late evening. when shooting a long lens (for wildlife) your shutter speed should be no less that the focal length your shooting for a stationary subject, ie, if your shooting a 300mm, your shutter speed should never dip below 1/300 for a still animal. that number goes up substantially with an animal on the move. but for tack sharp images I try to keep my shutter above 1000 and even up to 3000 in full daylight with some animals. At that shutter speed an f5.6 is just to slow even at an iso 400. I have tested the sigma and still bought the 70-200. And on that note, that 100-400 mentioned above sounds soooo good, although I use the 70-200 on other genres of photography often.
 

gfinlayson

Senior Member
I don't have any experience of the Tamron, but I have owned the Sigma 150-500 and found it to be quite soft when used in the 400 - 500 mm range.
 

Alokchitri

New member
If you are still watching this thread...
There is another option which will caost you almost the same: Nikon AF-S 300mm f4+ Kenko Pro 300 1.4x TC. This will deliver best output IQ, reasonably fast, as you can use it wide open without worrying about loss of sharpness...
You can opt for a Nikon TC, but that would be around $150-$200 more (I think)
 

Pierro

Senior Member
Some good advice here, but i'm only going to offer up my suggestion for the Siggy 150-500 OS, since i never used the Tamron. I had the Sig back when i used Canon bodies, and i found mine to be perfectly good at what i wanted.

This Starling - shot wide open , full 500mm FL ( Exif intact )

l6t8k3zds6.jpg


Cormorant - shot at f7.1 , 439mm FL ( Exif intact )

clk2qpq3v0.jpg


Robin - Exif missing

ri9bhaeq3z.jpg
 

Big E

Senior Member
Many thanks for suggestions and advice, I've gone for the tamron 200-500 lens and got gift of Nikon 300 f4
Many thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

BooBoos

Senior Member
I also am going through the same items. The sigma or tamron for 500mm shooting.I am not impressed with the 3 year warranty offered by Sigma. I have not talked to tamron yet about there warranty. I also had the nikon 300mm lens with the 1.4TC. for distance wildlife that is really a great combination. But, I do a lot of wildlife at the zoo so if the animal is close I have to change out lenses. Way to many people and dirt flying around to do that. And once I move away I would lose my place. If I was to entertain this idea again I think I would lean towards the Tamorn 200mm -500mm and use a tripod. I also heard that and this is just a rumor of course but I heard that sigma will focus and then move out of focus. I wish nikon 100mm -400mm would be released and at a cost effective price.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Some good advice here, but i'm only going to offer up my suggestion for the Siggy 150-500 OS, since i never used the Tamron. I had the Sig back when i used Canon bodies, and i found mine to be perfectly good at what i wanted.

This Starling - shot wide open , full 500mm FL ( Exif intact )

l6t8k3zds6.jpg


Cormorant - shot at f7.1 , 439mm FL ( Exif intact )

clk2qpq3v0.jpg


Robin - Exif missing

ri9bhaeq3z.jpg

Unbelievably gorgeous shots! Crystal clear! WOW doesn't even begin to cover it!
 

Pierro

Senior Member
Thanks Jack - appreciate the comment. One thing with the OS 150-500, as with any lens with a max ap of 6.3, it loves the light and more light. :)
 

Alokchitri

New member
Thanks Jack - appreciate the comment. One thing with the OS 150-500, as with any lens with a max ap of 6.3, it loves the light and more light. :)

Well, I must say that you are a lucky chap. There is a clear consensus that 150-500OS is soft between 400-500 range wide open. Also there is a question of pronounced CA at the longest end...your shots are great btw... :)
 

Pierro

Senior Member
Its not something that my copy suffered from, though there was some issues with certain copies. I think some people just didnt use it within its limitations
 

BooBoos

Senior Member
I also heard of the sigma losing focus. I have been doing the same research on each lens. I am leaning toward the Tamron 200-500mm lens. A monopod or tripod are a must. The tamron is sharper at the 500mm mark.And tamron has a better warranty
 

Big E

Senior Member
I went for tamron and yes it's sharper at 500 end & tripod differently a must for me any how also got Nikon 300 prime + 1.4 converter great pics with that also.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

grey tones

New member
another good lens no one has mentioned is the NEW 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG APO HSM IF os by sigma
its a great lens for wildlife
google that lens for wildlife and you will see specific reviews for wildlife shooting
i got thius lens with a 2x converter and just love it
its a lil bit more money but here in canada i get a ten year warranty on it so makes it worth it to me
 
Top