Depends on the lens. The only 200-500 is the Tamron I think, and, like Ziggy said recently, it's not that great optically. Reviews will tell you something about its sharpness.
There are other lenses, like the Sigma 50-500 (I think the old one is better?) that give better results.
You'll find a similar span of reviews for the Sigma "Bigma" 50-500mm, f4-6.3 EX HSM but the Sigma has much faster AF, a much better construction and a wider range. It's not directly comparable except that this Sigma and the above Tamron 200-500mm are similarly priced. Neither is very good on a crop camera body IMO but I am impressed with the general results of the Sigma on my 5D MKII.
The 200-500 Tammy is not an L lens, but if shot with first class long lens technique, it can give very creditable performance. It is not a fast lens at the long end, so it does need a bit of light - but if shot 2 stops smaller than its maximum aperture, it will do its part.
I think a lot of poor images shot with long glass are frequently due to poor technique, not bad glass, but that is just my opinion. I do own at least 5 Canon L glass long lenses, in addition to the Tamron 200-500 and the Sigma 150-500 IS, and the Sigma 120-300, so I have a good idea how good glass should perform.
Bob Atkins demonstrates some CA with his specimen of the Tammy 200-550, but that is easy to fix in ACR or Lightroom, and my copy, has almost no CA whatsoever at 300% and what there is is removable with LR/ACR.
I do own at least 5 Canon L glass long lenses, in addition to the Tamron 200-500 and the Sigma 150-500 IS, and the Sigma 120-300, so I have a good idea how good glass should perform.
So how do you rate the tammy200-500 against the siggy 150-500IS??
Actually Art, my Tammy has better contrast, less chromatic aberration, and less haze than my Sigma 150-500. If the Tammy had IS it would be no contest. The Sigma is significantly heavier.
The new lens profiles in LR3 have improved the Sigma 150-500 files fairly dramatically though. One of the things about lens discussions is that they rarely describe image editing/ rendering and sharpening and lens correction in software can make big differences, just like the use of a tripod, MLU, and cable releases can make lenses much " better" too.
Comments
There are other lenses, like the Sigma 50-500 (I think the old one is better?) that give better results.
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/296-tamron-af-200-500mm-f5-63-di-ld-if-sp-lab-test-report--review
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_200_500b.html
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/53/si/Tele
You'll find a similar span of reviews for the Sigma "Bigma" 50-500mm, f4-6.3 EX HSM but the Sigma has much faster AF, a much better construction and a wider range. It's not directly comparable except that this Sigma and the above Tamron 200-500mm are similarly priced. Neither is very good on a crop camera body IMO but I am impressed with the general results of the Sigma on my 5D MKII.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
This gallery of the Indianapolis Air Show last summer has lots of frames shot with a 7D with the 200-500 Tammy handheld ( check the EXIF data to be sure ) - It lacks IS so I don't recommend hand held use, but it is hard to get the freedom and mobility needed at an air show with a heavy tripod.
This frame, about 1/3 of a sensor from a 40D frame, shot hand held. braced, is still my all time favorite with the Tamron 200-500 at ISO 800 to allow me to shoot at f8 at 1/250th, braced on a large rock.
I think a lot of poor images shot with long glass are frequently due to poor technique, not bad glass, but that is just my opinion. I do own at least 5 Canon L glass long lenses, in addition to the Tamron 200-500 and the Sigma 150-500 IS, and the Sigma 120-300, so I have a good idea how good glass should perform.
Bob Atkins demonstrates some CA with his specimen of the Tammy 200-550, but that is easy to fix in ACR or Lightroom, and my copy, has almost no CA whatsoever at 300% and what there is is removable with LR/ACR.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
So how do you rate the tammy200-500 against the siggy 150-500IS??
The new lens profiles in LR3 have improved the Sigma 150-500 files fairly dramatically though. One of the things about lens discussions is that they rarely describe image editing/ rendering and sharpening and lens correction in software can make big differences, just like the use of a tripod, MLU, and cable releases can make lenses much " better" too.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin