In need of a low budget telezoom. Tamron 150-600 vs sigma 150-600 contemp. or sport?

[Eirik Nicolai Heim]

I am looking for a low budget telezoom lens. I am considering the Tamron 150-600mm, the sigma 150-600mm contemporary or the sigma 150-600 sport. The last one in a higher price range but acceptable for me.

I have been checking out the Tamron post and I know it can be problematic adjusting aperture at the moment.

But in picture quality? What should i buy? Any users around here who have experience with the sigmas? Is the higher price worth what you get with the sport version. The weather sealing is nice, but it weigh about 2,8 kg and costs a bit more.

I will be using it with a red epic dragon and my canon 1dc.

 

[Eirik Nicolai Heim]

I would also like to mention the new canon 100-400mm as an alternative.

 

[Raphael Madeira]

Hello Eirik,

Based on personal experience I believe the Canon 100-400 is sharper than the sigma or tamron model, particularly in the corners.

Noticed less chromatic aberration on the Sigma than the others but it's not like the others are horrible in these aspects.

Personally I would go with the canon because, although I haven't tested it on a RED camera, I'm guessing that things like Image Stabilization are supported while the other lenses aren't and at these focal distances, it comes in handy.

The only downside of the canon is it "only" going to 400mm, but slap an extender on that and puff, problem gone.

 

[Gunleik Groven]

allmost bought a sigma 70-200 2.8, but just couldn't take the image trade-offs over an older canon.... even an f4...

otoh, bying into the arts now. so i know sigma can do it.

 

[Eirik Nicolai Heim]

I am leaning on the Canon because of multiple reasons. One big thing is I know other L lenses and I am satisfied with them doing most of my work. There are rarely budget for PL glas on my jobs in this part of Norway. Other and important reasons are it seems much more desecrate that the Sigma sport, much more lightweight and mobile. The sharpness seems to be better on many tests than the 70-200mm v. II, that I already own. I talked with one salesman on friday, and he said the sigma is sharp as the L lens, but it is double the weight because of the construction. An important factor, as you are pointing out Raphael, the canon would be supported by RED.

Will I miss 400-600mm. I think I will go for Canon and bring an extender when it is needed. Still much more lightweight, mobile and takes up much less space in my backpack when out working in the mountains.

 

[Mathias Erichsen]

I use a Canon FD 50-300mm f4.5L (converted to EF mount) with a 2x extender. It's a really, really good lens with long reach (100-600mm), 1.8 kg and it's affordable. No electric anything tho

 

[Maik Müller]

The only downside of the canon is it "only" going to 400mm, but slap an extender on that and puff, problem gone.

I have seen some reviews in which the canon with 1.4x extender wasn't beaten by the 150-600's. TDP-charts show similar results:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=6&APIComp=2

So it seems the 100-400 II + 1.4x is a pretty smart option. And last but not least, the IS and other electronic stuff on the Canon will work fine on RED - 3rd-party lenses are a little problematic here.

 

[Elsie N]

Anyone used one of these?...Vivitar 500mm f6.3 mirror lens. At least they are lightweight... and cheap. '-)

 

[Nick Morrison]

I use a Canon FD 50-300mm f4.5L (converted to EF mount) with a 2x extender. It's a really, really good lens with long reach (100-600mm), 1.8 kg and it's affordable. No electric anything tho

I've heard a lot of good things about that lens!!

Anyone used one of these?...Vivitar 500mm f6.3 mirror lens. At least they are lightweight... and cheap. '-)

Mirror lenses can be tricky (or dangerous, depending on your pov!), because many are bad. A few are good though. One of the best lesser known mirror lenses is the Rokkor 500mm F8. It was later licensed by Leica and rebadged as the Leica 500mm f8, so it has quite a pedigree.

 

[Elsie N]

I've heard a lot of good things about that lens!!



Mirror lenses can be tricky (or dangerous, depending on your pov!), because many are bad. A few are good though. One of the best lesser known mirror lenses is the Rokkor 500mm F8. It was later licensed by Leica and rebadged as the Leica 500mm f8, so it has quite a pedigree.

Wow! That is quite a pedigree. I had thought of this kind of lens as just something lightweight you put on when out shooting for pleasure.

 

[Roger Singh]

I used the older version of the canon 100-400. Even though it extremely telescopes, I was very happy with the image quality. I would go for the new one as well with 2x extender.