BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Every time I think that if I just buy this one more thing my photo life will be complete, GAS rears its head. We're going on vacation to Chincoteague Island in May and will be on the Assateague Channel with a great view. I'm hoping for some bird shots while there, and wild pony shots. The longest lens I have is a 55-250mm right now.
My camera is an EOS t2i, and at my level it suits me just fine. I'm not interested in competing with the excellent wildlife photographers on here, just in making the best of what I have.
Just FYI I've already researched the lens, and though not rated as sharp as prime lenses the Tamron looks to be one I can shoot handheld, my preference and has good i.s. I'll pick up a lenscoat for it and a case, too.

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

I have had both the first version and the G2. Either is great. You will not regret have this length and it will quickly become a favorite. While I shoot Nikon, the you will enjoy the results just the same. I like it so much it stays on my D7200 permanently and I bought another body for everything else - the D750. Get it, and get it now! If you don't like it, you can sell it no problem and will have been cheaper in the end than renting one.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Have you looked at used? Tamron or Sigma on eBay or one of the reputable sellers? Got mine on eBay (Sigma) and it's just fine.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

As far as the wild pony shots, what you have is fine. You can walk right up to them in the parking areas. Bird shots - the longer the better. The longer, the steadier your hands have to be for hand held shots. I just purchased a used Sigma 100-400mm. For me I think, I'm at my limit for hand holding. The 100-400 is a fraction of the weight (my reason for selecting it) compared to the various 150-600's There are a lot of reviews posted on this forum recently on those longer zooms and Primes.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Thanks - Didn't think about the resale potential. I thought about rental but decided it didn't make sense for a relatively low purchase price.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Will prob go used from B&H or KEH. Don't want to worry about quality from an unknown seller.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Thanks. I've read the UHH reviews and many in here like the Tamron. Tony Northrup's video review mentioned the lighter weight of the Tamron vs the sharper prime and/or OEM lenses, but for me good enough is OK. Don't want junk but don't need high-end.
I already have my argument ready - "Happy wife, happy life".😁

mjones540

Regret the things you've done, not the things you haven't done. Get the Tamron!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Is the lens you are looking at new or used? Is it the original or the G2? $800 would be a bad price for an original, too high. It would be a good price for a used G2 and and outstanding price for a new G2. Either one will work quite well on your T2i.

I've been to Assateague and Chincoteague numerous times in the past 25 years. You will see plenty of pony's on Assateague, more on the north side of the island but there's around 180 or so on the southern half of the Island. The pony's on the southern half of the island are all owned by the Chincoteague Fire Company. What differentiates the pony's on the south side of the island from the north is, the pony's on the south side of the island all have health insurance compliments of the Chincoteague fire company. These are the ones they round up the 3rd week in July for the swim over to Chincoteague. There is a fence separating the island to keep the pony's that belong to the Chincoteague fire company separate from the "wild" pony's that belong to the National Park. You can get plenty close to the pony's so a 150-600 lens will probably be overkill for pony photos. One important thing to remember, absolutely do not feed the pony's, especially the ones in the National Park. They walk through camp sites looking for handouts and it is illegal to feed them. Also keep in mind, they may appear to be quite tame but they are wild animals, more so the northern ones.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

I have the G2 (Nikon version) and love it! the VR is great...I don,t know how much difference there is between the original and the G2 (other than $500 in the price)

Hammer Loc: London UK

You have my permission to spend the money. Good luck

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I love the 150-600 Tammy lens. DON'T put lens coat on it as it serves no purpose.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

I have the 150-600 G2 on a 7D MK II. Got mine in pristine condition from Roberts Camera in Indianapolis. They are very reliable, and have an outstanding reputation. A few things about this lens, one it’s a large, and to me a heavy lens. It may need a docking port to calibrate it, which I found difficult to do correctly, but was lucky enough to find someone who knew what they were doing. It does take great pictures though.

Good luck

ggab Loc: ?

Now for something completely different:
Look into a used EF400mm f/5.6 USM L lens
Light weight, High quality glass @ $814.00 Like New on MPB.
I have a Tammy 150-600 G2 and never use it.
There isn't any IS on the EF400mm, however if shooting BIF you set your shutter speed to 1/1200 and don't need it. Practice your panning skills, you will need them more than IS.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The EF 400L is a nice light weight lens but it is a unitasker. The EF 100-400L is heavier but also far more versatile and you should be able to pick up a nice one for under $800. You may even find nice used EF 100-400L II for around $900 and it's lighter and smaller than the original. The first thing I did when I got my EF 100-400L II was sell my EF 400L. I no longer needed it.