Sigma 150-600(C) vs Tamron 150-600 v1

Hi,

I have read some many reviews and comparison on Sigma 150-600(C) vs Tamron 150-600. It is getting to be mind bothering to decide which one. I went to BH and tried the used Tamron 150-600 v1. I tried Tamron 150-600 v1 lens with 1D IV and the focusing with pretty fast. Also, the Tamron 150-600 v1 lens with TC was also fast and no focus hunting. After trying the Tamron 150-600 v1, I went to the new lens section to try the Sigma 150-600(C) on the 5DIII. The Sigma 150-600(C) was hunting a lot with focusing.

Has anyone brought the Sigma 150-600(C) having issue with the focus hunting/didn't like the overall performance and return it to buy the Tamron 150-600 v1 or vice-versa?

There was a firmware upgrade a few months back on the Sigma which may help.

Do I need the docking station to update the firmware?

chenga732 wrote in post #18254740
Do I need the docking station to update the firmware?

Yes

I have the Sigma 150-600mm C but have not tried the Tamron, however reviews of the Sigma are very consistently good which is what made me choose it over the Tamron. If you compare good copies of both you'd probably find negligible differences between them, but from reading reviews it suggested to me that the Sigma is more consistent quality-wise.

All third-party lenses are prone to front or back focusing, so if you get the adjustment tool or use MFA-capable bodies there shouldn't be much noticeable difference between two good copies, so you should feel comfortable buying whichever you can find a better deal on.

-Joe

I bought the Sigma early last spring when Sigma Canada had a special offering the dock as a freebie with your purchase. I wasn't sure but felt if may not be up to my needs AF speed wise but it surpassed my best expectations. I used it primarily with a 1D4 until late in the season when I started using it on my 7D2 & it did very well on both bodies shooting radio control flying events. Normally I need to use slower shutter speeds than ideal but for the last 2 seasons I've tried to get a really good shot of a friends plane in action to test whatever lens & my skills. One wing it autographed by the Snowbird pilots and ISS commander Chris Hadfield. Last summer I jacked up the shutter speed to a more correct speed like BIF shooters use & got this. I have rotated the shot as the plane was performing rolls going right to left & I was trying to time my shot for the best light as it rolled. First the full frame & then a crop which is pretty deep but tells the story. Canon 1D4 @ ISO 200, 1/2000, Sigma 150-600 C at 468 mm & f6.3, Hand held.

Since there is NO VC when panning with the V1 Tamron, and if you leave it on the system feeds back and destroys all of your images, even when zoomed out, when shooting at shutter speeds slower than 1/1000s. I went with the Sigma. There was a firmware update to deal with the VC issue, but it did not enable VC when panning, it just automatically turns it off. I suppose at least the VC does not make things worse nay more. So for me the only option was the Sigma C. I have to say that i think the Sigma is clearly optically better than the Tamron, even when the VC is not screwing with you. The Sigma has a propper mode 2 for it's OS system, and it works really well.

IMO the Sigma at 600mm is as good optically as the original 100-400L is at 400mm, at least when comparing to the 100-400's that I have rented in the past. I can do very similar shots to those by Cicopo, only shot at 1/160s and 600mm on my 50D
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My understanding is that the Tamron V1 is not compatible with the Tamron console.
I know the Sigma is compatible with Sigma dock.

To me, that makes the Sigma a far better choice.

I can't help with your experience of the Sigma AF hunting though.

Choderboy wrote in post #18256606
My understanding is that the Tamron V1 is not compatible with the Tamron console.
I know the Sigma is compatible with Sigma dock.

To me, that makes the Sigma a far better choice.

I can't help with your experience of the Sigma AF hunting though.

That is correct, since it predates the Tamron system. I was very pleased that Sigma dropped the fully capable options into the 150-600 C, since the OS adjustments and multi point in lens MFA is usually reserved only for the Art and Sport lines. Still as a £1000 plus lens at launch it was considerably more expensive than the usual run of consumer level "Contemporary" lenses.

Alan