Tamron 150-600mm vs. 150-600mm G2 (Page 2): For almost double the price, it would have to be much better than its predecessor. Read reviews (which you've probably done) and see if...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

steve DeMott wrote:

I'm considering buying the Tamron 150-600mm lens.

A used 150-600mm lens varies from $650-$800 where the G2 is around $1300. Is the G2 worth the extra cost?

I currently have a D3300 and D7100 with an 18-55mm and a 70-300mm. Enjoy wildlife and landscape photography.

Thanks

For almost double the price, it would have to be much better than its predecessor. Read reviews (which you've probably done) and see if there is enough difference to justify spending another $500. I bought a Nikon 80-200mm lens for $688, rather than the newest 70-200mm for $2,800.

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

steve DeMott wrote:

I'm considering buying the Tamron 150-600mm lens.

A used 150-600mm lens varies from $650-$800 where the G2 is around $1300. Is the G2 worth the extra cost?

I currently have a D3300 and D7100 with an 18-55mm and a 70-300mm. Enjoy wildlife and landscape photography.

Thanks

No problem, what you really need is a lens that was DEVELOPED JUST FOR YOUR CAMERA, not one that was designed to work with many cameras. You need the NIKON 200-500 f5.6. You will not be disappointed, trust me on this one.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I've used both lens on a D7200, the IQ and VR on the G2 is better. I've used a friends Nikon 200-500 the IQ is very close. Both lens are FF and not designed for a crop sensor but work very well.

Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)

billnikon wrote:

No problem, what you really need is a lens that was DEVELOPED JUST FOR YOUR CAMERA, not one that was designed to work with many cameras. You need the NIKON 200-500 f5.6. You will not be disappointed, trust me on this one.

Thanks Bill. I just looked up a great review on 200-500 lens. I think I'll do some more research and rethink my options.

SuperFly48 Loc: NE ILLINOIS

I bought a first generation 150-600 Tamron less than a year after its introduction. It is more a wildlife lens than anything else, in my opinion. As for results, when it's on, it's ON!!! I have found that mine needs good to excellent lighting to be ON! It's not a poor light lens, at least not on my D7100. I have considered upgrading to the G2 version but for as often as I use the lens, not worth the change nor expense for me. "IF" I ever get an FX camera body, I will shoot with the 150-600 just to see if that produces better results. FYI.....I almost never shoot all the way to 600mm; I stop somewhere between 500mm and 550mm per the markings on the lens barrel. I think I get better sharpness there with my copy.

edellington

Yes it is the only lens I own that is not at least f/2.8.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

In case you still want to save some $....I have the original Tamron 150-600. Click on my Flickr link and then all the bird shots are taken with this lens. Click on a couple of photos to see the detail. But, if the original can do this well, what can the G2 do? To be honest with you, I'm thinking of trading up to the G2...:-)

rrayrob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Have Nikon D750 - had the Tamron 150-600mm but was soft at the longer focal lengths, what good is having a lens that doesn't give you sharp images so I sold it and purchased the Tamron 150-600 G2. Much better and worth the investment. At outer reaches photos are sharp. And like the new features like the barrel lock where you can lock lens at whatever length. Go for the G2 cause you'll be very happy.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

rrayrob wrote:

Have Nikon D750 - had the Tamron 150-600mm but was soft at the longer focal lengths, what good is having a lens that doesn't give you sharp images so I sold it and purchased the Tamron 150-600 G2. Much better and worth the investment. At outer reaches photos are sharp. And like the new features like the barrel lock where you can lock lens at whatever length. Go for the G2 cause you'll be very happy.

Great lens!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

steve DeMott wrote:

I'm considering buying the Tamron 150-600mm lens.

A used 150-600mm lens varies from $650-$800 where the G2 is around $1300. Is the G2 worth the extra cost?

I currently have a D3300 and D7100 with an 18-55mm and a 70-300mm. Enjoy wildlife and landscape photography.

Thanks

Best case scenario for the Tammy 150-600 G1:

Crop frame camera and
only use to 500mm and crop from there. Maximize your IQ by using good support , proper shutter speeds and lower ISO's.

The G2 becomes more attractive for full frame cameras and used to the full 600mm. On high MP FF, consider cropping from there. On a low MP FF, consider using a 1.4X extender.

Oh yes, and in either case, do a test for focus calibration and adjust accordingly !

..

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

imagemeister wrote:

Best case scenario for the Tammy 150-600 G1:

Crop frame camera and
only use to 500mm and crop from there. Maximize your IQ by using good support , proper shutter speeds and lower ISO's.

The G2 becomes more attractive for full frame cameras and used to the full 600mm. On high MP FF, consider cropping from there. On a low MP FF, consider using a 1.4X extender.

Larry's work is simply superlative, so he's not just a talker. Good advise.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

Everyone pretty much agrees that the G2 is a considerable improvement over the G1 . . . Go with the G2 . . . Otherwise you'll always be second guessing yourself and wondering if you should have got the G2. If you have the G2, then you'll know that you have the best of the two . . .

Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

In case you still want to save some $....I have the original Tamron 150-600. Click on my Flickr link and then all the bird shots are taken with this lens. Click on a couple of photos to see the detail. But, if the original can do this well, what can the G2 do? To be honest with you, I'm thinking of trading up to the G2...:-)

I like your photos very much. We shoot the same body and I picked up the G2 earlier this month. I posted a shot of the moon taken with the G2 that might be a good example of our combination. Search my handle.

edellington

Taken with G2

(Download)

Jim Bob

steve DeMott wrote:

I'm considering buying the Tamron 150-600mm lens.

A used 150-600mm lens varies from $650-$800 where the G2 is around $1300. Is the G2 worth the extra cost?

I currently have a D3300 and D7100 with an 18-55mm and a 70-300mm. Enjoy wildlife and landscape photography.

Thanks

Maybe. Generally improved performance and build quality on the G2. But we are not talking about a dramatic improvement in image quality in my experience. Only you can answer whether it is worth the extra cost to you. A 150-600 is not really best suited for landscape photography.