150-600mm telephoto lens: Sigma vs. Tamron?

There is a special deal right now for a few more days that might help you decide. A $310 rebate on the Tamron

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Zoom Lens (Nikon, Sony or Canon Mount) - Slickdeals.net

I went into McBain's Camera in Edmonton to look at these two long lens to upgrade from my aging Tamron 200-400. I was talked into the 200-500 Nikkor 5.6. had not really had that one on my radar as at 200-500 is is shorter on both ends of that spectrum and was there really that much of an F-difference at the long end - how much is half a stop of light eh? Anyway. Put all three onto my D610 and shot some pedestrians walking across the street. Now I was shooting through the shops windows. But that was the same for all three. Anyway the Tamron had the poorest A.F. performance of the three by a noticeable margin. It was also the cheapest by a nice margin. If price was the driver I'd have come home with the Tarmon. Sigma was good. It also includes a USB dock for an extra hundred. BUT the Nikkor was hands down the better of the three. It was also a hundred more than the Sigma. We did go for lunch and googled up reviews before heading back to the store to buy this big lens. I was impressed by the reviews. All get favourable reviews but my read was that the Nikon heads this pack up even if it is shorter on both ends.

If you're considering either, or the 200-500mm Nikon, this is definitely a must read.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-200-500mm-f5-6e-vr

After reading it I've decided that I'll be getting a Sigma 150-600mm Sport once my 150-500mm sells. The idea of that level of lens variation scares the bejeezus out of me, and I don't want to spend hours dealing with customer service getting an exchange one month into figuring out that I've got one that's not quite right.

Thanks for the comments, gents; greatly appreciated. Must say that the Nikkor has not been on my radar and I'll have to take a good look at that now as well. At least some of the online reviews seem to point toward the Sigma over the Tamron, which is verified here with Fortkentdad's observations. And the rebate on the Tamron is tempting, all right, Don. But I think I'd rather pay additional money upfront to get the right lens right off the bat ... which is why I'll now look at the Nikkor as well.

Love this forum; you guys/gals are all great.

I've been in this boat for a little while - my good wife has said I can have one as a bday pressie next month.

My conclusion is this:

1) it seems that every review has a different conclusion
2) they're all pretty good.

I decided on the Sigma C(heap) because:

1) it can pug into the dock (£extra) to fine tune, customise and generally fiddle with when it's dark and raining out.
2) I think the extra reach and bit extra on the wide end might be useful (being full frame, want all the reach I can get, plus I hope I'll be taking this out as a walkabout lens sometimes with the family, but we'll see how that goes..!), compared to the Nikon
3) whatever I get, I'm sure I'll wish I got something else along the way.
4) They're all good, so I ought to be happy with either!

Got to wait nearly a month for mine, even though it was ordered Friday. Aargh.

MaxBlake said:

Thanks for the comments, gents; greatly appreciated. Must say that the Nikkor has not been on my radar and I'll have to take a good look at that now as well. At least some of the online reviews seem to point toward the Sigma over the Tamron, which is verified here with Fortkentdad's observations. And the rebate on the Tamron is tempting, all right, Don. But I think I'd rather pay additional money upfront to get the right lens right off the bat ... which is why I'll now look at the Nikkor as well.

Love this forum; you guys/gals are all great.

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Just be aware there are 2 versions of the Sigma 150-600mm lens. One is the Contemporary version (less expensive) and the other is the Sport version.

Another good point, hark; thanks for sharing that. Would love to get all three ... or is it four now? LOL

FYI, I just checked B&H on the Sigma Sport and not only is it currently $200 off but it also includes a Sigma 105mm UV filter and the USB dock, over $300 in goodies. Plus 10% B&H Rewards - that's $180 towards a future order.

Order placed.

BackdoorHippie said:

FYI, I just checked B&H on the Sigma Sport and not only is it currently $200 off but it also includes a Sigma 105mm UV filter and the USB dock, over $300 in goodies. Plus 10% B&H Rewards - that's $180 towards a future order.

Order placed.

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That does sound like a cracking deal - I'm in the UK, so not available for me, but if it was it probably would have swung it for me (well, for my financial controller, the wife!).

From what I've read the Sport is sharper right at the long end and has battleship construction and proper weather sealing - at the cost of 50% more weight though. But that just makes it even more awesome!

BackdoorHippie said:

Order placed.

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Glad I got the ball rolling, BDH; looks like I'll be forced to follow suit.

MaxBlake said:

Glad I got the ball rolling, BDH; looks like I'll be forced to follow suit.

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Been planning on this since I shot with one in NYC when it first came out. Was thinking about waiting until end of April before the sale ends but when I first looked at it when they announced the sale they didn't have the other stuff bundled in. I didn't want to take a chance and have them change the bundle, and I have someone interested in my 150-500mm and spring birds are coming, so it worked out.

Anyone know of any deals on my side of the pond.....?

BTW, I just got an email with B&H's deals of the week and this deal was listed, so I suspect that it's only for the week, I just happened to find it before the email.

And for DX folks, they've packaged the 18-35mm f1.8, 50-100mm f1.8 & USB dock for $1799, which is about $50 off each lens and a free USB dock.

Here are some links that might help:

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens for Nikon F

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens 745-306 B&H

Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Nikon w/Free Accessories 745306 A

(this is a special on the C-lens with accessories)

Let me come back at this one more time, before I click the Send button:

Is the extra $700 or so worth it to get the Sport version of this Sigma, or is the Contemporary lens (lighter and less expensive) adequate if your focus is primarily wildlife and landscapes rather than sports action? Thoughts?

MaxBlake said:

Let me come back at this one more time, before I click the Send button:

Is the extra $700 or so worth it to get the Sport version of this Sigma, or is the Contemporary lens (lighter and less expensive) adequate if your focus is primarily wildlife and landscapes rather than sports action? Thoughts?

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"Sport" is a label Sigma uses to categorize lenses, but it does not necessarily dictate intention of use - it is used for their longer, more ruggedly constructed lenses. Their "Contemporary" series may just as easily be referred to as "Budget". "Art" is what they use for their faster high quality glass.

I am not a sports photographer. 95% of my use of this lens will involve pointing it at a bird or other non-human. I am buying it because it's a better lens. Better constructed, better focusing, better optically. I have the 150-500mm and have used it with great success in spite of its shortcomings. I could do the same with a 150-600mm Contemporary, but it's like trading in a low mileage Camry for a new Camry that gets a little better gas mileage - what I gain in fuel savings will likely take years before it justifies the cost. I know what I'm getting here, and I know what I'm losing. It's a great lens that adds 3 pounds to what I have in my arms. It's going to take some serious getting used to in the handheld department and I'm going to likely learn to love using a monopod. But I've been frustrated by my "Great"-to-"Good Enough" ratio when shooting with what I have now, and wildlife photography is one of the things I do, so this and the D500 are something I've been planning on for some time.

If I'm going to simplify things then I'll put it this way for you - if you're looking for something "adequate" for shooting wildlife (it's a hell of a long lens for landscapes) then I suspect you'll be more than pleased with the Contemporary. Just realize that there are known issues with lens to lens variance, and I've seen (but not investigated) something about focus locking that would likely have me concerned if it is "a thing". You'll certainly be happier with the weight, I know there will be times when I will wonder why the heck I did this to myself as I sit crouched in a field waiting for something to show with 8 pounds of camera in my arms. I'm just tired of "adequate", as well as it's served me for 5 years.

That's good stuff, Jake, and greatly appreciated at my end. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts. It will certainly help me pull the trigger. Salute

And pull the trigger I did, on the Sport model. I liked the description of the lens as military grade. Can't wait to put it through the wringer and see what comes out of the soup. Thanks again, guys.

MaxBlake said:

And pull the trigger I did, on the Sport model. I liked the description of the lens as military grade. Can't wait to put it through the wringer and see what comes out of the soup. Thanks again, guys.

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Got mine last night and spent all of 10 minutes with it this morning. If I get a break I may go out and shoot some this afternoon.

Word to the wise, "military grade" is not to be taken "lightly". This thing is a beast. I knew that after using it at a show two Novembers ago, but I'd forgotten just how heavy 6 pounds is. Every spring I need to readjust to shooting handheld with a big lens, so I'm not sure how much of my initial "holy crap" was the lens and how much was not having used anything bigger than a 70-200mm f4 for 5 months, but it's not an insignificant lens. It's also a touch nose heavy, even using the collar on a monopod. My understanding is that the replacement foot for the collar is better balanced, but it's going to eat up my savings, not to mention that it's got an Arca-Swiss mount which doesn't play well with my Manfrotto monopod.

Not complaining, just sharing.