Lightweight, Relatively Small, Sharp, and Inexpensive!
I have been a dedicated Nikon Lens user for quite a while. I bought a Sigma 10-20mm lens years ago, thinking I wouldn’t use it that often, so why sink $2000 into a specialized lens? I regretted that decision quite a few times—and it taught me a lesson. I call it “buy it nice, or buy it twice”. I bought a Nikon 28-300mm super zoom lens. I get plenty good shots with it on my Nikon D4, but always felt it was a bit too soft when on my Nikon D800. I was a bit leery of another “super zoom” lens…and a non-Nikon to boot! Buying a pro Nikon lens can “sting a bit” at the time of purchase, but that passes quickly and then you get to enjoy the investment for years. This lens made me reexamine the issues I thought I had already resolved.
Evening Light: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 150 mm, 1/100 at f/9, Aperture priority Mode, -1 2/3 EV, ISO 100
Before this lens, my longest lens was a Nikon 200-400mm F/4. I’ve had it a long time and I still love it. There have been a few times I would have liked to have a longer reach, but there’s always that “money thing” to deal with. I never liked images captured with my 200-400 when paired with a Nikon 1.4 Teleconverter. Images just never looked sharp. Instead, I felt better upscaling a sharp image in post production.
Red Fox Approaching: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 220 mm, 1/500 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, -1 EV, ISO 200,
I read all of the glowing reports by satisfied customers that had been using the relatively new Tamron 150-600mm lens. My Nikon Dealer in Idaho Falls, Chris Balmer at Perfect Light Camera and Supply, bought one and kept raving about the lens. He was heading off to Africa for one of his tours, so I put my name on the list and waited for his return. In the meantime, I kept reading reviews at sites like B&H and Amazon, plus comments at Naturescapes and various forums. Chris came back from Africa—still raving about the lens. I told him I was ready when one became available.
Swan Cygnets: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/800 at f/9, Aperture priority Mode, -2 EV, ISO 100,
Quite often, a reviewer starts out their comments with, “for the money, this is….”. That’s often a red flag, at least for my perspective. A Nikon 600mm prime lens is just under $10,000. ($9,799.00) This Tamron lens sells for $1069. Using really rounded numbers, the prime lens is roughly ten times the cost of the Tamron zoom lens. (To be exact, it is 9.116 times.) Of course, they are two completely different products. I read one review where the person said the Nikon prime is not “ten times better”. I might add…”to that person”. You could also argue that if the images from a Nikon prime are 10% better to some professionals, it probably IS worth ten times the cost. Right? It is simply a matter of perspective and size of the wallet. I’ve never been able to cost-justify one of the 600mm primes.
Porter Barn: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/800 at f/9, Aperture priority Mode, -2 EV, ISO 100
My Decision to Buy: I was hoping the Tamron Lens would give me acceptable range past 400mm up to 600mm. The low price to “take the gamble” on the lens was a factor. Sigma recently came out with a similar lens for roughly twice the price. Positive reviews for the Tamron version helped. I am now offering One-On-One Photography Excursions here in the Tetons and wanted to have a good zoom lens to allow the clients access to a longer reach lens. They will all be tickled and it should help sell more trips. I’d like to someday add a Canon version of the lens for the same purpose—but that might take a while.
Swan Squabble: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/1250 at f/9, Manual Mode, -1 EV, ISO 180
Thumbs Up!
I am writing this post after only using the lens for four days. But, I used it a LOT in four days! As I alluded to earlier, I was going in somewhat skeptical. I ran it through much of my normal shooting styles and subjects, then processed them the same as I would have any of my other Nikon lenses. The bottom line….the lens performed darned well…or should I say well above my expectations. After four days, I have no regrets and I am sure Excursion clients will love their shots, too.
Red Squirrel: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 420 mm, 1/640 at f/6.3, Aperture priority Mode, -2 EV with Strobe, ISO 1000
Random Musings & Comparisons
- Lightweight vs Heavy Build: This Tamaron lens weight 4.3 lb and is lighter than my 4.7 lb Nikon 200-400. The Nikon 600mm weight 11.2 lbs! My Nikon 70-200mm lens weighs 3.39 lbs. The Nikon lenses are heavier and have a more rugged, long-life feel. Still, light weight is good on some level.
- Included: The Tamron doesn’t come with a clear glass front filter. Figure adding another $40 to $140, or more for a filter. My Nikon 200-400mm came with a clear glass front, along with a heavy duty carrying case. The Tamron has no case.
- Collar Foot: The Tamron lens has one mounting hole in the bottom of the foot. I would have preferred to see two, as I have on my 70-200mm and 200-400mm.
- Minimum Focus: On my Nikon 200-400mm, I can focus as close as 6.6′ (or roughly 19 feet with the limiter turned on). The Tamron’s minimum focus is 8.86 feet (or 49 feet with the limiter turned on).
- Balance in the Tripod: As the Tamaron lens is zoomed out from 150mm to 600mm, the barrel telescopes out an extra three inches. When mounted on a Gimball head or a “sidekick” style setup, the balance changes as the Tamron lens is zoomed in or out. The lens is light enough this isn’t a huge issue, but worth noting. It is also easy enough to slide the camera forward or back in the clamp to balance it again.
- Wide Open Aperture: At 150mm, the Tamron is wide open at F/5.6 or at 600mm, wide open at F/6.3. The difference is only 1/3 of a stop. A Nikon 600mm and my Nikon 200-400mm are F/4 lenses. That’s a full stop better than the Tamron at 150mm or 1.33 of a stop better than the Tamron at 600mm. An F/2.8 lens, like my 70-200mm is two full stops better than the Tamron at 150mm. In short, the Tamron might not be the best lens in low light conditions. I typically start my morning with my F/2.8 70-200 on my D4 and then switch it to the 200-400 as I get better light. I doubt I’d be grabbing the Tamron at first light either. If none of this makes sense, check out the F-Stop Chart at Digital Camera World.
- Image Image Stabilization: Nikon calls theirs “VR” (vibration reduction) and Tamron calls theirs VC Image Stabilization. I shot a few sets of images over a bean bag with VC turned on and they looked good.
- Removable Collar: The collar on the Tamron lens is removable. Some people might take it off when not using a tripod. The lens collar and feet are permanently mounted in my 70-200mm and 200-400mm. I shoot using a tripod almost all the time, so this is not an issue.
- Focus Issues at 600mm: On a few occasions, I’ve noticed a problem with the Tamron lens focusing at 600mm if the subject has limited contrast. Here’s the scenario: I was focused at roughly 9 feet on a park sign directly in front of me while checking the manual for minimum focus distances. I turned the camera to a large Spruce tree with non-defined bark. I pressed to focus on it and the camera would not focus at all. It stayed blurry until I pulled back on the zoom and it found objects with plenty of contrast. Afterwards, it locked down perfectly. When I spun the lens around to the sign, it had trouble focusing again at 600mm on the close subject. I had similar issues while in the back yard photographing birds. If I am focus at a longer distance at 600mm and then go to something much closer while still at 600mm, the camera seems confused and does not bring anything into focus. This happens most often if the subject is very close (but outside the minimum distance) and if at 600mm.
Sleeping Indian: NIKON D4, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 150 mm, 1/2500 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, -1 1/3 EV, ISO 200
Sleeping Indian: NIKON D4, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/3200 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, -1 1/3 EV, ISO 200
A Landscape Lens? I have been amazed with the landscape images I’ve shot with it so far. At 600mm, it doesn’t take much shake to blur an image. I get blurry images on my Nikon 200-400 if my technique is slipping, so I can expect a similar volume of blurry images with this lens. I am willing to concede it is pilot error in most cases! Some people are hoping to hand hold this lens—and I am sure some will get good shots. But, even on a tripod at 600mm, it takes some well honed skills and rock solid equipment. Of course, the distance from camera to subject makes a lot of difference.
Tram Tower: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 280 mm, 1/500 at f/7.1, Aperture priority Mode, -1 EV, ISO 100
Partial Pano Surprise: The first afternoon after receiving the lens, I headed to Boyle’s Hill to get a few shots of Swans and test the lens. While standing around waiting for Swans to fly in or out, I took a few panoramic images of the Teton ridge line. I’ll stitch them together someday.
Tram Tower (tight crop): NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 280 mm, 1/500 at f/7.1, Aperture priority Mode, -1 EV, ISO 100
This is a small crop of the image above. I can easily see the tram tower and dock at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at Teton Village and the mogul fields. That mountain top is roughly 8 miles off!
Bald Eagle: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/800 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, -1 EV, ISO 1250,
600 mm: Normally, I’d drive on by shots that might need a 600mm focal length. Teleconverters on my 200-400mm have never produced reliable results for me. This lens at 600mm is quite capable.
Sleeping Red Fox: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/400 at f/11, Aperture priority Mode, -1 1/3 EV, ISO 400
The Tamron 150-600mm lens has been plenty sharp on both my D4 and D800 bodies, giving me lots of options. I know I crop in on some of the distant images when taken with the 35 mpx D800.
White-breasted Nuthatch: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/800 at f/6.3, Aperture priority Mode, -1 1/3 EV with Remote Strobe, ISO 1000
The Sleeping Fox image above and this White-breasted Nuthatch were both taken at 600mm. The fox was probably 50 yards off and this nuthatch was only 10 feet or so.
Swans in Flight: NIKON D4, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/1600 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, -2/3 EV, ISO 320
Birds in Flight: I’ve only had a couple of chances to try to capture birds in flight, so I can’t say how well it will perform in that regard (yet). This pair of Trumpeter Swans was taken the first day I had the lens. Only one pair flew in that day, but I did manage to capture them.
Red Squirrel In Shadows: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/800 at f/6.3, Manual Mode, -1/3 EV, ISO 2800
Manual Mode: I took this shot on a day when I had been trying to photograph a Red Fox. For those shots, I set the camera on Manual Mode, set the shutter speed to 1/1250 sec and the aperture to F/8, then turned on Auto-ISO. I saw this little red fox in the trees and set up to photograph him. I cut the shutter speed back to 1/800 sec. and opened the aperture up to F/6.3. The Auto-ISO modified the shot to ISO2800, which worked out fine. When the Fox was in the snow, ISO was down to ISO250 on most shots. The only reason I mention this here is to show an option on how to keep the Aperture stopped down and stop action at the same time.
Waterfowl Parade on Ice: NIKON D4, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 600 mm, 1/1600 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, -2/3 EV, ISO 320
Zoom Opportunities: Most of my lenses are zoom lenses. I like the flexibility. I checked back on most of my shots from the past three or four days and am amazed how many were taken at 600mm. I also took quite a few at 150mm. Hmmmmmm? Fall is a long ways off, but I have a feeling this lens will be on my tripod a lot when trying to photograph moose. It’s lighter than my 200-400mm and has more range at both ends. At 150mm, I might get two or more moose in one shot. At 600mm, I might get shots I couldn’t have taken before. I think I will like this lens for wild mustangs for all the same reasons. Some reports I read before making my purchase suggested the lens get soft between 550mm and 600mm. I haven’t seen that issue (when stopped down anyway).
Bighorns and Rocks: NIKON D800, 150.0-600.0 mm f/5.0-6.3 at 450 mm, 1/1250 at f/8, Manual Mode, -1 EV, ISO 2000
Last Thoughts: I don’t feel compelled to say this is a wonderful lens “for the money”…just a wonderful lens! I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the photographers with the heavy prime 600mm lenses add one of these to their lens line-up, too. Those lenses, especially when paired with the camera body and tripod create a very heavy, back breaking unit. They seldom like to hike far with it. This lens so much lighter—making it much easier to head off across the sagebrush or down a trail with it. The Tamron 150-600mm fits into my lens line-up nicely. I’ll still use my 70-200mm early and late. It’s very sharp and relatively light. I’ll still use my rock solid 200-400mm. When weight or reach is a factor, I know I’ll grab the Tamron. It could take me a few months to know exactly when and where to make the most appropriate calls on which lens fits the needs best. Oh yes, if I win this weeks Powerball Lottery, I’ll order a Nikon 600mm prime!
There’s a link for Perfect Light Camera in Idaho Falls in the right navigation bar. That’s where I purchased mine. These lenses are price-set by the manufacturers, so everyone has to sell them for the same price. Knowing that, this is a good time to support the small camera shops around the country!
Maybe I should include this link to Kristofer Rowe’s Flikr page that put me over the top when it was time to buy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/coastalconn/sets/72157644820182203/
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