stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

I purchased my lens from a local photo shop last Monday but I haven't had time to try it until today. I called a friend who also bought the same lens, and we went to try them out.
The lighting was bad, overcast and very dark. so our shutter speeds where very low. at times we both had focusing issues at 600mm. I am shooting a Canon 7D and my friend is shooting a Canon 1DX. we both blamed the low light for the focus issues. for the first images I was happy with them for shutter speeds as low as we were shooting.

600mm 1/250 sec f8 ISO 800

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500mm 1/125 sec f8 ISO 800

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600mm 1/100 sec f8 ISO 800

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450mm 1/250 f8 ISO800


450mm 1/250 f8 ISO800

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400mm 1/200 f8 ISO 1000

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stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

All shots were hand held.

brucew29 Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Not bad at all considering the dull day, black subject, and slow shutter speed for handheld... typically shutter speed should be at least the reciprocal of the mm of the lens... i.e., 600mm lens = 1/600th sec... you were shooting handheld at 1/100th to 1/250th sec at 600mm... I am seriously considering the Tamron 150-600mm lens for the price.

Question: You were shooting at f/8.... is that stopped down 1 or 2 stops? Also, was there any shadows and how distinct were the shadows... cloudy bright, cloudy dull; somewhere in between? I couldn't see any shadows.

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

Bruce, at 600mm the lowest is f6.3. I read that the lens is sharpest around f8 to f11, with the low light I chose f8.
as for shadows there were none. with the overcast sky and later in the day it was very dull flat lighting.
I also have a Canon 100-400mm which I really like but I was looking for the additional 200mm. I think the focus is faster and better on the canon but I have to use the tamron in better light to be fair.
thanks for the reply

brucew29 Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

That is what I thought... I guess if a bird was in a tree under heavy overhead shade on a bright day, you would still need to use a higher ISO (800-1600 or higher) and use a low shutter speed shot (1/250th - /125 sec or slower) at f/6.3 or f/8.0 with a 600mm setting to obtain a proper exposure, more or less... and still might have AF focus problems... best guess...

Also, isn't the Canon a faster lens...

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

yes, the canon is a faster lens. 4.5-5.6 which I have had many years to practice with it. and I only used the Tamron for about 30 min. so I'm sure I will learn how to get the most out of it.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Congratulations on the lens. From what I have seen posted on the forum, you got a really good, sharp lens. Nice.

FramerMCB Loc: Northern, ID (formerly Portland, OR area)

Nice shots for your first time out with that lens. I believe you're really going to like it. Some others on here are getting some great results.

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

Thanks for the comments ebrunner & FarmerMCB. I am wanting to get out and shoot again, but with going to work & the short Alaskan days I haven't been able to. hopefully soon!