Taking the Tammy 70-200mm for a spin

raider · 07-31-2010, 12:27 AM

I have the same lens and while i am rather pleased with it, i find it also a little too big and clumsy to carry around all day and it gets tiring on the hands as well. It is a good lens but i find i just dont use this lens enuf.

**nater** · 08-01-2010, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by raider

I have the same lens and while i am rather pleased with it, i find it also a little too big and clumsy to carry around all day and it gets tiring on the hands as well. It is a good lens but i find i just dont use this lens enuf.

In case there is some confusion for other readers, Tamron is actually the lightest in this entire class of lenses. All the other competitive f/2.8 lenses - Sigma EX 70-200mm, Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro 80-200mm, Pentax FA* ED IF 80-200mm - are bigger/heavier lenses. If you want something lighter than the Tamron in that focal length, you'll have to look at lenses which are not constant f/2.8.

**jpzk** · 08-01-2010, 06:53 PM

I like this lens a lot. Frankly, I am always surprised to se the results, which have been great.
Albeit large and heavy, it can do a lot!
JP

**jpzk** · 08-01-2010, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by nater

In case there is some confusion for other readers, Tamron is actually the lightest in this entire class of lenses. All the other competitive f/2.8 lenses - Sigma EX 70-200mm, Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro 80-200mm, Pentax FA* ED IF 80-200mm - are bigger/heavier lenses. If you want something lighter than the Tamron in that focal length, you'll have to look at lenses which are not constant f/2.8.

That's the price to pay for a fixed focal length lens of this type.

**Ash** · 08-02-2010, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by jpzk

That's the price to pay for a fixed focal length lens of this type.

I'm sure you meant fixed maximum aperture lens (throughout its focal range) - and even still it's not all that much heavier than the DA* 200... it's comfortable to handhold (when done by the barrel of the lens) and isn't hard to stabilise despite the added weight.

guillermovilas · 08-14-2010, 01:57 AM

On my k-x , AF fast enough for sports ? motorbikes on circuit
From what i"ve read , it's just about the only major problem with this lens ?

**Ash** · 08-14-2010, 03:34 AM

I've had no trouble locking focus at any distance with this lens, and that's with a K20D and K10D, whether in good or bad lighting conditions - AF focusing technique is indelibly critical in sports and low light situations.

This doesn't mean that in tough conditions it does not hunt a little before finally locking focus...

**Fookus** · 08-17-2010, 10:02 AM

I shot this bird by hand with the Tammy

cheers Marcel

Ecaterin · 09-30-2010, 07:07 PM

Went out today just intending to get back in the swing of things (September was given over to adjusting to the school year - I had no brain for anything creative!). I ended up with some really nice fall shots from the Tamron 70-200 2.8 I find I like this lens more and more

[more from this set over at my blog

]

Ecaterin · 10-30-2010, 10:05 PM

What, no new posts lauding and praising the Tamron 70-200? Clearly this thread needs a bump

Had the honor of photographing a wee little baby this week, and I do adore this lens for portrait work. To do better in a zoom I guess you'd have to spend thousands - it's just a fantastic lens for this work.

Ecaterin · 11-14-2010, 01:16 AM

Along about spring, we started getting hummingbirds at our porch window. They would zip up, hover, look straight in the window, change orientation, look some more, emanate seriously exasperated vibes and then zip away. Over and over. Clearly we were being instructed to REMEDY THIS LACK OF FOOD SITUATION.

We are obedient people. We went and got a lovely ruby red glass feeder. I now watch about a dozen different hummingbirds come and go from our feeder all day. When I have the sliding glass door open, I'll hear them before I see them, a flurry of wings that beat against my hearing, an almost supersonic series of 'meeps!' They hover and sip sugar water, fearless and bright eyed. One female has gotten comfortable enough that she'll perch on the edge of the feeder flower, sipping nectar and resting for 5 minutes at a time. When the light is just right, I can see her yarn-needle thin tongue flickering into the glass feeder, and then again as she holds her head up in the sun between sips.

Tamron 70-200 200mm 1/500th f/2.8

200mm 1/640th f/2.8

Ecaterin · 12-08-2010, 05:19 PM

Hmmm. There seems to be a slow-ness problem in this thread. C'mon other 70-200 owners - share the joy!

A couple of shots of Mt. Baker from south Seattle:

SpecialK · 12-08-2010, 07:28 PM

200mm.

70mm.

Ecaterin · 12-09-2010, 09:32 AM

Lovely shot!

(yay - I'm not the only one posting in this thread anymore! that was getting embarrassing :P)

Originally posted by SpecialK

200mm.

70mm.

**jpzk** · 12-09-2010, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by Ash

I'm sure you meant fixed maximum aperture lens (throughout its focal range) - and even still it's not all that much heavier than the DA* 200... it's comfortable to handhold (when done by the barrel of the lens) and isn't hard to stabilise despite the added weight.

Ooops!! Yeah ...

That's what I meant!

Took the Tammy out again in very cold weather here ... works great as usual!
Pictures still on the SD card; I'll pulled them out later.

By the way ... GREAT photos up here! Congrats, guys!

JP

12-08-2010, 07:28 PM	#28
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	200mm. 70mm. Last edited by SpecialK; 04-07-2011 at 02:18 PM.

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07-31-2010, 12:27 AM	#16
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989	I have the same lens and while i am rather pleased with it, i find it also a little too big and clumsy to carry around all day and it gets tiring on the hands as well. It is a good lens but i find i just dont use this lens enuf.

08-01-2010, 04:45 PM	#17
nater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New England Photos: Albums Posts: 706	Originally posted by raider I have the same lens and while i am rather pleased with it, i find it also a little too big and clumsy to carry around all day and it gets tiring on the hands as well. It is a good lens but i find i just dont use this lens enuf. In case there is some confusion for other readers, Tamron is actually the lightest in this entire class of lenses. All the other competitive f/2.8 lenses - Sigma EX 70-200mm, Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro 80-200mm, Pentax FA* ED IF 80-200mm - are bigger/heavier lenses. If you want something lighter than the Tamron in that focal length, you'll have to look at lenses which are not constant f/2.8.

08-01-2010, 06:53 PM	#18
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	I like this lens a lot. Frankly, I am always surprised to se the results, which have been great. Albeit large and heavy, it can do a lot! JP

08-01-2010, 06:54 PM	#19
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by nater In case there is some confusion for other readers, Tamron is actually the lightest in this entire class of lenses. All the other competitive f/2.8 lenses - Sigma EX 70-200mm, Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro 80-200mm, Pentax FA* ED IF 80-200mm - are bigger/heavier lenses. If you want something lighter than the Tamron in that focal length, you'll have to look at lenses which are not constant f/2.8. That's the price to pay for a fixed focal length lens of this type.

08-02-2010, 12:35 AM	#20
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by jpzk That's the price to pay for a fixed focal length lens of this type. I'm sure you meant fixed maximum aperture lens (throughout its focal range) - and even still it's not all that much heavier than the DA* 200... it's comfortable to handhold (when done by the barrel of the lens) and isn't hard to stabilise despite the added weight.

08-14-2010, 01:57 AM	#21
guillermovilas Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hasselt , Belgium Posts: 224	On my k-x , AF fast enough for sports ? motorbikes on circuit From what i"ve read , it's just about the only major problem with this lens ?

08-14-2010, 03:34 AM	#22
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I've had no trouble locking focus at any distance with this lens, and that's with a K20D and K10D, whether in good or bad lighting conditions - AF focusing technique is indelibly critical in sports and low light situations. This doesn't mean that in tough conditions it does not hunt a little before finally locking focus...

08-17-2010, 10:02 AM	#23
Fookus Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 137	I shot this bird by hand with the Tammy cheers Marcel

09-30-2010, 07:07 PM	#24
Ecaterin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 723	Went out today just intending to get back in the swing of things (September was given over to adjusting to the school year - I had no brain for anything creative!). I ended up with some really nice fall shots from the Tamron 70-200 2.8 I find I like this lens more and more [more from this set over at my blog ]

10-30-2010, 10:05 PM	#25
Ecaterin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 723	What, no new posts lauding and praising the Tamron 70-200? Clearly this thread needs a bump Had the honor of photographing a wee little baby this week, and I do adore this lens for portrait work. To do better in a zoom I guess you'd have to spend thousands - it's just a fantastic lens for this work.

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11-14-2010, 01:16 AM	#26
Ecaterin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 723	Along about spring, we started getting hummingbirds at our porch window. They would zip up, hover, look straight in the window, change orientation, look some more, emanate seriously exasperated vibes and then zip away. Over and over. Clearly we were being instructed to REMEDY THIS LACK OF FOOD SITUATION. We are obedient people. We went and got a lovely ruby red glass feeder. I now watch about a dozen different hummingbirds come and go from our feeder all day. When I have the sliding glass door open, I'll hear them before I see them, a flurry of wings that beat against my hearing, an almost supersonic series of 'meeps!' They hover and sip sugar water, fearless and bright eyed. One female has gotten comfortable enough that she'll perch on the edge of the feeder flower, sipping nectar and resting for 5 minutes at a time. When the light is just right, I can see her yarn-needle thin tongue flickering into the glass feeder, and then again as she holds her head up in the sun between sips. Tamron 70-200 200mm 1/500th f/2.8 200mm 1/640th f/2.8

12-08-2010, 05:19 PM	#27
Ecaterin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 723	Hmmm. There seems to be a slow-ness problem in this thread. C'mon other 70-200 owners - share the joy! A couple of shots of Mt. Baker from south Seattle:

12-09-2010, 09:32 AM	#29
Ecaterin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 723	Lovely shot! (yay - I'm not the only one posting in this thread anymore! that was getting embarrassing :P) Originally posted by SpecialK 200mm. 70mm.

12-09-2010, 02:08 PM	#30
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Ash I'm sure you meant fixed maximum aperture lens (throughout its focal range) - and even still it's not all that much heavier than the DA* 200... it's comfortable to handhold (when done by the barrel of the lens) and isn't hard to stabilise despite the added weight. Ooops!! Yeah ... That's what I meant! Took the Tammy out again in very cold weather here ... works great as usual! Pictures still on the SD card; I'll pulled them out later. By the way ... GREAT photos up here! Congrats, guys! JP