Sigma Lens or New Tamron: I bought a Sigma 150-500 F6. used lens and I was given 30 days to return it and swap for the more expensive lens, a new 150-600 F6 Tamron. Its about $400.00...

East Photos

I bought a Sigma 150-500 F6. used lens and I was given 30 days to return it and swap for the more expensive lens, a new 150-600 F6 Tamron. Its about $400.00 difference. So is it worth getting the new lens or keeping the used lens, does anyone have enough experience with the two lens to tell me if one is better than the other? The $ is not an issue.

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

I'd get the Tamron. It seems to be a really fine lens.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

East Photos wrote:

I bought a Sigma 150-500 F6. used lens and I was given 30 days to return it and swap for the more expensive lens, a new 150-600 F6 Tamron. Its about $400.00 difference. So is it worth getting the new lens or keeping the used lens, does anyone have enough experience with the two lens to tell me if one is better than the other? The $ is not an issue.

Either the Tamron OR the Sigma 150-600mm lenses would be a better choice because of the zoom range increase, plus the new lens warranty you get with them. Both are F5-6.3 variable aperture lenses and optically they are virtually identical.
The actual differences are:
Tamrons 6 year warranty compared to 4 years for the Sigma.
Sigmas come with a nice padded case, you have to buy an aftermarket case for the Tamron.
The Sigmas can be modified and firmware updated at home with the available USB Dock system and free software.

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

East Photos wrote:

I bought a Sigma 150-500 F6. used lens and I was given 30 days to return it and swap for the more expensive lens, a new 150-600 F6 Tamron. Its about $400.00 difference. So is it worth getting the new lens or keeping the used lens, does anyone have enough experience with the two lens to tell me if one is better than the other? The $ is not an issue.

Here is a nice review that answers that question in great detail.

http://photographylife.com/bird-photography-with-sigma-150-500mm-os

Summary - the Tamron is sharper, but the Sigma isn't terrible.

East Photos

Thank you for the link. I do use a Nikon 7000 and D90 so the Sigma seems that it would be a better fit for my Camera bodies according to the article.
Again Thanks for the response.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

MT Shooter wrote:

Either the Tamron OR the Sigma 150-600mm lenses wo... (show quote)

Thanks MT For this info, as I've been considering both of these lens for my next purchase. This info helps make the decision easier.

Walt

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

East Photos wrote:

I bought a Sigma 150-500 F6. used lens and I was given 30 days to return it and swap for the more expensive lens, a new 150-600 F6 Tamron. Its about $400.00 difference. So is it worth getting the new lens or keeping the used lens, does anyone have enough experience with the two lens to tell me if one is better than the other? The $ is not an issue.

If you are a Nikon shooter then sell the Sigma and get a REAL lens, the Nikon 200-500, not much difference in price and you will love the sharpness.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

East Photos wrote:

I bought a Sigma 150-500 F6. used lens and I was given 30 days to return it and swap for the more expensive lens, a new 150-600 F6 Tamron. Its about $400.00 difference. So is it worth getting the new lens or keeping the used lens, does anyone have enough experience with the two lens to tell me if one is better than the other? The $ is not an issue.

From what I've read online and here, I'd go for the Tamron.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I had the Sigma 150-500 and did not like it. I replaced it with the Bigma 50-500 but it was too soft at 500. Then, I got the 150-600 Contemporary. Terrific lens. If the Sigma and Tamron were identical, I would go with the Sigma because of the Dock gives you more of value than Tamron's 6-year warranty.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

I had the Tamron when I had Nikons and it was a super sharp lense.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Advantage, Tamron's 6 Year warranty. But It doesn't mean all Tamron lenses are necessarily better than Sigma. Sigma's Art Lenses are top quality.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

From my understanding from your original post, that you now have a used Sigma, 150-500mm len, and can up this lens to a new Tamron 150-600mm lens. It makes all the difference that the Sig is used, so it does not have a warranty. With the new Tamron, it will come with a 6 year warranty, which covers a lot more than defects in workmenship, and parts. It also covers adjustments, calibration, matching to bodies. I've seen the Tamron offered for about $950. I shoot almost daily with my Tamron 150-600mm lens and find it to be a very good lens, although it does hog the light in early morning shoots. Also, I've not been a big fan of Sigma Lenses. They had a very big problem with quality control several years ago, and I got stuck with a Sigma lens that just would not give advertised quality, even after repeated trips to be serviced. Good Luck.

B

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

billnikon wrote:

If you are a Nikon shooter then sell the Sigma and get a REAL lens, the Nikon 200-500, not much difference in price and you will love the sharpness.

Ditto, the Nikkor 200-500...

Ira

I have the Tamron 150-600 and like it very much. I use it on my D750 and D7200.
I got it when it was first available for Nikon in 2014. Wow, I still have 4 years left on my warrantee.
It is my only non-Nikkor lens.
Also, Tamron has great customer service. I've sent it back for updates and they were great. You can actually talk to someone there.
You can check out some of my images with the Tamron on my Flickr site.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129992705@N03/

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

East Photos wrote:

Thank you for the link. I do use a Nikon 7000 and D90 so the Sigma seems that it would be a better fit for my Camera bodies according to the article.
Again Thanks for the response.

Something that I discovered before I bought the Tamron is the difference in the direction of rotation of the zoom control: On the Tamron it is the same as on Nikon lenses, the Sigma is opposite.

If you are swapping lenses, that could be confusing.

I have two Sigma lenses from years ago that both served me well. Looks like the Tamron will do the same for years to come.