[0.225 lb] Great lens! I am using this on my Sony A7ii. Focusing is fast and accurate. Photos are sharp and bokeh is nice . Lens is small enough to handhold, and it fits in my backpack.
I was deciding between the Sigma 150-600, and the Tamron 150-500.
I am happy with my decision!

[0.225 lb] With excellent weight in the category, focus quality and physical size makes it the most effective.

[0.225 lb] Purchased for my Fuji X-T4 and X-T5 bodies as I needed some additional reach from my current Fuji 50-140 when photographing Baseball / softball games. Very happy with the images it is producing for me. I like the focus limiter when shooting through fencing, it also improves the focus time and accuracy. A little heavy to hold so I ended up purchasing a monopod, great decision.

[0.225 lb] I am a bird ID photographer for e bird etc.. my most used lens on my Z9's are Z800pf and Z180-600.

I have some situations where I really want a compact light weight lens in the 200, 400 and 500 mm arena. I was also anticipating getting a Z6III for low light situations to use with my Tamron z mount 35-150 f/2-2.8.

After reading reviews by some pro wildlife photographers that I trust I ordered this. It has lived up to all of my expectations and more. This Tamron 150-500 on the Z6III I just ordered should be a great set up to carry in my Think Tank Digital Holster 50 v2 on my speed belt when my primary birding setup Z9 and Z800pf are on my Black Rapids strap. Then when I have a need for a shorter focal length it will be with me.

[0.225 lb] Awesome lens at a great value

[0.225 lb] I've only had this lens a couple weeks but already love it. It's very sharp at 500mm, can be used handheld with the vibration reduction on and higher ISO's.

[0.225 lb] The lens I usually use on my Sony a9 costs 10x what this lens cost, and let me tell you, it comes very close. Yes, the contrast is not the same, and at 500mm the corners are little soft. BUT, I can fit this attached to my camera in a small bag, set it up quickly on a tripod if need be (thanks to the arca type foot) and take pictures - not only far, but it will close focus at 150mm with great results. Also, the focusing motor is very fast. No, I'm not giving up my 600mm f4, but if I need a quick and easy setup for wildlife to insects, this is it!

[0.225 lb] I've started shooting wildlife in retirement and wanted more reach. The Tamron 150 - 500 looked like the best value among quality long zooms. Impressed with the sharpness and features. Focuses very quickly. You can hand hold it with enough light (for a while), since it has vibration control. No regrets.

[0.225 lb] Excellent lens to use for nature or hard to reach to get closer! Tamron products is excellent!

[0.225 lb] OKAY 5 stars BUT I have two things that nobody seems to mention in these reviews:

1.) the focus ring feels gritty... like there is some granular stuff in it. I have seen reviewers say its "cheap feeling", but nobody called out this grit/sand feel I have noticed. It's really not too bad, but I returned my first lens because I thought it was a unique defect for that particular lens. Turns out its a factor on my new replacement too, but it has not been a functional/practical issue during the infrequent moments I need to manually focus.

2.) The stabilization motor makes a constant subtle noise (even when you have the stabilization "off"). I am an audiophile so it drives me a bit crazy. I have decided to live with it because 9/10 times I am using it outdoors where the ambient noise overpowers the motor and it wont bother me.

The question for me was: Am I willing to go with the fancy Sony focal range alternative (100-400 G) for an extra $1,000 to avoid these two minor issues? And the answer was "no, for 1k I would rather buy an extra lens".

A third bonus critique that people do mention is the zoom ring locking mechanism. When you push the zoom ring away from the camera, it somewhat locks the ring wherever it was zoomed. Personally I don't like it. I do it too often by accident, and the lock switch is enough for the rare times I want to avoid focus drift while transporting. Unfortunately the switch only works at minimum range (150). Wish it worked at all ranges, and they did away with the ring "push" locking mechanism. But alas, I am used to it now so it really isn't a big deal. Some consider it a nice bonus feature, but my qualm is that it accidentally interferes with my expected use/operation of it regularly. A "bonus feature" should not impede expected functions, otherwise you get into the feature/bug convo.

Overall it feels solid, looks great, very excited to have it in my kit.