Difference in lens quality

[acdapha]

I have seen a lot of people use Tamron and Sigma lenses and always wanted to know how they compare to a Canon lens, specifically in the 600-800mm range?  I want the best quality pictures possible, but will I be disappointed with a non-Canon lens?  I have a 5DSR and a 7D MII, so they aren't cheap cameras.  This lens would be for mostly wildlife and I love getting good close up shots of the subjects.  Suggestions, recommendations???

[acdapha]

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@diverhank wrote:

Great choices on camera  . I have exactly the same two.

@I will give you my opinion on the subject... I have a Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II, a 600mm f/4L IS (Version 1), a Tamron 150-600mm version 1 and a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary.  I also had a Canon 400mm f/5.6L that I used for years until I got the 100-400mm. This zoom lens is just as sharp @ 400mm.

Neither the Tamron or the Sigma will match the Canon lenses, especially the 600mm f/4L in IQ, focus speed and durability.  However, the Tamron and Sigma 150-600mm is pretty decent, enough that I use them all the time (until the Tamron broke on me).  They are so versatile.  I wish Canon'd make a lens with that zoom range but Canon doesn't.

@Once I did an experiment with the Canon 400mm f/5.6 @ 400mm and the Tamron @ 600mm side by side.  I  used photoshop and just magnified it by 1.5 to make the image equal to 600mm and its IQ still beats the Tamron...so when you hear people using the 1.4x instead of getting the 150-600mm, it is not far-fetched at all.    Having said that, I don't use the 1.4X on my 100-400mm because I dislike the slowed down focusing speed and its hunting a little bit.  The Tamron and Sigma focusing speed is better than the Canon with a 1.4X, in my experience.

You can visit my Flickr, look at different albums for different lenses.  The pictures will give you some ideas of what can be achieved by the Tamron and the Sigma.

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I did consider getting a 1.4x or 2x extender but figured the loss of image quality wasn't going to give me what I wanted.  I think I am going to rent the Sigma and Tamron and see how I like them.  I am not on Flickr at all, can I view it without being signed up?  I'll see if I can figure it out and look at your images 🙂  Thank you.

[ebiggs1]

"I have seen a lot of people use Tamron and Sigma lenses and always wanted to know how they compare to a Canon lens, ..."

This is a multi-faceted question.  Most responders can only see IQ. Pun intended! I have been interested in lenses more than usual since I retired some 15 years ago.  I bought and sold several dozen lenses. I gained a lot of experience and knowledge I had not had before.  I satisfied my own self.

On top is how do you intend to use the lens and what results do you expect from it. If you expect a $1000 lens to equal or surpass a $10,000 Canon "L", you are going to be disappointed. No doubt. Is that shocking?  However, there is good enough.

Another factor is, if you can't afford the mega thousand dollar lens what good is it to you? Nada! No matter how fantastic it is.

Second point, does Canon even make that lens?  If they don't, what to do or where to go is the question.

Now for that all important IQ part. Almost nothing beats a Canon "L" here either.  But the top level third party lenses come very close. Very close. Yeah, if you use PS to blow up images past 100% you are going to see some difference. At normal viewing levels you are going to be challenged to see a determinable difference.

One of the top super zooms right now is the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. OK, let's compare to the closest Canon offering, the new  EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens .  IQ is similar with the Canon besting by a little. The downside it is $500 more expensive and doesn't not have native 500 to 600mm.  This requires you to buy a tel-con with its expense (another $400 bucks) and other faults. The Canon build is better by far so if that is important this is what you should buy. What is my preference in this range, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens. Why?  It has good IQ and it is built as well as any "L".  IMHO, if Canon ever sees fit to bring it own version of this lens, it's been rumored, and it isn't mega-thousand dollars, I would buy it. There again, if you can't afford it, what good is it?

When you go to compare these lenses or any lens, consider the entire package.  There are gems out there for sure. If you are a pixel peeper you better stick with Canon "L" glass. On the other hand if you just want to make some great photos, check out the entire bunch of lenses availible.  If you expect a $1000, off brand, lens to equal or surpass a $10,000 Canon "L", you are going to be disappointed.

[acdapha]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"I have seen a lot of people use Tamron and Sigma lenses and always wanted to know how they compare to a Canon lens, ..."

This is a multi-faceted question.  Most responders can only see IQ. Pun intended! I have been interested in lenses more than usual since I retired some 15 years ago.  I bought and sold several dozen lenses. I gained a lot of experience and knowledge I had not had before.  I satisfied my own self.

On top is how do you intend to use the lens and what results do you expect from it. If you expect a $1000 lens to equal or surpass a $10,000 Canon "L", you are going to be disappointed. No doubt. Is that shocking?  However, there is good enough.

Another factor is, if you can't afford the mega thousand dollar lens what good is it to you? Nada! No matter how fantastic it is.

Second point, does Canon even make that lens?  If they don't, what to do or where to go is the question.

Now for that all important IQ part. Almost nothing beats a Canon "L" here either.  But the top level third party lenses come very close. Very close. Yeah, if you use PS to blow up images past 100% you are going to see some difference. At normal viewing levels you are going to be challenged to see a determinable difference.

One of the top super zooms right now is the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. OK, let's compare to the closest Canon offering, the new  EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens .  IQ is similar with the Canon besting by a little. The downside it is $500 more expensive and doesn't not have native 500 to 600mm.  This requires you to buy a tel-con with its expense (another $400 bucks) and other faults. The Canon build is better by far so if that is important this is what you should buy. What is my preference in this range, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens. Why?  It has good IQ and it is built as well as any "L".  IMHO, if Canon ever sees fit to bring it own version of this lens, it's been rumored, and it isn't mega-thousand dollars, I would buy it. There again, if you can't afford it, what good is it?

When you go to compare these lenses or any lens, consider the entire package.  There are gems out there for sure. If you are a pixel peeper you better stick with Canon "L" glass. On the other hand if you just want to make some great photos, check out the entire bunch of lenses availible.  If you expect a $1000, off brand, lens to equal or surpass a $10,000 Canon "L", you are going to be disappointed.

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Thank you so much for your input.  You raised a good question, and my answer is no I absolutely do not expect a $1000 lens from any maker to even come close to any Canon lens $13k or more.  But I know Sigma and Tamron make what seem to be decent lens for about half the price.  Yes I hate grainy or soft images, I want them crisp and clear.

I rented the Canon 800mm a few months ago and it didn't knock my socks off....but I had never used it before so I'm sure part of that was user error and getting to know how to use the lens.

[ebiggs1]

If you are going to rent a super zoom rent the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Canon.  If you don't like it, you won't like any of the others either.  This is the best lens of the bunch currently. These big zooms are the way to go. You don't have to mess with a tel-con to get your 500 to 600mm FL.

Here is a sample of what you can expect. I was using my Sigma 150-600mm S hand held.

.........extreme crop............

Bear in my the resolution is vastly shrunk to be u/l to the forum.  The full res versions are very sharp. As sharp as any pics I have seen. I just choose this at random and have only done lens correction in LR.

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

If you are going to rent a super zoom rent the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Canon.  If you don't like it, you won't like any of the others either.  This is the best lens of the bunch currently. These big zooms are the way to go. You don't have to mess with a tel-con to get your 500 to 600mm FL.

Here is a sample of what you can expect. I was using my Sigma 150-600mm S hand held.

.........extreme crop............

Bear in my the resolution is vastly shrunk to be u/l to the forum.  The full res versions are very sharp. As sharp as any pics I have seen. I just choose this at random and have only done lens correction in LR.

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Well, er, hang on a sec, Ernie. You just told the OP to get the Tamron and posted an example of "what [he] can expect". But the example was taken with a Sigma Sport, which I believe you said earlier was the best (and most expensive) of the superzooms.

[ebiggs1]

No, actually I said they will all be very similar.  My personal choice was the Siggy S. Mainly for the extreme build quality. The Tamron G2 is probably the best IQ model out now so if you do not like it, you won't like any of the others.  More clear, Robert?

Bottom line is any of these make very nice photos.  And, only at huge crop situations are you going to see difference to any degree. Everybody is different and for me the build is most important.  I don't have time or patience to baby my gear.  It does what I want it to or it's gone. Most guys can not see past one spec, IQ, but you need to evaluate the entire package.