Tamron 150-600 G2 (Page 2): Thank you for your reply. I have been planning on the Nikon. but the deal on the Tamron has made me think about it (is is just a little over half price). I...

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

Thank you for your reply. I have been planning on the Nikon. but the deal on the Tamron has made me think about it (is is just a little over half price). I looked at the TAP-in last night looks like a lot of control. Are there any key issues in using the TAP-in?

Strodav wrote:

At first, I was not happy with the lack of sharpne... (show quote)

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

Thank you for your reply.

Largobob wrote:

Same experience here. If you shoot Nikon, you might be better off with the Nikon 200-500 f/5.6.

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

Thank you.

pahtspix wrote:

I've owned a G2 for over 2 years with "0" complaints..Excellent results with my Nikon D500..The tamron is seldom off the camera!!

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

Thank you for your reply. Thanks for the additional info on teh auto manual focus switch. That is helpful information.

rplain1 wrote:

I have had the G-2 since shortly after it came out... (show quote)

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

MrT wrote:

Thank you for your reply. Why do you think you keep changing it to manual focus? is the switch in the wrong place? is the switch to big or too small? I use auto focus 99% of the time. Accidentally switching to manual focus would be inconvenient. Was it happening 10%, 50% or 90% of the time?

I have this lens since last year and so far I have not had an issue with accidental switching perhaps because of the way I support the lens handheld by the tripod mount...but in the next version of this lens (G3?) they should recess the switches! Otherwise it is an excellent lens for the money... often compared to the Sigma 150-600 C, Nikon 200-500, and Canon 100-400...all excellent lenses with some +/-.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

MrT wrote:

Thank you for your reply. Why do you think you keep changing it to manual focus? is the switch in the wrong place? is the switch to big or too small? I use auto focus 99% of the time. Accidentally switching to manual focus would be inconvenient. Was it happening 10%, 50% or 90% of the time?

It’s probably me. It happens when I’m shooting handheld. IMO, it has to do with 2 things - placement of the switch and the way I swing the camera around into position. I never teally paid much attention to how often it happens. I’ve heard that others have had the experience of accidentally switching, but I don’t know the particulars. What I can tell you is that it didn’t keep me from returning the lens.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

I also have the G2, and the Canon 70-200L. The Canon is a better lens, but the difference in picture quality is not that much of a difference at least to me. Someone with more experience may see a difference.
I consider it a great lens, and don’t regret getting it. The one draw back it’s big and heavy, not a lens you want to lug around for long treks, or hold without a tripod for long.

linelink

I have owned the G2 for over a yr. Shoot birds down in Florida. I’m 70 yrs old and seldom use a tripod for BIF. Never had an issue with the manual switch. Use it on a D500 and it is fast to focus. My friends shoot Canon, or Nikon 200-500 lenses. Most find the G2 not as cumbersome. It’s a great lens at the regular price offered by Adorama or B&H. If you are hesitant to pull the trigger, you may be hesitant to purchase any lens. There is give and take with any purchase in the camera industry given so, so many options. As with anything, you can rent one and see if you would be happy.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

I bought the Tamron 150-600 G2 in early May 2017, specifically for reaching through the wire enclosures at the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Discovery Center; and reaching off the trails at the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge(s) and Ramona Grasslands. I have not been disappointed by anything about it. Before I bought it, though, I rented for one week each the G2, the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary, and the Sigma 150-600 Sport. Online reviews indicated that I would like the Sigma 150-600 Sport best. I didn't. I liked it least. I don't use tripods or monopods, so weight and ease of use are important to me. More about why I chose Tamron:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-458752-1.html

Here is a picture captured on May 27, 2017, of a gull stealing food from the Mexican side of the border and bringing it into the United States. EXIF data indicates this was taken at 600mm, 1/1000, f/3.5, ISO 500. Canon 550D. It's a hand-held picture using Continuous shooting and burst mode.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

MrT wrote:

Thank you for your reply. I have been planning on the Nikon. but the deal on the Tamron has made me think about it (is is just a little over half price). I looked at the TAP-in last night looks like a lot of control. Are there any key issues in using the TAP-in?

Tap-In is easy to use. Just download the Tamron Tap-in utility and plug the Tap-in to a USB port and mount it on the lens. Very easy. When the utility recognizes the lens a focus table will come up showing three distances across the top (2.2m, 20m, infinity) and zoom factors vertically on the left (150mm, 200mm, 300mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm). Each table entry has a 0 default, but can be adjusted from -20 to +20. A negative value moves AF forward towards the lens. A positive value moves AF backward away from the lens. There is a box to check and update the firmware in the lens. A second page allows you to customize auto focus ranges. The hard part is determining whether to make a move and in which direction for each of the 18 table entries.

Geegee Loc: Peterborough, Ont.

Old Timer wrote:

I have the G2 and use it with 7d and a 5dii both gets satisfactory performance. It is a little sharper on the full frame but again the reach of the crop sensor makes it difficult to get an accurate assessment. If you could get it for $600 or less I believe you would be satisfied with. Does it have the upgrade?

What upgrade?

doclrb

MrT wrote:

Thank you for your reply. Interesting comments on sharpness. I have both a crop frame and full frame Nikons. Most reviewers have found that the lens is sharper on the crop bodies. The price is higher than $600 but still a bargain. I don't understand your question "Does it have the upgrade?" are you asking if it is the G2 or the TAP-in console? .

Would you pls describe the process you employed to tune your lens?

TY

doclrb

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

I don’t have the Tamron but rather the Sigma Contemporary version. I bought it as a Christmas gift for myself and am surely enjoying it
The Tamron or Sigma is an excellent choice. I bought mine on sale for 800 new. If you can steal yours GO FOR IT .... you will probably love it

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I got myself one for Christmas. I've not used it that much and it did take some getting used to. It is the first lens of greater than 300mm I have ever used. I have only used it on a tripod and with "Live View". I believe live view eliminates the need for fine tuning with the TAP. After trial and error I have improved my technique enough to be happy with the lens.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

rplain1 wrote:

...have had a couple times when I found the switch in Manual instead of Auto. Don't know if I moved it accidentally....

An easy solution for that is "gaffer tape". Put a small piece of it over the switches to keep them from accidentally being moved. I've got several lenses where I've done that to various switches. I've used similar technique on cameras, too (the mode dial on some models was easily bumped and changed, until Canon was kind enough to put a locking mechanism on it on later models).

Gaffer tape is available in various colors (I use black and white for different purposes). It sticks well, but doesn't leave any adhesive behind, unless it's left on something for a long, long time. Even then, it's pretty easy to remove the adhesive ("Goof Off" works well.)

I have a roll or two of gaffer tape with me all the time. It comes in handy for any number of things (and is much better than "duct tape").

Out on the trail, we even used some to secure a loose shoe on a horse once. It was enough to keep her from throwing the shoe until we could get a better fix done.