We photographers talk a lot about getting closer to the birds we encounter, and in the same light we wish we had a lens that magnifies birds more. That makes it all about getting a bigger, better photo – a more intimate image. So if we can magnify the bird more, we don’t need to get closer to some birds, which can leave birds to continue their natural behavior. It also helps to reduce the chance of alarming the bird in the process of trying to get closer.

In addition to providing sharp photographs of birds encountered in the field, it is possible to crop each photograph to enlarge the bird a bit more in the photo frame, such as with this image of an alert Canvasback drake in the midst of beautifully colored, tranquil water (600mm zoom lens, f-9 aperture, 1/2000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

I used a 400mm telephoto lens for most of my life, but I always wished I had more magnification to work with, but those lenses cost a goldmine more and required the use of a tripod, both breaking points for me. Then, in 2021 I began using a lens that changed my bird photography and improved it in remarkable ways. It has also helped to better appreciate the pure enjoyment and excitement of photographing a bird in the moment, and when seeing the resulting photographs. Herein I want to share my breakthrough lens with you, and perhaps inspire you to consider how such a lens might enhance your birding activities.

The first afternoon I used my current lens, I was surprised and amazed at the results, and I have never looked back or used that 400mm telephoto lens again. Primarily, it’s because of the extra reach of the 600mm magnification range of the versatile Tamron 150-to-600mm Ultra-Zoom Lens. That, in coordination with the excellent Vibration Reduction (VR) feature that allows users to photograph at 600mm without a tripod, monopod, or other attachment that literally takes all the fun out of photographing birds for me. The other consideration is that it’s affordable to anyone who wants one, and I’ll explain that below.

The Tamron 150-to-600mm G2 Ultra-Zoom Lens is sturdy and easy to handle under any circumstance when photographing birds (600mm zoom lens, f-9 aperture, 1/1250 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

Manufacturer Lingo: While Tamron provides descriptions like the following sentence, you won’t find that technical jargon in this article: “Within its optical construction of 21 elements in 13 groups, the SP 150-600mm G2 includes 3 LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements that completely eliminate axial and transverse chromatic aberrations.” (What?!) Instead, I will share a “good ole boy’s” description of how easy this versatile lens is to use, the exceptional importance of the added magnification without the need to use a tripod, and the impressive quality of the photographs this lens produces time after time of birds at rest, in flight, and during a variety of behavioral activities in varied habitats during all 4 seasons – year after year.

This lens consistently produces high-quality, sharp images of birds at the 600mm level of magnification, while still providing the opportunity to expand the area in view anytime by simply zooming to lesser levels of magnification. Two other very important things that make this lens great for anyone interested in bird photography is the Vibration Compensation (VC) feature that enables handheld photography of stationary or flying birds at long focal lengths up to 600mm. And the USD autofocus feature also provides fast, quiet, and accurate focusing with the simple touch of your index finger. Need I say more? Appreciating the quality of the photographs produced consistently, the increased magnification, vibration compensation, and autofocus features are pretty much all I need to take this Tamron lens into the field and start photographing – the other technical and optical variations may be exciting for the someone else.

The opportunity to photograph at 600mm and have the freedom to follow flying birds without need for a tripod is especially impressive. The fast shutter speed in concert with the autofocus and vibration compensation features provided a sharp image of all 3 Whooping Cranes as they flew toward me (600mm zoom lens, f-10 aperture, 1/2500 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

While I have never fitted this lens on a tripod, and don’t intend to because it works so well without one 98 percent of the time, the attached tripod shoe provides a handy ‘carrying handle.’ This sizeable lens may weigh a little more than you might expect – but don’t worry, you will forget about the weight by the third time you use it – like anything, it’s just a matter of getting familiar with it.

This Tamron super lens has also proven to be excellent for photographing small birds at close quarters. This image of a Yellow Warbler that has just captured a tiny mosquito-like insect shows just how sharp and versatile the lens can be. Note the sharp details around the warbler’s eye, its beak, and even in the mosquito’s wings and abdomen (600mm zoom lens, f-7 aperture, 1/1000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

The aperture range provided by this Ultra-Zoom Lens is mostly adequate. Every lens has a compromise or 2, and due to the extraordinary range of the zoom options and the ultimate 600mm magnification, the aperture range doesn’t extend beyond f-5.6. but aperture itself is a compromising part of the photo equation. Operating without an f-4 capability usually isn’t a concern when photographing birds, whether you are trying to blur a background, or trying to get a faster shutter speed. And if there is a limiting factor, it’s usually due to another element of photography rather than the f-6 aperture limitation.

The Camera Factor: Of course, a lens doesn’t stand alone; it is connected to a camera when you are photographing birds. My bet is that you have a better camera than I use, and I’m convinced I will almost always win that bet. I do have a new model, but it’s a comparatively economical model priced at about $800 new. That said, I haven’t found the lens to be deficient because it’s attached to my lower-priced DSL camera, so you shouldn’t have a problem with camera quality either.

When walking or traveling, the Tamron 150-to-600mm Zoom Lens can be carried in its more compact 150mm zoom mode (600mm zoom lens, f-10 aperture, 1/1250 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

You probably already use a good camera that you like, but to upgrade your lens, or even to get started in bird photography, my message is: Consider the Tamron 150-to-600mm G2 Ultra-Zoom Lens for all-around bird photography (and much more) – this is the lens – and it’s the lens I use and enjoy using almost every day.

Of course, a lens alone cannot create better photos, but it’s a starting point. And when you take lighting, the direction of the light, the effect of shadows, holding the lens and camera steady or steadying them on a stable structure, holding your breath, anticipating action, and more – well, the lens is a part of a much bigger equation that combines uniquely in each photograph we take. Now, with all this in mind, what is this lens going to cost?

This lens is available for Canon and Nikon camera lens mounts at $1,400 new. If the price seems high for you, it’s extremely reasonable considering the quality, magnification, and zoom range it provides. You also want to keep in mind that you will be using this equipment for years to come, possibly decades, and it will hold some resale value if that’s important to you. If price is the bottom line, it’s worthwhile to consider buying it on time, perhaps via monthly payments over a year’s time, either through your friendly banker, by using a credit card, or by another means at about $120 per month for a year. That’s when this lens should become affordable to anyone balking at the price tag. You may also be able to get a well-cared for used one at a reduced price. For example, my brother, who used a quality 100-to-400mm zoom lens for many years bought a like-new used Tamron 150-to-600mm G2 Ultra-Zoom Lens for $800 a couple months ago.

This Western Grebe family photo shows the sharp focus of the eye, face, and beak of the adult, and even the delineation of individual feathers on its back. The intimate interaction during this food delivery is truly heartwarming, all the more so because of the sharp details created in the photo by the Tamron Lens (600mm zoom lens, f-9 aperture, 1/2000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

I feel that the high level of enjoyment in using this versatile lens, and the joy of seeing the photographs you take with it will truly enhance your life on some level – I know. And this lens has a lot of uses for other types of photography, ranging from landscapes to sports photography and family pictures. And if you are not already using a 600mm lens, it will change your world as it relates to bird photography. It has certainly changed the level of success, quality, and production in my bird photographs. This lens has enhanced my birding activities immensely and I don’t go anywhere without it attached to my camera.

To learn more from Tamron, you can refer to Tamron 150-600 G2 Canon & Nikon - SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC (tamron-usa.com) The difference between using a lens with 400mm magnification and this one with 600mm magnification has made a huge difference in all my outdoor endeavors since the first day I tried the remarkable Tamron 150-to-600mm G2 Ultra-Zoom Lens – try it you will like it, for years to come!

Article and Photographs by Paul Konrad

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