Tamron vs. Sigma

I have found these 2 lenses to be my top choices in a new telephoto lens. I was just wanting to get your opinion on which would be better at full 500mm. I dont know much about either brand and would like to know what the difference in quality is going to be. I am sure that those who are looking for new telephotos would be interested in these lenses as well.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/335381.jpg

Tamron http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=335381&is=REG



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/192446.jpg

Sigma http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=192446&is=USA

This is the features for the Tamron lens.

The Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di ultra telephoto zoom lens lets you bring your far away subjects up close while compressing the distance between the main subject and the background for professional-looking results. Even though it covers a range of up to 500mm, its design is relatively lightweight and compact. When mounted on an APS-C size digital SLR camera, it provides a focal length equivalent of 760mm for super ultra telephoto imaging.

The optical design of this lens enables you to get as close 8.2' (2.5 m) from your main subject at any focal length, and provides a maximum magnification ratio 1:5 at the 500mm end, allowing for dynamic and impressive pictures of small objects.

This lens sports the detachable Filter Effect Control ring. This allows a filter to be rotated to the desired position with the hood still attached, enabling you to simultaneously perform minute adjustments to a polarizer filter. You can confirm the Polarizing effect through the viewfinder, all while using the hood to prevent harmful light from entering the lens.

Di (Digitally Integrated Design) is a designation Tamron puts on lenses featuring optical systems designed to meet the performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras.



Key Features

• LD Glass

Two LD glass elements reduce various aberrations while minimizing the fall-off of light at the corners

• Internal Focus

The lens neither extends nor contracts physically when focusing; all moving elements are contained within the lens barrel

• Di Design

Digitally Integrated design lenses are designed to meet the performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras

• Tripod Color

The tripod mount, detachable in one touch, is made of magnesium alloy that reconcile light-weight and high rigidity, resulting in enhanced balance and ease of use in hand-held shooting

This is the features for the Sigma lens.

This magnificent superzoom encompasses all popular focal lengths from the 50mm normal to 500mm ultra-telephoto; a 10:1 zoom ratio which provides tremendous versatility. The use of an apochromatic design, four elements of SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass & a seven group zoom system of multicoated optics enables this lens to provide a high level of performance as well as versatility. A rear focus system insures quick, convenient manual focus and a non-rotating front barrel. This lens also features a zoom lock mechanism to help eliminate creeping of the lens. A magnesium tripod mount helps reduce the weight of this lens while maintaining the strength and rigidity necessary to support its girth.

NOTE: HSM lenses, while able to manually focus with all Nikon F-mount cameras, will autofocus ONLY with the following cameras- N65, N70/F70, N80/F80, N90s/F90x, F4, F4s, F5, F100, D1 & D1x. This is the same limitation of Nikon's own AF-S lenses.



Key Features


• Hyper Sonic Motor provides quiet, responsive autofocus with fulltime manual focus override

I think the tamron sounds better, does anyone have one?

Geesh, what you going to be shooting with that?

Wildlife, birds, etc...