Lens Test: Tamron SP 150-600mm G2
Tamron’s next-generation ultra-telephoto zoom lens offers added pulling power for long-distance shooting, but without piling on the pounds
Cor what a whopper! We test Tamron’s monster telephoto zoom lens in our lab
ayear or so ago, Sigma made the unusual move of launching new 150-600mm zoom lenses in both Contemporary and Sports editions, equating to budget and up-market options. It looks like Tamron has followed suit, adding to the continued availability of its budget-friendly ultra-telephoto zoom with a new higher-performance G2 (Generation 2) edition. Whereas the Sigma Sport lens is much bigger and heavier than the Contemporary version, weighing in at 2.8kg, the new Tamron packs its enhancements into a leaner, lighter package weighing just 2kg. It’s much more comfortable for prolonged periods of handheld shooting.
Optical enhancements include the fitment of three LD (Low Dispersion) elements, additional high-tech coatings to fend off ghosting and flare, and a fluorine coating on the front element to repel muck and moisture.
Whereas Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation) optical stabilization system generally comes with a simple on/off switch, this lens adds three selectable modes. The first is ideal for shooting stationery objects, the second is purely for panning, and the third applies stabilization only during an actual exposure, making it easier to track erratically moving objects in the viewfinder.
Further new thrills include what’s claimed to be a faster autofocus system, and a closer minimum focus distance of 2.2m, compared with the original Tamron’s 2.7m. Surprisingly for such a big lens that doesn’t have an internal zoom mechanism, zoom
creep is very well restrained. Better still, as well as the usual zoom lock switch, you can lock the lens at any zoom setting merely by pushing the zoom ring slightly forward.
Another upgrade over the original Tamron is that the G2 lens adds extra weather seals throughout the barrel. The lens is compatible with Tamron’s ‘TAP-IN’ console for applying firmware updates from a computer via a USB link, as well as for customizing the effects of autofocus and vibration compensation.
Performance
In our tests, the G2 proved less sharp than the original Tamron at the short end of the zoom range, although it’s still pretty good. But while the older lens dropped off in sharpness at long zoom settings, the G2 steadily increases in sharpness from focal lengths of 400mm to 600mm, and is particularly impressive at the long end.
True to its claims, autofocus performance is fast and the G2 is better able to track moving subjects in sports and wildlife photography. The new triple-mode stabilization is also much more effective when panning or tracking erratically moving targets. Overall, the performance enhancements in the G2 make it a worthy upgrade to Tamron’s older 150-600mm VC.