Images from Tamron 200-500mm

mikesco · Oct 8, 2006

A couple of weeks ago I posted that I was impressed with the Tamron 200-500mm F5.0-6.3
Here are a couple of shots I took with it today.

First one is at 329mm

These next 2 are at 500mm

and here is a Link to a 100 percent crop of the last one, prior to any sharpening.

http://tapersmith.smugmug.com/gallery/1980650/1/100928048/Original

Mike Smith

FullFrame · Oct 9, 2006

wichone is a 500mm?
--
My english is bad, my photography skills are worse!

shotgunRed · Oct 9, 2006

my favorite lens.

s23chang · Oct 9, 2006

Here are some of my shots

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7qf7h/tamron/200_500.html

sure the Canon ef 500mm 4.5 L would be nice but it is still cost around $4000 used and $5000 used for 500mm F4 IS

misha · Oct 9, 2006

s23chang said:
Here are some of my shots

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7qf7h/tamron/200_500.html

sure the Canon ef 500mm 4.5 L would be nice but it is still cost
around $4000 used and $5000 used for 500mm F4 IS

And compared to the Bigma (Sigma 50-500)?
--
Misha

s23chang · Oct 9, 2006

Bigma gives you bigger range including 50mm to 200mm.
It adds twice the weight and less sharp at 500mm.
Not really designed for hand held.
However, it's one lens fits all. So it's up to the user's call.

If sharpness and image quality is more important than Tamron would be my choice. If I can only live with one lens ( which it is unlikely ) and don't mind use tripod or monopod everywhere I go then the Bigma is a good value.

takitimu · Oct 10, 2006

I;ve got to be honest, I have not seen shots from the 200-500 which would make me say the image quality is better than the Bigma, maybe I've missed a shoot out along the way.

The 200-500 has weight on it's side, the Bigma has HSM & the new DG len's coating.

At 800mm handheld ( 500*1.6 ) I'm not convinced any "budget" 500mm lens is easy to shoot with.

Personally I have the 170-500, but for "cheap" 500mm I'd go Bigma or 400/5.6 + 1.4TC given a choice, AF speed being the primary reason.

Nigel

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s23chang · Oct 10, 2006

Go to photozone.de for MTF comparison.

There are many folks who had own both draw the same conclusion that Tamron is sharper.
MTF charts don't lie. Also, folks who own both much prefer the weight.

Since you don't own one, how can you judge that it is not good enough for hand held?
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What's real in Digital?

s23chang · Oct 10, 2006

The Bigma folks did the comparison and much prefer the new DG coating of the Bigma over the old 170-500.

DG is no better than Tamron Di coating as many folks would tell you the Tamron 28-75 Di is better than Sigma 24-70 DG.

Again, whatever works for you is most important. No point to debate what's the best for your needs because that's your money. I had Canon and it is not as sharp as the Tamron. I had few other 300mm F4 prime lens and they're not as sharp as the Tamron 200-500. Obviously my 300mm F 2.8 Prime is better than the Tamron 200-500mm. I have a sigma 500m 7.2 APO and it is way worst than anything. Build quality is bad, the optical quality is very very bad.

You can go with the new sigma 80-400 with image stablization if you want but it is still shorter reach than the 500mm.

Stick to your equipment and be happy

mikesco · Oct 10, 2006

The second 2 images are at 500mm

Mike Smith

mikesco · Oct 10, 2006

All but the first image is at 500mm.

Thanks,
Mike Smith

FullFrame said:
wichone is a 500mm?
--
My english is bad, my photography skills are worse!

mikesco · Oct 10, 2006

The image quality seems very close with a slight advantage to the Tamron at 500mm according to the review I read, the AF speed of the Tamron is really quite good unless it misses and has to travel the range, I've never tried the Sigma, but since it is HSM and I beieve it has a Focus limiter switch I will give the advantage to Sigma here. However I have not had much luck with Sigma with thier focus accuracy and Tamron's has always done real well for me, so If all things are equal I would always pick Tamron over Sigma. Finally the biggest consideration was weight, it is qute a big difference lugging around a 2.7lb lens compared to a 4.1lb lens. I do not even feel the weight of the Tamron it is so nicely balanced. Also the fact that the tamron was $140 cheaper was a nice bonus.

Mike Smith

takitimu said:
I;ve got to be honest, I have not seen shots from the 200-500 which
would make me say the image quality is better than the Bigma, maybe
I've missed a shoot out along the way.

The 200-500 has weight on it's side, the Bigma has HSM & the new DG
len's coating.

At 800mm handheld ( 500*1.6 ) I'm not convinced any "budget" 500mm
lens is easy to shoot with.

Personally I have the 170-500, but for "cheap" 500mm I'd go Bigma
or 400/5.6 + 1.4TC given a choice, AF speed being the primary
reason.

Nigel

--
Pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/sgidude

svx94 · Oct 10, 2006

The review and my personal experience about Tamron are all very possitive. I had and sold a very old Tamron 70-210mm/F2.8 SP AF LD lens, it focus accurately and very sharp. None of the Sigma lens from that age will work on my 20D. I sold the lens mainly due to the weight, and got a much lighter 70-400 F4L.

The weight of this 200-500 will be perfect for me too. And I am glad to see the sharpness at 500mm is acceptable, and may be better than the Bigma.

I may sell my 70-300 IS for this one soon.

Cheers!
rh

shotgunRed · Oct 10, 2006

I have cropped it and made it smaller for the web but this is the Tamron 200 -500 hand held.

I have used my buddies Sigma before I bought my lens. I personally believe that the Tamron takes better pictures and is a whole lot lighter.

elton2 · Oct 10, 2006

Anyone compared the Tamron 200-500 to the Canon 100-400? According to Photozone the Tamron is sharper, but some users report the Canon is very sharp. Seems there are bad and good copies of the Canon, which seems surprising for an L lens. I am considering both lenses and am completely on the fence at present.

Elton
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PeaceFrog · Oct 10, 2006

I am also curious about this. Does anyone know who has the best price on the Tamron?

Greg
--

http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/

takitimu · Oct 10, 2006

Hi Mike,

I liked your last shot BTW, though the original is only 1043px x 695, do you have the full size original ?.

Your rational makes sense to me, especially the weight factor, I guess my only point is I think there are reasons to choose the 200-500 over the Bigma & vice versa, but Image Quality is not one, because they are close enough that you are at the mercy of sample variation & a person's own long lens technique will be way more important at 500mm than any difference in lens quality.

Nigel

mikesco said:
Mike Smith

takitimu said:

I;ve got to be honest, I have not seen shots from the 200-500 which
would make me say the image quality is better than the Bigma, maybe
I've missed a shoot out along the way.

The 200-500 has weight on it's side, the Bigma has HSM & the new DG
len's coating.

At 800mm handheld ( 500*1.6 ) I'm not convinced any "budget" 500mm
lens is easy to shoot with.

Personally I have the 170-500, but for "cheap" 500mm I'd go Bigma
or 400/5.6 + 1.4TC given a choice, AF speed being the primary
reason.

Nigel

--
Pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/sgidude

Click to expand...

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http://www.pbase.com/sgidude

misha · Oct 10, 2006

PeaceFrog said:
I am also curious about this. Does anyone know who has the best
price on the Tamron?

Sigma4less

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn ;jsessionid=15452be54bd6b57/shopdata/0020_Lenses/0010_Zoom/0040_Tele+Zoom/product_details.shopscript?article=1170_Tamron%2BZoom%2BTelephoto%2BSP%2B200-500mm%2Bf%3D26slash%3D3B5-6%3D252E3%2BDi%2BLD%2B%3D28IF%3D29%2BAutofocus%2BLens%2Bfor%2BCanon%2BEOS%2B%3D28TA200500F56DICA%3D29
Buydig is about $20 more.

--
Misha

mikesco · Oct 10, 2006

I included a link to a 100% crop before sharpening at the bottom of my original post. If for some reason you would like to see the complete original for viewing purposes send me an e-mail by clicking the e-mail link in my profile and I will get you a copy.

Mike Smith

PeaceFrog · Oct 10, 2006

Thanks very much.

Greg

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http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/

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