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This Frequent Loon was photographed with my new Tamron 100-400mm lens.Since late November, I’ve been taking pictures with a brand new Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. I purchased this lens to switch my Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the previous model with the push-pull zoom) I’ve been utilizing for wildlife images since 2012.I’ve beloved my Canon ever because the day I unboxed it. This lens has every thing I needed, lengthy attain, quick autofocus, moderately light-weight, and since I purchased it after the Mark II model got here out the value was far more inexpensive. I’ve taken hundreds of photos with this lens and it served me properly through the years. Any photos shot with this lens I wasn’t pleased with definitely weren’t the fault of the lens. I deliberate to maintain utilizing this lens for so long as doable as I used to be fully happy with my funding.Cedar Waxwing photographed with the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. Digicam settings: 1/1600 ISO 1000 f/8 at 312mm.If I like my Canon a lot why am I changing it? In late summer season 2020 on a hike in Algonquin Park, the autofocus stopped working. I checked the switches on the aspect of the digital camera, tried turning the digital camera on and off, and even eliminated and remounted the lens. Nonetheless nothing. I used the lens in handbook focus for the rest of the day and upon returning to my trailer I as soon as once more eliminated the lens and cleaned the contacts on each the digital camera and the lens. Nonetheless no autofocus.Attaining focus shortly on small songbirds isn’t any drawback with the Tamron 100-400mm.I contacted Canon they usually really useful sending it to their restore centre and they might give me an estimate to repair it. Not having $3000 for the brand new Canon 100-400mm and uncertain about having mine repaired I started to discover my choices.At roughly 1/3 the value of the Canon equal the picture high quality and focus pace of the Tamron is kind of spectacular.Taking a look at opinions on YouTube from different photographers I comply with, I noticed good issues about each the Sigma 100-400mm and Tamron 100-400mm. These two options value roughly 1/3 of what the brand new Canon 100-400mm does. I used to be a bit sceptical about these lenses as I’ve by no means owned a third-party lens and, to be sincere, the low value level scared me too. After watching a number of movies and photos taken with each the Sigma and the Tamron I had made up my thoughts I used to be going to get one among these to switch my beloved Canon however which one?I flip-flopped forwards and backwards I don’t know what number of instances however in the end selected the Tamron for 2 causes. First, the Tamron is constructed of a magnesium alloy together with a steel mount versus the Sigma’s composite materials which I appreciated higher. Second, from the opinions I watched, the main focus pace was reported as a bit sooner on the Tamron.Rapidly acquiring concentrate on a small nuthatch proved no drawback for the Tamron 100-400mm.Just a few days after putting my order, my new Tamron 100-400mm arrived on the door. After eradicating and discarding the outer packaging, sanitizing the field with a Lysol wipe, and washing my arms (we’re in the midst of a pandemic in spite of everything) I positioned it on the kitchen desk for unboxing. As I eliminated it from the field it felt heavier than I anticipated as this lens solely weighs 2.5 lbs however the construct high quality felt good.I rushed downstairs and grabbed my Canon 100-400mm for comparability. The Tamron is barely smaller in size, diameter, and weight though holding one in every hand the burden distinction wasn’t actually noticeable. Because it was after dinner and darkish outdoors I needed to wait till the next day to place my new lens by means of its paces.My largest concern when buying the Tamron was focus pace. Having used it now for a number of months I’m very impressed.The subsequent day I used to be handled to sunny skies and was excited to check out my new lens. I headed right down to one among my favorite places as I knew there could be loads of birds current to {photograph}. My largest concern with this lens was focus pace as I used to be used to the lightning-fast instantaneous focus of my Canon. After finding a number of birds and firing some photographs I used to be impressed with the main focus pace. Does the Tamron focus as quick as my Canon?It’s a hair slower, however truthfully, the distinction is marginal and night time and day sooner than a Canon 55-250mm package lens. The Tamron focuses very quick. I did discover on a number of events the Tamron hunted for focus which did concern me. This was on account of the distinction in shut focusing distance between the Tamron and Canon and me getting used to the main focus limiter change. Now that I’ve grown accustomed to this I’ve no points with the lens looking.American Black Duck 1/1000 f/8 ISO 800 at 400 mm.I watched a number of Bald Eagles fly overhead presenting nice alternatives to see how the Tamron carried out with flight photographs. Elevating my digital camera I couldn’t get the lens to concentrate on and even discover the fowl within the viewfinder. I discovered this odd as I used to be so used to the Canon grabbing focus so quick. It was as if the lens was not focussing far sufficient to search out the eagles. I attempted zooming out to 100mm and was capable of find the birds within the viewfinder. I then zoomed in to 400mmm and tried to attain focus. I fired off a number of photographs of the eagles utilizing this strategy and my LCD display on the again of the digital camera it appeared I wasn’t reaching focus. I used to be getting higher outcomes with static birds however the outcomes appeared inconsistent.Frequent Loon photographed in Algonquin Park with the Tamron 100-400mmWhen I received dwelling I uploaded the pictures to my pc to see how they regarded as trusting your LCD display is rarely a good suggestion. Inspecting the pictures I took of the eagles in flight guess what number of had been sharp? Zero! That’s proper not one. With my Canon (with working autofocus) I’d have missed solely a handful. To say I used to be disenchanted was an enormous understatement. So far as the static birds, I received some sharp images however once more the outcomes had been inconsistent. It appeared the lens was entrance focusing or focussing in need of the topic which might clarify why I couldn’t attain the eagles and the inconsistency within the case of some static birds.This Downy Woodpecker was photographed early on a cloudy morning. Digicam settings 1/500 f/8 ISO 800 at 400mm.There’s an elective tap-in console out there for the Tamron 100-400mm that means that you can join the lens to a pc and fine-tune the main focus and I used to be questioning if I wanted this accent. Not being very techie, nor eager to spend the additional cash on the console I contacted the vendor and defined my scenario. I requested if I wanted to purchase the tap-in console or if performing the main focus changes in-camera, an possibility on my Canon 7D would repair the issue. The gentleman I spoke to stated to attempt the changes in-camera as utilizing the tap-in console was difficult and I may make issues worse. He stated if the changes in-camera didn’t work to ship the lens again for calibration.Portrait of a Frequent RavenI did some Googling and researched find out how to carry out the main focus changes. I felt overwhelmed as once more I’m not in any respect techie. Surprisingly, this was simpler than I anticipated. All that was required was urgent a number of buttons on the digital camera and taking some take a look at photographs and to be sincere much less of a trouble than repackaging the lens and taking it to the submit workplace.Regardless of all of the branches I used to be nonetheless capable of acquire concentrate on this Merlin’s eye fairly shortly.The subsequent day I headed again out to see how the Tamron carried out after making the changes. Immediately I seen an enormous distinction because the lens focussed sooner and extra precisely than the day earlier than. As soon as once more a number of eagles handed by overhead. Elevating the lens I achieved focus shortly. Wanting on the LCD display I may see a distinction in picture high quality from the day before today and was feeling higher about my buy.Once I purchased this lens, I needed to make certain I may nonetheless {photograph} birds in flight. I’m very pleased with the pace and accuracy of the autofocus of the Tamron.Curious how this lens would carry out and concentrate on one other digital camera physique, I attempted the Tamron on my Canon Insurgent T3i. I’m completely happy to report the lens focussed shortly and flawlessly. The focusing points I had the primary day appeared to be extra with my Canon 7D than the lens.Photographing Bald Eagles alongside the Thames River is one thing I take pleasure in very a lot and this lens performs very properly for this.I’ve been utilizing this lens for a number of months now and might inform you I’ve no regrets. I’m very happy with the main focus pace and accuracy. After carrying the Tamron round all day I now discover the one 1 lb weight distinction between it and my Canon.Americal Kestrel photographed in the course of the golden hour extensive open at f/6.3.One thing else I’m happy with is the Tamron is sharper extensive open than my Canon. The utmost aperture of my Canon is f5.6 and I by no means shoot it extensive open as I’ve by no means been pleased with the outcomes. The Tamron’s most aperture is f/6.3 and I can say I’m completely happy to shoot at this aperture. Like all lenses, the Tamron is sharper when stopped down a bit so I do desire to shoot at f/8 or f/9 when mild permits however in low mild circumstances I’m assured taking pictures extensive open at f/6.3. I’m discovering I can shoot at slower shutter speeds with the Tamron than the Canon and I feel this can be as a result of truth the lens is smaller and lighter; subsequently, simpler to carry regular. We’ve had a big scarcity of sunshine to this point in 2021 and with my new Tamron, I get extra keeper photos in low mild than I do with my Canon.A small flock of robins has been overwintering close to my dwelling. In low mild, early on a cloudy morning taking pictures extensive open at aperture f/6.3, I’m very happy with the efficiency of the Tamron 100-400mm.So what are the professionals and cons of this lens? Let me begin with the professionals. Clearly, the value. At roughly 1/3 the value of the equal Canon or Nikon counterparts the Tamron is actually spectacular. Is it pretty much as good because the first-party opponents? I can’t say as I’ve by no means used any of them (once more, I personal the previous model of the Canon, not the Mark II) however for his or her value, I’d hope they’ve one thing extra to supply. Are they value $2000 extra? Possibly for a full-time skilled photographer however me, I’d moderately have the Tamron and never fear about placing meals on the desk for the subsequent a number of months.Photographing a Northern Cardinal at 1/250 isn’t one thing I’d usually do. Nonetheless, with the compact dimension and light-weight of the Tamron 100-400mm I can maintain my digital camera and lens regular. 1/250 f/9 ISO 800 at 400mm.The burden of this lens is one other checkmark within the professional column. At solely 2.5 lbs this lens is extremely light-weight and a pleasure to hold round all day. In case you are on the lookout for a light-weight, straightforward to hold lens with a flexible zoom vary and first rate attain that is it. Tamron’s magnesium alloy development is high-quality and this lens may be very properly made. Picture high quality, focus pace, picture stabilization, and weather-sealing to guard the lens from the weather are extra professionals for this lens. Lastly, the Tamron is out there for both Canon or Nikon digital camera our bodies relying on which producer you shoot with.In case you are out there for a telephoto zoom lens I extremely advocate the Tamron 100-400mm.Now for the cons. Clearly, the difficulty I had with the focussing is a con. That being stated, fixing the difficulty was simpler than I anticipated, and the difficulty was solely with my Canon 7D and never my Canon T3i so maybe the digital camera is extra in charge than the lens. The one different con I can provide you with is the shortage of a tripod collar. This comes commonplace with the Canon and Nikon equivalents. For me, this isn’t a difficulty as I by no means use a tripod or monopod with this focal size lens plus the Tamron is so mild it’s straightforward to shoot handheld. If you happen to do desire to shoot with a tripod or monopod a tripod collar is out there as an possibility.I’m impressed in so some ways with the Tamron 100-400mm lens.I’m actually impressed with the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. Focus pace, picture high quality, and construct high quality far exceed my expectations. Its compact dimension and light-weight are different issues I completely love about this lens. It’s a pleasure to hold round all day. For me, that is the right lens for my run and gun fashion of taking pictures. The Tamron’s 100-400mm vary is extremely versatile and can be utilized for quite a lot of wildlife. In case you are out there for an incredible lens for taking over hikes and capturing wildlife within the 100-400mm vary and also you don’t have or don’t need to spend $3000, I undoubtedly advocate the Tamron. After a number of months with this lens, I’ve no regrets about my buy and look ahead to utilizing the Tamron 100-400mm for years to return.In regards to the AuthorPaul Roedding is a nature and wildlife photographer primarily based in Ontario, Canada. You will discover extra of his work on his web site, Fb and Instagram. This text was additionally revealed right here and shared with permission.
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