I managed to get hold of a Sigma Contemporary 150-600 to compare directly with my Tamron 150-600 on my Canon 70D.
I took comparison shots at 600mm with both lenses of resolution charts with camera/lens mounted on a tripod and using a cable release. Same lighting, same ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Also did some shooting using both lenses hand-held.
Very very little difference in image quality, but I felt that the Tamron was marginally better. I also felt the Tamron had the following advantages:
- more efficient Image Stabilisation System
- AF marginally faster
- preferred the longer mounting "foot" on the Tamron for carrying the lens/camera around
I recognise that the performance of the Sigma might be improved a shade by using the USB dock to tweak the AF micro-adjustment. (there again, this could be adjusted on the camera for the Tamron also).
I really don't think there is much to choose between these two lenses. As someone who already owns the Tamron I won't be changing to the Sigma Contemporary - not least because I'd have to sell the Tamron as second-hand and it would cost me £300 or so to make the change!
I am still interested in trying the Sigma Sports and comparing it with the Tamron. I feel a bit uncertain about the weight of the Sigma Sports, but would be prepared to tolerate that if the image quality at 600mm is a bit better than the Contemporary and the Tamron.
Has anyone had the chance to do a direct comparison of image quality at 600mm between the Sigma Sports and either the Tamron or the Sigma Contemporary?
Funny because I compared the two quickly (Sigma C and Tanron) and decided to buy the sigma! I found the IS was actually better on the sigma and the AF far more accurate. I tested a friends tamron, so maybe there was something wrong with the VC, but the viewfinder was jumping all over the place!!
Edit: I also found that the tamron lens creeped way more. The lock switch on the sigma is a great feature, especially since you can use it at many focal lengths (soft lock)
Thanks for running these tests, I have the Tamron and wondered if it would be worth it to switch to the Sigma. My 150-600 seems to need a little fine tuning at the 600mm range. Your posts says this could be adjusted and I wonder how you could do that since there is no lens dock like with the Sigma? I hate to send this back for adjustment as I have read some stories of lens coming back even worse than when sent to Tamron. Any further input on AF tuning would be appreciated, thanks.
a few tests show that the sports is a cut above tamron. a fair bit sharpner beyond 400.
Jury is still out on the contemporary. I have a felling it will be somewhat close to tamron and we weill here arguments both ways.
i was up in the air between the 2. I went with the Sigma because of a few things. the Dock is one. being able to adjust the lens and change functions is a really nice feature and if its slightly out no need to send to Sigma. The lens itself I think is more attractive . 3rd I have read alot of post even after the firmware update people were not 100% impressed with its AF tracking ability for faster moving objects on the Tamron and sold off the lens. I am sure you cant go wrong with either.
p.1 #10 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
I sold my Tamron to go with the Sigma for this exact reason. The VC never quite worked right even after the FW upgrade for panning, so I'm going with the Sigma for OS while panning, better focus limiting and customization via the dock
05xrunner wrote:
i was up in the air between the 2. I went with the Sigma because of a few things. the Dock is one. being able to adjust the lens and change functions is a really nice feature and if its slightly out no need to send to Sigma. The lens itself I think is more attractive . 3rd I have read alot of post even after the firmware update people were not 100% impressed with its AF tracking ability for faster moving objects on the Tamron and sold off the lens. I am sure you cant go wrong with either....Show more →
p.1 #11 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
Crazeenick wrote:
Can someone please advise on sizing requirements for attaching images to forum posts?
Check the "Image Upload" section of the FAQ. Use the link at the top centre of a forum thread listing page, just below the 'store' and 'reviews' buttons.
p.1 #12 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
Tagging...
I will be getting either the Tamron or Sigma "C". I cant afford either the 100-400L mkII or the Sigma "S".
This will be replacing my Tamron 70-300VC, which i really like, but I really want more reach with my FF body.
Seems like the consensus is that the difference in IQ is probably negligible and comes down to personal preference.
p.1 #13 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
One consideration might be the fact that the Sigma is designed work with a 1.4TC for those with camera bodies that AF @ f/8. IQ remains to be seen, but it's gotta be the cheapest way to 800mm that'll autofocus on a number of camera bodies.
p.1 #14 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
Have any early adopters tried this with the Kenko Pro 300 DGX that I'm sure a lot of us have yet? Or am I going to be the guinea pig this weekend?
gocolts wrote:
One consideration might be the fact that the Sigma is designed work with a 1.4TC for those with camera bodies that AF @ f/8. IQ remains to be seen, but it's gotta be the cheapest way to 800mm that'll autofocus on a number of camera bodies.
p.1 #15 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
seattlebruin wrote:
Have any early adopters tried this with the Kenko Pro 300 DGX that I'm sure a lot of us have yet? Or am I going to be the guinea pig this weekend?
I tried it with my Tamron 150-600 when I had it, but the results were "eh" from an autofocus standpoint on a 7D2, so much so I didn't bother worrying about IQ . You could tell the lens wasn't designed to take a 1.4 TC, where the Sigma specifically states this ability.
p.1 #16 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
I tried with the Tamron as well and accomplished very little. Couldn't even get a lock on a high contrast target with center point on an original 7D.
I'll test it out this weekend with a 7D, 6D, 1D III and XSi (for the hell of it) and report back
gocolts wrote:
I tried it with my Tamron 150-600 when I had it, but the results were "eh" from an autofocus standpoint on a 7D2, so much so I didn't bother worrying about IQ . You could tell the lens wasn't designed to take a 1.4 TC, where the Sigma specifically states this ability.
p.1 #17 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
[
that may not be a problem with the lens/tc combo itself .
I don't have that lens but I remember testing a couple of 5.6 lenses with various non reporting TC's on my 7D a long time back (100-400 was one I tried ) and the 7D would just plane refuse to lock with the centre point . But it was fine with all other 18 points . Tried all AF modes and it just acted like the middle point was not there .
seattlebruin wrote:
I tried with the Tamron as well and accomplished very little. Couldn't even get a lock on a high contrast target with center point on an original 7D.
I'll test it out this weekend with a 7D, 6D, 1D III and XSi (for the hell of it) and report back
p.1 #18 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
Ian.Dobinson wrote:
[
that may not be a problem with the lens/tc combo itself .
I don't have that lens but I remember testing a couple of 5.6 lenses with various non reporting TC's on my 7D a long time back (100-400 was one I tried ) and the 7D would just plane refuse to lock with the centre point . But it was fine with all other 18 points . Tried all AF modes and it just acted like the middle point was not there .
________
Same here. My 7D will not lock at center point focus w/400mm f5.6 +1.4 TC (non-reporting) so I use other points, mostly edge point. But I rarely use a TC anymore. Question for Sigma C users using the 1.4TC: can you get center point focus with 100-400 L or 400 L Prime lens? Or do you have to use edge point focus? ...Show more →
p.1 #19 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
I just got my Sgma Contemporary and my initial tests are very positive with my 7d2. I haven't had it long enough to say a lot but my Tamron rarely gave me any useable pictures. It could have been user problems or my camera but so far I am quite pleased with the sharpness I see with the Sigma. They give you a nice case too....tamron does not.
p.1 #20 · Sigma Contemporary versus Tamron 150-600
I don't think it was the body - the first 7D I had behaved similarly, but my current one works just fine with the 70-300L and the same teleconverter. Since the 70-300L technically has teleconverter support, it gives me a lot of hope for the Sigma
Ian.Dobinson wrote:
[
that may not be a problem with the lens/tc combo itself .
I don't have that lens but I remember testing a couple of 5.6 lenses with various non reporting TC's on my 7D a long time back (100-400 was one I tried ) and the 7D would just plane refuse to lock with the centre point . But it was fine with all other 18 points . Tried all AF modes and it just acted like the middle point was not there .
. 3rd I have read alot of post even after the firmware update people were not 100% impressed with its AF tracking ability for faster moving objects on the Tamron and sold off the lens. I am sure you cant go wrong with either. 