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Which lens would YOU buy?

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G3ForMe

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I have a Canon 70D and am looking at adding a super telephoto lens. I'm split between the new Tamron 150-600 G2 or the Canon 100-400 IS II.

I would use this mainly for wildlife photos.

Both lens are fairly new on the market so there isn't a lot of hands-on reviews on either yet. From what I see at the moment, neither out-shines the other in the reviews I have found to date.

I'm mostly looking for sharpness and quick focus under decent light conditions.

Any hands-on comments?
 
Last edited:
G3ForMe said:
I have a Canon 70D and am looking at adding a super telephoto lens. I'm split between the new Tamron 150-600 G2 or the Canon 100-400 IS II.

I would use this mainly for wildlife photos.

Both lens are fairly new on the market so there isn't a lot of hands-on reviews on either yet. From what I see at the moment, neither out-shines the other in the reviews I have found to date.

I'm mostly looking for sharpness and quick focus under decent light conditions.

Any hands-on comments?
Click to expand...
There are a lot of reviews on 100-400mm II on the internet. One review that I trust is:

www.the-digital-picture.com

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Review

Is the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens right for you? Learn all you need to know in The-Digital-Picture.com's review!
www.the-digital-picture.com www.the-digital-picture.com

I have this lens. It is very sharp and works with 1.4x III well. I use this combo regularly with 7D Mark II for birds-in-flight. I am able to handhold this setup w/o issues.
 
G3ForMe said:
I have a Canon 70D and am looking at adding a super telephoto lens. I'm split between the new Tamron 150-600 G2 or the Canon 100-400 IS II.

I would use this mainly for wildlife photos.

Both lens are fairly new on the market so there isn't a lot of hands-on reviews on either yet. From what I see at the moment, neither out-shines the other in the reviews I have found to date.

I'm mostly looking for sharpness and quick focus under decent light conditions.

Any hands-on comments?
Click to expand...
If will be shooting birds mostly, I'd get a Canon 500mm lens because you almost never get too close to birds. That applies to a lot of other wildlife too.
 
DugT said:
G3ForMe said:
I have a Canon 70D and am looking at adding a super telephoto lens. I'm split between the new Tamron 150-600 G2 or the Canon 100-400 IS II.

I would use this mainly for wildlife photos.

Both lens are fairly new on the market so there isn't a lot of hands-on reviews on either yet. From what I see at the moment, neither out-shines the other in the reviews I have found to date.

I'm mostly looking for sharpness and quick focus under decent light conditions.

Any hands-on comments?
Click to expand...
If will be shooting birds mostly, I'd get a Canon 500mm lens because you almost never get too close to birds. That applies to a lot of other wildlife too.
Click to expand...
I'll buy the 500mm if you give me the $9000 it costs...
 
G3ForMe said:
I have a Canon 70D and am looking at adding a super telephoto lens. I'm split between the new Tamron 150-600 G2 or the Canon 100-400 IS II.

I would use this mainly for wildlife photos.

Both lens are fairly new on the market so there isn't a lot of hands-on reviews on either yet. From what I see at the moment, neither out-shines the other in the reviews I have found to date.

I'm mostly looking for sharpness and quick focus under decent light conditions.

Any hands-on comments?
Click to expand...
While Canon 100-400 is pretty nice but I went with the Tamron 150-600 Version 1, I want the longer focal length, I will upgrade to the new G2 version. My lens is used to shoot airshow and wildlife.
 
pawn said:
G3ForMe said:
I have a Canon 70D and am looking at adding a super telephoto lens. I'm split between the new Tamron 150-600 G2 or the Canon 100-400 IS II.

I would use this mainly for wildlife photos.

Both lens are fairly new on the market so there isn't a lot of hands-on reviews on either yet. From what I see at the moment, neither out-shines the other in the reviews I have found to date.

I'm mostly looking for sharpness and quick focus under decent light conditions.

Any hands-on comments?
Click to expand...
There are a lot of reviews on 100-400mm II on the internet. One review that I trust is:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100-400mm-f-4.5-5.6-L-IS-II-USM-Lens.aspx

I have this lens. It is very sharp and works with 1.4x III well. I use this combo regularly with 7D Mark II for birds-in-flight. I am able to handhold this setup w/o issues.
Click to expand...
While you are there, check this review:

 
I have the original Tamron 150-600. Purchased it over the older version of the Canon 100-400 mostly due to price. Will sell the current lens and upgrade but still undecided as to which one.

I read a review from one G2 owner that stated there was slight vignetting so that's making me think I'll rent one of each, try them and decide from there.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
100-400 II is better but more expensive as usual. Get the Tamron if you need the 400-600mm and if price is a concern.
 
I have a 100-400L and I often use it with a 1.4x III on my 7D mkII for birds, but your 70D won't focus with that combo. I prefer Canon for many reasons, but in this case I would recommend the Tamron to ensure you get the maximum reach that you need.
 
I recently faced the same decision and purchased the Tamron. The range is great, but the images seem to be a bit soft unless you stop it down. Seems to be geared towards the long end though and 6.3 at 600 seems better than 5.0 at 150 in my experience. So far 7.1 and 8.0 deliver sharp images and on a sunny day this isn't an issue. If the subject is in the shade or it is a cloudy day you will need to bump the ISO. Right now even on a sunny day I am shooting 800 often.

Overall the Tamron is a fine lens, but I am thinking about exchanging it for the Canon. Canon is more compact and from what I read sharp wide open as well. Most of my shots have been at my son's football games and I don't think I have ever had to go over 400mm there. In fact, I think having a lens that starts at 100mm since there have been times where the action got a bit close and being able to go a bit wider would have helped.

Looks like my call is starting...
 
Had some time at lunch for some quick pictures. Below are shots at 150, 400ish and 600 wide open and stopped down to F8. To me the lens performs much better at the long end, and for most people that is great since that is why you buy something that reaches out to 600. Shots converted from RAW with just the "Sharpen-Faces" preset. The short end is quite a bit softer so if you think you will use 150-200 often then it may not be the best choice.





115b225ad29e42ab96657a9d3eec618f.jpg



078431ad97224661bd2840c468e35ffd.jpg



a06a8d35d7ac4a1ab110a1dd853e7ea7.jpg



a2cfcdf6f7d6416196fe94c6c8fd7162.jpg



d517b00af9e84e0585f6b45f2dd8c4cf.jpg



86658482ec264059ad767b1c9504ddeb.jpg



62d4fb99fdb5447dba67fd5aaa0d2bdd.jpg
 
G3ForMe said:
The major differences in the 7D/70D is that the 7D has 65 AF points vs 19 on the 70D. Is this why you say the 70D won't focus with the 1.4x extender?
Click to expand...
I believe it is because the 70D won't focus at F8 where as the 7DII and 80D will. When you add the 1.4x to the 100-400 it loses a stop and becomes and F8 lens on the long end.
 
Gonzie said:
G3ForMe said:
The major differences in the 7D/70D is that the 7D has 65 AF points vs 19 on the 70D. Is this why you say the 70D won't focus with the 1.4x extender?
Click to expand...
I believe it is because the 70D won't focus at F8 where as the 7DII and 80D will. When you add the 1.4x to the 100-400 it loses a stop and becomes and F8 lens on the long end.
Click to expand...
I tossed this question at Canon tech support.

The 70D would AF at around f/9-11.

The Canon cameras that do retain autofocusing capabilities from f/5.6 to f/8 are limited to the center point only.
 
G3ForMe said:
I have a Canon 70D and am looking at adding a super telephoto lens. I'm split between the new Tamron 150-600 G2 or the Canon 100-400 IS II.

I would use this mainly for wildlife photos.

Both lens are fairly new on the market so there isn't a lot of hands-on reviews on either yet. From what I see at the moment, neither out-shines the other in the reviews I have found to date.

I'm mostly looking for sharpness and quick focus under decent light conditions.

Any hands-on comments?
Click to expand...
if it's primarily for birds at 600mm I would consider the newer Tamron 150-600 G2 or Sigma

Otherwise the 100-400 II will have better "IQ" and faster AF if you use it for other things like sports

even the old original 100-400 is pretty good

 
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