Worth Getting An OSS Lens? I have a Sony A6000 with a Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III lens, which I use 98% of the time since I don't have to change lenses most of the time. I was...

Peloton Loc: Pacific County, Washington

I have a Sony A6000 with a Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III lens, which I use 98% of the time since I don't have to change lenses most of the time. I was just wondering if I would get sharper pictures with the Sony 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 OSS lens? Is it worth trading it to get the OSS?

Attached is a picture of an eagle on the Pacific Coast with the Tamron lens: f/6.3, 1/320 sec., ISO 100, 200mm.

Thanks.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you are satisfied with the Tamron why not keep it? The picture of the eagle has lost some sharpness due to compression, nothing that could not be fixed applying more sharpness in an editor. I see two spots that tell me you have dust on the AA filter, if your Sony is fit with one.
I favor buying lenses made by the manufacturer of the camera but it does not mean an independent lens will not give you also good results. Today optical technologies are available to all manufacturers of lenses and those lenses perform to high standards.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The posted image looks really nice.

How much of a perfectionist are you?
Do you want to see the fleas on the feathers?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Peloton wrote:

I have a Sony A6000 with a Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III lens, which I use 98% of the time since I don't have to change lenses most of the time. I was just wondering if I would get sharper pictures with the Sony 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 OSS lens? Is it worth trading it to get the OSS?

Attached is a picture of an eagle on the Pacific Coast with the Tamron lens: f/6.3, 1/320 sec., ISO 100, 200mm.

Thanks.

I prefer OSS types of lenses as they do allow for lower shutter speeds.
I still use proper holding techniques etc. but find the stabilization does help.
I can't tell if there is any shake but it doesn't look like it.
Perhaps rent one you are considering and see the difference.
If you are into birds you might also consider something at least up to 400mm while looking.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

From a thumbnail, we can't say how well the lens is performing at the pixel-level details. If you want to shoot wildlife, you need a longer lens, where the brand is important, but not as important as simply having more focal length.

User ID

Peloton wrote:

I have a Sony A6000 with a Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III lens, which I use 98% of the time since I don't have to change lenses most of the time. I was just wondering if I would get sharper pictures with the Sony 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 OSS lens? Is it worth trading it to get the OSS?.

Depends on the shutter speeds you normally use. I choose to work in darkness, so IS is a serious concern. If you prefer to work in full daylight you will get great shutter speeds at 800 to 1600 ISO so IS becomes a non issue.

BTW, clean your sensor !

(Download)

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

User ID wrote:

Depends on the shutter speeds you normally use. I choose to work in darkness, so IS is a serious concern. If you prefer to work in full daylight you will get great shutter speeds at 800 to 1600 ISO so IS becomes a non issue.

BTW, clean your sensor !

Beautifully unique eye catchers ✨⭐✨⭐✨

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joecichjr wrote:

Beautifully unique eye catchers ✨⭐✨⭐✨

Working after dark provides for that.

(Download)

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Peloton wrote:

I have a Sony A6000 with a Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III lens, which I use 98% of the time since I don't have to change lenses most of the time. I was just wondering if I would get sharper pictures with the Sony 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 OSS lens? Is it worth trading it to get the OSS?

Attached is a picture of an eagle on the Pacific Coast with the Tamron lens: f/6.3, 1/320 sec., ISO 100, 200mm.

Thanks.

Great shot, and obviously the eagle seems as if it would have no problem at all perching on your finger
🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

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joecichjr wrote:

Great shot, and obviously the eagle seems as if it would have no problem at all perching on your finger
🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

An eagle the size of a canary ??!?

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

User ID wrote:

Working after dark provides for that.

So utterly cool 🧊🧊🧊🧊🧊

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

It’s impossible to judge that shot from the thumbnail. You should have checked “upload original” so when actually see it. But really Paul I’d correct. 200mm, (or 300mm equivalent for a crop sensor), is at the very low end of focal length for wildlife.
And yes, you need to clean your sensor.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

If I was you I'd keep the lens and get around a 500mm lens if you enjoy shooting wildlife.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

I don't think you would see much difference between the Sony and the Tampon lenses. If you shoot a lot of wildlife, consider the Sony 100-400mm lens.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Peloton wrote:

I have a Sony A6000 with a Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III lens, which I use 98% of the time since I don't have to change lenses most of the time. I was just wondering if I would get sharper pictures with the Sony 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 OSS lens? Is it worth trading it to get the OSS?

Attached is a picture of an eagle on the Pacific Coast with the Tamron lens: f/6.3, 1/320 sec., ISO 100, 200mm.

Thanks.

You can probably answer your own question if you do a small experiment.

Use the finest JPG or use raw. This should be the first item in your menu.
Set up a resolution target (there are many you can download) that will have fine details.
Use good lighting and avoid any wind being present.
Put the camera on a tripod.
Set the timer for the number of seconds that it allows.
Take the photo using the timer so that there is no movement from your hand to the camera.
Remove the camera from the tripod.
Don't shoot with timer.
Shoot the same target from the same distance at the same exposure but HAND HELD.
Compare the two shots.

Just to be clear, the ɑ6000 has less capable in-camera stabilization than the more recent models. That is all the more reason to assume that the OSS lens will work better for you than the Tamron. This is not about the sharpness of the lens but about the motion compensation. That said, my assumption would be that the Sony lens when compared to a third party lens will usually be as good as better on optics, too.