Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

I rented a Canon 100-400mm II and compared those shots against my Tamron 150-600mm lens using my Canon 7D Mk2 camera. They are about equal in sharpness and quality. The Canon 100-400 II photos are sharp but smaller than the Tamron 150-600mm photos which are larger and sharp.
The Canon 100-400 II lens is smaller and lighter and has the fastest focusing I have ever seen. Great lens, but you will pay about $2,200 for it. It's easily hand held, you really don't need a tripod. Rugged and water resistant, etc. I still like my Tamron for it's reach and sharpness and is about half the price of the Canon.
First 3 photos are taken with the Tamron and the last 3 photos are taken with the Canon. All are at 600mm. I know these photos are subjective because the birds are not a static target.
The Canon 100-400mm shots were all at 400mm.
The skies were cloudy with rain today.

Canon 7D Mk2 - Tamron 150-600mm - 1/320 - f/7.1 - ISO @ 640. Distance was 25-30 feet.

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Canon 7D Mk2 - Tamron 150-600mm - 1/640 - f/10 - ISO @ 800. Distance was 25-30 feet.

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Canon 7D Mk2 - Tamron 150-600mm - 1/640 - f/9 - ISO @ 800. Distance was 25-30 feet.

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Canon 7D Mk2 - Canon 100-400mm II - 1/200 - f/5.6 - ISO @ 640. Distance was 25-30 feet.

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Canon 7D Mk2 - Canon 100-400mm II - 1/500 - f/7.1 - ISO @ 640. Distance was 25-30 feet.

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Canon 7D Mk2 - Canon 100-400mm II - 1/500 - f/7.1 - ISO @ 800. Distance was 25-30 feet.

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Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Nicely done: looks like a fair comparison of two lenses in near-identical situations.

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

I would say, they are very close, however, the canon does seem to have a bit better definition.....but, for the money difference, the tamron, will do...

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Thank you, Douglas. Too close for me to say which one is sharper.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

I agree with you, lone ranger. For the money, the Tamron is a good choice. If one can afford the Cannon lens, then that also would be a wise deal. There is very little difference between the two of them.

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Your Correct, Regis!!...

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Thank you, lone ranger.

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

My Pleasure....

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I agree with the others, too close to call, but I had to comment on what a beautiful set. Thanks for sharing them.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Thank you very much, Joe. I used a Canon 100-400 II lens rental, but I decided to buy one and it should be here tomorrow. Primarily, I will still be using my Tamron 150-600mm, but there will be times when this smaller lens will come in handy, especially since I can focus down to 23 inches @ 400mm (front of lens to subject).

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

Were different types / amounts of PP needed by these different lenses?

Bill

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Using my Canon 7D Mk2, I sometimes get a little noise which I can take out easily with Topaz DeNoise. A little contrast and sharpening may be required, but that's it.
The Canon 6D only had a slight amount of noise, but it still needed a little contrast and sharpening too. Almost all camera photos need a little PP to look more professional and I would say the contrast is more important than the sharpness. So, the Canon 100-400mm II gives you a very sharp image but smaller than the Tamron 150-600mm larger and sharp image.
For the money, the Tamron is hard to beat. If you want to pay about $1000+ more for the Canon 100-400mm II, then this lens is an excellent choice because it's shorter and lighter than the Tamron, has faster focusing and will focus down to 24"-30". It just doesn't have the extra reach that the Tamron has.

kavner58 Loc: Portland, Oregon

I like the colors of the Canon 100-400 you present here.

- AK

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Thank you, AK. The Canon 100-400 II has some very special lens coatings and one of them creates good contrast which gives you richer colors. Usually these special lens coatings are found on the more expensive prime lenses at $10,000 or more.

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

I

Thanks Regis for this interesting topic and the pics. Really nice work as usual.

Bill