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Photo

The new Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD

70-200mm tamron

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40 replies to this topic

#1
pjman792

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I recently purchased the new Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD lens, and it's an outstanding performer. I really wanted the Nikkor 70-200mm, but at a thousand dollars less, the Tamron is a steal. Most importantly, it's terrific optically, too, as good as the Nikkor in almost all areas. The vibration reduction feature is fantastic, too. I was able to hand-hold when shooting at f2.8 at 200mm with a shutter speed of a half-second, and get a sharp image. The lens auto-focuses on my D3s and D700 instantly, and is virtually silent. I did notice some very slight vignetting wide open, but it's greatly reduced at f4, and disappears by f5.6. Plus, I got a $150 rebate from Tamron, which pushed my purchase price down to about $1,300. It's abig lens, but not quite as heavy as the Nikkor equivalent. The Tamron weighs in at 3.24 lbs., compared to 3.4lbs for the Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G VR II. The Tamron stops down to f32, compared to f22 for the Nikkor. 

 

The photo of the pennant was shot hand-held at 200mm at f2.8, at a shutter speed of one-half second. Pretty impressive, if you ask me!

 

Testpic2_zps4cd71da0.jpg
 
 



#2
Afterimage

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Thanks for the quick review, I have been eyeing this lens since before the holidays and will likely pick it up with my Tax Return money :)



#3
Russ

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I've read good things about it elsewhere too.



#4
Thumper

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Nice!

#5
fbaltona

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I recently purchased the new Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD lens, and it's an outstanding performer. I really wanted the Nikkor 70-200mm, but at a thousand dollars less, the Tamron is a steal. Most importantly, it's terrific optically, too, as good as the Nikkor in almost all areas. The vibration reduction feature is fantastic, too. I was able to hand-hold when shooting at f2.8 at 200mm with a shutter speed of a half-second, and get a sharp image.

I say buy with confidence!


I agree.

After taking photos at a indoor valedrome cycling event with a 70-300 dx lens I knew that I needed something better and quicker. After reading review after review I knew that my budget would only allow for the tamron 70-200 2.8 vc lens. But even though it's a cheaper lens it doesn't sacrifice quality and sharpness of images. I love it. Plus it's pretty lite.
Here's a photo that I took with this lensImageUploadedByTapatalk1390429958.891082.jpg

#6
PrettyCranium

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Good-looking image!



#7
Afterimage

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I'm really thinking that the Tammy 70-200 w/ teleconverter on a D7100 body would make an outstanding birding combo. I think I really really want this lens!



#8
nbanjogal

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Thanks for the review--this lens is at the top of my list.



#9
funny peculiar

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I agree.

After taking photos at a indoor valedrome cycling event with a 70-300 dx lens I knew that I needed something better and quicker. After reading review after review I knew that my budget would only allow for the tamron 70-200 2.8 vc lens. But even though it's a cheaper lens it doesn't sacrifice quality and sharpness of images. I love it. Plus it's pretty lite.Here's a photo that I took with this lensattachicon.gifImageUploadedByTapatalk1390429958.891082.jpg


And that looks like a football team I support in your photo - Wellington Phoenix FCC?

#10
Russ

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Best not mention them after that last match...



#11
fbaltona

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Yep. That was Wellington Phoenix match at AAMI park this season.
I won't mention the game we just played. But we (Heart) are back.

#12
funny peculiar

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Congratulations fbaltona.

 

I was at the match in Wellington yesterday as I'm a Phoenix foundation season ticket holder.  Two good sides and I was aware that the Melbourne Heart had hit form, so was not completely surprised by a loss but was by the margin.  The accuracy of the Heart shooting was the best I have ever seen in an A-League game.  The standard is improving every season.

 

Sorry everyone else for this off topic wandering:)



#13
Afterimage

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Well I did it... tax return money well spent! This is a really nice lens. The AF is very fast and the optics are great. Once I get some "worthy" pics (ie ... not just of my cat LOL) I'll put some up.



#14
fbaltona

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Well I did it... tax return money well spent! This is a really nice lens. The AF is very fast and the optics are great. Once I get some "worthy" pics (ie ... not just of my cat LOL) I'll put some up.

congratulations on purchase. Looking forward to some photos.

#15
Moester1955

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My first sports pic with my Nikon D610 and Tamron 70-200. Just switched systems, this was the next day. ISO 6400

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  • DSC_0160m.jpg


#16
Afterimage

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I have the lens in hand but haven't had it out for a real workout yet... just a few snaps and test shots here and there. I have to say that it is pretty impressive with decent sharpness and focusing. I'm dying to get it out as the day's primary lens though... come on spring! Hurry up! ;)

 

torch.jpg

 

Desi.jpg

 

nimby.jpg

 

 

 



#17
dcbear78

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Just ordered one of these along with its smaller brother the 24-70mm as my first foray into Nikon cameras. Hope I won't be disappointed.

#18
dcbear78

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Thought I'd re-visit this thread with my opinion and a few of my shots so far.....
 

As far as the lens goes I have absolutely no complaints. It focuses as fast as any lens I have seen. If the Nikon one is faster there can't be much in it. Focus is dead silent, not one bit of noise. It's big n heavy as any 70-200mm f2.8 with image stabilisation is. I find it more than acceptable to use from wide open. So far I have seen no CA. PF or other distortion to speak of (unlike my Pentax primes). Looking through my photos I don't have a great deal to show, but that is more due to the fact most of my shooting is in the focal ranges <50mm. But for some of the corporate and industrial stuff I have done so far, that I cannot show due to it being in a future publication, it has been an amazing work horse.

 

Wide open at f2.8

15905330155_db1b771879.jpg

Matt and Renee by Crew One Photography, on Flickr

 

15905162865_e92a992505.jpg

Matt and Renee by Crew One Photography, on Flickr

 

This was a test of the lenses sharpness and the cropping power of the D810. Moon shot handheld at 200mm, f5.6 and then cropped from 36mp down to 1/2mp. Still looks pretty good to me. Obviously a longer lens will do this better.

16187872456_7991bd992f.jpg

Moon by Crew One Photography, on Flickr

 

Obviously good at portraits. Both at f4.

16271310245_d27fc9ede4.jpg

Ella by Crew One Photography, on Flickr

 

15651426323_0bd0f77a5b.jpg

Ella by Crew One Photography, on Flickr

 

 

I really can't think of any negatives from my experience so far. Yes it is big and heavy, but that is what these lenses are. It is no bigger or heavier than it's rivals. I haven't used any others to really provide a good comparison. From my understanding the Tamron and Nikon lenses have their zoom and focus rings around the opposite way to each other. If so, I think Tamron really nailed the ergonomics as I couldn't imagine having the zoom ring being the one closer to the body.

 

Considering you can buy this lens plus the Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 VC for the price of just the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRii, and both are at least on par if not better than their Nikon equivalents.... Well to me the choice was obvious.

 

Forgot this one. One of the first shots I took with my new Nikon set up. Testing out the low light ability of the camera and the image stabilisation of the lens (still unsure how low I can safely go).

15799696482_8830d7deb0.jpg

East Shores Park by Crew One Photography, on Flickr



#19
nbanjogal

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Wondering if I got a bad copy--I just got mine today, and my first impression is that it's a bit soft. I think I got one or two tack sharp images out of about 40. Autofocus seems quite slow, and it's almost like the focus is off. I took several photos of my little girl and had my focus point right on her eye--only one of those had the eye sharp. The others seemed to be focused on her hair (she was in semi-profile). I'll try again tomorrow, but so far, I'm not as impressed as I thought I would be. I usually rent the Nikkor 70-200 and had heard and read such great reviews of this one that I thought I couldn't go wrong by saving $1000. Hm. Might have to return it and save up for the Nikkor if I can't figure out why things are looking so shoddy. I don't think it's the camera--I can get tack sharp images out of any of my other lenses (including my cheapo Rokinon, ha ha!).

 

I did try experimenting with the VC on and off...



#20
dcbear78

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Must be something wrong. Mine is brutally sharp.





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