Review: Tamron 150-500mm VC VXD for Sony, Compared to Sony 200-600mm and Sigma 150-600mm 'C'

Review: Tamron 150-500mm Lens for Sony

This is my review of the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 VC VXD Lens, compared to the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 and the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 "Contemporary" lens. In this review, I look at the autofocus performance of the Tamron 150-500mm lens while photographing a professional rugby game and wildlife, and I explore the usefulness of the lens for shooting landscapes and general events and street photography.

The Tamron 150-500mm gave me very similar resolution to the Sony 200-600mm, though the Sony's resolution was negligibly better at the 500mm end of the zoom range. On the other hand, the Sigma's resolution was noticeably better than the Tamron 150-500's at the 150mm end of the range.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro
0:50 Build & Features
2:03 500mm vs 600mm
3:35 Sports
6:07 Wildlife
8:41 General Shooting
12:04 Resolution
15:42 My Complaints
16:53 Conclusion

MUSIC CREDITS (in order of appearance)

Mountain Sun by Jason Shaw

Covered in Oil by Broke for Free

Nice and Easy by Jason Shaw

As Colorful as Ever by Broke for Free

Breaking Boundaries by F.O.O.L. (courtesy of Monstercat)

Mission by BoxCat Games

Automaton by Robotaki (courtesy of Monstercat)

[MatthewGore]

I forgot to beg in this video, so give me a LIKE if you think of it :-)

[mathu_stans]

2:46 no one has bothered to explain this before and you do it so accurately. thanks.
such informative videos deserve many likes and subscriptions.

[MichalOlender]

Thanks for making this video. Just got the Tamron, looking forward to getting some cool shots with it!

[ICyfish]

you could also shoot with a aps-c camera body and then the range would get even longer at 725 mm. That sounds pretty good to me

[captain_germany]

Hi man ... i just found your very old photoshop tutorial and they really helped me ... thanks for them man! :D

[stuartdavis]

Not to be overly picky, the plane was a C-17 and not a C-130. As a former Air Force Navigator I tried but couldn't let that go.
Thanks for the review. I'm planning on buying the Sony in the near future based on the reach. I have a 100-400 and it just doesn't cut it taking pictures of birds.

[lorenzo]

Finally a review of these lens on a a7R3!! I wanted to know how good is af speed and accuracy for sports like rugby, and it seems very good. Maybe not good as my 70-200 f4 sony (is very very quick)..
The sigma 100-400 you suggest at the end of video (for less weight) has equal speed af like tamron 150-500?

[TranceFan]

I appreciate you detailed review and thoughts.

[TXTundra-exbw]

Awesome review I love your honesty and accountability for your own mishaps this is a super telephoto I’m considering due to its compact design, weight and price I’m not a professional just a hobbyist

[LensVid]

Great review as always Matt - one thing that we found out in our review of the Tamron we recently published is that the collar/foot are actually very poorly designed for carrying the lens. We walk by hand holding the camera (our A1) with the lens and the foot is just too short and too close to the lens (and we have small hands) plus the lock knob will cut right into your hand if you carry the lens with your left hand. Tamron (or a 3'rd party manufacturer) needs to completely re-design the collar/foot for this lens.

[jbwillson]

Great review. But that’s a C-17, not a C-130.

[mickue]

I really like my Tamron. But one thing to consider is the focal length deviation in crop mode / APSC. With the Tamron I am at 750mm. With the Sony I could reach 900mm.

[robertgiguere]

Excellent review!
( I worry that the lense companies influence reviews by offering free / discounts on lenses to reviewers))
I have an a7iii and plan to buy one a super zoom shortly: Looks like another Tamron will be in my bag shortly.

[robertbohnaker]

Reports on the new sigma 150-600 that I’ve seen report disappointing action AF and tracking. Thanks Mathew.

[h-dawg]

What about for
Video?

I’m planning on getting a long telephoto to shoot the big winter swells coming through the next couple month. I’m hoping to do a nice cinematic video of the surfers when there’s big clean days. I can borrow a legit video tripod, and was looking at either this or the Sigma 100-400?

How are they for video and how much of a must is that extra 100ml?

Cheers for the vid and you have some lush locations around your area!

[asimgeekhan]

Did you need a press pass to shoot the rugby match? I had met a few of the players last summer while out in Seattle and had been interested in asking them about shooting photos for the team but wasn't sure who to contact first.

[mikesagephoto]

Do you have a review of the Sigma 100-400mm?

[MF.Productions]

Did you actually ever use the Sigma 150-600 Sport for e-mount?
No shots taken to compare as that lens is really updated and is a new design without an adapter needed

[videomaker]

Would you recommend any of these lenses for the a7rii? Would the autofocus be fast enough for wildlife?

[knowyouryoga]

Hi for bird photography which one would you recommend Tamron or Sigma where I live Sigma is cheaper by 150$ I hear sigma's af is slow compared to Tamron