Telephoto lenses allow you to capture excellent detail in your photography. You can, for example, zoom-in on wildlife and photograph them in their natural habitats. Alternatively, you can photograph sporting events and capture the action in awesome detail.
A telephoto lens is classed as anything that has a focal distance of 70mmn or more. A lens with a focal distance of 70-135mm is classed as a medium-telephoto lens. Next, 135-300mm is classed as telephoto. Finally, 300mm+ is classed as super-telephoto.
These types of lenses are often versatile and allow you to filter through different focal distances. When selecting a telephoto lens, always check for built-in image stabilization. This is important as it will help keep your photos sharp and in focus when working at extreme zoom distances.
To show the power of this type of lens, we have gathered the five best Tamron telephoto lenses under $1000.
1. Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Overall Winner)
Our first choice for Tamron telephoto lenses under $1000 is the multi-purpose Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD. This is a great affordable lens that covers a vast focal distance that allows you to shoot at anything from wide-angle through to super-telephoto.
As a telephoto lens, the 18-400mm provides excellent detail. You can shoot at both medium and long-range telephoto for varying types of shots. Both wildlife and sports photography are made easy using this versatile budget lens.
This lens has a decent maximum aperture range of f/3.5 at 18mm, and f/6.3 at 400mm. This means you can still control the depth of field and shoot OK in low-light situations. The lens also has Vibration Compensation (VC) which is essential at the longer focal distances.
The downside is that this lens is relatively heavy and bulky, but this is expected due to the advanced lens elements. It is nonetheless a good lens under $1000.
2. Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD
The Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD offers a mid-ground for telephoto zoom lenses. It does not offer super telephoto distances, but 210mm still allows you to capture excellent mid-range detail. At the lower range, 70mm could be useful for portrait photos as well.
This is a standard Tamron lens and does not have any of the SP enhancements, but it is still a good budget lens and provides solid image quality and usability. The constant maximum aperture of f/4 is a great addition and offers good flexibility in your photography.
The 70-210mm has Vibration Compensation to reduce camera shake, and Tamron’s USD autofocusing motor. For outdoor usage, this affordable lens has a fluorite coating to help protect from moisture and dust.
Finally, it is quite lightweight and compact which makes it a solid choice for a budget travel lens. This versatility makes it one of the best Tamron telephoto lenses under $1000.
3. Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD
Moving into super-telephoto territory, the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD is a great budget choice for wildlife and sports photography. Due to its bulk and weight, we advise using this lens with a tripod for extra stability and convenience.
The focal distance of 100-400mm offers good flexibility. At 100mm you can create good portrait shots or even zoomed-in street photography, while at 400mm, you can zoom in on small details and capture things like wildlife in fantastic detail.
This lens has a decent maximum aperture range of f/4.5 at 100mm and f/6.3 at 400mm. Using this, you can still create good bokeh backgrounds and play with the depth of field. It also has a USD autofocusing motor and vibration compensation.
The vibration compensation corrects for up to four stops of camera shake, whilst the USD motor offers quiet and fast autofocusing. This is a good lens under $1000 and a great affordable option for those who want telephoto details.
4. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD
Taking super-telephoto zoom levels one-step further we have the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD. This is the ultimate Tamron super-telephoto lens but is still relatively affordable for what it offers.
The 600mm maximum focal distance makes this an absolute beast for wildlife photography. The level of detail you can achieve is excellent.
This is complemented by a good maximum aperture range of f/5 at 150mm, and f/6.3 at 600mm. The lens also has vibration compensation which corrects up to four stops of camera shake. Image stabilization is vital when working at such long zoom distances.
When using this affordable lens, you must consider the size and weight. It weighs 4.3lbs and has a length of 10.16 inches. We, therefore, advise using this budget lens with a tripod for extra stability. Due to its extreme focal distance, this is easily one of the best Tamron telephoto lenses under $1000.
5. Tamron 35-150mm f/2.8-4 Di VC OSD (Budget Winner)
Our budget choice for best Tamron telephoto lenses under $1000 is the Tamron 35-150mm f/2.8-4 Di VC OSD. This is another good lens under $1000 and a multi-purpose option. It covers everything from wide-angle at 35mm, through to mid-range telephoto at 150mm.
To complement this, there is a good maximum aperture range of f/2.8-4. At f/2.8 you can create beautiful bokeh backgrounds and control the depth of field at the lower zoom distances. This budget lens also has Tamron’s Vibration Compensation technology.
If you want a versatile lens for traveling or outdoor photography shoots, this is a solid choice.
Shoot Long Range with the Best Tamron Telephoto Lenses Under $1000
Why not add one of the best Tamron telephoto lenses under $1000 to your collection today? You do not have to stick to the official manufacturer’s lenses for quality, Tamron has a great range of affordable telephoto lenses that provide great quality and functionality.
