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Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro

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girello

girello

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Hello,

the Dpreview review for this lens indicates:
Member said:
Conclusion - Pros:

Excellent optical quality
Very good macro capability
Relatively lightweight for its class, but still generally solid build
Low price
Click to expand...
Member said:
Conclusion - Cons:

Slow and noisy autofocus motor
Somewhat clunky manual focus switchover mechanism
Tendency towards slight misfocusing (at least in Canon mount)
Click to expand...
What are the results in Sony/Minolta mount?

Don't we have an internal focusing motor in our cameras? Does this solve the issues with focusing?

If so, this would apparently make the Tamron a much better choice than the Sigma, isn't it?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Ciao!!

--
Girello - Back to Rome!!
A700
Minolta 100 f/2
Minolta 50 f/1.7
Minolta 35 f/2 RS
Minolta 17-35 f/2.8-4
Sigma 24-70 EX DG f/2.8
Sigma 70-300 APO DG
 
The sony version of the tamron relies on the in-body focus motor...that said, its slower and noisier than the Sigma HSM counterpart.

Slower and noisier, but sharper image quality? Or....
Faster and quieter, and decent image quality with the Sigma?

If I had to chose, i'd take sigma.

--
My Flickr - Still lots to learn....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simon_j/
 
I just bought and received my new Tammy 70-200/2.8 a week ago. I am very impressed with it so far. Those who say its slow to focus must be use to very fast lenses. I find it a lot faster than the 70-300G I had. The only time it is at all slow is if it misses focus and has to go through its range again (why no focus hold button). However, I have only had it do this once so far. Otherwise it locks really fast, and at least my copy is extremely accurate. As for sharpness, I am somewhat blown away by it. I expected sharp, but it is extremely sharp even wide open. I would buy it again in a heartbeat. I paid less that $825 shipped (Canadian) for mine so for the price it is amazing.

--

Sony A300 - Tamron 17-50/2.8 - Tamron 70-200/2.8 - Sony 50/1.8 - Kenko telepro 300 1.4 TC - extension tubes
 
It is not slow focusing or noisy on Sony. Very good IQ.

I don't get the "clunky" auto/manual focus switch over comment. Same mechanism as used on many lenses for years. Not as good as direct manual focus on a SSM lens but the mechanism is just fine.

Really good IQ - as good as the Sony version - some say better. I love mine.

Sigma HSM is also a good choice also - somewhat better focus speed but no focus limiter either so if it misses focus also slow running all the way in and out (although faster than the Tamron). If kept on target essentially both lenses focus at nearly the same speed - technique and background/foreground interference the big factor that will influence focus lock.

The clear advantage in focus speed goes to the Sony version as it has HSM and focus limiter.
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tom power
 
The big difference between the sigma and the tamron imo is sharpness wide open. The Tammy is extremely sharp wide open where the sigma I tried was very soft at 2.8, at 5.6 both were equal. However you buy these lenses for 2.8 so softness there is unacceptable imo.
--

Sony A300 - Tamron 17-50/2.8 - Tamron 70-200/2.8 - Sony 50/1.8 - Kenko telepro 300 1.4 TC - extension tubes
 
Well,

My copy of the Sigma 70-200 2.8 II HSM was sharper wide open than the 3 Tamron SP 70-200 2.8 I tried in the shop in September 2009. Faster focus too... So the choice was very simple...

My Sigma 70-200 is also sharper than my Tamron 28-75 at 70mm, where they should have about the same resolution in the centre and corners according to tests at http://www.photozone.de for example.

I guess I am very lucky with my Sigma...

--
coen

Remember http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies/mtf_faq
 
I can't knock the image quality. I've never once sat there and thought "wow. I wish this lens was sharper". It compares favorably to my 24-70 ZA @ 70mm (Although, the Zeiss IS definitely sharper)

The focus speed isn't too bad on the a700 and a850 but it does have a tendency to "hunt" between 140mm and 200mm which can be a bit exhaustive at times. I find myself zooming out to 100mm, locking focus and then zooming back in. (And reacquiring focus). The manual AF clutch isn't anything to worry about... you get used to it very quickly.

If I had a choice, I'd rather have a focus limiter switch on there so it doesn't hunt through the entire range if it misses focus.

Great lens for slower work but if you're shooting fast action at long distance, you're better off with the Sigma.
 
I love my Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro, I can't compare it to the Sigma equivalent but I can compare it to the Sony 70-400mm G SSM and the Tamron is every bit as sharp. I don't find the Tamron to be noisy in focus though a focus limiter switch would be nice.

With regards to Sigma, I have owned a number of their lenses and I don't really care for them, quality control seems to be an issue and if you get a good copy then good for you but I'm yet to get a good Sigma. My Tamron lens has been great.

P.S. It may be coinsidence but Sony does own a percentage share of Tamron.
 
Every single review, plus my own testing, has found the Sigma quite soft at 2.8
You have have the best copy in the world, be thankful
coen van dijk said:
Well,

My copy of the Sigma 70-200 2.8 II HSM was sharper wide open than the 3 Tamron SP 70-200 2.8 I tried in the shop in September 2009. Faster focus too... So the choice was very simple...

My Sigma 70-200 is also sharper than my Tamron 28-75 at 70mm, where they should have about the same resolution in the centre and corners according to tests at http://www.photozone.de for example.

I guess I am very lucky with my Sigma...

--
coen

Remember http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies/mtf_faq
Click to expand...
--

Sony A300 - Tamron 17-50/2.8 - Tamron 70-200/2.8 - Sony 50/1.8 - Kenko telepro 300 1.4 TC - extension tubes
 
I love this lens on my A700, but the focusing speede IS SLOW...and there is no focus limiter.
This is the only sin on this lens.
 
Slow compared to what? Its faster than the 70-300G imo, and it way faster than the beercan. What are you comparing it too?
christian carneiro said:
I love this lens on my A700, but the focusing speede IS SLOW...and there is no focus limiter.
This is the only sin on this lens.
Click to expand...
--

Sony A300 - Tamron 17-50/2.8 - Tamron 70-200/2.8 - Sony 50/1.8 - Kenko telepro 300 1.4 TC - extension tubes
 
I bought one a while ago and didn't get on too well with the slow AF, i decided to sell it and put the money towards a faster one but even then i couldn't fault the actual output the sharpness and colour rendition.

However as often happens no one was willing to pay a decent price and i got some rather silly and i suppose in a way insulting offers , i refused to give the lens away so since then i have been working with the lens to try to get a technique going to help with the focus.

Maybe one day i'll post a few but i need to get out and about in the light to work on the routine. There are a couple of shots in my gallery from my first tries,,,,but as can bee seen , not much chance of the subject moving so the AF wasn't an issue.
 
tleeds said:
I can't knock the image quality. I've never once sat there and thought "wow. I wish this lens was sharper". It compares favorably to my 24-70 ZA @ 70mm (Although, the Zeiss IS definitely sharper)

The focus speed isn't too bad on the a700 and a850 but it does have a tendency to "hunt" between 140mm and 200mm which can be a bit exhaustive at times. I find myself zooming out to 100mm, locking focus and then zooming back in. (And reacquiring focus). The manual AF clutch isn't anything to worry about... you get used to it very quickly.
Click to expand...
The Sony 70-200 ssm has

the same problem. I also have to zoom out to be able to track cyclist at indoor trackcycling events. Between 120 and 200 its practically impossible to track anything!

Kind regards

David
tleeds said:
If I had a choice, I'd rather have a focus limiter switch on there so it doesn't hunt through the entire range if it misses focus.

Great lens for slower work but if you're shooting fast action at long distance, you're better off with the Sigma.
Click to expand...
--

 
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=1386&start=15

The following were shot with Sony A200 at ISO 1600 full open with shutter speed unknown for the first, 1/60, 1/250 and 1/30 respectively for the others at a distance of 12 metres or about 36 feet...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1037&message=33248349

See also:

http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3430

All jpg's straight out of the A200, no post-processing at all. Posted on photobucket and reduced in size during the upload proces.

My Tamron 28-75 is useless under these lightning conditions. Very hard to get a sharp shot... as I discovered at a concert. Very inconvenient at the time in a small space. The Sigma saved me :-)

I bought these 2.8 lenses for use in dim concert halls. I'm very happy with my Sigma.

--
coen

Remember http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies/mtf_faq
 
no offense, but those concert shots are far from sharp
coen van dijk said:
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=1386&start=15

The following were shot with Sony A200 at ISO 1600 full open with shutter speed unknown for the first, 1/60, 1/250 and 1/30 respectively for the others at a distance of 12 metres or about 36 feet...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1037&message=33248349

See also:

http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3430

All jpg's straight out of the A200, no post-processing at all. Posted on photobucket and reduced in size during the upload proces.

My Tamron 28-75 is useless under these lightning conditions. Very hard to get a sharp shot... as I discovered at a concert. Very inconvenient at the time in a small space. The Sigma saved me :-)

I bought these 2.8 lenses for use in dim concert halls. I'm very happy with my Sigma.

--
coen

Remember http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies/mtf_faq
Click to expand...
--

Sony A300 - Tamron 17-50/2.8 - Tamron 70-200/2.8 - Sony 50/1.8 - Kenko telepro 300 1.4 TC - extension tubes
 
Lyle From Canada said:
Slow compared to what? Its faster than the 70-300G imo, and it way faster than the beercan. What are you comparing it too?
Click to expand...
The Tamron 70-200 f2.8 is as fast as the Beercan in good light conditions, but in low light conditions, the Beercan focus faster and accurately.

The Minolta/Sony 70-200 f2.8 focus faster than the Tamrom.

I haven't try the Sigma 70-200 but, DK did for a review, and kekp the lens. He didn't kept the Tamron and he didn't even bother to write a review of it (because he was so frustrated that he just sent the lens back)

I'm happy with my Tamron, but just because I don't shoot sports or anything moving. It is a nice portrait lens and it could be a wonderful travel/landscape lens if it were not that big (this remark applies to the Sigma and Minolta/Sony lenses too)

BTW, the close focus/macro properties of the Tamron are a big advantage over the Minolta/Sony and the Sigma.

Regards

--
Pako Dominguez
-----------------------
http://www.phototeka.net
 
A few reviews read of this lens in the Canikon mount with the in lens focus motor which is very slow and the lens developed a reputation for being very slow focusing.

It is not very slow or very fast it is a normal focus speed for a big zoom using the in body focus motor but the tone has been set and people will believe what they believe.

Any long lens (over 150mm on APSC) will have difficulty focusing in the distance with a busy background as it is hard to hold steady at that distance and difficult for the focus to lock as the camera wanders around. Camera does not know if you want to focus on the fence post or the tree behind it or the branch in front of it as you wobble around at that focal length. Now if you can hold steady on your object no problem.

This is the same problem with my 70-300G SSM - try following a small bird flying with that one - but not the lenses fault just the nature of the camera.

Technique very important with longer focal lengths but Tamron is not "really slow focusing" but certainly not as fast as Sigma or Sony version.

--
tom power
 
You must have a bad copy. I have had 7 beercans, and tried 3 tammy 70-200's while buying, and the beercan in even close in focusing speed, regardless of lighting. I also find the Tammy more accurate than any of the 7 beercans I had. As for sharpness and purple fringing, its simply no contest.
pako said:
The Tamron 70-200 f2.8 is as fast as the Beercan in good light conditions, but in low light conditions, the Beercan focus faster and accurately.
Click to expand...
pako said:
--
Pako Dominguez
-----------------------
http://www.phototeka.net
Click to expand...
--

Sony A300 - Tamron 17-50/2.8 - Tamron 70-200/2.8 - Sony 50/1.8 - Kenko telepro 300 1.4 TC - extension tubes
 
Probably you have 7 bad Beercan copies. Mine was not the best and even then, focus as fast as the Tamron...

The Tamron have many advantages but focus speed is not one of them. As I told you, I like my Tamron -and I sold the Beercan because the Tamron has a better image quality (what is not surprising if you realize that a new design is meant to work better on digital) So I can understand why you love (and defend) yours.

Regards

Pako Dominguez
Lyle From Canada said:
You must have a bad copy. I have had 7 beercans, and tried 3 tammy 70-200's while buying, and the beercan in even close in focusing speed, regardless of lighting. I also find the Tammy more accurate than any of the 7 beercans I had. As for sharpness and purple fringing, its simply no contest.
Lyle From Canada said:
The Tamron 70-200 f2.8 is as fast as the Beercan in good light conditions, but in low light conditions, the Beercan focus faster and accurately.
Click to expand...
Lyle From Canada said:
--
Pako Dominguez
-----------------------
http://www.phototeka.net
Click to expand...
--

Sony A300 - Tamron 17-50/2.8 - Tamron 70-200/2.8 - Sony 50/1.8 - Kenko telepro 300 1.4 TC - extension tubes
Click to expand...
--
Pako Dominguez
-----------------------
http://www.phototeka.net
 
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