[raider]

Hi

I am inclined to get the Tamron 28-75mm/f2.8 for my K100D.

Anyone uses this lens and can give some feedbacks and opinions?

Thanks

[Kingsofronin]

Yeah. its a good lens. Cant reccomend it over the DA* 16-50, but its a fantastic value and has an ever broader focal range.

[carpents]

Yeah. its a good lens. Cant reccomend it over the DA* 16-50, but its a fantastic value and has an ever broader focal range.

You've done a comparison between the Tamron 28-75 and the DA* 16-50? Can you link to it? I'd love to see one.

Hi

I am inclined to get the Tamron 28-75mm/f2.8 for my K100D.

Anyone uses this lens and can give some feedbacks and opinions?

Thanks

Put plainly, if the Tamron had Pentax wrappings, it would be called the FA* 28-75/2.8, would be heralded as the Second Coming, and no real Pentaxian would be without one. It is as sharp as you really want, even at f/2.8, and has a nicely rendered bokeh. I like to consider it a much cheaper way to replace the 31/1.8 and 77/1.8 without losing much.

I saw a comparison between it and the doubly-expensive FA* 28-70/2.8 and it came to a draw. Quite a feat, IMO.

[raider]

I primarily wanted the Tamron to be my main lens but it also come with a bonus macro feature. It is capable of 1 x 1.39. Is this good enuf for closeup shots? I know it cant beat the Tamron 90 which is capable of 1:1, but what is your experience of using this lens for closeup?

[egordon99]

I LOVE my Tamron 28-75mm. Here is a shot from today (Mill Grove, near Philly)

Taken @ f/6.3, but I never hesitate to use it WIDE open for a shallow DOF or fast shutter speed. I don't have any limiteds (I can always bug Sean to borrow his ), but my FA 50mm f/1.4 and 35mm f/2.0 are VERY jealous of the Tamron. I have no need for the new Pentax 16-50mm as I prefer the Tamron's focal length (if I need wide angle I have my Sigma 10-20mm)

[egordon99]

I'd say unless you need to get a closeup of a bug's eyes, the 28-75mm should work pretty well. For flowers, it's GREAT lens. I have the Sigma 105mm which does 1:1 (like the Tamron 90mm), but I rarely use it at 1:1 as I think I prefer florals to buggies.

I primarily wanted the Tamron to be my main lens but it also come with a bonus macro feature. It is capable of 1 x 1.39. Is this good enuf for closeup shots? I know it cant beat the Tamron 90 which is capable of 1:1, but what is your experience of using this lens for closeup?

[Duh_Vinci]

Great value for the money, sharp even at f2.8! Check out a recent post by Chris https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/10567-paid-work-hot-body-contest.html

Regards,
D

[carpents]

I primarily wanted the Tamron to be my main lens but it also come with a bonus macro feature. It is capable of 1 x 1.39. Is this good enuf for closeup shots? I know it cant beat the Tamron 90 which is capable of 1:1, but what is your experience of using this lens for closeup?

I agree with Evan.

[Peter Zack]

I have to agree with Carpents. I was seriously looking at the FA*28-70 and the Tamron. Bought the Tamron after doing as much research as possible and emailing owners of both lenses. I don't regret the decision one bit. Sharp at all apertures and even good in the corners at almost all speeds (have you ever read anyone not say that a zoom was a little soft in the corners wide open?) . Fast, good AF speed. good build quality and nice bokeh. The Multi Coating seems very good as well and I've taken shots with the sun visible in the frame and the flare is very well controled. The Close focusing (I don't consider anything less than 1:2 a macro) is decent and handy when you're not carrying the entire kit.

Frankly I see nothing to complain about with this lens and 75% of the time this is my walk about lens. One guy I spoke to had an FA* and bought a Tamron. He had both for about a month and tested them against each other. He felt there was basically no difference between them with only the slight edge going to the FA* for slightly nicer colours.
Pretty high praise for the Tamron, indeed!!

[FotoPete]

Very sharp! hmpf...I'll look into this matter when I have a full time job haha.

[Mr Hyde]

Put plainly, if the Tamron had Pentax wrappings, it would be called the FA* 28-75/2.8, would be heralded as the Second Coming, and no real Pentaxian would be without one. It is as sharp as you really want, even at f/2.8, and has a nicely rendered bokeh. I like to consider it a much cheaper way to replace the 31/1.8 and 77/1.8 without losing much.

I saw a comparison between it and the doubly-expensive FA* 28-70/2.8 and it came to a draw. Quite a feat, IMO.

You just made me a happy camper. I ordered this lens while I was on vacation last week. FEd Ex tried to deliver it Saturday (home delivery) but I was still away. I'll have to wait till Tuesday when they come back for re-delivery. I read good things about the lens here on the forum but yours is one glowing review. Tomorrow will be a long day....

Edit..... I just read through the rest of the thread and now I'm salivating.....

[Macneil]

After reading this, I'm looking at my Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 with an evil eye! I am jealous of that Tamron!

[skaktuss]

Little advice: before buying this lens, test it!!!! And test it for real!!
I bought mine and all of the images are soft. It is a good known tamron 28-75 problem, back/front focuss, and overall softness for some copies. I wouldn't bother about the color rendering (my old manual lenses render much beautiful colors), but softness is unforgivable. I've emailed to Tamron europe about calibrating and repairing, I hope everything will end ok and I'll have a sharp tamron as it has to be.