Tamron 70-300 VC second copy - first impression

If any of you followed me the last time, you know i got a copy of this lens that was relatively sharp, but started getting error messages and needed to be returned.

Well, I did go ahead and try a second copy of the lens and can report some initial thoughts.

Build: The new copy is also very clean. No dust behind the front element (or back) as has been reported by so many users. Of course this could change! The zoom ring is very good, as good or even better than the last copy. If I concentrate, I can feel a slight difference in resistance from 200-300, but it's momentary. Pretty linear overall. The focus ring really couldn't be any better.

Image quality: Wow. This is very different from the last lens from my first similar tests. I'm not getting nearly as much of the halo-glowing effect on bright objects. In fact it's absent in many nearly identical shots. 300 wide open is much sharper, and very sharp at f8. It's like another lens. The only thing really similar is the "gray veil" that seems to come on at the long end - and is easily fixed.

AF: The only place the lens seems to fall flat still. It's still fairly fast and quiet - but prone to hunt for no apparent reason. I'd say so far about 3 out of 5 are sharp, the rest being close but no cigar, or not even close. Again, I'll be shooting as many stationary objects as I can first, and then go for moving objects and AI servo. If I find it's me (and it could be), the lens is a keeper. If I still have problems, it's a bit more up in the air. For the moment, the miss rate seems a bit higher than the old lens.

Yes, I'm expecting way too much from this thing - and for $350 it's a steal. I'll need a higher keeper rate though for me to make room in my bag for it - but it could still pass muster.

Below are direct from Camera JPEG, Neutral Picture Style 0,0,0,0.

This is a 100% 1:1 crop from above photo

These yellow flowers in direct sunlight freaked out my last copy of the lens

This banana plant is good to show the fine ribbing - which is actually pretty subtle

Of course at around 200 the lens is incredibly sharp - almost as good as my Sigma 17-50. Hot dog!