Preliminary assessment of the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC

I received this lens yesterday, so had chance to shoot mostly test shots. My previous experience with the lens in this class was Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 OS. Assessment so far:

Pros:

• Great sharpness wide open across large area -- larger area than the Sigma
• AF is fast and spot on -- similar to the Sigma
• VC is fantastic and just works -- better than the Sigma
• Build quality is great and feels sturdy -- better than the Sigma
• Apparently is weather resistant -- better than the Sigma

Cons:

• Like any lens in this class, it is heavy and tiring (so I bought a side strap)
• Like any lens in this class, there is focus breathing
• Price is higher, so value conscious people could get the Sigma
• Not as sharp as the Sigma in the center at 200mm f/2.8

Overall, I think this is the lens for me because it has more consistent performance wide open -- even at 200mm f/2.8, it is sharp. Combine with better built than the Sigma and cheaper than the Nikon, this is my lens.

Here is a test shot at 200mm f/2.8, just look at the street plate in 100% loup mode: