Tamron AF SP 150-600/5.0-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Nikon (A022N)

The Tamron AF SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Model A022N) is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens designed for Nikon DSLR cameras. As part of Tamron's second-generation (G2) lineup, this lens builds on the success of its predecessor by offering superior image quality, faster autofocus, enhanced vibration compensation, and durable construction. Its extended zoom range makes it an ideal choice for wildlife, sports, and action photographers who require reach, precision, and clarity.

Key Features

1. Extended Focal Range (150-600mm)

• Ultra-Telephoto Zoom: The 150-600mm focal length provides extreme versatility, enabling you to capture distant subjects with ease. Whether you're shooting wildlife, sports, or aviation, this extended range delivers powerful magnification for long-distance shooting.
• Compatible with Teleconverters: The lens is fully compatible with Tamron's teleconverters (1.4x and 2.0x), extending the focal length up to 1200mm for even greater reach. This makes it perfect for specialized long-distance photography.

2. Fast Aperture and Optical Design

• Variable Aperture (f/5-6.3): The lens offers a variable maximum aperture of f/5 at 150mm to f/6.3 at 600mm, balancing the need for speed with a lightweight and portable design. While slightly slower than prime telephoto lenses, the range still allows for creative control over depth of field and bokeh.
• Advanced Optical Elements: The lens is built with 21 elements in 13 groups, including three Low Dispersion (LD) elements to minimize chromatic aberrations and improve sharpness. These elements ensure clear, high-contrast images even at longer focal lengths.

3. Enhanced Vibration Compensation (VC)

• Three VC Modes: Tamron’s improved Vibration Compensation (VC) system provides up to 4.5 stops of stabilization, ensuring sharp images even when shooting handheld at long focal lengths. The lens features three distinct VC modes to optimize stabilization for different scenarios:
  • Mode 1: General shooting with a balance between stabilization and tracking.
  • Mode 2: Specialized for panning, ideal for tracking fast-moving subjects in motion.
  • Mode 3: Prioritizes stabilization during image capture, perfect for static shots.

4. Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) Autofocus

• Fast and Accurate AF: The Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) motor provides fast, precise, and near-silent autofocus. This makes the lens perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects in action, such as birds, wildlife, or sports events, where split-second focusing is essential.
• Full-Time Manual Focus Override: The lens also supports full-time manual focus, allowing photographers to make fine adjustments to focus without switching out of AF mode.

5. Advanced Optical Coatings

• eBAND and BBAR Coatings: Tamron has applied its proprietary eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) and BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coatings to reduce flare and ghosting, especially in backlit situations. These coatings significantly improve contrast and clarity by minimizing reflections inside the lens barrel.

6. Durable and Weather-Sealed Design

• Moisture-Resistant Construction: Designed for use in challenging outdoor environments, the lens features a moisture-resistant construction with seals at critical points to prevent water and dust from entering the lens. This makes it well-suited for wildlife and sports photographers who work in various weather conditions.
• Fluorine Coating: The front element is coated with a fluorine compound that repels water, oil, and dirt, making it easier to clean and maintain in the field.
• Robust Build Quality: The magnesium alloy construction provides durability while keeping the lens relatively lightweight (about 2kg). The lens barrel is solidly built for long-term use, making it a reliable companion in rugged environments.

7. Flex Zoom Lock and Tripod Compatibility

• Flex Zoom Lock: This unique feature allows you to lock the zoom at any focal length, preventing the lens barrel from extending unintentionally during transport. It adds to the convenience and practicality, especially for photographers who move between shooting locations frequently.
• Arca-Swiss Compatible Tripod Collar: The lens comes with a removable tripod collar that's compatible with Arca-Swiss quick-release systems, making it easy to mount the lens securely on a tripod. The rotating tripod collar also allows for smooth transitions between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations.

8. Close Focusing and Magnification

• Improved Minimum Focus Distance: With a minimum focusing distance of 2.2 meters (86.6 inches), the G2 version has improved close-up capabilities compared to its predecessor. This allows for semi-macro photography, making it useful for capturing detailed shots of relatively close subjects, like flowers or insects.
• Maximum Magnification Ratio of 1:3.9: This enhanced magnification ratio ensures sharp and detailed images of small or distant subjects.

9. Teleconverter Compatibility

• Extended Range with Teleconverters: Tamron offers optional 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters that can be used with the 150-600mm G2 lens, extending the focal length to 840mm or even 1200mm while maintaining autofocus with compatible cameras. This provides an incredible reach for extreme telephoto applications.

Conclusion

The Tamron AF SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Nikon (A022N) is an excellent choice for wildlife, sports, and action photographers who need an ultra-telephoto zoom lens with advanced features, robust build quality, and superior optical performance. The lens delivers sharp, high-quality images with effective stabilization and fast, accurate autofocus. Its moisture-resistant construction, advanced coatings, and compatibility with teleconverters further enhance its versatility, making it suitable for professional use in diverse shooting environments.