Tamron 150-600 For Pentax

JG49 · 08-19-2014, 06:21 AM

No they are not making a Tamron 150-600mm Lens for Pentax at least that is what they told me from a recent e-mail I sent them. BUT, they should and what we need is for Pentax Forums to lobby them for this lens in a Pentax mount. This lens is getting great reviews and this would be a nice lens for Pentax users. Here is a link to a review conducted by Tony Northrup

You Tube

There is a rumor that Pentax has on their timeline for this year a 150-450 or maybe a 150-550 but at what cost. Yes I know that Sigma makes a 150-500mm for Pentax and I might consider that. What are your thoughts?

goubejp · 08-19-2014, 07:34 AM

I think that to differenciate from Sigma, the Pentax should be faster - may be 500 mm f5.6 - and as a consequence it will be more expensive.
As the 150-500 sigma has OS, SDM, and is f6.3 for less than 900 euros, it is impossible for Pentax to release a lens with same characteristics at this price point.

**boriscleto** · 08-19-2014, 10:24 AM

I nearly switched to Nikon for this lens, and may still do so in the future. But for now I have the Sigma and it has barely left my camera since June. Just click flickr in my signature and look at the first 6 pages...

And I'm still not convinced the long DA Tele-zoom on the roadmap isn't going to be a rebadged Tamron with HD coating, no OS, and a $200-300 premium added on.

ElJamoquio · 08-19-2014, 10:45 AM

The Pentax DA*300 is better than the Sigma 150-500 in my experience. With the K-3 and the 1.4TC this should be even more true.

The 150-600 probably might beat it at 600mm, but I don't think it's head-and-shoulders above, e.g., the 50-500 Sigma. Better? Sure. Tons better? Not so sure.

---------- Post added 08-19-14 at 10:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by goubejp

I think that to differenciate from Sigma, the Pentax should be faster - may be 500 mm f5.6 - and as a consequence it will be more expensive.
As the 150-500 sigma has OS, SDM, and is f6.3 for less than 900 euros, it is impossible for Pentax to release a lens with same characteristics at this price point.

Pentax has a 560 F/5.6 already. It's only $7,000 in the US. But it's really long (it's long enough that it's actually not technically a telephoto any more), it's heavy, it has a very poor minimum focus distance, and it vignettes quite a bit on FF, too. So you get other benefits.

**Miguel** · 08-19-2014, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by ElJamoquio

The 150-600 probably might beat it at 600mm, but I don't think it's head-and-shoulders above, e.g., the 50-500 Sigma. Better? Sure. Tons better? Not so sure.

I've owned both--the Bigma on K-mount and the Tamron on EOS. I currently own the latter (the newer firmware version) and have run through a few thousand frames on both a 7D and a 5DMK3.

Whether one is better than the other really depends on what you are using it for. With the Tamron the gain in focal length at 600mm is just wonderful, especially at this price point. To me the image quality at 600mm is about the same as the Bigmat at 500mm--which means that it is OK with good light. That said, losing 100mm on the wide end can matter a lot too, especially if you are covering sports near field. I used to shoot soccer with the Bigma (it was semi-heroic but in retrospect good training) and the wide end was very valuable.

I also think the build quality of the Tamron is somewhat better than the Bigma. It wouldn't surprise me if Sigma issues a revised version of the Bigma that get to 600mm within a few months.

All told, both these lenses are far better for static stuff rather than smaller moving things like birds in flight. That's fairly reasonable for the money.

M

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-19-2014, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by JG49

There is a rumor that Pentax has on their timeline for this year a 150-450 or maybe a 150-550 but at what cost. Yes I know that Sigma makes a 150-500mm for Pentax and I might consider that. What are your thoughts?

The roadmap show a range of 135-380 (approx.), but we have no idea of how fast. Since they have just introduced the 55-300WR I would think there has to be a big advantage for it to sell, and I'm not sure that 80mm would do it.

Originally posted by ElJamoquio

The Pentax DA*300 is better than the Sigma 150-500 in my experience. With the K-3 and the 1.4TC this should be even more true.

The 150-600 probably might beat it at 600mm, but I don't think it's head-and-shoulders above, e.g., the 50-500 Sigma. Better? Sure. Tons better? Not so sure.

I have not owned a Bigma, but did rent a 50-500 for a week and did a lot of shooting with it. I liked it but I bought a DA*300 because of the extra speed and I'm happy with that decision. Maybe if I was shooting out in the sunlight that would not matter, but usually I'm in wooded areas when I'm shooting long and that speed makes a difference.

But I would love to see that 150-600 in the K mount. Even if I didn't buy it, competition is good.

Shanti · 08-28-2014, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

The roadmap show a range of 135-380 (approx.), but we have no idea of how fast. Since they have just introduced the 55-300WR I would think there has to be a big advantage for it to sell, and I'm not sure that 80mm would do it.

I have not owned a Bigma, but did rent a 50-500 for a week and did a lot of shooting with it. I liked it but I bought a DA*300 because of the extra speed and I'm happy with that decision. Maybe if I was shooting out in the sunlight that would not matter, but usually I'm in wooded areas when I'm shooting long and that speed makes a difference.

But I would love to see that 150-600 in the K mount. Even if I didn't buy it, competition is good.

Also very tempted with the Tamron...have the DA*300 & 1.4 TC which is excellent when used within its limits,but an extra 100 mm would be useful for some birds,The Sigma 150-500 is not good at 500 from what I've seen. Not many options for long tele before the prices gets over $4K+

**jpzk** · 08-28-2014, 07:09 PM

1. Wait for the Pentax 135-380 (roadmap) and get a HD 1.4X TC then.
or
2. Get the DA*300/4 with the HD 1.4X TC and crop your pics. (that is what I have and the results are great).

You really want better performance at 500mm ? ... get the Sigma 500/4.5 but it is terribly expensive. Plus they also have a 1.4X TC that works with that lens too.

BTW, what camera are you using now?

**boriscleto** · 08-28-2014, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by Shanti

The Sigma 150-500 is not good at 500 from what I've seen.

I think it's just fine.

I even got a shot at F/6.3 the other day that I liked...

Wild Mark · 08-28-2014, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by ElJamoquio

The Pentax DA*300 is better than the Sigma 150-500 in my experience. With the K-3 and the 1.4TC this should be even more true.

The 150-600 probably might beat it at 600mm, but I don't think it's head-and-shoulders above, e.g., the 50-500 Sigma. Better? Sure. Tons better? Not so sure.

I can vouch for the F*300mm being better than the Sigma 50-500. I resized a crop of an image taken with the 300mm to match the 500mm FOV and noticed that the F*300mm was sharper. I subsequently sold the 50-500mm bigma.

So in short any zoom of such a nature would have to be special if it were to attract my attention.

**Miguel** · 08-28-2014, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by Shanti

The Sigma 150-500 is not good at 500 from what I've seen.

Originally posted by boriscleto

I think it's just fine.

To each his or her own I suppose.

Anna's Hummingbird

Canon 5DM3, Tamron 150-600mm @ 600mm, f6.7 @ 1/350, ISO 1600

M

---------- Post added 08-29-2014 at 12:17 AM ----------

I serendipitously spied this GBH while I was seeking out songbirds at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge about a month ago. I was relatively close enough to fill the frame at 450mm and didn't want to spook it with noisy lens operations. I've lost a number of bird shots due to obnoxious Sigma lens racking, but fortunately the Tamron ultra-sonic whatever-it's-called motors are super quiet. Great Blue Herons are quite common and easy shooting where I live, but the position of this one was worth my concentration. It was somewhat overcast, so the lens' IS ("Vibration Control") was actually useful at 1/180 (since I try to shoot at fast speeds, I rarely use the VC).

GBH

Canon 5DMK3, Tamron 150-600mm @ 450mm, f6.7 @ 1/180, ISO 1600

M

Craig66 · 09-10-2014, 06:50 PM - **1 Like**

From Tamron Australia facebook page, regarding this lens in Pentax mount.

"Hi Craig ... sorry to you and all the loyal Pentax shooters out there, unfortunately the global demand for Pentax mount lenses has just not been able to be sustained at a level for Tamron to continue producing new models in Pentax mount options."

Looks like that applies to all new Tamron lenses for Pentax mount. ??

SpecialK · 09-10-2014, 07:09 PM

600mm, 1/250, f6.7, ISO 400, hand-held on a 5D. Not a birder. I'm happy (except for the crop...)

**Miguel** · 09-10-2014, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by Craig66

From Tamron Australia facebook page, regarding this lens in Pentax mount.

"Hi Craig ... sorry to you and all the loyal Pentax shooters out there, unfortunately the global demand for Pentax mount lenses has just not been able to be sustained at a level for Tamron to continue producing new models in Pentax mount options."

Looks like that applies to all new Tamron lenses for Pentax mount. ??

Excellent job of reporting, Craig66, even though the news is unhappy. No one likes to see a great brand become so marginalized.

M

**boriscleto** · 09-10-2014, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by Craig66

From Tamron Australia facebook page, regarding this lens in Pentax mount.

"Hi Craig ... sorry to you and all the loyal Pentax shooters out there, unfortunately the global demand for Pentax mount lenses has just not been able to be sustained at a level for Tamron to continue producing new models in Pentax mount options."

Looks like that applies to all new Tamron lenses for Pentax mount. ??

Tamron has not released a new lens in Pentax mount for a number of years. The exception being the DA 18-270 which is sold by Pentax. The only reason they produce lenses for Sony is because Sony bought into the company.

08-19-2014, 10:24 AM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	I nearly switched to Nikon for this lens, and may still do so in the future. But for now I have the Sigma and it has barely left my camera since June. Just click flickr in my signature and look at the first 6 pages... And I'm still not convinced the long DA Tele-zoom on the roadmap isn't going to be a rebadged Tamron with HD coating, no OS, and a $200-300 premium added on. Last edited by boriscleto; 08-19-2014 at 10:32 AM.

09-10-2014, 06:50 PM - 1 Like	#12
Craig66 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sapphire Coast. NSW. Posts: 141	From Tamron Australia facebook page, regarding this lens in Pentax mount. "Hi Craig ... sorry to you and all the loyal Pentax shooters out there, unfortunately the global demand for Pentax mount lenses has just not been able to be sustained at a level for Tamron to continue producing new models in Pentax mount options." Looks like that applies to all new Tamron lenses for Pentax mount. ?? Last edited by Craig66; 09-10-2014 at 07:03 PM.

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08-19-2014, 07:34 AM	#2
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	I think that to differenciate from Sigma, the Pentax should be faster - may be 500 mm f5.6 - and as a consequence it will be more expensive. As the 150-500 sigma has OS, SDM, and is f6.3 for less than 900 euros, it is impossible for Pentax to release a lens with same characteristics at this price point.

08-19-2014, 10:45 AM	#4
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	The Pentax DA*300 is better than the Sigma 150-500 in my experience. With the K-3 and the 1.4TC this should be even more true. The 150-600 probably might beat it at 600mm, but I don't think it's head-and-shoulders above, e.g., the 50-500 Sigma. Better? Sure. Tons better? Not so sure. ---------- Post added 08-19-14 at 10:47 AM ---------- Originally posted by goubejp I think that to differenciate from Sigma, the Pentax should be faster - may be 500 mm f5.6 - and as a consequence it will be more expensive. As the 150-500 sigma has OS, SDM, and is f6.3 for less than 900 euros, it is impossible for Pentax to release a lens with same characteristics at this price point. Pentax has a 560 F/5.6 already. It's only $7,000 in the US. But it's really long (it's long enough that it's actually not technically a telephoto any more), it's heavy, it has a very poor minimum focus distance, and it vignettes quite a bit on FF, too. So you get other benefits.

08-19-2014, 11:13 AM	#5
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by ElJamoquio The 150-600 probably might beat it at 600mm, but I don't think it's head-and-shoulders above, e.g., the 50-500 Sigma. Better? Sure. Tons better? Not so sure. I've owned both--the Bigma on K-mount and the Tamron on EOS. I currently own the latter (the newer firmware version) and have run through a few thousand frames on both a 7D and a 5DMK3. Whether one is better than the other really depends on what you are using it for. With the Tamron the gain in focal length at 600mm is just wonderful, especially at this price point. To me the image quality at 600mm is about the same as the Bigmat at 500mm--which means that it is OK with good light. That said, losing 100mm on the wide end can matter a lot too, especially if you are covering sports near field. I used to shoot soccer with the Bigma (it was semi-heroic but in retrospect good training) and the wide end was very valuable. I also think the build quality of the Tamron is somewhat better than the Bigma. It wouldn't surprise me if Sigma issues a revised version of the Bigma that get to 600mm within a few months. All told, both these lenses are far better for static stuff rather than smaller moving things like birds in flight. That's fairly reasonable for the money. M

08-19-2014, 06:02 PM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	Originally posted by JG49 There is a rumor that Pentax has on their timeline for this year a 150-450 or maybe a 150-550 but at what cost. Yes I know that Sigma makes a 150-500mm for Pentax and I might consider that. What are your thoughts? The roadmap show a range of 135-380 (approx.), but we have no idea of how fast. Since they have just introduced the 55-300WR I would think there has to be a big advantage for it to sell, and I'm not sure that 80mm would do it. Originally posted by ElJamoquio The Pentax DA300 is better than the Sigma 150-500 in my experience. With the K-3 and the 1.4TC this should be even more true. The 150-600 probably might beat it at 600mm, but I don't think it's head-and-shoulders above, e.g., the 50-500 Sigma. Better? Sure. Tons better? Not so sure. I have not owned a Bigma, but did rent a 50-500 for a week and did a lot of shooting with it. I liked it but I bought a DA300 because of the extra speed and I'm happy with that decision. Maybe if I was shooting out in the sunlight that would not matter, but usually I'm in wooded areas when I'm shooting long and that speed makes a difference. But I would love to see that 150-600 in the K mount. Even if I didn't buy it, competition is good.

08-28-2014, 07:00 PM	#7
Shanti Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Western Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 927	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye The roadmap show a range of 135-380 (approx.), but we have no idea of how fast. Since they have just introduced the 55-300WR I would think there has to be a big advantage for it to sell, and I'm not sure that 80mm would do it. I have not owned a Bigma, but did rent a 50-500 for a week and did a lot of shooting with it. I liked it but I bought a DA300 because of the extra speed and I'm happy with that decision. Maybe if I was shooting out in the sunlight that would not matter, but usually I'm in wooded areas when I'm shooting long and that speed makes a difference. But I would love to see that 150-600 in the K mount. Even if I didn't buy it, competition is good. Also very tempted with the Tamron...have the DA300 & 1.4 TC which is excellent when used within its limits,but an extra 100 mm would be useful for some birds,The Sigma 150-500 is not good at 500 from what I've seen. Not many options for long tele before the prices gets over $4K+

08-28-2014, 07:09 PM	#8
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	1. Wait for the Pentax 135-380 (roadmap) and get a HD 1.4X TC then. or 2. Get the DA*300/4 with the HD 1.4X TC and crop your pics. (that is what I have and the results are great). You really want better performance at 500mm ? ... get the Sigma 500/4.5 but it is terribly expensive. Plus they also have a 1.4X TC that works with that lens too. BTW, what camera are you using now?

08-28-2014, 07:37 PM	#9
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Shanti The Sigma 150-500 is not good at 500 from what I've seen. I think it's just fine. I even got a shot at F/6.3 the other day that I liked...

08-28-2014, 10:59 PM	#10
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	Originally posted by ElJamoquio The Pentax DA300 is better than the Sigma 150-500 in my experience. With the K-3 and the 1.4TC this should be even more true. The 150-600 probably might beat it at 600mm, but I don't think it's head-and-shoulders above, e.g., the 50-500 Sigma. Better? Sure. Tons better? Not so sure. I can vouch for the F300mm being better than the Sigma 50-500. I resized a crop of an image taken with the 300mm to match the 500mm FOV and noticed that the F*300mm was sharper. I subsequently sold the 50-500mm bigma. So in short any zoom of such a nature would have to be special if it were to attract my attention.

08-28-2014, 11:36 PM	#11
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by Shanti The Sigma 150-500 is not good at 500 from what I've seen. Originally posted by boriscleto I think it's just fine. To each his or her own I suppose. Anna's Hummingbird Canon 5DM3, Tamron 150-600mm @ 600mm, f6.7 @ 1/350, ISO 1600 M ---------- Post added 08-29-2014 at 12:17 AM ---------- I serendipitously spied this GBH while I was seeking out songbirds at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge about a month ago. I was relatively close enough to fill the frame at 450mm and didn't want to spook it with noisy lens operations. I've lost a number of bird shots due to obnoxious Sigma lens racking, but fortunately the Tamron ultra-sonic whatever-it's-called motors are super quiet. Great Blue Herons are quite common and easy shooting where I live, but the position of this one was worth my concentration. It was somewhat overcast, so the lens' IS ("Vibration Control") was actually useful at 1/180 (since I try to shoot at fast speeds, I rarely use the VC). GBH Canon 5DMK3, Tamron 150-600mm @ 450mm, f6.7 @ 1/180, ISO 1600 M

09-10-2014, 07:09 PM	#13
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	600mm, 1/250, f6.7, ISO 400, hand-held on a 5D. Not a birder. I'm happy (except for the crop...)

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09-10-2014, 07:15 PM	#14
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by Craig66 From Tamron Australia facebook page, regarding this lens in Pentax mount. "Hi Craig ... sorry to you and all the loyal Pentax shooters out there, unfortunately the global demand for Pentax mount lenses has just not been able to be sustained at a level for Tamron to continue producing new models in Pentax mount options." Looks like that applies to all new Tamron lenses for Pentax mount. ?? Excellent job of reporting, Craig66, even though the news is unhappy. No one likes to see a great brand become so marginalized. M

09-10-2014, 07:33 PM	#15
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Craig66 From Tamron Australia facebook page, regarding this lens in Pentax mount. "Hi Craig ... sorry to you and all the loyal Pentax shooters out there, unfortunately the global demand for Pentax mount lenses has just not been able to be sustained at a level for Tamron to continue producing new models in Pentax mount options." Looks like that applies to all new Tamron lenses for Pentax mount. ?? Tamron has not released a new lens in Pentax mount for a number of years. The exception being the DA 18-270 which is sold by Pentax. The only reason they produce lenses for Sony is because Sony bought into the company.