I purchased the Tameron largely on the strength of your excellent review. I have two Viltrox lenses with vastly fiddlier lens hoods than the Tameron, so no problem there. I somewhat agree on the zoom ring brake. But what surprised me is the power draw from that lens. You might wonna pay attention to that aspect in future lens comparisons. There is some motor permanently whirring away inside the Tameron – even after the viewfinder has gone to sleep. Might be a f/w issue that Tameron will get around to fixing one day. As of today, you probably need plenty spare batteries when on safari.
John
July 17, 2024 12:25 pm
Would I need to use the Tamron TAP-in console with the Tamron 150-500 on my Nikon Z5 in order to get the sharpest results?
James Nelson
July 16, 2024 8:55 pm
I will admit to having pretty high expectations. My destination kit includes a Z9 and 400 TC 2.8. So why do I have the Tamron 150-500. First, when I travel with my big lens, there is very little room or weight allowance left. This lens gives me a reasonable back-up. Second, animals can move close very quickly. This lens mounted on my back-up body lets me frame a closer shot quickly. Third sharpness is adequate. It has only been a few years since I shot with a Nikon D850 and Sigma 150-600 Sport. The Tamron lens is clearly better and good enough for any on-line gallery or presentation. A3+ size prints are good. Fourth, while auto focus speed is measurably slower than some of my more expensive lenses, I have missed very few shots due to focus speed. It is quite usable for birds in flight. Last, how do my Z9 + 400 TC 2.8 and my Z6ii + the Tamron compare? $20,000 compared to $3,400. For walk around, hiking and casual trips, this Tamron lens spends more time in my hands than the destination kit.
Alan
July 11, 2024 9:18 am
I use The Tamron G2 150-600 zoom lens with a Nikon Z7 camera. How do you rate my lens to yours under discussion? Thanks
Jayatu
July 6, 2024 11:36 pm
So tamron made it mainly to capture giant games like elephant or landscape with birds. Nice lense.
Bryan
July 6, 2024 10:20 am
Thanks for the review, Spencer I have this lens with my z8 and am enjoying it. I actually cancelled my order for the 180-600 due to its size and dollars. Now living on a fixed income;-) Anyway, the focus is probably a bit slower than on a native Nikon lens, but I’ve gotten some really nice pics with this lens. I agree, I hate it when I have to use extra brain cells on the most menial task, i.e. lens hood.
So, I probably have a copy issue, but my biggest gripe is the extra long lag time between turning my camera on and when the lens is active. I’ve seen many reviews on Youtube and other places and not a mention of this. So, a copy issue.
Glad you are enjoying it! I didn’t notice a significant lag time between turning it on and being ready to shoot – sorry to hear that you are having that issue.
My Nikon 28-75mm f/2.8 “lights up” immediately on my Z6ii when I hit the AF-ON button; ya know, when the camera has been “asleep” between shots. The Tamron 150-500 takes about one to one and a half seconds (just guessing). Doesn’t sound like much, but it seems like an eternity when the bird you’ve been watching for the last half hour finally lands where you might actually get a good capture…😉
Derek Naismith
July 5, 2024 12:23 am
I purchased a second hand (as new 150-500) for my Sony A6000 about 6 months ago & have been extremely happy with it, mainly for bird photography. Have not had issues with the hood, but yes the zoom lock can catch you out, would be nice if Tamron could come up with a “disable” function.
I didn’t delete any comments on this article, yours shows up right below this one. I responded to it a few hours ago. If you’re not seeing it, your browser probably has the old version of the page cached, and refreshing should fix the problem.
Kamuran Akkor
July 4, 2024 1:24 pm
“External zoom is not as reassuring in harsh weather” I think all reviewed should stop writing this as negative. It is 2024 and all 24-70mm f2.8 and most 16-35mm f2.8 lenses which are the most used professional lenses are external zoom.
As someone who has had “professional” external zoom lenses gradually get small particles of sand and grit in the zooming mechanism, I will continue to mention this as a negative in my future reviews. It’s not an insurmountable drawback – good weather sealing can prevent any issues. But it is hardly a positive feature of a lens’s design.
Well, I disagree. I used to shoot with an externally zooming lens and in rainy conditions, water would constantly end up in the extending part. BTW, we’re not talking about 24-70s and 16-35s here. For wildlife, internal zoom is superior. The Sony 200-600, the gold standard of superzooms, is internal. So is the Nikon 180-600. Definitely something to consider.
Robert John
July 4, 2024 11:17 am
Just waiting for a decent Nikon aps-c Z-mount camera to put it on then?
I used the lens with a Zfc in Alaska this month, with good results. The autofocus isn’t ideal for wildlife on this body, but I’ve learned how to use this combo. I like the extra reach! The lens is a keeper, and I’d love to see a Z70 or something similar in the future.
I purchased the Tameron largely on the strength of your excellent review. I have two Viltrox lenses with vastly fiddlier lens hoods than the Tameron, so no problem there. I somewhat agree on the zoom ring brake. But what surprised me is the power draw from that lens. You might wonna pay attention to that aspect in future lens comparisons. There is some motor permanently whirring away inside the Tameron – even after the viewfinder has gone to sleep. Might be a f/w issue that Tameron will get around to fixing one day. As of today, you probably need plenty spare batteries when on safari.
Would I need to use the Tamron TAP-in console with the Tamron 150-500 on my Nikon Z5 in order to get the sharpest results?
I will admit to having pretty high expectations. My destination kit includes a Z9 and 400 TC 2.8. So why do I have the Tamron 150-500. First, when I travel with my big lens, there is very little room or weight allowance left. This lens gives me a reasonable back-up. Second, animals can move close very quickly. This lens mounted on my back-up body lets me frame a closer shot quickly. Third sharpness is adequate. It has only been a few years since I shot with a Nikon D850 and Sigma 150-600 Sport. The Tamron lens is clearly better and good enough for any on-line gallery or presentation. A3+ size prints are good. Fourth, while auto focus speed is measurably slower than some of my more expensive lenses, I have missed very few shots due to focus speed. It is quite usable for birds in flight. Last, how do my Z9 + 400 TC 2.8 and my Z6ii + the Tamron compare? $20,000 compared to $3,400. For walk around, hiking and casual trips, this Tamron lens spends more time in my hands than the destination kit.
I use The Tamron G2 150-600 zoom lens with a Nikon Z7 camera. How do you rate my lens to yours under discussion? Thanks
So tamron made it mainly to capture giant games like elephant or landscape with birds. Nice lense.
Thanks for the review, Spencer
I have this lens with my z8 and am enjoying it.
I actually cancelled my order for the 180-600 due to its size and dollars. Now living on a fixed income;-)
Anyway, the focus is probably a bit slower than on a native Nikon lens, but I’ve gotten some really nice pics with this lens.
I agree, I hate it when I have to use extra brain cells on the most menial task, i.e. lens hood.
So, I probably have a copy issue, but my biggest gripe is the extra long lag time between turning my camera on and when the lens is active. I’ve seen many reviews on Youtube and other places and not a mention of this. So, a copy issue.
No issues with the lens lock.
Anyway, Like the lens with this camera
Glad you are enjoying it!
I didn’t notice a significant lag time between turning it on and being ready to shoot – sorry to hear that you are having that issue.
My Nikon 28-75mm f/2.8 “lights up” immediately on my Z6ii when I hit the AF-ON button; ya know, when the camera has been “asleep” between shots. The Tamron 150-500 takes about one to one and a half seconds (just guessing). Doesn’t sound like much, but it seems like an eternity when the bird you’ve been watching for the last half hour finally lands where you might actually get a good capture…😉
I purchased a second hand (as new 150-500) for my Sony A6000 about 6 months ago & have been extremely happy with it, mainly for bird photography. Have not had issues with the hood, but yes the zoom lock can catch you out, would be nice if Tamron could come up with a “disable” function.
Glad you’re enjoying it!
Strange that my comment was deleted. Next time I’ll be careful to praise you :)
I didn’t delete any comments on this article, yours shows up right below this one. I responded to it a few hours ago. If you’re not seeing it, your browser probably has the old version of the page cached, and refreshing should fix the problem.
“External zoom is not as reassuring in harsh weather”
I think all reviewed should stop writing this as negative. It is 2024 and all 24-70mm f2.8 and most 16-35mm f2.8 lenses which are the most used professional lenses are external zoom.
As someone who has had “professional” external zoom lenses gradually get small particles of sand and grit in the zooming mechanism, I will continue to mention this as a negative in my future reviews. It’s not an insurmountable drawback – good weather sealing can prevent any issues. But it is hardly a positive feature of a lens’s design.
Well, I disagree. I used to shoot with an externally zooming lens and in rainy conditions, water would constantly end up in the extending part. BTW, we’re not talking about 24-70s and 16-35s here. For wildlife, internal zoom is superior. The Sony 200-600, the gold standard of superzooms, is internal. So is the Nikon 180-600. Definitely something to consider.
Just waiting for a decent Nikon aps-c Z-mount camera to put it on then?
A long wait in prospect.
I used the lens with a Zfc in Alaska this month, with good results. The autofocus isn’t ideal for wildlife on this body, but I’ve learned how to use this combo. I like the extra reach! The lens is a keeper, and I’d love to see a Z70 or something similar in the future.