finalimage Loc: Brattleboro, VT

Hi all, would appreciate any feedback on the Tamron 200-500 lens which I would be using on a Canon 6D. I do mostly landscape, just need more reach at times. The reviews I have seen look favorable and I can get one on eBay for under $500.

Anybody have experience with this lens, good or bad? And thanks!

canadiaman Loc: Tallahassee, FL

I own this lens and use it for bird photography. I am happy with the lens. I bought it for the same reason you are considering it. This was the only one in my budget.

I almost always use it at 500mm and stop down to at least f8 for sharper photos. Unless shooting at 1/400 or 1/500 I find that I need a tripod or monopod to prevent camera shake. Obviously, ISO creeps up when shooting 1/500 and f8. I try to shoot with the sun behind me and facing my subject to allow for lower ISO and better results.

I have never used another 500mm lens but based on shooting with friends in my photography club, the results seem comparable to the Sigma 50-500mm at 500mm.

finalimage Loc: Brattleboro, VT

Thank you very much! It was this kind of feedback I was seeking.

MEB540 Loc: New Jersey

I bought the same lens for the same reason, I have found it to be, a nice lens to use it is much lighter then the other lenses of the same size, it light enough to hand held at an air show, with faster shutter speed. I did find it it has some chromatic aberation on the chrome plains, but is very minor in regular landscape photos. I also like the feature which allow rotation of the polerizer even with the lens hood on.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You can pick up Sigma 120-400 OS or 150-500 OS used for around $500 or less these days. Those have both stabilization and HSM ultrasonic focus that's similar to Canon's USM.