Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

For those that are lucky enough to have this lens, what do you find is the best distance (max distance as well) to get clear pictures on a constant basis? I see posted that are shot within 100 feet. I think I am trying to get too much out of lens for clear pictures. Thanks in advance for your usual help and information.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Keep in mind that the lens is at it's f/6.3 at 428mm. Most people are using the lens at least that far out and it is getting soft. Shots are those focal lengths need very quick shutters to obtain crisp sharpness. Look closely at the photographs posted that were shot with this lens. It seems most are hand-held and out to at least 425mm. This is a very good lens, but they all have their limitations.

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

Haze is the biggest enemy at extreme ranges (as is with any long lens). However, under good lighting conditions, the 150-600mm has a longer useable range than you or I could ever use. This link will show a yacht I took at extreme range. Please read the text, & take note of the sharpness of the printing on the sails. Earl.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-276315-1.html

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

see what you mean. I guess i will have to shorten my distance. The last time I used it though was bright sunshine with little haze. So I guess I will keep trying. Ihave been shooting with the 7dII and I understand that there is a compatibility issue there and does not lock focus even in the single shot mode. Thanks again for the quick response. Snowing here today so hopefully some good shots tomorrow with the new 6 inch snow fall.

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

Thanks for the quick response. I hope with some practice I can get that good. Thanks again. Snowed 6 inches here today so tomorrow may have some good opportunities. Thanks again. I am shooting with the Canon 7dII and I understand that there may be a compatibility issue there so that may explain things a little. Thanks again.

jpendasulo Loc: TN

I'm using mine with a D810.

I shoot at 600mm a lot but I find the critical factor is how much I have to crop for distant subjects such as birds in flight or perched. I normally shoot at 1/1000 or higher, stopped down one stop and with Auto ISO set to 3200 max.

My percentage of sharp photos viewed at 100% magnification went up significantly hand held. I recently purchased a sturdy tripod and gimbal mount but have not used it enough to see if there is another big improvement. I expect to be able to stay below ISO1600 with good results.

The Eagles and Osprey in my area tend to keep their 100-200 ft. distance so cropping is a must for me.

drosegarden Loc: Kansas

Earl, I am hoping to get a Tamron 150-600mm and was amazed when I went to your great photo to read,

"I shot it at 600mm, using a Sigma APO 2X teleconverter which increased it to 1,200mm. This, of course, is equivalent to 1,800mm on a FF body. The shot was hand held"

I had no idea that a Sigma teleconverter would work on a Tamron.

DeAnne

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I believe that I am the most inconsistent factor in the use of my Tamron 150-600mm lens.
But, unlike the hordes before me who took a few shots (maybe), and then declared the lens "soft", I have been working to correct my behaviors and to understand how to use the lens.
And after literally thousands of shutter operations, most surrounding this lens, I'm finally getting a handle on my use with it.

It is capable of some incredibly sharp image captures. But as Regis has shown, it has an ability to have a very tight DOF (depth of field). Pinpointing one subject, while another mere inches further or shallower, will be OOF (out of focus)
I believe that factor is a delineating factor for the bad rap it got and reason it was declared as "soft".
People expected something out of the box, and when they didn't get instant gratification they Poo-Poo'd the Big Tammy.
I have 16080 operations on my camera purchased in July 2014. I typically can shoot hundreds and hundreds of shots at any given soccer game. And that, and my Humming Birds, were my reason for buying this lens on my rather limited retirement income. I had a need for range. ;)

To me, range depends on what your subject is and what you'd like to be contained in the frame. Mine is to capture a moment.
The flash of the male Humming Birds throat that is their main attractions to mate. I was lucky enough to actually observe a mating ritual unfold in my own back yard one summers afternoon. A male courting a female sitting on our service wire doing a dance. I guess he was successful, because the flew away together.

Or the drama most never see as it unfolds in the battle of competition on a soccer field. Because the moment appears, and is gone instantly.

DOF of 239.7mm focal length, 8.41 meters.

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I love this shot! You just can't get this without effort.

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davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Terrific display of DoF! All three are excellent shots, well worth the efforts, especially the "efforts" in #3 shot. Thanx SonnyE, glad you are enjoying "retirement?"

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

Great shots, SonnyE! :-D

drosegarden Loc: Kansas

That humming bird photo is fantastic.
DeAnne

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thank You, DeAnne.
I'm trying very hard to be more consistent.
I love "my" little flying jewels. And I try to keep them well fed with nectar.
They seem to really appreciate it. I expect to be seeing new babies showing up any time now. They are usually 1/2 the size of adults, and the territorial males seem to give way to them.
(Meaning the territorial males guarding a feeder will allow the babies to freely feed from what they are guarding.)
The babies also have no fear and will fly within a foot of your face to look into your eyes. It might be they see a reflection of themselves.
I have thousands of pictures of the Hummers, and a few Photographs. :lol:

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks Norman.
Maybe one day I will make it to Amateur. ;)

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thank You David.
I hoped I could contribute to the thread about the Big Tammy by sharing of my experiences, and trials with mine.
I still have thousands of "Meh" pictures. :lol: :roll:

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

Little Jordan said 'Grandpa is the best fograftor in the world!' That was good enough for me! :lol: