Tamron or Sigma lens recommendations for EOS R5

[keelysmallwood1]

Which would be better to use on my canon R5 

Tamron SP 150-600m f/ 5-6.3

or sigma AF 150-600m f/ 5-6.3

to use shooting surfing! 

[Waddizzle]

I would not recommend buying any EF mount lenses for a high end RF mount body.  I’d recommend the RF 100-500mm.  But your budget seems to be in the RF 100-400mm range.

[shadowsports]

Good morning,

I agree with waddizzle.  The 100-500 is a magnificent lens.  It is the best suited for your R5.  The RF 200-800 would also perform well, but has limited availability currently.

The lenses you mentioned.  I own the sigma 150-600c.  If I recall, the Tamron 150-600 G2 is newer, and has a slightly different lens coating.  Many consider it to be superior to the sigma.  I've never owned a Tamron lens.  I believe that Sigma has gone to much greater lengths to ensure a broader range of compatibility with more body's historically.  If you are considering third party super zooms, then the 60-600 Sigma should also be investigated.  If you mount a third-party EF lens, only a Canon brand adapter should be used.  You can get good performance with this type of setup. You will get premium performance using a Canon RF lens.  Your lenses are your primary investment.  Body's will come and go.  An RF lens is a better long-term investment.  

[March411]

I run several Sigma lenses on my R6 MII and the results have been flawless with the Canon adapter. That being said I did update all my Sigma lenses firmware when I updated from DSLR to mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. After talking to Canon support they stated that the Sigma firmware updates resolved most if not all of the reported challenges. And while Canon support cannot do much to support 3rd party lenses they did take the time to assist and were very helpful and forthright.

This may help, the data is from B&H for best selling and highest rated lenses in 2022. I could not find information for 2023 yet, not sure if it has been published.(Source: Shutter Muse) The Sigma 150-600mm rates fairly high the list.

1. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
2. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
3. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art
4. Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine DS
5. Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS
6. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
7. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
8. Rokinon 50mm T1.5 AS UMC Cine DS
9. Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD
10. Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine DS

[ebiggs1]

I agree with the others at the top of the post that it is best to stick with RF lenses. However if you must, the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is the better lens of the two between Sigma C and Tamron G2. I have all the various models of 150-600mm and even the 150-500mm models and I can confidently say the Tammy G2 is the better one. Tamron had a model before the G2 so make sure if you go Tamron it is the G2. 

"to use shooting surfing! "

If you are going to be close to or by water you very much want the Tamron G2 over a Sigma C. The Tamron has pretty good weather sealing while the Sigma has almost none. If that is a concern the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens is the most weather protected lens of its kind but beware it is fairly heavy.

[ebiggs1]

"This may help, the data is from B&H for best selling and highest rated lenses in 2022 ...

1. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
2. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
3. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art
4. Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine DS
5. Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS
6. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
7. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
8. Rokinon 50mm T1.5 AS UMC Cine DS
9. Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD
10. Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine DS"

What the public is buying and what is the best can be very much different and often is. It is often a one off purchase so they have no base line for a comparison. Plus folks tend to brag up what they buy and standards for what is considered 'best' varies from person to person. 

BTW, side bar, the "1. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art" is a darn good lens and I would have no problem placing it at the top or very near the top of any list but keep in mind, it is a cropper lens.

[March411]

If you look Ernie by customer review it is also the top rated lens in the 150-600mm category, not just best selling. Data is always helpful.

But you point on weather sealing is valid if that's a buyers concern but neither are weather sealed.

• Sigma: Dust- and splash-resistant design suits this lens's use in inclement weather conditions and a water- and oil-repellent coating has also been applied to the front element to aid in cleaning.
• Tamron: A sealed, moisture-resistant construction benefits this lens' use in inclement conditions, and a fluorine coating has also been applied to the front lens element to protect against dust, dirt, and smearing.

[ebiggs1]

First, do you have both lenses? Do you have all three? I do. I know what the advertising departments put out and almost always they are quite optimist in their features list.

I almost never watch or read reviews and that B&H list of the "best" is just worth the paper its printed on. Nothing more. People don't often buy the best most often they buy the cheapest.

[March411]

I did but I don't anymore...

And it's top rated, not best but if you don't believe in the data so be it.

"People don't often buy the best most often they buy the cheapest."  I'm not sure that this is accurate as it pertains to making a long term investment in camera gear but I could be wrong. It simply conjecture at this point but I respect your opinion.

[ebiggs1]

"... from B&H for best selling and highest rated lenses in 2022"

Well to me "highest rated" tends to mean they think they are the best. I base my answers, well at least most of them on my own experience. I was fortunate to be employed by a large company that was heavily involved in photography. We had every conceivable way possible to take photographs and put ink on paper. 40 years worth of it!  After retirement, for my 'hobby' I bought lenses. Lots of lenses. I probably still have 25 or 30, I need to inventory and get them sold on. However, I found some to most of the time what I was seeing was not what the big reviewers were claiming. You never know their back ground or who's paying, sponsoring, or if they are a fan boy, etc.

""People don't often buy the best most often they buy the cheapest."  I'm not sure that this is accurate ..."

Believe me, if I learned one thing for certain, the cost, the price, is the driving factor when people decide about what lens to buy. The bottom line is the lens you have it always better than the lens you wish you had and that comes down to price, my friend.