Review Tamron Sp 150-600mm Di Vc Usf G2

The outset generation of Tamron'south affordable supertelephoto zoom took the world by tempest when information technology was released less than three years ago.  Never earlier had the marketplace seen such incredible achieve (up to 600mm on a full frame DSLR) in such an affordable, well executed package.  The lens wasn't without faults, but fifty-fifty when later competitors were released from Sigma, Nikon, and Canon it demonstrated that information technology could concord its own.  Tamron caught my attending when they appear a G2 (ii^nd Generation) version of the lens. The G2 gives the lens the beautiful new SP design linguistic communication including a better build and conditions sealing. It addresses a number of the handling issues of the first lens and promises on paper to improve pretty much everything well-nigh the starting time lens.  Can the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 deliver on its spec listing promise? I got my easily on both a first and second generation 150-600 VC and put them to the test.  We're going to discover whether or not the 150-600 G2 is a worthy upgrade.

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My Reviews of all the Players:

Canon EF 100-400mm f/iv.5-5.6L IS Ii

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/v-6.iii Di VC USD (V1)

Sigma 150-600mm f/v.-six.3 OS HSM Contemporary

Sigma 150-600mm f/5.-half-dozen.3 Bone HSM Sport

Serious Upgrades?

I reviewed the original Tamron 150-600 VC hither, and information technology proved such a popular review that (at the time) it pretty much broke my website and made me invest some serious coin to build a more robust site ready to handle the traffic.  It was aplenty evidence that people were extremely interested in the "affordable achieve" market.  The original demand outstripped supply, and that lens has ended up in a lot of photographer's kits.  It beat Sigma to the market by a fair margin and thus enjoyed a lot of the early sales.

That lens has optically and functionally held its own even with a number of new releases since. While the Sigma variants (Sport and Gimmicky) have both proven to be a little sharper at 600mm, the Tamron proves sharper at another focus distances. For field employ they all have very little variation. This article from LensRentals makes for an interesting read as it reinforces the point that while there are sharper options out at that place, they aren't much sharper.

Tamron promised optical improvements in their press release that was sent to me, " Optical design refreshed to attain even higher performance Three LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements completely eliminate axial and transverse chromatic aberrations. The design also features an upgraded optical structure (21 elements in 13 groups) and leverages improvements in manufacturing technology. Every bit a event, the lens delivers high resolution, improved sharpness and overall better performance."

In brusk, Tamron added ane additional chemical element to the optical formula.  Merely in that location'due south more to it than that, as I discovered when comparing the lenses head to head that the 150-600 G2 has a completely unlike rendering than the previous generation lens.  This is definitely more than a minor tweak.

One weak betoken that Tamron has definitely addressed is the minimum focus distance, which I sometimes found a bit circumscribed in the older version. It would focus down to about 8.9'/two.7m, but the 150-600 G2 will focus as close equally 7.22'/2.2m. That is enough amend the maximum magnification ratio from i:v (0.20x magnification) on the old version to 1:3.nine, or 0.256x magnification. That's slightly over one quarter life size, and you are getting into the very useful range. Hither's a visual comparison at the departure in magnification.

You can shoot macro(ish) shots from over seven feet away (now that is a nice working distance!!) and I found information technology piece of cake to fill the frame with flowers or leaves. Be aware that depth of field at that minimum focus altitude is a REALLY tiny 0.2"/5mm, and fifty-fifty stopped down to f/eleven the depth of field is notwithstanding under 9mm. I'd recommend a tripod and a lot of lite to produce the best results.  It'due south non the easiest focal length to deal with for macro type shots (there's a reason macro lenses AREN'T 600mm), but you can be rewarded with some dainty results if you employ good technique.

Further helping is that the Focus Limiter switch has more than (and better) options. The V1 of the lens had 2 positions: Full and 15m to Infinity. It had no option for close range shooting, and the 15m (almost fifty feet) limiting position meant that you could easily miss shots where your subject moved a scrap closer. The 150-600 G2 has 3 positions on the switch: Full, 10m to Infinity, and 2.2-10m. Furthermore, by using the Tap In Console, you can tweak all of these to your own liking.  The compatibility with the Tap In Console is a large bargain, every bit it eliminates 1 of the primal advantages that the Sigma lenses held over this one.  The 150-600 G2 is Tamron's first zoom lens to be compatible with the Tap In.  Here's a look at the different screens as they utilise to the 150-600 G2 (coil to see more than screens from the Tap In):

Build Improvements

Best to get the bad news out of the way: the 150-600 G2 has put on a little bit of weight. The A011 (First Generation lens) weighed in at four.3lb/1950g, while the new version weighs four.42lb/2010g. The reality is that this isn't really enough of a weight gain for me to discover when switching from one to the other.  The 150-600 G2 significantly undercuts the weight of the 6.3lb/2860g Sigma Sport.  A friend who owns the A011 handled the G2 and asked if information technology was lighter , and so that tells y'all that the weight proceeds definitely isn't very noticeable.  Handholding the 150-600 G2 is a piece of block compared to the Sigma Sport as the Sport is a very forepart heavy lens that makes supporting the big front chemical element (which ends up pretty far from your body at 600mm) quite a challenge (and I'm fit!) The bad news isn't actually and so bad hither.  This isn't a light lens, just it is adequately easy to handheld, and I suspect information technology will be used that fashion by a lot of photographers.  I used it that fashion about exclusively salve some controlled tests and moon shots.

For that piffling bit of weight proceeds, however, you go a lens that is much better in every detail, from the build quality to the tactile experience of the materials. The A011 had a pretty decent build, just some of the materials here and in that location felt a little "plasticky". Nigh notable was the lens hood. While the lens hood is still technically made of plastic, it is now a much more premium "soft-touch on" experience that has a nice rubberized transition at the mount that feels a lot like the Sigma Fine art series. Those kinds of little touches are the kind that I've strongly praised, so perhaps Tamron was listening. The primary barrel material is a lightweight metal similar to the SP primes with a nice satin finish. All of the surfaces of the lens accept a much nicer, premium feel to them, and while the lens doesn't take the war machine course build of the Sigma 150-600 Sport at that place is no question that this is a very nice lens that has moved upscale. I think many shooters will notice this a squeamish compromise between weight and sturdiness.

All of the switches are much improved. Compared side by side the G2 switches all accept a much nice, more definite experience. A lot of thought has been put into the tactile responses, and information technology shows in the quality action of the switches.

The zoom and focus rings both have a nicer feel in both the materials and in their deportment. I specially noted the improvement to the smoothness of the zoom action. The butt extends smoothly with very consistent damping throughout the zoom range. I found that the A011 could sometimes have sticking points in the zoom action where more effort was required. The consistent damping in the zoom ring will help a lot for those that want to use the lens for shooting video, and I besides noted that it helped eliminate zoom pitter-patter when the lens is pointed down.

It is really on the topic of zoom creep (caused by the weight of the forepart element pulling the lens towards maximum zoom when the lens is pointed down) where one of the well-nigh notable advances has happened. The A0011 had a traditional zoom lock switch, just information technology could simply exist engaged at the fully retracted (150mm) and 400mm positions. The 150-600 G2 version of this lens incorporates what Tamron calls a FLEX ZOOM LOCK mechanism to permit locking the zoom position at any focal length. If you have always shot a Tokina lens that uses a clutch mechanism to switch between AF and MF mode you lot volition have a skillful sense of how this works. The zoom band tin can exist moved forward which engages a friction mechanism that holds the lens at whatever zoom position it is at. Simply pull the clutch machinery (zoom ring) back and it releases. In field shooting information technology is much quicker and more intuitive to use the new Flex Zoom lock than the traditional lock switch (which is notwithstanding retained if yous adopt that way of locking the lens). It was the friction band on the Canon 100-400L Two that was one of the selling points for me, and the 150-600 G2 has moved much closer to that style with the Flex Zoom Lock.

One other complaint for some shooters was that the A0011'due south tripod foot wasn't compatible with Arca-Swiss way plates. On the plus side was the fact that the tripod neckband could exist both rotated and removed. The 150-600 G2 has a removable rotating tripod neckband that features an Arca-Swiss type uniform pes which helps with using the lens atop a tripod or monopod. One more box checked.

Both versions of the lens take a large 95mm filter thread (expensive), but the Sigma Contemporary versions shares that size and the Sport moves up to an fifty-fifty more massive 105mm filter thread. You can't compete with physics. If you decide to forego the front filter yous will be happy to discover that an expensive fluorine coating has also been applied to the front lens chemical element to protect against dust, dirt, and smearing.  The weather sealing this time around is far more robust, with a number of internal seals at key points to prevent the intrusion of dust and moisture.  This compliments a rear gasket at the lens mountain and coatings on the exposed elements.

Both versions have a nine bladed aperture, though the new version emphasizes the "rounded" shape of the discontinuity blades. The bokeh quality is noticeably softer with less hard edges when compared to the A011, although I detect that I still prefer the bokeh quality from the Canon 100-400L II. At certain distances I yet see a little "busyness" in the bokeh quality, although most of the time the bokeh looks quite lovely.

An electromagnetic diaphragm is used for more precise and consistent exposure control, peculiarly when shooting at loftier continuous shooting rates.

All in all, the G2 (A022) shows that Tamron has been listening to the feedback of photographers and they have addressed pretty much every complaint I've heard about the lens. In short, the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/v-half-dozen.3 Di VC USD G2 is improved in basically every metric.

That'south not to say that everything is perfect.  I didn't feel that the VC machinery on the 150-600 G2 that I was reviewing was operating within spec.  It caused a little "jumping" in the viewfinder and didn't seem to piece of work as effectively as the A011 I had for comparison.  All reports indicate that the VC should be More effective on the G2, non less.  I've asked for a different copy to be sent to me for review in a few weeks, where I'll review that portion over again likewise every bit test the lens on a ingather sensor torso (my review menstruation was likewise short to cover everything I wanted to this time).  I bring this up to say that Tamron still has a few glitches in the manufacturing process, though I've had a good experience with them listening to my personal concerns and working to get them stock-still.  Like the previous generation the lens is designed in Japan, manufactured in China (save the lens hood, which is manufactured in the Philippines), and distributed to me in Canada.  Globalism indeed.

VC and USD

These have go two of Tamron'due south modern acronyms. VC stands for Vibration Bounty, Tamron's image stabilization organisation, while USD refers to the band-blazon Ultrasonic Silent Bulldoze autofocus motor. Both accept received some love in the G2 version.

When I compared the VC of the A011 with the Canon 100-400L II, I constitute that I preferred the behavior of the Catechism Epitome Stabilization. It provided the more than stable viewfinder, even when I added a ane.4x teleconverter into the mix. The Tamron only had a VC ON/OFF switch, with no external switches for customizing stabilization. Tamron added a "silent" panning mode through firmware, merely you lot had to rely on the lens to find panning motion and turn off that axis of stabilization. The new lens seriously ups the dues by giving you lot much more than control over the VC behavior.  Along with the ON/OFF switch there is now a second switch with three divergence VC modes.

Style one (standard) is the normal mode for well-nigh shooters, though yous have the selection to tweak that mode via the Tap In Console.  You can switch it to a "Viewfinder Priority" manner which emphasizes smooth transitions to the VC coming on and off and also keeps it engaged longer.  The main priority in this fashion is for video use, and information technology volition give smoother footage.

The Way 2 position is for panning, and ensures that if you lot are tracking movement the VC won't interfere while still helping to stabilize on the Y axis.

Mode three is what Tamron calls "Shutter Release Priority" manner.  The VC doesn't really bear on the viewfinder in this way just rather activates just as the shutter is being released.  This might exist a good option for those tracking birds in flight or other movement where you want consummate freedom in the viewfinder but stability when you really press the shutter.  This seems like a skillful selection for when using a monopod, too, and Tamron really claims about 2/3rds of a cease actress stabilization in this fashion (up to 4.five stops).

I noted above that I didn't feel the VC on my review copy was working within spec, so I couldn't really perceive an advantage in my testing and noted the VC behavior was abnormal (I've tested a LOT of lenses with Tamron's VC).  I'll add together new notes to this review when I've been able to use a 2nd re-create of the lens.

Tamron's USD is a full ring-type autofocus motor which allows for full-fourth dimension manual focus override.  The beliefs of the USD motor in the 150-600 G2 is clearly more than refined.  Focus is smoother, faster, and surer.  Tamron has a new line of extenders (1.4x and 2.0x) that are compatible with this lens, simply I have non been able to examination them equally of yet.  I felt like at that place was clearly more speed on the long end (the expanse of demand), and didn't notice much hunting.  In the field I found that I didn't really think well-nigh autofocus, and that speaks a lot to me.  It ways that the AF was doing what it was supposed to.  It is likewise worth nothing that I felt similar the AF Servo tracking was amend, likewise.  I'm not actually an experienced bird in flying shooter (don't have the patience!), but was pleased with the results I got during a brief catamenia of tracking some geese.

One of the headline improvements is that the 150-600 G2 is uniform with the Tap In Console which allows yous to tweak the focus at 24 different points.  For example, yous can plug in values for minimum focus, medium altitude, and infinity at 150mm, 200mm, 300mm, etc…  Six different focal lengths with 3 distance values for each.  While this represents some time invested, I've seen the dividends with other compatible lenses.  You lot can dial in focus better than what I've seen with any other tertiary party lens before.  This is a significant upgrade and helps to get the most out of the newly improved optics (read on).

While the manual focus ring experience is improved on the G2, manual focusing is still challenging due to having a rather small focus throw.  It's piece of cake to become by the indicate you desire to focus on.  Ane more reason to dial in that autofocus!

Optical Changes

The A011 really was an impressive lens for its cost point.  Information technology gave very good image quality through 500mm, and while the 600mm position was softer (stopping down to f/8 improved things), the lens was capable of producing good images throughout the focal range.  I've got a number of keen images even at 600mm and f/half-dozen.3.  But when the Sigma lenses were released it was clear that in that location was some room for improvement at 600mm, as they both resolved better in that location.  The primary goal of the 150-600 G2 optically is to improve image quality on the longer cease.  I'm happy to country that they have largely succeeded.  I strongly recommend that you lookout man this video segment to see the differences for yourself:

The new optical formula of the 150-600 G2 adds one additional element to the formula (at present 21 elements in 13 groups). Tamron says, "Three low dispersion elements are incorporated to virtually eliminate both axial and transverse chromatic aberrations and color fringing for increased clarity and colour allegiance throughout the zoom range. Both eBAND and BBAR coatings have been applied to suppress ghosting and lens flare for improved contrast when working in backlit conditions."  My testing indicates this combination is definitely making a divergence.

Comparing the G2 to the A011 in a diversity of situations I could definitely meet some improved sharpness and contrast at 600mm, though at the cost of a scrap of light manual (undoubtedly the outcome of that actress chemical element). Fine details and textures were noticeably meliorate resolved thanks to the combination of improved resolution and contrast.  The bottom line is that the 150-600 G2 is at present capable of giving you lot even better paradigm quality on the long and is completely usable broad open at 600mm.  Here's a few visual comparisons between the two versions that show the improvement in resolution and contrast:

As earlier some sharpness proceeds at 600mm can be realized by stepping down to f/eight, though at present both f/six.iii and f/8 operation is improved.  One aside drawn from my directly comparison of the lenses: the gains in sharpness were non nearly as visible near minimum focus as they are at more than typical shooting distances.  I showtime tested at minimum focus distances and was unimpressed with gains (which were hardly perceptible).  I was much more than impressed when I compared the lenses at a more typical shooting distance of around 35 feet.  The G2 was demonstrably sharper and more than contrasty at this range (existent globe shooting).  If what I saw in my review copy is representative of the lens in general this provides one significant challenge for Tamron:  those that shoot test charts typically practise so at shorter range.  As event the gains of this lens may be less obvious in chart testing while very existent in actual shooting.

More than interesting is that the lenses have a very different color signature and rendering. The A011 produces a brighter image (meliorate light transmission), merely the 150-600 G2 produces a much more nuanced image that is arguably richer (this is a sense of taste thing). I'grand very experienced with Zeiss glass, and I would say the G2 trends more than towards a Zeiss rendering.

I also noted that the bokeh quality has definitely improved in a direct caput to head comparison.  This comparison shows the very different signatures of the lenses, too (though some of this is due to changing light on a slightly stormy day).

I idea I saw a tiny bit more than vignette in field use with the G2, but Bryan over at The Digital Motion-picture show found the opposite to be truthful when chart testing the lens, and I trust his results.  Vignette is very low, with only a hair over ane end in the corners even wide open at 600mm.  Nothing to exist concerned about, and this advantage Tamron had over the Sigma lenses has grown even more than.

Another pregnant advantage for the Tamron over the Sigma lenses was while they are all variable aperture lenses, the Tamron held onto the larger maximum aperture values longer.  The Sigma SPORT was the surprising loser in this area despite its larger 105mm forepart element.  It reached f/6.3 past a beggarly 321mm compared to 428mm for the Tamron.  Does the G2 continue that positive trend?  The answer is…mostly.  Look at this nautical chart:

Lens	f/4.v	f/v	f/5.half dozen	f/6.3
Sigma 150-600mm C	————	150-179mm	180-387mm	388-600mm
Sigma 150-600mm SPORT	————	150-183mm	184-320mm	321-600mm
Tamron 150-600 (A011)	————	150-225mm	226-427mm	428-600mm
Tamron 150-600 G2	————	150-213mm	214-427mm	428-600mm
Canon 100-400L Two	100-134mm	135-311mm	312-400mm	———

The 150-600 G2 has mostly held its own with ane exception; information technology moves from f/v to f/5.half dozen 12mm earlier than the A011, though it continues to concord f/5.6 all the way to 427mm like the first version.  There'due south withal a articulate reward for the Tamron lenses over the Sigmas in this area.

While the image quality improvement isn't revolutionary it is certainly tangible, which means that the Tamron is now fully competitive with the Sigma lenses at 600mm and has possibly surpassed them.  The bottom line:  if y'all want better image quality at 600mm than what you will get from this lens yous'll have to invest in a supertelephoto that cost many thousands more.

It is imperative that yous properly calibrate the focus on a lens like this.  On a very rare occasion I exam a lens that needs no calibration on my review body(s), just almost every lens I test benefits from at least some scale of its focus.  That's particularly truthful with a lens with such a long focal length and thus such a shallow depth of field.  If you find that you are disappointed with your sharpness from this lens, that is the first identify you demand to check.  Here's a inkling on how to determine this:  mount the lens on a tripod and use Live View focus (contrast AF).  This requires no scale, and will give you a good baseline for true image quality.

These successive photos at 500mm and and then 600mm clearly demonstrate how sharp this lens can exist.

It's also capable of some gorgeous color:

I recommend that you spend a few minutes looking at the Lens Image Gallery to see what the lens is capable of.

Conclusion

I've reviewed every lens in Tamron's new SP line that began with the 35/45mm primes and accept been impressed with them all.  None of them are perfect (very few lenses are), but I've establish that they are offering a highly bonny blend of quality build and eyes, smashing handling and characteristic list, and an first-class price point.  I'm excited about the potential of Tamron expanding their newfound expertise to their lineup of premium zooms.  My hope (and expectation) is that the 150-600 G2 volition be followed up with G2 versions of the Tamron 24-70mm and lxx-200mm f/2.8 zoom lenses, lenses that I ain and am very interested in an update to.  When I read the press release for the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/v-vi.3 Di VC USD G2 (Tamron loves its long names!) I was excited about the potential for this lens. On paper it seemed to address nigh of the faults of the first version lens in a sleek new package.  My time with the lens has demonstrated that in this my initial impressions were mostly accurate.  I want to commend Tamron for listening to the feedback of its customers and focusing their attention on the things that people wanted addressed.  They even included a Catechism 50-series-like pouch for the lens (though Sigma still has the lead here).  All of this comes at a price, and the G2 version of the lens comes in at $1399, or near a $300 premium over the A1011.  For that $300 you get a lot of improvements, even so, from the build to features to improved image quality.  All told information technology is a solid upgrade, and in my opinion represents the all-time balance of features, image quality, and weight amongst the 150-600 variants.

Pros:

• Improved build quality
• Quality atmospheric condition sealing
• Meliorate paradigm quality, particularly on the long end
• Smoother bokeh rendering
• Richer colour rendering
• More customization modes for the VC
• Flex Lock makes a big difference in the field
• Improved focus and tracking
• Stays light and portable (relative to course)
• Compatibility with the Tap In Console

Cons:

• A chip more expensive
• My review copy'due south VC behavior was a bit quirky
• Light transmission a bit lower than the previous generation

Many thank you to the great people at Amplis Foto (Tamron's Canadian distributors) for getting me review copies of both the A011 and A022 for this review.

Gear Used:
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4)
In Canada Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.iii Di VC USD G2 (use code AMPLIS52016DA to get 5% off)
U.s.a. and World Tamron SP 150-600mm f/v-6.iii Di VC USD G2
Adobe Lightroom CC Software for Mac and Windows (Boxed Version)
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Twelvemonth Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X (Utilize Lawmaking "dustinabbott" to get ten% anything and everything)

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Source: https://dustinabbott.net/2016/10/tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-di-vc-usd-g2-review/

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