Psergel Loc: New Mexico

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with both of these (the new version of the Tammy 150-600 and the 100-400L II plus 1.4 extender) and if so.......what are your impressions.

I'm trying to make a purchase decision.

I've never been totally happy with the original 150-600 and am thinking of selling it (and some other stuff) and either purchasing the new version or.......saving some money and space and buying the 1.4 III extender for my 100-400 L II.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I hate to have to say I've heard since I can't remember where, but I've heard the extender and vII lens at 560 performs better than the Tamron thru 500 - 600mm. The decision is impacted by your EOS camera's ability to drive the autofocus of the extended lens at f/8. It's a questionable choice if your body doesn't support this combo. The Canon lens definitely outperforms the Tamron without the extender, but coming in at a higher financial cost.

I've never looked for a Tamron group on Flickr, but there is a group for the 1.4x. You'll have to wade through the images for the various lenses and camera bodies, but the 100-400IIL and the 1.4xIII is a common combination. Canon Extender EF 1.4x III

I bought my extender used. It has no moving parts. Except for maybe scratches to the glass, I don't know how a used one could be different than a brand new one, except cheaper.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Hi and thank you. I also heard "somewhere" that the 100-400 + 1.4 extender produced better results than the Tammy but I don't remember if the comparison was done with the G2 or the original.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Paul - your hummingbirds and owls are excellent, including many excellent examples of the Tamron! However, the extended 100-400L would be limited to your 7DII as the 6D can't autofocus that combo. The Tamron operates on both.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I dont have the Tamron but I've read it is optically equivalent to the 150-600 Sigma Sport which I do have. I also have the EF 100-400L II and the EF 1.4EX III. The Canon is lighter, faster, sharper and all around better performer than my Sigma. The Sigma is a good sturdy work horse of a lens, heavy, well bult and sharp enough.
The Canon and teleconverter cost significantly more than the Sigma and Tamron but it is one of best super zooms made.
The Sigma does a great job but due to its weight, aapplications are limited.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Thank you very much!

My problem with my Tamron (1st generation) is that the results I get are wildly inconsistent and I don't know why. I recognize that I've gotten a number of very sharp images with the Tamron but I have literally thousands of not quite sharp images that I've taken at very high shutter speeds (like 1/2500th).
I also recognize that the problem may very well be me but try as I might I can't get consistently good results.

Thanks for reminding me that the 100-400/extender combo won't AF on the 6D.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

That may be a failing common to that model ... (sorry, I watched Unforgiven recently) For myself, I go through thousands of images only keeping the very sharpest. Over the past 3-weeks I've done 6 x 8 hour days at airshows. Some technique refresher hours helped on my focus on moving objects. But, I have been wondering if AF "drive" on a 1DX model is needed when working with the extender. After reading comments for my 5DIII and the 1.4x and 100-400L II, I switched over to back button focus and AI Servo at all times. (A few years ago when I got the 1.4x.) Single shot wasn't cutting it when the extender was mounted. I also use single-point or single-point expansion manually setting the focus point where desired.

For wildlife and zoos, I try to anticipate where the animal's eye will fall when they turn toward my camera and have the AF point set there waiting. I'm not big on bursts and run my AF drive on silent continuous (low speed) which is 3ish frames per second (except for airshows). I'm mounted to a tripod or a monopod when I can. I'm very impressed by Canon's IS, but use a fast shutter speed when needed to freeze any movement of the subject, if I can in the given light.

I mention these various points as areas to consider, if applicable. I suspect all these are being employed in your technique. It's possible the responsiveness of the 3rd party lens is the root-cause. And then, it very well might be a failing of that model ...

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Go Canon. A great lens the 100-400 II.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

whitehall Loc: Canada

One additional point to consider Tamron 150-600 at 600 behaves as if the f length was 5.6 providing a wider array of autofocus points than the canon 100-400 (ii) with a 1.4 extender. Still for hand held I use the 100-400 without extender and either wait for the bird to approach or zoom with my feet. Comments?

Mi630

I had the original Tamron 150-600 because I thought it would be a relatively inexpensive way to get longer reach. At the time I only had a 70-200 mm. The Blue Angels were doing an air show here and I went to photograph their practice day and not a single photo was in focus. I had it on AI Servo and high shutter speed and they were flying within 150 . Of me. I checked online and found that the lens needed a firmware update because of a problem the lens had when panning with the image stabilization on. My dealer installed the update and that helped immensely. Just something you might check into.

whitehall Loc: Canada

Thanks

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I suggest you check out this thread on this subject. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-443086-1.html

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I have not held the Tamron, but have spent a lot of time with the 100/400 II on both a 1DX and 5DIV. Based on comments, I understand the Tamron is pretty heavy by comparison. So for us older folks, for hand holding, one should be able to use the Canon more comfortably than the heavier Tamron. Considering IQ, build, weight and versatility (the Canon focuses really close), I would be spending the extra bucks and go with the Canon hands down. Good luck!

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I have not held the Tamron, but have spent a lot of time with the 100/400 II on both a 1DX and 5DIV. Based on comments, I understand the Tamron is pretty heavy by comparison. So for us older folks, for hand holding, one should be able to use the Canon more comfortably than the heavier Tamron. Considering IQ, build, weight and versatility (the Canon focuses really close), I would be spending the extra bucks and go with the Canon hands down. Good luck!

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

At some point of your ownership cycle, you were satisfied with your Tamron. I started to see the same type of thing on my Tamron, and I took some test shots, called Tamron, and sent in the lens. Under Tamrons 6 year warranty, they cleaned the lens calibrated it, replaced a element, and updated the firmware for my 5D Mark IV live view. The lens shoots as sharp as when new. I suggest you check your warranty date, and send the lens in.

B