07-29-2011, 06:33 AM
[quote name='Frank' timestamp='1311919753' post='10297']
Yes, if you decide to keep your 70-300vr then it probably does not make sense to purchase an 80-400. I noticed that some professional photographers use the Tamron 200-500 so I think it is a good lens with nice ballence among the IQ, price, and weight (the corresponding Sigmas are much heavier). But I feel that the Tamron lens is a little bit old and probably it will be upgraded to a VC version not too long (who knows). And of course for bird shooting this is not a best lens due to its slow aperture. Perhaps it is good for shooting animals that move not very fast and in good light condition.
[/quote]
Birds tend to sit very still <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />....
Even if they move, one tends to be "birding" with good light, making a f6.3 aperture not really a big issue.
A bigger issue is AF tracking with bird in flight photography (when the bird is flying away or towards the camera).
Yes, if you decide to keep your 70-300vr then it probably does not make sense to purchase an 80-400. I noticed that some professional photographers use the Tamron 200-500 so I think it is a good lens with nice ballence among the IQ, price, and weight (the corresponding Sigmas are much heavier). But I feel that the Tamron lens is a little bit old and probably it will be upgraded to a VC version not too long (who knows). And of course for bird shooting this is not a best lens due to its slow aperture. Perhaps it is good for shooting animals that move not very fast and in good light condition.
[/quote]
Birds tend to sit very still <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />....Even if they move, one tends to be "birding" with good light, making a f6.3 aperture not really a big issue.
A bigger issue is AF tracking with bird in flight photography (when the bird is flying away or towards the camera).