Any experience with the Tamron 200 500

[drama]

I am shooting quite a bit of wildlife now (birds & squirrels mostly) & feel the need for more reach. I cant quite afford the longer Canon L's right now
So was thinking in terms of a second hand zoom nearing the 500 range.

Had a look at the reviews etc, the options I have are
1 Tamron 200 500 f5-6.3
2 Tokina 80 400 D f4.5-5.6
3 Sigma 50 500 f4.6-6.3 (a bit more expensive)

500mm without TC is important (5D, no crop factor)
I recently picked up a Slik 700 DX & Cullmann Magnesit 35 NM(in transit), so will be using on a tripod mostly.

What do you guys think?
Any other alternatives?

[Rhys]

How about one of the ultra-cheap 500mm mirror lenses?

I used to have a 600mm Sigma mirror lens, years ago and it was excellent.

[faisal]

The Sigma 150-500mm has optical stabilisation. Might want to add that to the list as it might possibly make hand hold shots easier if you want to ever do that though not sure if it is FF. Will check it out just now...

EDIT: it works on full frame....

I've used the older discontinued 170-500mm which was nice till approx 350mm. After that it was plain okay. Maybe the new one is better but I can't say.

[Mark_48]

No experience with any of those lenses. I do have the 100-400L though.

Some real life samples from PBase....

Tamron 200-500
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/tamron/sp_af_200-500_5-63_di_ld_if

Tokina 80-400
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/tokina/atx_840_af2

Sigma 50-500
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/50500_463_ex_apo_rf

Sigma 150-500
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/apo_150_500_5_63_dg_os_hsm

Sigma 600 f/8 :eek: :D(Aperature fixed)
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/600_8_mirror

[michaelb]

Drama,

IMO you would be better off picking up a cheap 20D and using a shorter FL lens.

This would be another good place to ask though....

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/55

[drama]

faisal
the Sigma is certainly interesting, bit off my budget right now

Mark
Thanks for the image samples, the mirror lens is definitely out of the question :D

michaelb
A crop body is certainly an idea worth considering, thanks :)

[Rhys]

An f8 mirror lens is an inexpensive way to do things. It is manual focus but most things will be at infinity anyway. Or you could even go for one of these...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/find/newsLetter/Mother-of-All-L-Lenses.jsp

[Spookonthe8ball]

Drama, I like my Sigma 150-500mm. It's better on a tripod, but I have some descent handhelds at 500mm. Slow lens, but if there is plenty of light it performs. I bought it for wildlife on last years Dakotas trip. It isn't a cheap lens, but it was priced below a Canon.
Spook