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Tamron 2nd generation SP 150-600mm Di VC USD 'G2' (1 Viewer)

I have the G2 and I put about 1000 shots thru the G1. After using the Dock on mine its sharper than the old one noticeably. The two biggest differences are build quality which is way ahead or the G1 or the Sigma Contemporary and AF speed and accuracy. Im shooting it on a D500 and the only way I could do better would be a big prime which I can't afford, can't carry and cannot shoot handheld.
Steve
 
Stephen Mark said:
I have the G2 and I put about 1000 shots thru the G1. After using the Dock on mine its sharper than the old one noticeably. The two biggest differences are build quality which is way ahead or the G1 or the Sigma Contemporary and AF speed and accuracy. Im shooting it on a D500 and the only way I could do better would be a big prime which I can't afford, can't carry and cannot shoot handheld.
Steve
Click to expand...

You are lucky to have good example of this lens! |;| I was not so lucky |:(|
 
Chosun Juan said:
Considering performance on the Nikon D500 body only, which is the best performing lens out of the G2 Tami, and the 200-500 Niki?

Criteria would be (at say 30m + distances):
* IQ wide open at 600mm and 500mm respectively.
* How does this change with the Niki stopped down to f6.3 and cropped to 600mm.
* How does this change when both are stopped down to f8 and at 600mm.

* AF speed for BIF and in lower light conditions, say late afternoon.

Has anyone compared these setups, or can point to tests or reviews of these lenses on the D500?

All these juicy rumours of lighter weight Big Whites from Canon, and the Nikon response (maybe they'll even include the 300 f2.8 this time! :) , not to mention the prospect of a 600mm Canon DO and again the belated Nikon response, has me thinking perhaps I'd be better off with a stop gap setup .... :cat:


Chosun :gh:
Click to expand...

Hi,
I cant compare the nikon 200-500 to the tamron or sigma 600mm zoom lenses but i can say that it is a vey sharp and accurately focusing lens.I use mine on a d7200 and get fabulous results.I can compare it to the newer sigma 100-400mm lens though and when comparing both lenses at the 400mm setting,the nikon edges the sharpness test......the sigma is still excellent though and vey small and light.......brilliant for carrying around all day.
I think all of the mentioned lenses are capable of great results in the right conditions and at sensible distances from the subject.They are all a bit of a compromise,its no good expecting the ultimate performance from a zoom and at the prices they are.......this privaledge is reserved for those who dont mind spending a lot of money on their hobby.
 

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andrewins said:
You are lucky to have good example of this lens! |;| I was not so lucky |:(|
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that your particular example is not quite a good representation of the breed or what you had hoped for ..... Some unit to unit variability seems to affect all the brands at this price point.

Have you tried fine tuning the AF ? As I understand it there is a matrix of 18 data points able to be input for focal length and distance.


Chosun :gh:
 
Neil G. said:
Hi,
I cant compare the nikon 200-500 to the tamron or sigma 600mm zoom lenses but i can say that it is a vey sharp and accurately focusing lens.I use mine on a d7200 and get fabulous results.I can compare it to the newer sigma 100-400mm lens though and when comparing both lenses at the 400mm setting,the nikon edges the sharpness test......the sigma is still excellent though and vey small and light.......brilliant for carrying around all day.
I think all of the mentioned lenses are capable of great results in the right conditions and at sensible distances from the subject.They are all a bit of a compromise,its no good expecting the ultimate performance from a zoom and at the prices they are.......this privaledge is reserved for those who dont mind spending a lot of money on their hobby.
Click to expand...
Hi Neil,

Thanks for your input :t:

I looked at the MTF curves over at "Photography Life" for all the offerings at this level, and the Tammy G2 comes out on top, just besting by a smidge both the Niki and even seemingly the Siggy Sport too (can that be right ? the Sigma website seems to show slightly better performance at 30lp/mm in the meridional plane ?). It is quite a useful step up from the G1 which is pretty much line ball with the Siggy C. As has been mentioned numerous times, unit to unit variability plays a big part in how anyone's particular copy performs.

That's nice sharpness and detail in the photo you posted. You'd have to be happy with that. Is that typical of the IQ that you get? As you said, I think close distances, and reasonable conditions give the best results. I've gotten some ridiculously good results out of the G1 'at times' (usually at close distance - like the Eastern Yellow Robin in my gallery on BF), and I think the G2 might offer a bit more distance with a good copy.

I'm thinking though that the 1/3 stop of speed, and any lesser light AF benefits (though perhaps beaten in better light) of the Niki are not worth the extra weight and loss of 100mm focal length. It would be interesting to compare IQ's of the two when cropped to the same size ..... ??

What do you and other folks think of the photos shown, and results of this review of the Tammy G2 ?
https://photographylife.com/reviews/tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-g2



Chosun :gh:
 
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Hi Chosun,
The problem with reviews is that they all tend to say different things.......one will praise a certain lens while another gives a poor review,i don't trust them to be honest.
Like you say,if you need the extra 100mm the tammy is probably the better option......100mm of optical is probably better than cropping to get the same subject size.
I'm happy with the nikon lens for now although id like a big prime......just have'nt got that sort of money to spend on a lens at the moment.The image of the,chaffinch is quite typical of the quality you can get from the lens in the right conditions.Here is another couple.The originals are super sharp.
 

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Thanks Neil,

Looks like you've got a good copy .... All of those images show good sharpness and detail :t:

I don't know where these characters doing these reviews are getting their MTF charts from, but there seems to be almost as much variation in those as there is unit to unit variability among the lenses and brands .....

I went direct to the websites for Tamron (G2) and Sigma (Sports). This review from Camera Labs shows charts that are perhaps more in line with a truer representation.
https://www.cameralabs.com/tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-di-vc-usd-g2-review/3/

In these resolution tests the Tammy G2 performs pretty well (as does the Niki up to its focal length limit).

The lens weight is a pretty important consideration for me, and as I'm going to stick it on a D500, I'm pretty sure I know which way I'm going to jump now - it's just a matter of finding the right deal ...... :)

One thing is for certain - as soon as I get the new rig, Nikon will announce the long overdue FL lenses, VR improvements, and weight reduction down to ~2.25kg for the 300mm f2.8 !!! :-O



Chosun :gh:
 
Lol.....that would be just typical,good luck whichever way you go.......all of the mentioned lenses will give great results in the right hands.
 
Surely unlucky to get a bad one. There's more good copies than bad ones.

I've had both G1 and G2 copies and loved both

Whitethroat with G1
 

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...and Red Kite, Great Tit, and Shoveler with G2
 

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Thanks chap !

Yes, i was very happy with both those Tamrons, but have now traded them off for a howitzer ( Sigma 300-800 )
 
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