CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

I want to upgrade my Tamron lens in order to use a 1.4 teleconverter. I am looking at either the Tamron 150-600 G2 or the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary lens and am not sure which one would be a better pick.

I have the Nikon D500 that I will be using it with. The main reason for the upgrade is because I drew a special bull elk permit this year for a rifle hunt this coming season. The area that I will be hunting in is very open and long range....so in order to view the elk and judge size ...I would like to take photo's of them and view them on the camera to judge and with a teleconverter I will be able to zoom in further....I am not really worried about being able to print these photo's...more to be able to see the critter at the time. And yes I will have a good set of binoc's as well.

My questions to the group are:

Which would you chose?
Do you have either one of these lenses and what do you think of them?

Cindy

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have owned both versions of the Tamron and in the case of the G2 I have the 1.4x Tamron made for it. It becomes an f/9 wide open which means AF is erratic and iffy. I have tried it with Canon 5DIV, 7DII, 80D, 90D - 80D barely will AF and not reliable, the three others it hunts and sometimes will not AF. All of these bodies are F/8 AF just like your D500.

Here is an older article on the 4 150-600 lenses on the market. It has been updated a couple of times since first published.

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=19903

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I have the Tamron G2, Cindy. I think it will do nicely for that purpose and for any use you might eventually require of it. I had an older Sigma and it was good for its time and price. In reading reviews I opted for the Tamron this time around. I really like it. It will be quite different with a teleconverter whichever one you choose.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Thanks! I will read thru that article

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Thanks! I am leaning toward the G2 model as well.

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

I would choose the Nikon 200-500 5.6, it is sharp throughout it's zoom range, was manufactured to work specifically with you D500, has been tested by many professionals, has an excellent user rating from actual users, and best of all it's a Nikon. You will not be sorry.
With that lens you have a field of view of 750mm, which should be enough for anyone. I shoot in Florida wetlands with that combo all the time hand held and get outstanding, award winning images. You will too. Trust me.

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

I have the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens and was also thinking about a 1.4 teleconverter but after reading about the focusing issues with the teleconverter decided to forego it.

ELNikkor

Excellent time to get the Nikon 200-500 + TC

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Only the G2 or the Sigma Sport would be considered an upgrade. Neither of them would be great with 1.4X TC. Have you considered the kind of tripod and head you'd need to hold what will be effectively a 1260mm lens in a stable fashion to minimize sharpness loss due to vibration or camera movement?

On the other hand, if you are just looking to capture an image of modest quality to evaluate size, then a 36mp camera or better, with a 600mm optical focal length, may be all you need. With that many pixels you will be able to take your pic and really zoom in using the preview, or alternately use live view and use a shroud or a loupe over the rear preview screen for viewing in the field. Hoodman makes a few products that fit popular cameras. BTW, A Nikon D800 is 36mp and you can find a decent enough used one for around $800 or around $1300 for a good used D810.

Your needs may also be served with a bridge camera that has digital zoom, if you are not all that concerned for image quality.

I think a really long lens opens up a can of worms - bigger, more expensive, more "kit" to carry (lens, tripod, head, camera, bag, etc) whereas a bridge camera like a Nikon P950 or similar will likely provide what you need for your stated purpose.

doclrb

[quote=robertjerl]I have owned both versions of the Tamron and in the case of the G2 I have the 1.4x Tamron made for it. It becomes an f/9 wide open which means AF is erratic and iffy. I have tried it with Canon 5DIV, 7DII, 80D, 90D - 80D barely will AF and not reliable, the three others it hunts and sometimes will not AF. All of these bodies are F/8 AF just like your D500.

I have the G2 and have shot it with the D500. Works quite well. Your poor experience on any Canon is not surprising to me. And on my D500 the exif read f/8.

doclrb

V2volk Loc: St. Louis area

I have the Tamron G2 but don’t use it as much as I thought I would. Occasionally I think of selling it. I have always heard it doesn’t perform well with Tele. My guess is the Nikon 200-500 would wk better with a Nikon 1.4 tele.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If I were in your position, I would read all the reviews and comparisons I could find.

Good article -
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=19903

And more -
https://www.google.com/search?q=tamrom+150-600mm+G+vs+Sigma+contemporary&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS925US925&oq=tamrom+150-600mm+G+vs+Sigma+contemporary&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i22i29i30.9231j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Other links -
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=15236
http://www.kruger-2-kalahari.com/tamron-vs-sigma-150-600.html
http://photo.net/equipment/150-600_lenses
https://photographylife.com/nikon-200-500mm-vs-tamron-150-600mm-vs-sigma-150-600mm-c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLXocpM5xno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_msTFAmwWY

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I have the Sigma 150-600 Cont (Canon mount) and use it occasionally in combination with the Sigma TC-1401 on my Canon 5d4 with “ok” results. It will AF at f8, but sometimes with erratic results unless conditions are “bright.” The Sigma 2x TC will work but MF only. My preferred alternative is to mate the lens with my 7d2 and not bother with the TC. That said, I’ve been very pleased with the lens and also own the Sigma 100-400, which is often my go to walk about choice.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Thanks....I will check that one out!

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Not looking into replacing my camera....I love the D500.