Before summarizing the performance metrics let me make a clear statement here. Tamron did something awesome with the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD - they managed to produce this lens at a very moderate price tag of less than 1000 US$/EUR.

Pros:- reach light weight effective VC decent IQ price Cons:- Have to use f/8 to get decent sharpness at 600mm Not a replacement for 600mm f/4

Used with Canon EOS 1D M4 and compared to Canon EF 300L F2.8 IS M2 with 2xTC M3. Tamron's actual max focal length is 580mm. At the max focal length pictures are lucking about 5% of sharpness against EF 300L F2.8 IS M2 with 2xTC M3 converter.

Easy to use

I bought this lens because it offered 600mm over the 400mm of my canon lens that had gone in for repairs. I read numerous reviews which praised the lens for its value for money. I took the lens to Lake Mungo National Park where I had 2 days bright sunshine and a day of overcast skies and rain.

Being in general a wide to moderate tele-zoom kind of guy, I have found myself occasionally frustrated by lacking a long zoom or tele prime when shooting in the great outdoors. There are some scenes and places that cry out for a longer focal length, and it's not from laziness but more accessibility...

Love it. Swapped for 100-400, which I loved, but added zoom makes this purchase a no brainer

Zoom range; Image quality; Value for money

Cannot think off any

The Tamron's 600mm focal length is the longest in its class, so if it's absolute reach you're after, it has a clear advantage over other lenses currently on the market. The Sigma comes closest, with the camera manufacturers all offering 400mm instead.

I've only owned this lens for a week, but I've waited 7 months for it to ship after pre-ordering, so I thought I'd get some info out to you sooner rather then later. This lens pairs extremely well with my Nikon D7100 and is sharp to 500mm wide-open (well f/6 anyhow at 500mm).

If you've been looking for a long telephoto lens for less than ￡1000, odds are you've been disappointed. Until now that is, as the new Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 VC USD boasts an impressive zoom range and just sneaks in under the ￡1000 bracket.

You might conclude from this list of cons, and some of the criticism, that the Tamron 150-600mm is not exceptional, but that would be very wrong. There are very few perfect lenses and the issues should be taken under consideration based on their significance for type of photographer who will use...