The Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is the company’s second-gen Super-Telephoto zoom lens. Coming with the same great 4x optical zoom range and a slew of great updates over the previous model, this question becomes whether or not this new iteration is worth buying. Read on to find out!
PROS
- Canon, Nikon and Sony Mounts
- New Faster AF
- Closer minimum focusing distance
- 150-600mm outreaches just about any other lens
- VC (vibration correction) is incredibly helpful for shooting handheld images with the large lens and zoom
- Weather-sealed allows you to shoot in all weather situations
- Di for both Full-Frame and APS-C image sensors
- Fluorine, eBAND and BBAR coatings improve image quality
- Tripod mount and lens hood included
- Affordable compared to other Super-Zoom lenses
CONS
- Very large, heavy lens (expected from this type of lens)
- Maximum aperture of F/5.0 can make it a little more difficult to use indoors
- Slight struggle (occasionally) with large focus changes
KEY FEATURES
This 4x optical zoom features a very powerful optical image stabilization system (VC); featuring 3 operating modes, including one that is programmable with the help of the Tamron TAP-In Console. The VC system provides up to 4.5 stops of correction (based on CIPA standards).
The lens is made up of 21 elements in 18 groups, including 3 Low Dispersion elements that greatly reduce chromatic aberrations. eBAND and BBAR lens coatings reduce reflections and glare and also help eliminate ghosting.
Around the middle of the lens is large zoom ring. This makes it very easy to distinguish from the smaller focus ring and gives plenty of space to get a good grip for maximum control. The zoom is very smooth and offers plenty of control.
BUILD
The Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is a very large, hefty lens; but provides a fantastic telephoto zoom range for anyone that needs to really get up close with their subjects. The minimum focusing distance has also been reduced to 2.2m, letting you get closer to your subjects and using the zoom for some great tele-macro images. The lens features a moisture-resistant construction that helps keep the lens safe while shooting outside around water, dirt and dust.
ERGONOMICS
Easy-to-use switches provide the manual control over the lens’s features. The switches are easy to change, but do take a little force to help prevent them from being changed accidentally. VC, AF/MF and the zoom range and AF range switches all allow for fast and easy adjustments while you are shooting. This lens features a fantastic zoom-locking feature, allowing you to lock the lens in at any zoom point. Once locked, you can have more control over the lens without worrying about the zoom changing as you move.
SPEED
The lens focuses very quickly when the focus is not too far off. When a large focus change is needed, it could take much longer or even require some manual assistance to get close before it would finish. These instances were rare, but it did happen a couple of times during our testing.
IMAGE QUALITY
Combined with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, the Tamron 150-600 G2 sports both a fast AF and outstanding image quality. Our samples show vivid, realistic colors with incredibly sharp focus. VC is a huge help in keeping the image steady, whether you are shooting a still image or panning across the sky.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Nature photographers and zoom freaks alike will be drooling over the new Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens, which is totally okay because it’s moisture-resistent. This second generation lens features faster AF, closer minimum focal distance, a more powerful VC system and a surprisingly affordable price tag ($1,399.99). Working with both Full-Frame and APS-C sensors allows anyone to put this fantastic lens to good use.
The Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Super-zoom lens provides great speed and sharpness to distant subjects. VC helps to steady the large zoom range, allowing you to shoot still and moving subjects without the need for a mono/tripod. With a MSRP of $1,400; its a small investment but great for anyone that is into shooting wildlife and birds among other things.
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