When I drove to Alaska with my dad and later returned with my girlfriend Kristin, one thing remained constant: the Tamron 150-500mm lens was always attached to my camera. If there’s one thing you learn quickly on a road trip to Alaska, it’s that wildlife can appear at any moment. Whether it’s a bear lumbering along the roadside, an eagle soaring overhead, or a moose grazing in a meadow, you’re constantly surrounded by incredible opportunities for wildlife photography. Having the Tamron 150-500mm on my camera ensured I was always ready to capture those fleeting moments, no matter when or where they happened.
A roadside black bear scurrying across the highway. Photo by Dalton Johnson
The Importance of Being Ready
Driving through places like Alaska or along the Cassiar Highway is like stepping into a nature documentary. Wildlife is everywhere, and you never know when you’ll get a chance to photograph something extraordinary. One moment, you’re cruising down an empty stretch of highway, and the next, you spot a bear munching on grass by the roadside. That’s when the Tamron 150-500mm lens truly shines. With its versatile focal range, it’s the perfect lens for quickly zooming in on wildlife without having to get too close (safety first!).
For me, the Tamron stayed on my camera almost the entire trip. The reason? Simplicity. I didn’t want to waste precious seconds swapping lenses while the perfect shot disappeared. Wildlife doesn’t wait for you to get your gear together. The 150-500mm gave me the reach and flexibility I needed to capture everything from a bald eagle perched high in a tree to a bear crossing the road right in front of us. I’d often find myself pulling over with no warning, grabbing the camera, and stepping out onto the shoulder, heart racing, ready to snap the scene in front of me.
Even when I wasn’t actively looking for wildlife, the Tamron’s versatility meant I could take incredible shots of the landscapes around me. The long highways surrounded by towering peaks, the sweeping valleys, and even the quiet moments of mist rising off a lake in the morning—all were within the range of this lens.
A roadside moose enjoying it’s lunch. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Key Features That Made It Indispensable
Versatile Focal Range: The 150-500mm range is ideal for wildlife photography. It offers the perfect balance between zooming in on distant subjects and maintaining flexibility for closer encounters. Whether the wildlife was 50 feet away or 500 feet away, I felt like I had the reach I needed. It allowed me to photograph everything from tight details to more environmental shots that showed the subject within its natural setting.
Portability: For a lens with such an impressive zoom range, the Tamron 150-500mm is surprisingly compact and lightweight. On long road trips, when every ounce of gear adds up, this was a huge bonus. It was easy to carry, mount, and shoot with for extended periods, even when we were on foot. Carrying it all day while hiking didn’t feel like a chore, which is saying something for a telephoto lens.
Sharpness and Detail: The image quality was outstanding. Even when shooting at the longer end of the focal range, the lens produced sharp, detailed images. This was crucial when capturing textures like the feathers of an eagle or the fur of a bear. The clarity in those shots was something I kept coming back to as I reviewed the photos after the trip.
Fast Autofocus: Wildlife doesn’t stay still for long, and the Tamron’s autofocus kept up beautifully. Whether I was shooting from inside the van or stepping out to frame a shot, the lens locked onto my subjects quickly and accurately. This speed made all the difference when I had only a few seconds to capture a fleeting moment.
Stabilization: Shooting handheld, especially with a telephoto lens, can be tricky, but the Tamron’s built-in stabilization was a lifesaver. It allowed me to get sharp shots even when shooting at longer focal lengths without a tripod, which isn’t always feasible when you’re working quickly.
A bald eagle perched in a tree, this shot would not have been possible without the Tamron 150-500mm. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Real-World Moments
One memory that stands out was when we were driving along a remote stretch of the Cassiar Highway. Out of nowhere, my dad shouted, “Bear!” We pulled over, and there it was—a black bear casually grazing by the roadside. I grabbed my camera, stepped out quietly, and started shooting. The Tamron’s zoom allowed me to get tight, detailed shots without ever feeling like I was invading the bear’s space. The bear looked up at one point, sniffed the air, and then continued eating. That’s the kind of moment you can’t plan for, and having the right lens made all the difference.
Another unforgettable moment was spotting a bald eagle perched high in a tree near Homer. The light was perfect, and the eagle’s silhouette stood out against the blue sky. The Tamron 150-500mm allowed me to fill the frame with the eagle, capturing the sharpness of its talons and the intense focus in its eyes. It’s one of my favorite shots from the trip. Without the lens’s reach, there’s no way I could’ve gotten that level of detail.
Then there were the moments that didn’t involve wildlife but were just as breathtaking. One morning, as we parked at a pullout overlooking a misty lake, I used the Tamron to zoom in on the gentle ripples in the water and the silhouettes of distant trees. The lens brought a level of intimacy to the scene that made it feel even more magical.
A black bear taking a casual stroll across the Cassiar Highway. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Why This Lens Should Be in Your Kit
If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, or anywhere with abundant wildlife, the Tamron 150-500mm is a lens you won’t want to leave behind. Its versatility, portability, and exceptional image quality make it the perfect companion for capturing the unpredictable beauty of the wild. You never know what you’ll encounter, and having a lens like this ensures you’re always ready.
For me, it wasn’t just a piece of gear—it was an essential part of the journey. From black bears to bald eagles and the quiet beauty of Alaska’s landscapes, the Tamron 150-500mm helped me document memories I’ll treasure forever. If you’re heading into the wild, do yourself a favor and bring this lens along. You’ll be glad you did.
