Lens Test: Tamron 100-400mm
It’s big on reach but small in weight – we try out Tamron’s new super-telephoto zoom for size and like what we see
Big on reach but small in weight – we like what we see
back in issue 130’s supertest of supertelephoto lenses, we were quite taken with the new Sigma 100-400mm Contemporary zoom. Compared with Sigma’s 150-600mm C lens, it’s physically shorter and narrower, and only about half
the weight. Tamron has followed suit, with its own new 100-400mm lens that’s similarly lightweight and compact, downsizing from the 150-600mm G2. It also only weighs about two-thirds as much as Canon’s own 100-400mm IS II USM. Measuring 199mm long and weighing 1.1kg, the Tamron is easily manageable for a super-telephoto zoom, and light enough to use for prolonged handheld shooting. As is usual for this type of lens, the physical length nearly doubles when zooming to the longest focal length, but focusing is fully internal.
Despite the reasonable asking price, build quality is excellent. The main section of the outer barrel is made from magnesium alloy, and the lens features weather-seals and a fluorine coating. Nano-structure coatings are used to minimize ghosting and flare, while an LD (Low Dispersion) element boosts sharpness and reduces colour fringing. Handling is very refined, with a smooth-action, precision feel. Our sample didn’t suffer from zoom creep, but a zoom lock switch is fitted nonetheless. Additional switches are on hand for dual-mode VC (Vibration Compensation), featuring static and panning stabilization options, and for AF/ Mf/limit. The ‘Limit’ position enables the opposite sector of the
autofocus range to be locked out, depending on whether a short or long focus distance is in use.
The autofocus system is of the ring-type ultrasonic variety, which can be a mixed bag in terms of speed and quietness. Thanks in part to dual microprocessors and built-in digital signal processing, this lens is capable of amazingly fast autofocus, and it’s whisper quiet. As usual with ring-type ultrasonic systems, you also get the benefits of manual focus override and a focus distance scale beneath a viewing panel.
Performance
Helped by a competent stabilizer, which gave an effectiveness of around four stops in our tests, the Tamron delivers brilliantly sharp handheld shots. And while the autofocus system is extremely fast, it’s also consistently accurate. For levels of sharpness, the Tamron beats not only Sigma’s competing 100-400mm lens, but also Canon’s pricier 100-400mm IS II USM.
Contrast is very good throughout the zoom range, even if shooting at the widest available apertures. As usual for current super-tele zooms, the widest aperture at the long end of the zoom range is f/6.3, but the lens can still autofocus with Tamron’s 1.4x teleconverter, at least on Canon cameras that support autofocus at f/8.
Thanks to dual microprocessors and built-in digital signal processing, it is capable of amazingly fast autofocus, and it’s whisper quiet