Tamron vs Sigma 150-600mm: I realize a lot of likes & dislikes are subjective but is there any consensus as which lens is superior to the other? I'm going to pick up a 150-600mm zoom...

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

I realize a lot of likes & dislikes are subjective but is there any consensus as which lens is superior to the other? I'm going to pick up a 150-600mm zoom and wanted to ask the group as to their preference.
Thanks,

Corrected the title, I meant Tamron but had Tokina on the brain, I guess.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I did a quick Google search, there is tons of info out there.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

TBerwick wrote:

I realize a lot of likes & dislikes are subjective but is there any consensus as which lens is superior to the other? I'm going to pick up a 150-600mm zoom and wanted to ask the group as to their preference.
Thanks,

Tokina doesn't make one. Tamron makes two as does Sigma - the Tamron G2 is optically equivalent to the Sigma Sport.

PCL92

I own the Tamron G2, love it, sharp and focus is faster than the G1 that I traded.
Lighter than the Sigma Sport.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, the biggest factor in the difference in these lenses will be the speed and accuracy of AF which is probably a bigger problem with Canon bodies. Weight and physical aspects of lens management would be a second biggest factor for me.

On 24MP FF bodies you will not see any difference optically and even on 24MP crop frame, I am not so sure you could see an optical difference. Any difference you DID see may just be sample variation.

It may come down to flipping a coin.

..

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I would go with the G2 or Sport. My 200-500 is quicker to focus on both FF and crop sensor. than my G2. In particular, group focus is often very slow on my G2 to the point I rarely use it unless conditions are optimal. I shoot once a week with two people who have the Contemporary on Canon FF and they are quite jealous. When you are both shooting the same subject, it becomes quite apparent which is faster.

I noticed that you shoot Nikon, hence my 200-500 reference.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

DaveO wrote:

I would go with the G2 or Sport. My 200-500 is quicker to focus on both FF and crop sensor. than my G2. In particular, group focus is often very slow on my G2 to the point I rarely use it unless conditions are optimal. I shoot once a week with two people who have the Contemporary on Canon FF and they are quite jealous. When you are both shooting the same subject, it becomes quite apparent which is faster.

I noticed that you shoot Nikon, hence my 200-500 reference.

That is the same impression I got from using yours Dave .....8-)

..

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

imagemeister wrote:

That is the same impression I got from using yours Dave .....8-)

..

I have had ample opportunity to test them since that trip! I even tried the 1.4 on the 150-600 and 200-500 on the D850 and was quite pleased. I manually focused about half of the 200 shots and had no complaints either way. Late afternoon with sun dropping...F8. Then again, I'm easy! Seriously though, decent performance.

Black Point Drive was closed for repairs Thursday and we shot a few back toward the bridge to Titusville. Overhaul Canal Bridge was dead. The G2 was a bit soft. Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnn September!

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

TBerwick wrote:

I realize a lot of likes & dislikes are subjective but is there any consensus as which lens is superior to the other? I'm going to pick up a 150-600mm zoom and wanted to ask the group as to their preference.
Thanks,

Corrected the title, I meant Tamron but had Tokina on the brain, I guess.

I chose the Tamron G2 over the Sigma and Sigma Sport. Here's why: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-458752-1.html

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

TBerwick wrote:

I realize a lot of likes & dislikes are subjective but is there any consensus as which lens is superior to the other? I'm going to pick up a 150-600mm zoom and wanted to ask the group as to their preference.
Thanks,

Corrected the title, I meant Tamron but had Tokina on the brain, I guess.

IF you shoot Nikon you should really consider the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens. I have owned the Nikon 300 2.8 and the 200-400 f4, and this lens competes very very well against them. IMHO.

Largobob

billnikon wrote:

IF you shoot Nikon you should really consider the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens. I have owned the Nikon 300 2.8 and the 200-400 f4, and this lens competes very very well against them. IMHO.

Although this doesn't answer your question directly....I agree with Bill. I find the Nikkor 200-500 f/5.6 to be a superb performer on my D810. I tend to believe that a lens made by the camera manufacturer, will be a better match to that camera. Faster and more accurate autofocus, solid build, good feel/balance, tack-sharp images, etc.

ervinada Loc: Hollywood, Florida

I own a Tamron 150-600 G1 and also recently purchased a Sigma 150-600 Sport. I have no complaints re. my Tamron other than the fact that the auto focus is a bit slower than the Sigma Sport: the picture quality from both is excellent and with no exposure problems with the Sigma as previously noted by another member testing a rental lens. The most notable difference between the two lenses is that the Sigma Sport is almost twice the weight of the Tamron due primarily to the additional glass incorporated which makes it virtually impossible for my 71 year old bones to hand hold when attached to my D850 with MBD-18 grip. Additionally, the Sigma is built like a tank and is fairly well sealed against virtually anything mother nature can throw at it. As much as I enjoyed the Tamron it will soon be going on the auction block as I have switched totally to the Sigma.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TBerwick wrote:

I realize a lot of likes & dislikes are subjective but is there any consensus as which lens is superior to the other? I'm going to pick up a 150-600mm zoom and wanted to ask the group as to their preference.
Thanks,

Corrected the title, I meant Tamron but had Tokina on the brain, I guess.

Some reading -

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=15236
http://www.kruger-2-kalahari.com/tamron-vs-sigma-150-600.html
http://photo.net/equipment/150-600_lenses
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/latest/articles/tamron-vs-sigma-150-600mm-the-7-key-differences-48183
https://photographylife.com/nikon-200-500mm-vs-tamron-150-600mm-vs-sigma-150-600mm-c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLXocpM5xno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_msTFAmwWY

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I have the sigma 150-600C and love it. Less than$1000 from amazon. Regularly shoot birds and planes. Check out my postings. I really like my recent B-29 pics. I shoot with a d7200. The sigma is a FF lens so you get that sweet spot in the middle with no distortion.

gwilliams6

The Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary was my choice over the Tamron. I am a pro shooter and can afford whatever gear I need. The Sigma Contemporary has actually tested sharper than its more expensive Sport sibling. And the Contemporary actually keeps its wider max apertures longer as you zoom up the focal range vs the Sport. The Contemporary also is hand hold-able, which the Sports is not. I have not seen any definitive tests that show the Tamron being better IQ either.

Jared Polin's Real World review of the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Lens:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6tCUFXiDws