Tamron Announces Second Generation 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Lens

Tamron announced earlier today the second version of its popular long range telephoto zoom lens the SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 with several interesting and welcome improvements over the older version.

Last year we extensively reviewed the current version of the lens (see our review of the Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD) and were fairly well impressed.

Although the current model was well received it had several drawbacks which the new model tried to fix (we shall have to wait for a full review to see how well Tamron actually did in this respect).

Here are some of the specs of the new Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2:

Optical structure – 21 elements in 13 groups (the older model had 20 in 13 groups).
ED elements – 3 ED elements.
VR (image stabilizer) – 4/5 stops (the older model had around 3 stops).
Focus system – MF/AF (Full-time manual focus).
Lens coating – eBAND Coating + BBAR + Fluorine (the older model had only eBAND).
Minimal focusing distance – 2.2m (vs. 2.7m in the older model).
Macro magnification – 1:3.9 (vs. 1:5 in the older model).
Length – 257mm (10.1 inches).
Weight – 1970 grams.
Filter – 95mm.
Mounts – Canon/Nikon/Sony A.
Collar – included.
Price – $1400 (on B&H) – about $300 more than the older model when it was announced.

The new version has a new external design which looks a bit more sleek, it has faster AF which was a bit slow in the older model and better stabilization (the system on the older model wasn’t amazing and we also experienced some “jumps” in the viewfinder which we want to see if Tamron fixed).

New external design – the Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

The new lens is still big, bulky and heavy (actually a bit heavier – both close to 2kg or 4.43lbs), with a huge (95mm) front element but it is nice to see that the focusing distance is a bit closer now at 2.2m and the macro capability (which wasn’t very bad even with the older model is a bit better as well at just under 1:4). Other than that, Tamron stated that the optical design was refreshed & mechanical parts were improved which is great to know. It also supports Electromagnetic diaphragm for Nikon cameras and the collar supports the very common arca-swiss mount – which is probably a first in the industry for any camera/lens manufacturer to our recollection (so you basically don’t need a plate).

The new model also supports Tamron’s new TAP-in ConsoleTM, an optional accessory (similar to what Sigma has that can update firmware though USB and do a few other interesting things).

Besides all of this there is also support for two new extenders 1.4x and 2x (although to be honest with the slow aperture of this lens AF is going to be a big issue with these ones and the 2X doesn’t even allow for AF with the lens). Prices for the TC-X14 and the TC-X20 are going to be set at $420 and $440 respectively.

The new Tamron teleconverter

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Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.