Tamron 150-500mm officially announced

https://nikonrumors.com/2023/10/10/...-for-nikon-z-mount-officially-announced.aspx/

Quite a quick release following the Nikon 180-600, Interesting timing.

I don't know who this is for. Maybe people worried about weight?

It's slower, less reach, and likely only a couple hundred cheaper than the 180-600. Looks like a good lens for those who will want it, I'll be interested in seeing real world images from it.

Also, it might not take TCs, which is another loss for it vs the 180-600 (and 100-400).

ghostfox_1 said:

I don't know who this is for. Maybe people worried about weight?

It's slower, less reach, and likely only a couple hundred cheaper than the 180-600. Looks like a good lens for those who will want it, I'll be interested in seeing real world images from it.

Also, it might not take TCs, which is another loss for it vs the 180-600 (and 100-400).

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I would have been more interested in their 50-400mm due to the range, with a very useful short focal length.

It just depends on where the focus is.
The Tamron can primarily shine with very compact dimensions, even more than with the weight.
It extends from 212.3mm (8.4in) to a maximum of 287.3mm (11.3in), but remains very compact for the focal length range and is therefore much easier to transport.


left: Z 70-200/2.8, middle Tamron 150-500, right Z 180-600

It just depends on the range of use, not everyone wants such a telephoto zoom exclusively for wildlife or BiF.
If I want an inexpensive, universal telephoto zoom solution for landscape and wildlife, which I can also take along on a longer hiking tour, then this is certainly an option that has its advantages.
Depending on the price, this can still be a considerable savings for some users.
The Sony version is priced at $1,199.00, which is $500 less than the Nikon Z 180-600mm.

ghostfox_1 said:

I don't know who this is for. Maybe people worried about weight?

It's slower, less reach, and likely only a couple hundred cheaper than the 180-600. Looks like a good lens for those who will want it, I'll be interested in seeing real world images from it.

Click to expand...

...here in Sweden, at least the Sony version is - 13.000 Skr vs 24.000 Skr for Nikon 180-600.

ghostfox_1 said:

Also, it might not take TCs, which is another loss for it vs the 180-600 (and 100-400).

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Adorama lists it at $1599, only $97 less than the 180-600. At that price its only advantage is smaller size and weight.

It's great to see more options for the Z from Tamron - keep 'em coming!

https://www.adorama.com/tm150500nkz.html?utm_source=rflaid63773&utm_medium=affiliate

I wondered if this could be a great lighter zoom for my Z50 but this is 1.72Kg - the 180-600 is only 230g more (excluding collars). It's showing in the UK on WEX at £1250 which is £550 less than the 180-600.

Looking forward to reviews and it's so good to see more lenses coming out!

So much for "nikon isn't allowing third parties to release lenses that compete with nikon lenses"

cosmicnode said:

https://nikonrumors.com/2023/10/10/...-for-nikon-z-mount-officially-announced.aspx/

Quite a quick release following the Nikon 180-600, Interesting timing.

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Speaking of quick release, I wonder if that removable tripod collar with the Arca Swiss compatible foot will work on the Nikon 180-600.

ghostfox_1 said:

I don't know who this is for. Maybe people worried about weight?

It's slower, less reach, and likely only a couple hundred cheaper than the 180-600. Looks like a good lens for those who will want it, I'll be interested in seeing real world images from it.

Also, it might not take TCs, which is another loss for it vs the 180-600 (and 100-400).

Click to expand...

It's for those concerned about weight, cost and packing size. You can get it all day long on the Sony FE mount for 1200 € (much less for display models or open box). Combine that low price with packing size and you can see the attractiveness.

For what it's worth, it's a very good lens optically with great IS and very, very fast AF motors.

I've touched on this already in the rumor thread for this lens, but as someone with an upcoming birding trip to Florida with carry-on space at a premium, this could be an enticing replacement/rental to tide me over until my pre-order for the 180-600mm comes in (right around the heat death of the universe, by the looks of it).

It won't be as good as the Nikon, of course, but based on sample images I've seen, it looks very serviceable. The ultra-close minimum focus distance is nice too, given all of the fun insects and reptiles you can find down there.

Nebido said:

It just depends on where the focus is.
The Tamron can primarily shine with very compact dimensions, even more than with the weight.
It extends from 212.3mm (8.4in) to a maximum of 287.3mm (11.3in), but remains very compact for the focal length range and is therefore much easier to transport.


left: Z 70-200/2.8, middle Tamron 150-500, right Z 180-600

It just depends on the range of use, not everyone wants such a telephoto zoom exclusively for wildlife or BiF.
If I want an inexpensive, universal telephoto zoom solution for landscape and wildlife, which I can also take along on a longer hiking tour, then this is certainly an option that has its advantages.
Depending on the price, this can still be a considerable savings for some users.
The Sony version is priced at $1,199.00, which is $500 less than the Nikon Z 180-600mm.

Click to expand...

The Sony version is currently on sale for $1200, $200 off. So it's regular $200 less expensive than the $1600 Nikon version.

I find this very attractive. I have my 500 PF (excited for the eclipse!), and I had and then sold the 180-600 Z despite being very pleased with it. I have shots with the zoom I could not have made with the 500 - zooming is very helpful.

I did some comparison shots between the 180-600 and 500 PF quickly the morning I shipped it out. 500 PF is better, as it should be, but not by much.

One of my issues with the big boy 180-600 is that it doesn't fit in my bag. This Tamron will, and 500 mm is plenty for the long-lens work I do now.

I have another 180-600 on order but I'm really going to think about which I want - the smaller size of the 150-500 (for landscapes and possible wildlife in Yosemite where it can easily fit in my bag? Or I'd take my Z 70-200 + 2x TC?) or the known quality of the 180-600.

--
"Our young men should spend more time considering the composition and merit of their images, and less time with magnifying glasses counting how many bricks and shingles they can resolve." - from a Paris newspaper article on Daguerrotype photography, from 1841. (and https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2011/05/1839-and-the-frenzy-that-followed)

If it's affordable, I'll consider it. I want Nikon 180-600mm but it's too expensive for me at the moment. I have Sigma 100-400mm via FTZ, so native Z Tamron could fit its place in my bag.

ZapperVT said:

Adorama lists it at $1599, only $97 less than the 180-600. At that price its only advantage is smaller size and weight.

It's great to see more options for the Z from Tamron - keep 'em coming!

https://www.adorama.com/tm150500nkz.html?utm_source=rflaid63773&utm_medium=affiliate

Click to expand...

The price at Adorama will certainly not last long.

https://petapixel.com/2023/10/09/tamron-brings-popular-150-500mm-tele-zoom-to-nikon-z-mount/

"Pricing and Availability

The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD lens will be available starting on October 31 for $1,199 USD ($1,599 CAD), the same price as the E-mount version."

___

Anything else would also be strange compared to the price of the Tamron Z-mount version in the rest of the world.
In the EU the Tamron costs € 1399 including 20% VAT, so it would be cheaper than the Adorama price without VAT.
In the EU there is a price difference of € 600 between the Tamron and the Nikon, ₤ 550 in the UK, so significant.

Although this lens doesn't interest me because I already have the 180-500mm, the compact-ness of this lens looks very intriguing. I think this may end up in a lot of people's travel hiking kits, if it performs well enough optically.

The 1:3.1 magnification ratio is also pretty impressive. I'd be curious if it took TC's or not, as 1:1.55 @300mm with a 2.0x TC would be intriguing too.

I think it's also impressive that Tamron covers 35-500mm with only 2 lenses. This makes me wonder if Tamron will make something like a 14/17-35mm with their branding, or perhaps just bring over their 17-50mm from the E mount next. I think the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 is already essentially available already in Z.

I'm just glad Tamron is making some interesting lenses. 70-300mm, 35-150mm, now this 150-500mm, I'm looking forward to whatever comes next!

Mizachs said:

If it's affordable, I'll consider it. I want Nikon 180-600mm but it's too expensive for me at the moment. I have Sigma 100-400mm via FTZ, so native Z Tamron could fit its place in my bag.

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Currently listed for $100 less than the 180-600 on Adorama so no

xlucine said:

So much for "nikon isn't allowing third parties to release lenses that compete with nikon lenses"

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The only Nikkor this competes with, sort-of, is the 180-600. It’s shorter at both ends and slower at the long end. Likely softer. It doesn’t really compete unless price and size are the primary factors.

You could say that a 35mm competes against a 28, or a 75 vs. an 85, or any number of other things. “Competes with” is whatever Nikon decides.

PLShutterbug said:

xlucine said:

So much for "nikon isn't allowing third parties to release lenses that compete with nikon lenses"

Click to expand...

The only Nikkor this competes with, sort-of, is the 180-600. It’s shorter at both ends and slower at the long end. Likely softer. It doesn’t really compete unless price and size are the primary factors.

You could say that a 35mm competes against a 28, or a 75 vs. an 85, or any number of other things. “Competes with” is whatever Nikon decides.

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It's a very sharp lens at full stretch with fantastic AF and IS. Check out the reviews. The real issue is whether it will have TC compatibility, as it does not on the E mount.

xlucine said:

So much for "nikon isn't allowing third parties to release lenses that compete with nikon lenses"

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That was my first thought but then I realized that this is an APS-C lens, so its 15-500 vs what....240-900?

Maybe Nikon didn't see it as a competing lens any more than some of the other Tamron Z mounts. I think the 28-75 2.8 is closer to the 24-70 2.8 than these two.

Mackiesback said:

xlucine said:

So much for "nikon isn't allowing third parties to release lenses that compete with nikon lenses"

Click to expand...

That was my first thought but then I realized that this is an APS-C lens, so its 15-500 vs what....240-900?

Click to expand...

I'm not sure where you're getting it's an APS_C lens - from what I can see it's an FX lens.

"Tamron has announced the 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (Model A057) for the Nikon Z-mount system, including full-frame Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras."