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Home โ†’ Reviews โ†’ Cameras and Lenses โ†’ Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Review

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Review

By Thomas Stirr 271 Comments
Last Updated On July 3, 2020

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Table of Contents

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  • Focusing
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271 Comments
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Michael kahan
Michael kahan
September 17, 2023 5:35 am

Hi can i use this lens with my nikon z6 11 ?
Also can it be hand held for bird pics or does it need a tripod many thanks michael

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Thomas Stirr
Thomas Stirr
Reply to  Michael kahan
September 17, 2023 5:56 am

Hi Michael,

I have not used full frame camera gear since July 2015 so I am unable to answer your question about compatibility. I would assume that some kind of adapter would be needed.

In terms of using this lens handheld versus on a tripod, this would depend on your handheld technique. I used my 150-600 handheld and could do so for about 3 hours on an uninterrupted basis. After that I had too much arm fatigue to continue.

Tom

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Ian
Ian
October 30, 2022 8:46 am

Hi there
Thinking of getting this lens to go with my d7500. Any real world pros and cons?

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Thomas Stirr
Thomas Stirr
Reply to  Ian
October 30, 2022 8:51 am

Hi Ian,

It’s been quite a long time since I used full frame gear (i.e. sold all of my full frame gear in July 2015) so I haven’t kept up with newer versions of this lens. The biggest benefit is the reach of the lens. Two things that counterbalance that are the size/weight and perhaps needing to stop the lens down a bit to get more sharpness when it is fully extended.

Tom

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Rob
Rob
December 14, 2020 10:12 pm

I have a d5200 and just picked up this lens. I wish I understood it or that there was some sort of training. I have no idea why it won’t take pictures with the lens fully extended, but does just fine around 400 and below.

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Luke
Luke
Reply to  Rob
October 30, 2022 9:21 am

Is this because your shoots are blurry, or lack sharpness. If blurry or too soft it can be your AF that need calibration. I always use it with at the beginning with a D7100, followed by a D750 and lastly a D500. I am not sure the D5200 has the AF speed and accuracy required to do BIF.
You need to shot at speeds at least 1/1500 sec , better or faster up to 1/4000 sec to get good to very good shots. If you have good light you shoot at 6400 iso.I strongly recommend you use a very good denoiser such as DXo Elite 5 or 6 using DeepPrime denoiser.

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Rob
Rob
October 28, 2020 2:23 pm

I was using a darkroom when my son was born in 1972. Now, he’s keeping me up-to-date with photography. I’ve been birding with my Nikkor 80-400mmD and he added a Tamron 150-600 G2 to his lens wardrobe. That 200mm makes a difference, so I went “old school” and bought a Tamron 150-600mm (A011). I was afraid that I couldn’t carry its weight, but I added a monopod and have been extremely pleased. I will still keep my 80-400- it’s definitely more hand-holdable (though the monopod helps there, too. If I ever make it back to Africa, I think I’d take the Nikkor on safari- the 80mm end of the range is really important, but for birding, I’d always favor the Tamron.

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Yvonne
Yvonne
September 29, 2020 2:52 pm

I am just taking up photography again after a few decades away & after life changing surgery hoping to help give me focus on other things, enjoyment etc. I have canon eos 750D, would this lens be suitable? Enjoyed the review thank you

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Thomas Stirr
Thomas Stirr
Reply to  Yvonne
September 29, 2020 6:39 pm

Hi Yvonne,

Unfortunately I sold all of my full frame camera gear over 5 years ago and have not kept current with this camera format. As a result I am unable to provide any guidance.

Tom

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edward
edward
Reply to  Thomas Stirr
August 30, 2022 3:21 am

so, shortly after this review?

1
Reply
Thomas Stirr
Thomas Stirr
Reply to  edward
August 30, 2022 1:45 pm

Hi Edward,

I wrote the revenue with the intention of helping folks interested in the Tamron lens… even though I was transitioning out of full frame at the time.

Buying into full frame ended up being a big mistake for my business. The format was very inefficient for my safety video business and I after I sold all of my full frame gear, I ended up using Nikon 1 exclusively for 4 years.

After I purchased the 1 Nikkor 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 it was the final straw that broke the camel’s back in terms of me selling all of my full frame equipment.

Tom

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Rick P
Rick P
Reply to  Yvonne
December 9, 2020 11:02 am

Hi Yvonne. You can use this Tamron lens with the Canon EOS 750D. I used it in Kenya at Masai Maara Game Reserve with a Canon EOS 650D without any issues at all, cradled on a ledge of the safari Jeep sun roof, on a jellybean bag, as a monopod or tripod usage in a shared Jeep was out of the question. It enabled me to get close-ups of a trio of cheetahs, etc, etc.

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Mateusz
Mateusz
November 16, 2019 11:07 am

Thank you for that review. Now I know crucial information about the lens. When I was in Korea taking photos at performances I was using Nikon D7200 + Nikkor 80-200 2.8. Also I used 2x Teleconverter with this lens in situation where I couldn’t be close enough to stage. After reviewing photos I decided to buy some lens with image stabilization with focal length greater than 200mm. I was thinking about Sigma C 150-600, Nikkor 200-500 and Tamron 150-600. I decided to look for Tamron but I didn’t know which version but thanks to this review I’ve made a decision. First version of Tamron 150-600 is enough for me.

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Thomas Stirr
Thomas Stirr
Author
Reply to  Mateusz
November 17, 2019 4:48 am

Hi Mateusz,

I’m glad the article was helpful for you!

Tom

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Sayandeep Dutta
Sayandeep Dutta
June 17, 2019 5:31 pm

Hello Thomas,
I have a Nikon D5600, can I use this lens for birding? Or any Lens you suggest for birding at the same price of this lens?

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Reply
Thomas Stirr
Thomas Stirr
Author
Reply to  Sayandeep Dutta
June 17, 2019 6:40 pm

Hi Sayandeep,

I can’t think of any reason why you could not use the lens with a D5600… other than the lens is quite heavy and may not feel balanced on a light body. You may also want to check out the Nikon 200-500 mm.

Tom

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Luc
Luc
Reply to  Sayandeep Dutta
June 17, 2019 6:58 pm

Hi
My 0,02$ comments:
This lens needs a camera with a great tracking autofocus such as the D5-D3x-_D850-D500-D750-D7500-D7200-D7100 to name a few , particularly for BIF pics. I use it on the D500 (best AF camera that I own,) D750 (second best AF) and last the D7100 AF. This lens is a slow aperture F5-F6.3, requiring a camera with an AF that can work in low light -3 EV to -4EV. I can see a big difference in shot taken with the D500 vs D7100, with the D500 producing a much larger number of tack sharp images, why because it has a much better AF system and buffer.
The D5600 that I use for travelling has an old 39 points AF, and a slow burst rate. I haven’t tried this lens on this camera, but I suspect for stationary birds and in good light it can be use, but remember that for BIF the buffer and the frame rate are the key to success . Frame rate are for getting the best gesture in flight, and to get a few if not all that are tack sharp images

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Jarrod Davis
Jarrod Davis
December 1, 2018 2:32 pm

Has anybody done any shoots with the D3S? I’m considering buying this for my wildlife photography wanted to see if there are any issues.

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Rob
Rob
November 11, 2018 6:14 pm

I Have a Nikon D3100 Camera body, I was wandering what other Nikon Camera bodies will the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens work with in case at some point I want to upgrade my Nikon D3100. I see know that some of the newer Nikon lenses are not compatible with the 3100. Thank You.

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Thomas Stirr
Thomas Stirr
Author
Reply to  Rob
November 11, 2018 6:23 pm

Hi Rob,
I sold my Nikon D800 and all of my F-Mount lenses over three years ago, so I’m not current on DSLR compatibility issues. Generally speaking camera bodies that are 3 years old or less usually work with newer lenses. You could contact Tamron to find out if they have some compatibility information they can share.
Tom

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Luc Poirier
Luc Poirier
Reply to  Rob
November 11, 2018 8:21 pm

HI Rob
I would totally forget the Nikon D3100. This lens need a camera with a great tracking autofocus such as the D500-D750-D7500-D7200-D7100 or better, particularly for BIF pics. I use it on the D500 (best AF ) D750 (second best AF) and last the D7100 AF. This lens is a slow aperture F5-F6.3, requiring a camera with an AF that can work in low light -3 EV to -4EV

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Dr.Syed
Dr.Syed
February 6, 2018 12:51 am

Excellent review, very detailed and helpful. I have watched you tube and read other reviews too, but this one is just superb, Cleared almost all my doubts.
great job keep it up dear Thomas

0
Reply
Thomas Stirr
Thomas Stirr
Reply to  Dr.Syed
February 6, 2018 3:44 am

Hi Dr.Syed,
I’m glad you found the review helpful – thank you for your positive comment!
Tom

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