Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 Di VC USD - $1299 cdn

[Steve Hood]

This is coming next year.  Weighs less than 2kg.

http://www.tamron.com/en/news/2013/1107.html

[Steve Hood]

This lens will be released in Spring 2014.  Pricing is not official yet but based on online sites it looks like it will go for around $1500.

Here is the brochure.
http://dicahub.com/sites/default/files/attachment/a011.a4.bro_.en_.1010.rtp_.pdf

Here a link to some sample images.
http://www.tamron.com.hk/A011/

And here is one image from that link.
http://www.tamron.com.hk/A011/Fukuda_14.tif

[Steve Hood]

Pricing was just announce in Japan at 147,000 Yen ($1350).  This could be a nice 600mm FF option if the IQ and AF speed hold up.

http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl ... bs%3Dqdr:d

[Steve Hood]

Pricing has been confirmed for Canada at $1299 and dealers may/will likely sell for less.  Canon Mount is coming in February while Nikon mount will likely come in April.

I will likely preorder the Nikon Mount this week.  By the time the Nikon mount comes in there should be hands on reviews of the Canon mount which should hopefully alleviate any concerns.  At 1.8kg without tripod mount, this is the first affordable 600mm lens that I will also be able to handhold.  Can't wait.  

[Steve Hood]

Lensrental has posted an IMATEST comparison between the Tamron 150-600mm, Canon 100-400mm, Tamron 200-500mm and Sigma 50-500mm.  For those not familiar with LensRental, they have access to many copies of lenses they rent out and sometimes they test and compare new lenses when they are released.  In this case they had 3 copies of the 150-600mm and they said all copies were well centered with very little sample variation.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/01 ... m-shootout

[JW Mills]

For those that are interested, here's a review of the lens;
http://dustinabbott.net/2014/01/tamron- ... sd-review/

[Brian Bailey]

I've never seriously contemplated anything that big, but here's another field test where the reviewer was very impressed comparing it to a 600mm Canon prime.  I may want to consider moving above 300mm!

BB

[Michael Tam]

The current generation of super-telephoto zoom lens is indeed an engineering marvel.  To understand the technology that went into its development, the following article sheds light in helping one to select one that is appropriate for one's needs in the field:

http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/gear ... zooms.html

Good birding and photography.

[JW Mills]

Anudder  favourable review of the lens here;
http://www.sumeetmoghe.com/2014/02/fiel ... n-150.html

[lovemypt]

Has anyone heard if anyone has got one of these new lens yet? I pre-ordered one back in Jan but no word yet, some stores are listing availability 3/31/14; however, Vistec just revised their dates to 7/31/14 for the Sony model at least.

[Steve Hood]

Canon mount has been shipping for a couple of month but it is still backordered.  According to Vistek the Nikon mount will not come until the end of May.  I think it will be in short supply for the next 6 months as nothing else like it currently exists.

[lovemypt]

Thanks..I was hoping to give it a try before warbler season but that may be fall migration now.  I wouldn't be so sure about " nothing else exists", I have a Sigma 150-500mm but my wife has taken that lens as her own now so I was looking for another distance lens for myself.  I have used Tamron lens with film camera before and didn't have any problems with them but I am not expecting that much greater operation than the Sigma currently on the market. They are closely priced, same F stops and you probably will not see much of a difference in 500 vs 600 distance if you are only shooting birds, but only time will tell when I get the chance to compare both in operation

[Kin Lau]

I'm going to order this lens myself, and compare with my older 50-500.  Having VC and a focus limiter should help a fair bit. I also have the Canon 300/4L and 400/5.6L.


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[Kin Lau]

My Canon mount just got delivered from Vistek, $50- off too. I ordered on Monday, but they're showing out of stock again.

My first impressions: nice finish, much lighter than expected, similar weight compared to my 50-500 (older non-OS). AF seems pretty good, and close focus distance at 600mm is a little over 7.5 ft. This should be good for warblers.


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[JW Mills]

Kin, could you give us your impression of  the IQ at 600mm?
Also, could you give us your impression of the IQ at 400mm compared with your Canon 400/5.6L, either that or perhaps post some comparison pics?