25 elements in 16 groups
minimum shooting distance 0.6m (wide angle) /1.8m (telephoto)
maximum shooting magnification 1: 3.1 (wide angle) / 1: 3.7 (telephoto)
filter diameter 82mm, size φ93×209.6mm
weight 1725g
tripod mount 155g.
It seems like a nicely polished product from Tamron, but you got to wonder if the optical quality and bokeh is going to be on par. Either way an interesting development!
I'm very curious where Tamron will position this. A competitor to the Sigma 100-400? The Canon 100-500? The Sony 200-600? This Tamron strikes me as a little bit unbalances given the weight, focal range and aperture range.
Well, more options for those that don't want the size of the 200-600. Or the high price of the 100-400. Not the rumored 200-400 f4 that SAR rumored last year, shockingly. If it's as good optically as the 70-180 and the rest of Tamrons FE line it should be a winner.
If you have the .edu account or know a poor college student I've seen the 200-500 go for as low as 1500 brand new in the box and that alone is a more compelling reason to pick the sony over the tamron
Can I just say thank you Tamron for actually including AF/MF switches and other usability features. I would like to express my dismay since I just got the Sigma 100-400 two days ago. Oh well!
One thing to note: 82mm filters! The rest of their zoom lineup is 67, but this makes sense.
There are going to some BIF photographers with a great option!
Size is like a 100-400 lens but not weight.
Those who want to buy 100-400 may want to get this so may be 200-600 is not the competition.
Problem is that whoever is looking at 100-400 nowadays is also looking at 2-6 at a cheaper price, if they shoot wildlife.
Price wise, I think it will be on the low side for one more reason. The target here is enthusiasts, not pros, who are probably going for the a1. Getting the tamron to use it with the a1 doesn't make sense as it will give 15fps only.
I would just like to Say that I'm now a Tamron convert. I've drank the Kool-Aid and it tastes pretty good. I don't know where this ship is going, but I'm enjoying the ride.
baltmin wrote:
Price wise, I think it will be on the low side for one more reason. The target here is enthusiasts, not pros, who are probably going for the a1. Getting the tamron to use it with the a1 doesn't make sense as it will give 15fps only.
I wonder if Tamron has access to that protocol..... the VXD motor indicates fast AF, but what good would it be if it cant go all the way to 30? Certainly a very interesting lens with those MFD specs. I cant get fully behind the 200-600 due to the size
I have the 70-180 which is has very fast AF, and I don't care about 30 fps. If Tamron 150-500 is priced reasonably I may consider it for occasional use to extend reach.
I wouldn’t bemoan the Sigma purchase....I’m loving mine...very sharp. I’m a landscape guy and not a birder, but for my needs, the Sigma is lighter and a great value.
hotel117 wrote:
Can I just say thank you Tamron for actually including AF/MF switches and other usability features. I would like to express my dismay since I just got the Sigma 100-400 two days ago. Oh well!
One thing to note: 82mm filters! The rest of their zoom lineup is 67, but this makes sense.
There are going to some BIF photographers with a great option!
Honestly I was hoping for a lightweight option that I could pair with an a6xxx series body and a teleconverter. If Sigma ever makes a TC that would be it for me. I have too many health problems to carry heavy gear nowadays.
The Tamron 150-600mm SP G2 was released at 1399.00 in 2016. It would be a nice surprise if this surpasses it's performance at corresponding focal lengths (I imagine it will). Maybe a few other surprises such as BBAR G2 coatings and faster AF.
Features look similar. The 150-600mm SP G2 uses the older USD motor and I'm sure this will use the RXD. IDK if it's faster (Anyone care to comment that has experience). I've had the Tamron 70-300mm SP for Nikon which also had the USD motor and now have the new Tamron 70-300mm with RXD which seems much faster to me, but with the Nikon I was only using a D700..so dunno.
BIG question, can we also expect two teleconverter announcements soon to follow? I hope so...
Sigma has said they are not licensed to make TCS for Sony E mount. I Wonder if that is also true of Tamron. If so, it greatly reduces the value of this lens in a system.
6683 wrote:
Size is like a 100-400 lens but not weight.
Those who want to buy 100-400 may want to get this so may be 200-600 is not the competition.
Problem is that whoever is looking at 100-400 nowadays is also looking at 2-6 at a cheaper price, if they shoot wildlife.
The 2-6 is significantly bigger and heavier than the 1-4, which for me at least makes it a less attractive option. The 2-6 is indeed more of a specialist wildlife lens and probably not something you'd drag up a mountain for landscapes. I can't justify a $2K lens for only occasional use with wildlife. Something more like the Canon RF 1-5 or this Tamron would be a better all-purpose option for me with just enough useful extra reach over the 1-4 for those occasions I shoot wildlife.
zz wrote: