Tamron 70-180 vs Sony 70-300 question.

Pelvsha said:

Hi I take landscape photos while hiking and my current lenses are Tamron 20-40 which I love and the Sony 70-300G.

This setup has worked for me for a while but the difference between the 2 is a bit of a joke. The Tamron is miles ahead in colour, contrast and sharpness when shooting the same scene.

Would I see the same huge differences between my Sony and the Tamron 70-180? It’s the G1 that I’m thinking of. I’m comfortable with losing the extra 120mm.

Appreciate any help.

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It sounds like your 70-300G might have a misalignment issue. That seems somewhat common with that lens. If you otherwise like it, it could be worth trying another one.

Both copies of the 70-180 VXD I tried had some misalignment, but the second copy was pretty good. It was sharper at the long end than the 200mm F2.8 primes I've had. It is too bad it is so much shorter than them. I had concerns about the cheap build of the Tamron and some erratic pulsing of the VXD motor(s), so when an opportunity to sell it came along I sold it.

If you're shooting landscapes, are you sure it's not the haze kicking in? I've had the GM2 look hazy and undetailed in far away shots across valleys. The 20-40 isn't going to be running into those issues anytime soon.

That being said, the 70-180 is going to be 'better' within the focal range. I reckon if you're happy being around 200mm and not the f/2.8, the 70-200 G II Macro might be a better bet.

dazzerfong said:

If you're shooting landscapes, are you sure it's not the haze kicking in? I've had the GM2 look hazy and undetailed in far away shots across valleys. The 20-40 isn't going to be running into those issues anytime soon.

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I understand what you mean about the haze but I was out yesterday and there was a noticeable difference between 40mm on the Tamron and 70mm on the Sony. The sky was beautifully blue and popping at 40mm and just plain dull at 70mm. I don’t think that has anything to do with haze but at the longer focal lengths yes definitely.

Pelvsha said:

Hi I take landscape photos while hiking and my current lenses are Tamron 20-40 which I love and the Sony 70-300G.

This setup has worked for me for a while but the difference between the 2 is a bit of a joke. The Tamron is miles ahead in colour, contrast and sharpness when shooting the same scene.

Would I see the same huge differences between my Sony and the Tamron 70-180? It’s the G1 that I’m thinking of. I’m comfortable with losing the extra 120mm.

Appreciate any help.

Click to expand...

In the real life shooting one will not notice striking difference between Tamron 70-180/2.8 and Sony G 70-300,between 70 and 180mm.

It seems like you have somehow faulty copy of the G70-300.Good copy of this lens is only good between 200-300 and good/very good at 70-200mm.Also colour rendition is better than Tamron's.

Pelvsha said:

dazzerfong said:

If you're shooting landscapes, are you sure it's not the haze kicking in? I've had the GM2 look hazy and undetailed in far away shots across valleys. The 20-40 isn't going to be running into those issues anytime soon.

Click to expand...

I understand what you mean about the haze but I was out yesterday and there was a noticeable difference between 40mm on the Tamron and 70mm on the Sony. The sky was beautifully blue and popping at 40mm and just plain dull at 70mm. I don’t think that has anything to do with haze but at the longer focal lengths yes definitely.

Click to expand...

Do you use any filter on the Sony?

Maxmolly7 said:

Pelvsha said:

dazzerfong said:

If you're shooting landscapes, are you sure it's not the haze kicking in? I've had the GM2 look hazy and undetailed in far away shots across valleys. The 20-40 isn't going to be running into those issues anytime soon.

Click to expand...

I understand what you mean about the haze but I was out yesterday and there was a noticeable difference between 40mm on the Tamron and 70mm on the Sony. The sky was beautifully blue and popping at 40mm and just plain dull at 70mm. I don’t think that has anything to do with haze but at the longer focal lengths yes definitely.

Click to expand...

Do you use any filter on the Sony?

Click to expand...

No filters