Anybody with experience of Tamron 200-500mm/Sigma 150-500mm?

Hi guys!

My beercan is too short!!! At least for some purposes....:D

With my budget, I've narrowed it down to the Tamron 200-500mm and the Sigma 150-500mm. The Tamron here in Denmark is a little more pricey but it's 700g lighter....

Anybody got any experience of these lenses for your Sony's?

Mette

I have personally shot with the TAMRON SP AF 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD for over three years. It has been a tremendous tool and rather easy to heft around.

Attachment 70863

I got this handheld shot, last year, at the Oshkosh AirVenture 2008. I think you will be well served with it.

Thanks, Don!

Weight is definitely a major issue! I was just wondering if there was any major difference in image quality, all other things equal?

Mette

Image quality difference - probably not major. I have been using the Sigma 50 - 500 4.5-6.3 for a number of years on the A100, 700 and now 900 bodies. I really enjoy the results and the lens is permanently fixed to the camera - the range in focal length comes into its own more often than can be counted so if speed ( theres about one stop improvement at 150mm in the lens you are considering) is not the absolute issue why not consider this option. Price may be factor - not sure here - but weight is/may be a disadvantage with the Sigma. Nevertheless with the Sony in camera stabilisation shake problems are largely taken care of. I seldom (hardly ever) use a tripod and am satisfied with the results. Here are some shots from the 100 and 900 respectively taken at full zoom from some distance and subsequently cropped to bring the image closer. The red sky shot is at 50mm in low light, hand held and at 50mm.
Hope this helps. By the way I have a friend who uses the 150-500 Sigma on his Nikon D80 and loves it.

Thank you very much for your input, Dennis! :)

Mette

Here's tonight's moon taken at 500mm with the TAMRON

Attachment 71037

SONY α700 w/ TAMRON SP AF 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD
@ 500mm - f/11 - 1/250 sec - ISO-200 - Spot Focus - Spot Metering - 2 sec shutter release delay - tripod

I love the image quality taken with the Tamron lens. I was for awhile considering it, but the lack of money is holding me back right now. But soon that baby will be mine :)

Very crisp shots guys! That f22 is screaming.