Not sure which lens to pick

Discuss equipment and methods or ask for advice
Post Reply
ScarletProphet
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue 17 Dec 2019, 11:58 pm

Not sure which lens to pick

Post by ScarletProphet »

Looking for some help with a couple of lenses, going on a canon crop body, for use at the local airbase and at airshows, torn between the Tamron 100-400 mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD or the Sigma 150-600 mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary. Found some decent shots with the Tamron, but cant seem to find any from the Sigma anywhere, or know anyone with any hands on experience.

User avatar
rockfordstone
Posts: 1322
Joined: Wed 14 Feb 2018, 8:40 pm
Contact:

Re: Not sure which lens to pick

Post by rockfordstone »

ScarletProphet wrote:Looking for some help with a couple of lenses, going on a Canon crop body, for use at the local airbase and at airshows, torn between the Tamron 100-400 mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD or the Sigma 150-600 mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary. Found some decent shots with the Tamron, but cant seem to find any from the Sigma anywhere, or know anyone with any hands on experience.

i've got the tamron lens on my crop sensor nikon and I have been getting some really nice shots with it.
it's not perfect at the extreme and of 600 (a bit soft a the edges), but i would imagine the sigma would be similar. that said, if you get it framing right you can barely notice any softness

User avatar
GeorgeP
Posts: 675
Joined: Sat 25 Jun 2016, 11:20 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Not sure which lens to pick

Post by GeorgeP »

I don't know which Canon crop you have but I would recommend this site:

https://www.dxomark.com/best-cameras-under-45200-dollars

Choose your camera and check the ratings for different lenses attached to your present/proposed camera body.
Cheers,

George

Melbourne, Australia.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/30699732@N05/albums

User avatar
tom tiger
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 2:11 pm
Location: Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Not sure which lens to pick

Post by tom tiger »

I've got the Tamron 100-400 and I'm very happy with it. Plus you can get a tripod collar for it (3rd party, very good and cheaper than the one from Tamron)

Having said that, I've got a whole lot of photos of this years and last years RIAT in my photo stream to show what the lens can do. Also a few other shows. The link is in my signature.

I had a hard time choosing between the Sigma and the Tamron, but opted for the Tamron because of the Tap in Console and updated the firmware to version 2, which did make a difference for locking focus. Very happy with this lens :-)

Just for fun, below shot was done with the Tamron. (not perfect, since I cut of part of the wing)

https://flic.kr/p/2geVbk4

A better example almost at 400mm

https://flic.kr/p/2giMqom
"You Live by the Code, You Die by the Code."
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomtiger/albums

User avatar
MUSTANG
Posts: 822
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 5:26 am
Contact:

Re: Not sure which lens to pick

Post by MUSTANG »

Cannot comment on the Tamron but have tried the Sigma 150-600mm C and its an very good lens, plus their USB dock can be bought for around £30 second hand if you look around. The 3 examples below hopefully give an idea...

My most viewed photo on flickr...at 600mm on a 7Dmk2, a bit soft but people seem to like it.

ImageBBMF Spitfire Mk IXc MK356 by MUSTANG_P51, on Flickr

Again at 600mm....

ImageWestland Lysander by MUSTANG_P51, on Flickr

On a 1DX full frame...

ImageTF-51D Mustang "Contrary Mary" by MUSTANG_P51, on Flickr

The lens handles better with a gripped body (I found), but I assume the Tamron would handle better on a non grip DSLR due to its weight.

Cheers
Peter

User avatar
tom tiger
Posts: 68
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 2:11 pm
Location: Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Not sure which lens to pick

Post by tom tiger »

The Tamron 100-400 is indeed a lot lighter than the 100-400 from Canon :-) Then again just about any lens is lighter than the Canon MK2 100-400, awesome lens though

Personally, I'm thinking about getting the 150-600 G2 from Tamron, cause I've allready got the usb dock.
"You Live by the Code, You Die by the Code."
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomtiger/albums

Post Reply