Canon 100-400 (with extender/converter) or Tamron 150-600? Currently use tamron 18-400 on my 80D. Hoping to go FF in future. Looking to get "more reach" from a lens at this time. I...

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

Currently use tamron 18-400 on my 80D. Hoping to go FF in future. Looking to get "more reach" from a lens at this time. I mainly do birds/wildlife/landscape handheld while hiking. Budget will not allow for the canon 100-400L is ll new , would have to get used. Or could go with new tamron 150-600. Thanks

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

lwhite61 wrote:

Currently use tamron 18-400 on my 80D. Hoping to go FF in future. Looking to get "more reach" from a lens at this time. I mainly do birds/wildlife/landscape handheld while hiking. Budget will not allow for the canon 100-400L is ll new , would have to get used. Or could go with new tamron 150-600. Thanks

There are lots of incongruities in your question ! The Tamron 18-400 seems perfect for your current use - OR, the Sony RX10 IV if you have some money to spend. The Canon 100-400 and Tamron 150-600 are both much bigger/heavier ! OTOH, The Tamron 100-400 is relative small/light ! Going FF, will be counter productive for you if you are already "reach" challenged !

You might also consider the small/light Canon 400 5.6 prime.

Consider optimizing your image sharpness, cropping and using pixel enlargement software to obtain "reach" ....
.

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

imagemeister wrote:

There are lots of incongruities in your question !... (show quote)

Thanks! Guess I have more "thinking and considering" to do before any type of purchase

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There are size and weight differences too. Your EOS 80D includes modern features where the effective f/8 aperture of the extended combo lets you use AF points across the entire frame. My older EOS 5DIII doesn't even have this feature. No one is going to say the 100-400L is 'small' but it's a more compact set-up than the Tamron 150-600. The v II Canon lens is built like a tank and the used prices are now in the $1500 range if you need to close the price difference.

Tom70 Loc: NY

lwhite61 wrote:

Currently use tamron 18-400 on my 80D. Hoping to go FF in future. Looking to get "more reach" from a lens at this time. I mainly do birds/wildlife/landscape handheld while hiking. Budget will not allow for the canon 100-400L is ll new , would have to get used. Or could go with new tamron 150-600. Thanks

going through the same problem, lots to consider, wake up every day with a changed mind, the Canon used is still more then the Tamron or Sigma but offers quite a few advantages (In my mind) anyway. If most of your use will be hand held hiking consider that the Canon is lighter (55oz vs 68oz, smaller 7-1/2 vs 10", thats without extender), Canon is all metal, has much faster and more accurate AF, smaller filter size (77 vs 95mm/105MM).
Read all the reviews from pros that field test the lens, some of these guys use the lens for months before reviewing. A lot of pros suggest renting a lens to see if that one fits your style. My Sunday decision is to keep saving and go with the Canon. I'm a stickler for sharpness and true color Canon seams to have the advantage.
Wonder what my Monday decision will be. Thats my 2 cents, Good luck, keep shooting and have fun

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

CHG_CANON wrote:

There are size and weight differences too. Your EOS 80D includes modern features where the effective f/8 aperture of the extended combo lets you use AF points across the entire frame. My older EOS 5DIII doesn't even have this feature. No one is going to say the 100-400L is 'small' but it's a more compact set-up than the Tamron 150-600. The v II Canon lens is built like a tank and the used prices are now in the $1500 range if you need to close the price difference.

Thanks!!

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

Tom70 wrote:

going through the same problem, lots to consider, ... (show quote)

Thanks! I had already planned on going to local camera shop to actually see/hold the lenses. Could be the increased weight will rule some out. Would also rent before making purchase. Thanks again!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

lwhite61 wrote:

Currently use tamron 18-400 on my 80D. Hoping to go FF in future. Looking to get "more reach" from a lens at this time. I mainly do birds/wildlife/landscape handheld while hiking. Budget will not allow for the canon 100-400L is ll new , would have to get used. Or could go with new tamron 150-600. Thanks

Hands down, no contest, you have to been kidding considering anything else, Canon 100-400L II. Anything else is trying to be as good, and is NOT.
And this is coming from a Nikon and Sony guy. I wish Nikon or Sony made one this well, and sharp, and quick, and sharp, and as well built, and as sharp, OH, I am repeating myself, I wonder why?

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

billnikon wrote:

Hands down, no contest, you have to been kidding considering anything else, Canon 100-400L II. Anything else is trying to be as good, and is NOT.
And this is coming from a Nikon and Sony guy. I wish Nikon or Sony made one this well, and sharp, and quick, and sharp, and as well built, and as sharp, OH, I am repeating myself, I wonder why?

Thanks!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Any camera stores near you. If so, take your camera with you(if they have what you want in stock) & fire off a few phots of each & decide. Just a thought.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I had a Canon 100-400 and when Tamron came out with 150-600 I tried it got it and sold my Canon. I am still glad I did. That is me.

dandev Loc: Enumclaw, WA

I had a Tamron 150 to 600 G1. Sold it and got the Canon 100-400 and 1.4x - much better image quality.
The Tamron 150 to 600 G2 is supposed to be a lot better than the G1. Don't know how that compares to the Canon 100-400.

unlucky2 Loc: Hemet Ca.

A small but useful point not mentioned so far, the canon focus much closer (36") . I love mine, have the 1.4 mk111 , don't really use it that often. I bought then sold the Sigma 150 - 600, for me the canon 100-400 was/is hands down better. The 400 5.6 is lighter but not as versatile, I have and use one, but not very often.

MountainDave

Here's a place to start:
https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Tamron-SP-150-600mm-F5-63-Di-VC-USD-G2-Model-A022-Canon-on-Canon-EOS-5DS-R-versus-Sigma-150-500mm-F5-63-APO-DG-OS-HSM-Canon-on-Canon-EOS-5DS-R-versus-Canon-EF-100-400mm-F45-56L-IS-II-USM-on-Canon-EOS-5DS-R__1751_1009_547_1009_1469_1009

I wouldn't stop there however. Check out field tests by others. AF speed and accuracy is just as important, especially on a long lens. You will find Canon beats the others like a drum on AF and build quality. Unlucky2 brought up another overlooked point about MFD which is more useful than you might imagine. Then check with Lens Rentals about build quality. Mine works extremely well with a 1.4X III but may be of limited use on a crop frame where your field of view would be 896mm and difficult to hand hold.

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

lwhite61 wrote:

Currently use tamron 18-400 on my 80D. Hoping to go FF in future. Looking to get "more reach" from a lens at this time. I mainly do birds/wildlife/landscape handheld while hiking. Budget will not allow for the canon 100-400L is ll new , would have to get used. Or could go with new tamron 150-600. Thanks

Another thought, I have an 80D and I picked up a used Canon 100-400 vI on EBAY for around $850. I have been extremely happy with it and no problem w/ Canon 1.4X. Yes, it is a push/pull zoom (which I don't mind) and the vII is said to focus a might faster. I find it second in sharpness only to my Canon 70-200 f2.8 vII.