Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Review
All of you out there that are reading this review of the Tamron 70-200 are probably in one of two categories. 1) Looking for a fast low light zoom but don't wont to pay the price of the Nikon/Canon 2.8 tele or 2) Your looking for a backup telezoom for your Nikon/Canon. I do wedding, family, sports shoots as a side biz and I'm in category 1. You're probably worried about buying it and it not Auto Focusing fast enough or having some other issues that you've read......because that was a concern of mine. Let me put you at ease.....don't worry, the Tamron 70-200 is fantastic! In fact I was so pleased that I ended up purchasing other Tamron lenses. The 28-75 f/2.8 and also the 17-35 f/2.8-4mm and all 3 have been exceptional to say the least.
AF - Lets get to what everyone is concerned about...Auto Focus. I have two Nikons that I've use this lens on. A D5000 (cropped 1.5x sensor) that I use for quick pics of the kids and vacations (non paying gigs) and a D700 full frame for my professional paying gigs and if the kids have very special events like my daughters kindergarten graduation. I'm really not seeing what everyone is fussing about this lens AF's just as fast as my Nikon DX lens....55-200 VR for example. I use this lens for in and out doors and have never had a problem with it auto focusing. It's like any lens you use.....take a person dressed in black standing in front of a black background and any lens will have a hard time trying to find the focus. Adjust your focal point on the face where the contrast is different and boom it finds it. This is only rare occasions but it does happen sometimes and it also happens with my Nikkors. One thing I do notice is my D700 AF quicker compared to my D5000. It's not by much but it is noticeable, but not an issue. I honestly believe it's due to the difference of the AF systems in the two cameras. D700 is known for its superb AF.
AF Accuracy - Spot on, never a problem. I have my D700 set where it will not release the shutter unless it's in focus and I've never have had a problem with it being fooled or hunting for focus unless it's in a dark closet.
AF loudness - Is the Tamron louder than the Nikkor lenses when Auto focusing? Yes it is. It's not quiet but it's not loud by any means. You have to remember you're the one looking through the viewfinder and of course you're going to hear it. Others won't even notice it. The shutter closing/opening when taking a picture is twice as loud as the Tamron AF system. It's not even an issue. I don't know if I would take it out to the Amazon taking pics of dangerous and exotic animals where my life depended on it......but then again you'd still probably be ok. Remember the shutter is louder than the auto focus.....again it's not even an issue I don't think.
Sharpness - Super sharp at all focal lengths. I've actually have been very pleased with all of my Tamrons and the sharpness it produces. When hand held at 200mm 2.8 it is a tad softer but 95% of that is due to camera shake. I've tested this and have mounted it on a tripod at that setting with sharp as a tack results. Vibration Reduction or Tamrons VC would be a huge plus but it's not totally necessary.
Construction - Very well made, very hefty and durable. I've used Nikons version and it's a fantastic piece of engineering that is weather sealed, built like a tank and is without a doubt more durable. I think this is where the price difference is. The Tamron is not cheap feeling by any means. When you hold it you know its made very well but the Nikon just takes that to another level which is why its 00 plus US dollars and the fact this it has Vibration Reduction. If you're going to be going through some rugged terrain on a paid photo shoot it would only make sense to purchase the Nikon. Honestly if you took care of the Tamron and kept it clean I'm sure it could make it out fine also but I wouldn't try it.
Overall - Superb sharpness, old school but very effective AF system and AF accuracy, AF noise is not a problem and is really not even loud enough to even mention in this review but I know people have brought it up and are concerned. I'm 100% pleased. Even if I would have paid more I still would have been pleased but that's the beauty of Tamron. Giving you a great professional lens at a great price. Quick story: I was outside under the patio just a couple of days ago taking pics of the massive storm that we had here in Oklahoma using this lens. I would AF on the clouds and press the shutter and to my surprise the shutter would not release. Remember I have it set where it will not take the pic unless it's in perfect focus. After a few times of this I was getting very frustrated and thought to myself........this is what everyone must be talking about when they mean the Tamron has trouble AFing. Few seconds later the shutter goes off taking pics of nothing. I'm thoroughly confused now and then it hit me. Just a day earlier I was taking some self portraits for my online profile and I was using the auto delay 20 second timer and I still had it in that setting.......sigh.....I was quick to blame the Tamron....poor Tamron.
8/19/10 UPDATE:
I've owned this lens going on 3 months now and have used it extensively for indoor events (weddings) and low light evening portrait sessions. I'm still very pleased with the performance. There is one thing I'm a little disappointed in but its not a deal breaker but enough to drop my original 5 star rating to a 4.5.
Sharpness -
At f2.8 and 200mm the sharpness takes a hit some, its actually more of a soft image.....especially in low lighting. If you back off the focal length to 165mm or under it improves. Stopping down to f4 is razor sharp. Its annoying that I can't use f2.8 for razor sharp pics but in reality there's not a lot of lens that are razor sharp when completely stopped down to its maximum, with the exception to some. I'm finding all my Tamrons are this way at f2.8. Of course when asking owners of the 50 Nikon 24-70 2.8 and 00 Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR they all say its tack sharp at 2.8.
Auto focusing -
Its still does a great job at AFing but now that I'm getting used to other lenses in my bag (Nikon primes and Tamron Zooms) and then coming back to this 70-200 I am seeing a difference in speed. Its not much and its not a problem but I do feel the difference. Its a tad slower....even slower than my Tamron 28-75 2.8 which in my opinion is still fast. My Tamron 17-35 2.8 does not have internal AF and is a screwdriver cam type where you rely on the camera to do the AFing. Its so fast that it can become violent..it will take your finger off if not careful...ha,ha.
Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Feature
- Fast f 2.8 telephoto zoom
- Excellent macro magnification of 1:3.1
- Includes case and lens hood
- Removable lightweight Tripod Holder
- 6 year manufacturers warranty
Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Overview
While overall dimensions are confined to the absolute minimum, the new SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 zoom lens is packed with features that allow stress-free photography: a versatile MFD of just 37.4 over the entire zoom range; best-in-class maximum macro magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at f=200mm; and an advantageous internal focusing (IF) system. The new tele-zoom lens covers a desirable focal length range of 70mm medium telephoto to 200mm telephoto when mounted on full-size format SLR cameras and a focal length range from 109mm to 310mm* ultra telephoto when mounted on a DSLR camera with an APS-C sized imager.
Customer Reviews
Great lens for a great price! - Ultraretard -
Before I bought this lens, the biggest fear I have is the slow auto focus in low light. After shooting with it for a few days I can safely that it is almost a none factor for amature photographers and most people who rarely shoots in very low light conditions, I would say if you shoots in day light most of the time, dont worry about it, I felt like it focuses almost as fast as the 18-55 kit lens that comes with nikon cameras.
The other thing I worried about is the size and weight, it looks intimating for people who are not used to this class of lens. And because I use a nikon D60 a fairly small and light body for SLR, I was worried it would be very unbalanced and hard to use. After taking a it with me and holding it in my hand for a entire day at the San Diego Zoo, I felt like its not bad at all! just make sure to hold by the neck of the lens instead of the camera body when you are walking around. With the lens hood attached, it will make anyone look like a professional
The price/image quality ratio is outstanding considering the Nikon 70-200 and Canon 70-200 F2.8 both cost an arm and a leg to get. For this price range, I think there is hardly a lens that can beat this in picture quality and functionality ( atleast for the price I paid for, around 650 refurb from amazonwarehouse ). On Dpreview, they rated the picture quality on par in most cases with the nikon and cannon lens, and in some situations even surpassing them. F2.8 creates great bokeh, and the 70-200 range is perfect for shooting outdoors/macros.
Only draw backs I can think of, is that you need another lens such as the 18-55 f2.8/3.5-5.3 or 35mm f1.8 for shooting close range/wide angle shots. and because there is no image stabilization, a tripod is a must for shooting with slower shutter speeds, from my experience 1/30 is fairly ok, but at 1/6 I had to shoot multiple times to get image that is not overly blurry. ( the lens is fairly heavy, so people with stronger arm strength may get better results shooting free hand, my gf found it difficult to do this since the lens is heavy for her )
In conculsion I would strongly recommend this lens to anyone who are looking for a zoom lens for shooting outdoors/macro/people at day time. It is a great alternative to the 18-200vr considering the image quality, f2.8, price. If you do consider using this lens in low light conditions you should probably look at getting a tripod and flash.
One of the best pressional telephoto lenses - Sami Pitts - Sioux Falls, SD
Before purchasing this lens, I did a lot of research and read plenty of reviews. Not everyone said this lens was good but I went to a local camera store in town and got to test one out. I have to say hands down that I have no doubts about this lens and am very happy to have spent the money on it. I recommend this lens to anyone who don't want to spend an arm and a leg for a professional telephoto lens but still want quality for what they pay for. I cannot say it's going to overcome the Canon Lens with IS of the same caliber but definitely up there along with it.
70-200 womder macro zoom! - Eriksson Tord - Sweden
This lens is very easy to get attached to, with its excellent sharpness, and good close up ability. Works well with my K-x, and balances very well on a monopod, or a tripod, or even handheld! It's macro ability is impressive, as it is easy to focus manually, which often is a bonus when taking macro shots.
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