Taken by Vickey at Millers Marsh.
No need for comments -- posting as many of you have asked about the size of the Tamron and ability to hand-hold.
You can see it's large, but not an impossible one to hand-hold. Simply heavier than what I'm used to and requires a faster shutter speed to avoid shake. With the weight, a tripod or monopod at least would help, but when photographing animals, I find I have to be able to move to a range of positions so that those are less practical. Definitely a worthy lens, but one that takes some sorting out!
Certainly a chunky lens. I recently got a 70-200 2.8 lens and it is taking a bit to get used to weight wise, and also trying to avoid the shaking! Hope you both got some wonderful shots here.
I find my 100-400mm lens really heavy to carry round but I love it. I think you will have the same relationship with this lens especially when you get fabulous bird and animal shots!
I have a 100-400 and I am able to get some pretty decent shots hand held. It has image stabilization which yours probably does also. I find it really helps. Just remember to take it off IS when on a tripod.
@jgpittenger Just under 4 pounds, plus the weight of the camera. It's useable by bracing the lens using the foot for the tripod, more than the usual holding of the lens itself. Not bad...but not great for long hikes.
It looks quite a beast. Would love to be able to give it a go. I often forget to turn off the IS when using the tripod or I forget to turn it back on again.
Oh gosh, that's one heck of a lens though you seem to be handling it very well. You're certainly getting some darned good shots and it should be great for your African adventure.
Which length is this lens? I'm looking to do the Tamron 70-200. I have been experimenting with a Canon 100-400, which is just TOOOO heavy. Is your aperature wide or 4.5+? I want the wide aperture because morning sports or birds in shade really need better light in low light situations. I use the monopod fo the big lenses, but I'm not going to go 100-400--just too much of a beast of weight on top of my already heavy camera.
@darylo This is the G2 Tamron 150-600, f5.6/6.3. Not a fast lens, but it really is quite amazing at its long point. Not that heavy compared to others, but the trade-0ff is that it's the slower aperture. I'd recommend it based on my experience so far. I bought it used -- keep watching ebay and you'll save $200 - $400 on one.
