GET CLOSER TO THE ACTION TELEZOOMS TEST. Tamron and Sigma s mm megazooms battle it out for our coveted DP Gold Award

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1 TELEZOOMS TEST Tamron mm f/5-6.3 SP Di VC USD MM HEAD-TO-HEAD GET CLOSER TO THE ACTION Tamron and Sigma s mm megazooms battle it out for our coveted DP Gold Award TEST BY DAN MOLD F YOU VE EVER TRIED TO ZOOM in with a kit lens you ll have quickly I realised its limitations. This is because its maximum zoom of 55mm gives roughly the same angle-of-view as the human eye, so your images won t appear any closer. To fill your frame there are two options a longer focal length, or get closer to the subject. For most situations, like wildlife and sport, the latter just isn t practical. So, this month, we ve lined up a shootout between two versatile zooms that ll take you much closer to the action. Tamron did nothing short of impress us back in 2013, when it released its mm. But lens rival Sigma was quick to fight back, releasing two zooms with an identical focal length. Sigma s 1499 Sport mm was the first to hit the shelves, but it s the Contemporary version, costing 600 less than its sporty sibling, that caught our attention. With an identical price of 899 and a spec sheet similar to its Tamron rival, this test is all set to be our closest head-to-head to date. There s no denying that 899 is a sizeable chunk of cash for anybody, but the duo really are a budget alternative for the enthusiast. Nikon s mm f/4 costs 4899 and Canon s prime 400mm f/2.8 is priced at 7698, with its lens hood alone costing an eye-watering 700! When it comes to telephoto zooms, these are the cream of the cost-effective crop. How we tested the zooms We attached the two zooms to identical Canon EOS 5D Mk III bodies and put them through their paces both in the lab and out in the wild. A local nature park was the perfect environment for us to assess the autofocus performance, handling and image quality of the zooms. Lens test charts were also used to inspect the image quality at both ends of the zoom range. This was all weighed up against value before deciding on the overall victor. 114 DIGITAL PHOTO

2 Sigma mm f/5-6.3 C DG OS HSM 899 WHAT DOES A SUPERZOOM OFFER? DAN MOLD 150MM At the widest setting you have a short telephoto focal length of 150mm. This gives you the widest and fastest aperture of f/5 on both the Sigma and Tamron models. It s a good focal length for landscapes, wildlife or sport where you want to include a bit more of the background to add some context to your pictures. 300MM A 300mm prime is the weapon of choice for many professional wildlife photographers, but the two zooms on test cost a fraction of a pro optic. The front element of both models racks out a little to get to 300mm, and the aperture closes down on both to f/5.6, so it is still possible to get attractive shallow depth-of-field effects. 600MM This is the maximum zoom that both lenses on test offer and will take you right into the heart of the action. While this is 600mm on a full frame camera, you ll get even more reach with an APS-C body as the sensor is smaller. They effectively become 900mm when used on Nikon, Sony and Pentax APS-C D-SLRs or 960mm on a Canon! DIGITAL PHOTO 115

3 TELEZOOMS TEST Features & Build The build of these two titans is very impressive, and although the construction isn t metal like a professional telephoto prime, they are thankfully lightweight. Neither lens is weather-sealed, but Tamron s construction is moisture-resistant and the Sigma has a dust and splash-proof mount, It s worth noting that Sigma s Sport sibling is completely weather-sealed, but at 1499 you have to pay for it. As third-party lenses, the two zooms are available to fit different D-SLR makes. Tamron s megazoom can be purchased in Canon, Nikon or Sony mounts, but the Sony version doesn t feature the VC system (it s in the Sony bodies). Sigma s zoom caters for Canon, Nikon and Sigma s own D-SLRs. Place the two alongside each other and you ll be pushed to see a difference in size and shape. When fully retracted the Sigma is about the width of a lens cap longer with a length of 260.1mm compared to Tamron s 257.8mm. The two zooms are also very similar for girth. A measurement of the zoom ring showed the Sigma to be about 5mm wider, as its ridges are a little deeper. But, the front of the barrel is actually the widest point of WHAT TO LOOK FOR MAXIMUM LENGTH With a turn of the zoom ring, the two lenses rack out an extra 8cm at the 600mm setting. The length of the barrel does not change when focusing as this is internal. ZOOM LOCK This can be activated at the 150mm end to stop the lens from creeping forward when not in use. The Sigma s zoom lock can also be used at the specific focal lengths printed along the barrel. At 600mm the autofocus was very speedy on both zooms, but Sigma s was a touch louder both zooms, and here, the Tamron is a touch wider. The pair easily fit into a photo rucksack when fully retracted, and they share a 95mm front filter thread. In terms of weight, there s only 200g separating the pair, with Sigma s optic tipping the scales at 1.93kg and Tamron s weighing in a little heavier at 1.95kg. This difference is negligible as hand-holding either for extended periods will tire you out. The zoom rings take up an equal amount of real estate on both models, but the larger notches on the Sigma model provide a little extra purchase. A 3/8th turn is required on both zooms to get from 150mm to 600mm, but while Tamron s zoom twists with a clockwise motion, Sigma s goes in the opposite direction which you prefer is entirely down to personal taste. Unlike pro and prime lenses which cost considerably more, the front elements of these zooms rack out an additional 8cm to achieve the maximum focal length. If you place your hand over the rear element and turn the zoom you can feel air being pushed out, so it s possible that some dust could be MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE This is the closest distance the lens can focus. It s close a call, but the Tamron nips ahead of Sigma s 280cm, and is able to focus on subjects just 270cm away. 116 DIGITAL PHOTO

4 FOCUS RING The focus rings sit between the zoom ring and focus distance window on both models. Tamron has chosen to go for a slightly larger ring, and although Sigma s is narrower, it gives a better purchase. IMAGE STABILISATION Lens-based image stabilisation allows both lenses to shoot sharp shots at slower shutter speeds useful for hand-held use. Sigma s mm has Optical Stabilistion (OS), and Tamron s model has implemented its Vibration Compensation (VC) system. DIGITAL PHOTO 117

5 The switches on Tamron s zoom have been kept simple, with a limiter, an AF/MF selector and the ability to activate or disengage the VC image stabiliser. The stabilisation systems were astonishing; we could get sharp shots at shutter speeds as slow as 1/40sec! Both the Sigma and Tamron zooms feature a Manual Focus override and a focus distance window so you can fine-tune your focusing. sucked in to either. Inside the Tamron there are 20 elements arranged in 13 groups, with three Low Dispersion (LD) optics and an Extra Low Dispersion (XLD) element for clarity and contrast. Sigma s zoom has an identical amount of glass, but its 20 elements are arranged in 14 groups. A special F Low Dispersion (FLD) element is featured, which claims to offer the same low dispersion properties as fluorite glass. There are three Special Low Dispersion (SLD) elements to reduce chromatic aberration as well. The front elements have been coated to reduce flare eband for Tamron and Super Multi Layer for the Sigma. The Sigma zoom gets an extra point for durability here because it s also water and oil-repellent. When it comes to focus, the Tamron had a slight edge as it could focus 10cm closer at 270cm, with the Sigma requiring its subjects to be 280cm away before achieving focus. Both superzooms feature nine-bladed apertures which open as wide as f/5 at the 150mm end, and a slower f/6.3 at 600mm. The minimum aperture differs between the two, as the Tamron could close down as far as f/32 at 150mm or f/40 at 600mm. Sigma s zoom has a minimum aperture of f/22-29, but there won t be many occasions when you ll need a smaller aperture than this. Performance & Handling The build of the two lenses impressed, and when mounted on a full-frame Canon 5D Mk III D-SLR body, both were anchored firmly in the hands. Both have a similar balance throughout the zoom, but because the Sigma s zoom ring is little more knurled it felt a bit grippier than its rival. The focusing ring on both models has been positioned between the zoom ring and focus distance window. We found them to be evenly matched Tamron s focusing ring is slightly larger and smoother to turn, while Sigma s is a little more narrow and stiff, but felt like it had more grip. When it came to autofocus performance the pair were matched for speed, at 150mm they both required a moment to lock on. AF speed vastly improved in both models at the 600mm end, with the pair becoming very nippy. Tamron s offering was notably quieter when focusing it was virtually silent. While a faint whir was recorded in the Tamron s test movies, the Sigma lens was much more audible, but by no means loud DIGITAL PHOTO 119

6 The Sigma zoom has more functionality than the Tamron model with additional switches and stabiliser modes, plus two custom modes. The two gargantuan lenses come with a tripod collar to help balance the weight when using a tripod or monopod. The collar can be rotated for vertical shooting or removed completely using a small knob. In terms of size, shape and weight there s very little between the two megazooms. They both easily fit into a photographic rucksack with a camera body attached. The autofocus motors in both zooms are fast and quiet, with Tamron using its Ultrasonic Silent Drive and Sigma opting for its Hyper Sonic Motor. enough to scare off a potential subject. Each lens holds a clutch of switches on the left side. Tamron has kept things simple with switches for AF/MF, VC activation and a focus limiter which can be set to Full or from 15m to infinity. Sigma s mm has a few more bells and whistles. The autofocus switch has an additional Manual Override (MO) position to allow you to fine-tune focus when using continuous AF, but Tamron s lens allows MF override in its regular AF mode. The Sigma zoom has an additional limiter mode too: Full, m and 10m-infinity. Both zooms hunted less with the limiter activated. On the side of Sigma s mm you ll find three stabilisation options OS 1 for everyday use, OS 2 where the acceleration sensor is engaged for smoother panning shots and an Off position. Sigma s lens goes one better with Custom modes too, a feature omitted from the build of Tamron s zoom. The Custom switch has C1, C2 and Off positions, but the custom modes do need to be set up using Sigma s USB dock, available at an additional cost. The cluster of switches on the Sigma are more pronounced too, making them easier to find when your eye is to the finder. This gave a clear win on the features front for the Sigma optic. Both lenses come with a sturdy metal tripod collar. The collars feature a single 1/4in socket to attach a quick release plate and balance the lens on a tripod or monopod. A lens lock is in the build of both zooms to to stop the front element creeping forward when in transit. But while the Tamron only locks at 150mm, Sigma s can be locked into any of the eight different focal lengths printed on its barrel. This is handy if you know you re going to be shooting at a specific focal length for a long time. Although it s a nice feature, it only locks dead at its shortest focal length of 150mm. At its other focal lengths, the lock can be overridden by twisting the zoom ring. It s a useful feature and the Sigma wins here. The stabilisation systems of both lenses did nothing short of astound us. With both lenses under the same lighting conditions we were able to get sharp hand-held shots at 600mm at 1/50sec using Sigma s Optical Stabilisation. We were able to shoot even slower using Tamron s VC system, with sharp hand-held shots achieved at 1/40sec. This was a win for the Tamron model, but truly incredible results from both! DIGITAL PHOTO 121

7 TELEZOOMS TEST IMAGE QUALITY Shooting architecture and wildlife subjects confirmed the image quality results we found in our lab using lens test charts. Back at the computer, we zoomed in tightly on each frame across the aperture range at both ends of the zoom. Sharpness is key, so any drop in contrast or clarity in the middle or corners was noted. We also looked for chromatic aberration, otherwise known as fringeing. This is where the lens fails to focus the whole spectrum of colours at the same point. In short, it means you end up with an unnatural fringe of colour on high-contrast edges in your images. It s usually more apparent in the corners, but provided you shoot in RAW format, fringeing is a relatively easy fix in software. Lastly, we studied the results for vignetting, an optical defect where the corners appear darker than the centre, and pincushion distortion, this is where the image appears to bend in towards the middle of the frame. Now you know how thoroughly we assess every lens, let s see how these two beasts compare... This elaborate gate has bags of detail and was the perfect subject for us to zoom in on. SIGMA f/6.3 SIGMA f/9 TAMRON f/6.3 TAMRON f/9 150MM Tamron s zoom beat the Sigma for central and corner sharpness when using the widest aperture of f/5. But, while the Tamron maintained its level of sharpness throughout the aperture range, Sigma s zoom became more sharp as the aperture was closed down. It quickly caught up with its rival, with sharpness on par at f/5.6. The Sigma then overtook the Tamron for sharpness across the frame at f/6.3 and this trend continued throughout the remaining apertures. Both lenses suffered an identical amount of purple and green chromatic aberration, and we noted a small amount of pincushion distortion, too. SIGMA f/6.3 SIGMA f/9 TAMRON f/6.3 TAMRON f/9 600MM At the long end we saw the Sigma zoom maintain its lead for sharpness. We saw better centre and corner sharpness in the Sigma s test shots throughout the aperture range, with the Tamron model a fraction softer than its rival. It must be stressed though, that this was only apparent when zoomed in to 100% on screen. There was a small amount of pincushion distortion in both sets of images and a minimal amount of vignetting too. The two lenses suffered from a small amount of fringeing. This was purple and green in the Sigma and red and cyan in the Tamron. Both were quick and easy to correct in Adobe Camera Raw software. 122 DIGITAL PHOTO

8 SIGMA C mm f/5-6.3 TAMRON mm f/5-6.3 STREET PRICE FULL FRAME OR APS-C Full-frame Full-frame AVAILABLE MOUNTS Canon, Nikon, Sigma Canon, Nikon, Sony MAXIMUM APERTURE f/5-6.3 f/5-6.3 MINIMUM APERTURE f/22-29 f/32-40 MINIMUM FOCUSING DISTANCE 280cm 270cm FILTER THREAD SIZE 95cm 95cm WEATHER SEALING Dust/splash-proof mount Moisture resistant construction INCLUDED ACCESSORIES Lens hood, strap and soft case Lens hood STABILISATION Optical Stabilisation (OS) Vibration Compensation (VC) ELEMENTS 20 elements in 14 groups 20 elements in 13 groups SPECIAL ELEMENTS 1xFLD, 3xSLD 1xXLD, 3xLD SPECIAL COATINGS Super Multi-Layer, water and oil repellent coating eband coating AF MOTOR Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) Ultrasonic Drive (USD) MOUNT Metal Metal APERTURE BLADES 9 9 ZOOM LOCK Yes Yes INTERNAL FOCUSING Yes Yes DIMENSIONS 105x260.1mm 105.6x257.8mm WEIGHT 1.93kg 1.951kg VISIT FEATURES & BUILD PERFORMANCE IMAGE QUALITY VALUE FOR MONEY OVERALL VERDICT THE VERDICT W ITH SUCH A STRONG PERFORMANCE FROM the two zooms, we d find it hard not to recommend either. Both lenses are fantastic options for the enthusiast sports or wildlife shooter on a tighter budget. But if you have 900 to spend on a good quality long telephoto, you can only make one decision. Tamron s megazoom can focus a little closer at 270cm and the effective aperture closes down more throughout its zoom range. But Sigma s model also stood out with its water and oil resistant lens coating which makes it easier to clean. When it came to AF, the zooms were matched for speed but the Sigma was slightly more audible. It could be heard in our test movies, but it wasn t loud enough to scare off a subject within its focusing range. The stabilisation systems of both lenses were remarkable, but it was the Tamron model that won this battle, capturing sharp shots at shutter speeds a fraction slower at 1/40sec. Sigma s zoom has an abundant stock of features, with extra stabilisation modes for normal and panning use, an additional limiter mode and Custom modes which can be set up with Sigma s USB dock (at extra cost). The lens lock on Sigma s zoom is a great feature as it can be used at the focal lengths printed on its barrel. This is great if you plan to shoot at a specific focal length for a longer period. Sigma s mm stood out when it came to image quality, too. Although the Tamron started off as the sharper lens at f/5 (150mm), it was outshone by Sigma s optic, which was marginally sharper across the frame from f/6.3 at 150mm and across the aperture range at its maximum zoom. Our winner was clear when we assessed the value of each. It could only be Sigma s mm. Its additional features, top build and sharper image quality make it the better value, since the pair share the same 899 price tag. The icing on the cake is the soft case and strap that accompany the Sigma model. Make no mistake the Tamron mm is a superb lens, but the Sigma is even better. It s our worthy winner of this hard-fought battle! DIGITAL PHOTO 123