Tamron 150-600 G1 replacement

lrlebron

Senior Member
I am thinking about replacing my Tamron 150-600 (original) lens. It is having focusing issues. Sometimes it refuses to focus and I have to take it off and put it back on the camera to get it to work again. If you like to shoot birds like I do this is a serious. Other times it just misses focus.
I will be using the lens on my Nikon D500.


My main candidates for replacement are:


Nikon 200-500


Tamron 150-600 G2


Sigma 150-600 C


From the reviews I have read this is what I have learned


Nikon
Sharpest image
"Best" autofocus
Smaller focal range
Heaviest of the three


Tamron G2
Longer focal range than the Nikon
Sharper than my original Tamron but not as sharp as the Nikon
Lighter than the Nikon
Programmable via the dock


Sigma
Least expensive
The lightest of the three
Longer focal range than the Nikon
Not as sharp as the original Tamron


Any opinions on these lenses would be greatly appreciated.
 

drummerJ99

Senior Member
I have no experience with anything but the Tamron 150-600. Honestly I wasn’t impressed. But I also compared it to my 70-200 2.8….so maybe it’s not a fair comparison. Lol I really need to buy the Tamron 2x teleconverter and then compare it to the 150-600 for a fair comparison.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

hark

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I think @Woodyg3 had the Tamron but now uses the Nikon 200-500mm. He might be able to offer some insight especially since he's used two of the three you are considering.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
I debated over the same three for many months before ending up with the Sigma C.
The extra 100mm was a deal breaker over the Nikon for me.
The choice between the Sigma and Tamron was easier for me as I have heard of too many unhappy Tamron owners.
Having had the Sigma 150-600c for a few months now, I can confirm I am happy with it overall.
Minor complaints would be it doesn't focus as fast as my Nikon 300mm, so if instant focus is important to you then it might be an issue.
I would prefer an inbuild hood.
The image stabilsation is probably not as good as some other lenses out there.
Image quality wise, in my opinion it is very good for such an extended zoom.
The other thing to consider is if you have been used to 600mm would a drop to 500mm be an issue?
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
I also would recommend the Sigma 150-600 C. I have one and have had no issues. I can't say the same for Tamron.

OH! By the way, I have not received my posting credits recently except when I post a message like this. Oh well! :mad:

Gee! I actually got an old time posting on this one :)
 
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Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I've had the Tamron G1, Tamron G2, and the Nikon. The Nikon is the best of the three. Faster, better autofocus by a bit, and sharper, as well. The Nikon would be my recommendation, although I have never seen or tried the Sigma.
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
I have only had the Sigma of the 3. Personally I like the lens a lot. I have no doubt the Nikon lens would focus faster, better. I cannot imagine a noticeably more sharp lens at the extreme zoom end (and do we ever use the wider settings?). I certainly have had mine out for astrophotography more than birding, but it gets the dual use.

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Dawg Pics

Senior Member
The Sigma also has a dock you can purchase.
The collar on it isn't awesome. It is short with a single screw instead of 2 to prevent twisting, but I think it is made of metal. (Strike that, it is plastic like all of the others.) There is an Arca type plate that you can put on it that has a bumper on it to prevent twisting. I am probably going to order it.
Maybe somebody can comment on how well it focuses for birds in flight, which is something I am not good at, so I hesitate to comment about it.

I don't find it to be awesomely quick to focus, but I don't have anything to compare it to.

This is a screenshot of an image I took with it.

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Peter7100

Senior Member
Maybe somebody can comment on how well it focuses for birds in flight, which is something I am not good at, so I hesitate to comment about it.

I don't find it to be awesomely quick to focus, but I don't have anything to compare it to.

In short, not the best. If I was soley wanting a lens for BIF then this would NOT be the one I would choose. However for stationary shots or slight movement eg animals etc it is more than good enough for my requirments.
 

hark

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The Sigma also has a dock you can purchase....[edit to condense].... I don't find it to be awesomely quick to focus, but I don't have anything to compare it to.

And this is a valid point. Both the Sigma and the Tamron have variable apertures while the Nikon is a constant f/5.6. So when the Sigma and Tamron are zoomed out on the long end, it's with a smaller aperture than the Nikon. And that will affect the speed of a lens. So if speed is important to the OP (or anyone considering one of the 3 lenses), it should be taken into consideration.
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
In short, not the best. If I was soley wanting a lens for BIF then this would NOT be the one I would choose. However for stationary shots or slight movement eg animals etc it is more than good enough for my requirments.
I find it doesn't grab focus well when zoomed, and I lose focus. Have you experienced this?
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
I find it doesn't grab focus well when zoomed, and I lose focus. Have you experienced this?

Yes and no would be my answer. I find if I shoot a fast subject moving in a straight line then it works fine (see post below). However if there is any erratic movement, eg BIF then that is a different story.
I can rule out camera/user error as I am able to grab focus and track with my Nikon 300mm prime without any issues, but can't say the same for using the Sigma at 300mm.
Of course using a zoom at 600mm then that is a challenge in itself to track a moving object but I still believe there is a minor lag in nailing focus with this lens. I think erratic movement then causes this to be more noticeable.
I still think the Sigma 150-600 c is great value though.
 
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Danno

Senior Member
I have only had the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 and it is a wonderful lens. It focuses quickly and holds focus, but it is HEAVY. It is much harder for me to deal with these days so I use it on a mono pod with a Wimberley MH-100. With the monopod and compact gimbal head by Wimberley I can manage it pretty well. I am just not in the shape that I once was.

If money was no object my choice would be the Nikon 500mm f5.6 it is much lighter, but your wallet will be much lighter too if you buy that one.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
If money was no object my choice would be the Nikon 500mm f5.6 it is much lighter, but your wallet will be much lighter too if you buy that one.

Funny you mention that, I have been saving for quite a while, and happened upon a good deal on a used 500 f/5.6 pf. I took a. deep breath and hit the PayPal button. It should be here Thursday. I might sell the 200-500 and just carry my 500 pf on one camera and have my Tamron 100-400 on another in my backpack for wildlife.
 
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hark

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Funny you mention that, I have been saving for quite a while, and happened upon a good deal on a used 500 f/5.6 pf. I took a. deep breath and hit the PayPal button. It should be here Thursday. I might sell the 200-500 and just carry my 500 pf on one camera and have my Tamron 100-400 on another in my backpack for wildlife.

I don't remember you getting a Tamron 100-400mm, Woody. Obviously I must have missed it, or it's slipped my mind. How do you like it? And congrats on a 500mm PF. I held one at Allen's and was very impressed by its weight. And I know Jake really liked his.
 

Danno

Senior Member
Funny you mention that, I have been saving for quite a while, and happened upon a good deal on a used 500 f/5.6 pf. I took a. deep breath and hit the PayPal button. It should be here Thursday. I might sell the 200-500 and just carry my 500 pf on one camera and have my Tamron 100-400 on another in my backpack for wildlife.

Congratulations Woody that is great. I have heard nothing but good stuff about the lens. The weight is enough for me to switch. I am anxious to see some results.

I am trying to fill out my last piece of Z glass at least for a while. I want to get the 70-200 f2.8 Nikon but I am still saving. You know the thing is... if Pat were still here she would have gone and got it for me already. She would do stuff like that. She has purchased more than a couple hand guns over the years and more than a couple lenses. It is not that I am frugal... I just have to look at it from every angle before I pull the trigger. She was awful special.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I don't remember you getting a Tamron 100-400mm, Woody. Obviously I must have missed it, or it's slipped my mind. How do you like it? And congrats on a 500mm PF. I held one at Allen's and was very impressed by its weight. And I know Jake really liked his.

I've actually had the Tammy 100-400 longer than the Nikon 200-500. It's a very sharp lens and quite light. I just don't use it a lot since it overlaps with the 200-500, which gives me an extra 100 to get wildlife shots.

500 is supposed to arrive on Thursday. :)
 
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