Tamron 150-600 or Sigma 150-600 Contemporary

F

forkerhaven

New member
D7100 owner since December, 2014. When I bought the camera I got it with two kit lenses. One with a highest zoom of 150 and the other goes to 300. After I joined this forum, I have been looking at the Tamron 150-600 but didn't buy one because of the upcoming Sigma Contemporary. The Sigma Sport is out of my price rang. Now that the Contemporary is out, I am at loss which lens to purchase. There are a few reports on the Sigma and many on the Tamron. The Tamron posters on this forum post fantastic photo's. The Sigma supporters tout it's ability to connect to the Sigma Dock and tune the lens. I'm leaning toward the Sigma partially because of the Dock and partially because of the lock up problems that some report on the Tamron. Any real life user reports on the Forum or comparisons of the two lenses? I value the opinions of the Forum members.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Personally I have the Tamron and it locks up, I probably should send it away to be fixed. But if I did it again I would most likely buy the Sigma.
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Wonder what i might say :D

If you got a trouble free version of the Tamron it would be great lens,it does have a focus freeze problem to varying degrees,that in itself is not the problem the main issue is Tamrons refusal to accept there is a problem,mine was with them twice and still not sorted,fortunately my dealer took it back and gave me a full refund.
In the light of my experiences i have to say at the moment the Sigma looks a safer bet to advise some on to get,if i bought another 150-500 and i felt confident Tamron had solved the problem i would buy one again,if not it would be the sigma.
 
B

Blacktop

Senior Member
forkerhaven said:
D7100 owner since December, 2014. When I bought the camera I got it with two kit lenses. One with a highest zoom of 150 and the other goes to 300. After I joined this forum, I have been looking at the Tamron 150-600 but didn't buy one because of the upcoming Sigma Contemporary. The Sigma Sport is out of my price rang. Now that the Contemporary is out, I am at loss which lens to purchase. There are a few reports on the Sigma and many on the Tamron. The Tamron posters on this forum post fantastic photo's. The Sigma supporters tout it's ability to connect to the Sigma Dock and tune the lens. I'm leaning toward the Sigma partially because of the Dock and partially because of the lock up problems that some report on the Tamron. Any real life user reports on the Forum or comparisons of the two lenses? I value the opinions of the Forum members.
Click to expand...

Just where exactly can one buy this sigma 150-600 mm C lens in a Nikon mount from a US dealer?
 
S

SteveH

Senior Member
I would see if it is possible to rent both for a few days or so and see which you prefer... It's much cheaper than buying one and then wishing you got the other! I think IQ-wise, there would be little difference unless you really get into pixel-peeping so I would think the differences would be in the physical handling.
 
E

Elliot87

Senior Member
Is there a concern with Sigma and Nikon compatibility? I've heard of certain Sigma lenses having issues with certain Nikon bodies. How much of a problem is this and could it affect the 150-600 and future Nikon bodies?
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Elliot87 said:
Is there a concern with Sigma and Nikon compatibility? I've heard of certain Sigma lenses having issues with certain Nikon bodies. How much of a problem is this and could it affect the 150-600 and future Nikon bodies?
Click to expand...

Any current Sigma should work with any current Nikon body,it is possible there could be some problems with current lenses and future bodies but it is sigmas policy at the moment to update firmware on the lens when this happens.
 
F

forkerhaven

New member
Is there no one on the forum that has actual delivery of the Sigma Contemporary? I'm interested in hearing from someone that has actually used the lens.
 
1

10 Gauge

Senior Member
I have one AND I LOVE IT! :)

I have also had the Tamron, so you're talking to someone that's had both lenses and has had a chance to use both fairly extensively.

The Sigma is the better lens, period. Both have like sharpness, the Sigma has a clear advantage at f8, and the Sigma just has way more useful options. Multi-mode OS, zoom ring lock on all major focal lengths, custom user setting modes, and full compatibility with the USB dock for fine tuning the AF at various focal lengths and focus distances.

So so so many reasons to choose the Sigma over the Tamron.
 
R

Rick M

Senior Member
Some people have felt that the Tamron is softer towards 600mm. I would research which is sharper at the long end. To me a super zoom isn't super if it's soft at the long end! The dock is a nice tool, plan on a whole day for fine tuning!
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Its my feelings they both can be soft at the long end from the results i have seen,looking at results on another forum where they have threads running on both lenses,one photographer can produce sharp or soft images from the same lens,this happens a lot.It has to be related to the 600mm focal length and the fact the stabilizing is so good people get over confident as to there ability's,600mm on a DX 24mp sensor will require good technique.
 
C

captain birdseye

Senior Member
i have recently bought the sigma 150-600 c plus the usb dock.
i have only taken it out a few times when the lighting has been harsh and subjects few and far between but i must say that the lens has good potential.
it is sharper than i expected at 600mm even at f6.3.
it is a bit of a beast to keep steady but that is all a part of the learning curve i suppose.
it fits nicely into my lowepro flipside 300aw and is relatively lightweight.
one thing you must take in to account is that 600mm is not a magic bullet for birders. ie, you still have to get as close as you can to get the best results.
 
F

Felisek

Senior Member
I think Tamron and Sigma are comparable in terms of image quality. However, the Sigma works with the USB dock (sold separately), which allows for fine tuning and future firmware upgrades. This was a big selling point for me.
 
E

Elliot87

Senior Member
10 Gauge said:
I have one AND I LOVE IT! :)

I have also had the Tamron, so you're talking to someone that's had both lenses and has had a chance to use both fairly extensively.

The Sigma is the better lens, period. Both have like sharpness, the Sigma has a clear advantage at f8, and the Sigma just has way more useful options. Multi-mode OS, zoom ring lock on all major focal lengths, custom user setting modes, and full compatibility with the USB dock for fine tuning the AF at various focal lengths and focus distances.

So so so many reasons to choose the Sigma over the Tamron.
Click to expand...

Did you notice much of a difference between the vibration reduction capabilities of these lenses?
 
1

10 Gauge

Senior Member
Elliot87 said:
Did you notice much of a difference between the vibration reduction capabilities of these lenses?
Click to expand...
Yes. I notice I can take sharper pictures a few stops slower on the Sigma with OS on. It's less noticeable through the lens when it's working but it actually works better. The Tamron gives a very visible picture movement when VC is on bit doesn't work as efficiently.

Sent from my HTC One M8 using Tapatalk
 
E

Elliot87

Senior Member
10 Gauge said:
Yes. I notice I can take sharper pictures a few stops slower on the Sigma with OS on. It's less noticeable through the lens when it's working but it actually works better. The Tamron gives a very visible picture movement when VC is on bit doesn't work as efficiently.

Sent from my HTC One M8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

That's good to know. I really like the VC on my 70-300 and wouldn't want to settle for less. I've narrowed my choice down to the Sigma or a 300mm f/4 and 1.4xTC. Still no idea which I'll go for so its a good job it'll take me a while to save.
 
1

10 Gauge

Senior Member
Elliot87 said:
That's good to know. I really like the VC on my 70-300 and wouldn't want to settle for less. I've narrowed my choice down to the Sigma or a 300mm f/4 and 1.4xTC. Still no idea which I'll go for so its a good job it'll take me a while to save.
Click to expand...


I wouldn't have been able to get clear shots like those fawn pix @ 1/250s at 600mm on the Tamron, and I can do it repeatedly with the Sigma....

DSC_3572.JPG
 
Top