Didereaux, thanks for the comments! It sounds like you are a satisfied customer with the Sigma. As I will be using a crop-sensor 70D its nice to hear the results are good for that camera.

I have to say that I am leaning toward exchanging the Tamron for the Sigma... as I mentioned, I have Sigma and Canon lens.

MT Shooter, thanks for your response. I tried to be as accurate as I could be with the info given. I did check out your review of the Canon 600mm prime vs the Tamron 150-600mm. Thorough review for what you were doing.

Anything you'd like to add in the Sigma/Tamron discussion? Anything I should know about one over the other?

Thanks!

Thanks camerapapi. You're definitely right about the loose-screw behind the camera... that's where the lens will be good or great!

Sigma's "S" (Sport) lens has been out a short while, and it's quite a bit more expensive than the "C" (Contemporary / Cheap (?)) lens. The "S" is what many reviews are based on, as the "C" is very new, and doesn't have many reviews yet.

Thanks wingclui. I may regret this in a few years, but my budget can't justify a Canon 400mm right now. I mean, I hear you... that's a lot of glass to move, that's why I'm thinking the newer Sigma, with the latest motors and technology might be worth exchanging the Tamron for the Sigma.

Thanks phlash, that's my thinking too.

Anyone else?

Sigma's release of the "C" (contemporary--not Sports) lens has me at a quandry, and I am looking to this learned group for help. I just purchased the Tamron 150-600mm lens for my Canon 70D, and in my limited use its really sharp, albeit heavy. I've been looking, watching and hearing that the Sigma actually outperforms the Tamron.

The things that I am hearing are that the Sigma is sharper and faster, has more lens locking features... can lock lens at other than fully closed, and it has two image stabilization settings that are being highly lauded. If you own the "dock" ($60) you can calibrate from your computer.

The downside of the Sigma, plastic body (but the reviewer said it feels solid and sturdy), smaller grip, and a bit heavier than the Tamron--more than 1 pound heavier.

The Tamron came out last summer, so its already a generation behind the Sigma, and the Sigma is only $20 more than the Tamron right now.

In my stable right now, I've got Canon and Sigma lens, along with the new Tamron. I've been pleased with this Tamron, but have always thought of Sigma as a tiny step ahead of Tamron. Had the Sigma been available for purchase a few weeks ago, I might have asked this earlier.

So I guess what I'm asking is return the Tamron (the clock is ticking for returning it) for Sigma or hold what I have?

Thoughts, opinions, etc? TIA--J. R.

Thanks for that Delderby! I'll try that as soon as I can figure out how to get that keg from in front of my six-pack!!!

To RichardTaylor, robertjerl, ringo, and Delderby... thanks so much for your words of encouragement! I can't wait for these monsoons to finish down here in Texas. I say that now, but I'll be praying for them in August!

As short a time as I spent with this lens the other day, and for the ourstanding results achieved without trying very hard, I can see that this will be an exciting time of learning with better results just ahead.

All my shooting was off a tripod or monopod. I need to learn how to hold this monster with 2 hands and get clear shots. But that will come with time

The Tamron 150-600mm came in today, and the Lord blessed me with a decent afternoon without rain... I'm in Houston.

I am in the path of our international airport, so I figured what better way to learn to shoot moving objects than jets flying all about!

I have to say that as I am learning this lens, it appears very sharp. I couldn't get a focus lock @ 600mm with a moving target, but in all the ranges up to it.

I did get a good shot of a BlueJay @ 500mm, and its pretty sharp... at least in my book.

And, for a moment, it was so clear I got a great shot of the half-moon!

By the way, none of these shots have been edited.

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Hello Art! Welcome to this group... the finest photographers in all the land are here.

From Iowa? Up in the northeast corner is a little town of Decorah. There, near the fish hatchery is an eagle's nest--an active one. Every year for the past (I believe) nine years, these two eagles have fledged 3 eagles a year. You can catch them on-line at: ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Right now the 3 hatchlings are just getting their feathers, but they'll have laft the nest by the end of June.

If you're up in that part of Iowa, I'm sure you can catch some pretty good shots of eagles in motion.

Welcome and happy shooting!

We used to use a premium, pre-shelled mix which attracted all kinds of birds, and animals, and because the seed was pre-shelled, it wouldn't grow if dropped on the ground--for the most part.

The best are the ladder-back woodpeckers... they eat upside-down. I don't know how they do it, but its hilarious watching them.

We finally quit feeding the birds, as the rats came to get what the birds didn't eat.

Make sure you have plenty of fresh water, and places for them to hide/perch to have lunch.

Bud77 and Buzzo, I envy you having bald eagles flying around! Thanks for your response and help.

Didereaux, are you seeing a sale that I am missing? The best price I find on the Tamron is $1080.00. Did you see a better price somewhere?

DaveO, thanks for the tip... I'll check out the search archives.

I just read about Laura's Sigma 150-600mm on a Canon 7D along with the focus problems. I am looking to purchase the Sigma 150-500mm for my Canon 70D... they are on sale right now for under $800!!! So now's as good a time as any for purchasing this beast.

My question is, is anyone using this glass? If so how do you like it? Plusses and minuses in using this with my APS-C sensor?

I will mainly be using this for bird/animal shots. I know its not the fastest glass in the stable, but its a lot of zoom for not a lot of $$$!

TIA!

If you can't see it, you surely can't shoot it! As one of our colleagues mentioned, the glass is to see, the camera is merely a recording device. Why not rent a good piece of glass with your current camera body, and see if that gives you the desired shots you are looking for. If not, then rent a body and see if that scratches your itch--or both.

One thing to be careful of... for those who like the cutting edge of upgrades, printer drivers may or may not be updated. By going to the newest OS, you may make your printing system DOA if the printer mfgrs haven't made drivers for this upgrade. So please be careful. Proceed with caution!