Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2,8 Di LD [IF] MACRO

adwb · 08-09-2011, 12:48 PM

Does any one own a current version or fairly recently purchased Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2,8 Di LD [IF] MACRO lens?

I have read several reviews on both this and the Sigma version and the IQ of the Tammy seems to be superior but there are many concerns over the auto focus of the Tamron and the slowness of it and the poor manual operation option.

Comments anyone?

Winder · 08-09-2011, 12:55 PM

I used a borrowed copy on my K-7 and AF was very good. Not HSM fast, but still very fast. I think on the K-x/K-r it might be a little slower. The K-7/K-5 should be pretty fast.

**blackcloudbrew** · 08-09-2011, 01:31 PM

I own one and really like it. I read all the reviews too but have found in use that the switch to manual operations, for example, is a learned thing and I don't even think about it. The AF speed is ok, although if it has to hunt a bit it can be a bit slow. Again, I don't find it particularly limiting in use. Interestingly enough I can use it on my old film cameras too.

I have a high regard for this lens and have gotten some very good results with it. For the range that it covers, and the speed of the lens, it's a winner in my book. I formed that opinion on my K10/K20's but have been pleased that with the K5 it's even better.

Jodokast96 · 08-09-2011, 01:33 PM

On my K10D, it's about as fast as any other lens I have. What "poor manual operation option" are you referring to?

Mr. B · 08-09-2011, 01:53 PM

Optically, it's a wonderful lens. Focus is good, certainly not slow or inaccurate (K10D and K-7). Auto - manual switch needs a couple of days to get used to, but it's no big deal. If you find one at a good price, buy it!

Oh, and watch out for the sticky aperture problem

Jodokast96 · 08-09-2011, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by Mr. B

Oh, and watch out for the sticky aperture problem

When is the last time somebody had that issue? 2 years?

SpecialK · 08-09-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

When is the last time somebody had that issue? 2 years?

Probably.

Very happy with mine. A forum bigwig judged it awkward to hold :-) I suppose it could be if you don't move the tripod mount out of the way.

imtheguy · 08-09-2011, 03:02 PM

Just picked one up last week. As for the supposed noise, my copy is a bit quieter than the da55-300 and lower pitched or more muffled. I toss that in since you are familiar with the da55-300. I am not in love with the placement and size of the focus and zoom rings and yes, the extra step to manual focus is there too but once engaged and you have your hand on the correct ring, its far more functional as a MF lens than the da55-300 for example. Very easy to focus. Hunting is no worse than any other long zoom I have tried. If it misses and does a full rack, you will start working to miss less. Wish it was a sealed lens, wish it had an internal motor like the da18-135WR, yadda, yadda...But sharp! It can hurt your eyes at f4 and still very useful at f2.8. Since it focuses slightly closer than 1m its a great butterfly lens among other uses. Just came in from shooting bugs and flowers with it.

F/2.8 is there if you need it but I found it impossible to adjust the camera for all focal lengths indoors even under natural light. BF at 70mm and FF 200mm. But shooting 200mm at f/2.8 closeup is not something I have much use for fortunately. One stop up at f/4 put the subject with the DOF at all focal lengths with a slight adjustment after testing at135mm. I have to say again, it is very sharp. My usual sharpness test for a new lens is on a grey cat with strong indirect light and at 200mm and f/5.6 it was the sharpest I recall ever seeing. If I find it tonight I will post it as a sample.

One thing I dont see many people bringing up is the size and weight. Its a bigger lens than the da*300 for example so don't plan on hidding it in your pocket when going to a pro football game. The cost of a full-frame, f2.8 lens. Anyway, coming from someone with less than 10 days ownership, its a high-value lens and I really like it.

**blackcloudbrew** · 08-09-2011, 03:48 PM

I'll chime back in here and say that imtheguy has it spot on in my opinion. I'll add one more thing. If you want to make your camera look like the 'big boys' but a base on it and the Tammy and people will think you are a pro...it's that big. However, I've been told by a Nikon shooter that actually compared to what he would have the Tammy's a lot lighter.

imtheguy · 08-09-2011, 03:57 PM

Help me out Tim....a base?

adwb · 08-10-2011, 08:02 AM

Thanks every one ,
The reviews I found for some reason were all used on canon bodies, no other brand and while the IQ was reported as being superior to the Sigma version the Canon mount ones reviewed all seemed to have a problem locking on to focus in situations that surprised the reviewers. the manual focus system I am familiar with as I was lucky enough to buy a Tokina AF 28-70mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro SV recently which uses the same system and is a stunningly sharp lens.

Mr. B · 08-10-2011, 11:29 PM

Originally posted by Jodokast96

When is the last time somebody had that issue? 2 years?

I'm just saying... It was a very common issue and I don't know if where or how adwb will be buying the lens.

darrenleow · 08-10-2011, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

I'll chime back in here and say that imtheguy has it spot on in my opinion. I'll add one more thing. If you want to make your camera look like the 'big boys' but a base on it and the Tammy and people will think you are a pro...it's that big. However, I've been told by a Nikon shooter that actually compared to what he would have the Tammy's a lot lighter.

It's the same weight as a Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 lens

Jodokast96 · 08-11-2011, 12:40 AM

Originally posted by Mr. B

I'm just saying... It was a very common issue and I don't know if where or how adwb will be buying the lens.

Chances are even if it's a used lens, worst case is it had the problem and was fixed already.

Mike.P® · 08-11-2011, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by imtheguy

Help me out Tim....a base?

Grip?

08-09-2011, 12:48 PM	#1
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2,8 Di LD [IF] MACRO Does any one own a current version or fairly recently purchased Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2,8 Di LD [IF] MACRO lens? I have read several reviews on both this and the Sigma version and the IQ of the Tammy seems to be superior but there are many concerns over the auto focus of the Tamron and the slowness of it and the poor manual operation option. Comments anyone?

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08-09-2011, 12:55 PM	#2
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	I used a borrowed copy on my K-7 and AF was very good. Not HSM fast, but still very fast. I think on the K-x/K-r it might be a little slower. The K-7/K-5 should be pretty fast.

08-09-2011, 01:31 PM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	I own one and really like it. I read all the reviews too but have found in use that the switch to manual operations, for example, is a learned thing and I don't even think about it. The AF speed is ok, although if it has to hunt a bit it can be a bit slow. Again, I don't find it particularly limiting in use. Interestingly enough I can use it on my old film cameras too. I have a high regard for this lens and have gotten some very good results with it. For the range that it covers, and the speed of the lens, it's a winner in my book. I formed that opinion on my K10/K20's but have been pleased that with the K5 it's even better.

08-09-2011, 01:33 PM	#4
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	On my K10D, it's about as fast as any other lens I have. What "poor manual operation option" are you referring to?

08-09-2011, 01:53 PM	#5
Mr. B Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Varaždin, Croatia, Europe Photos: Gallery Posts: 295	Optically, it's a wonderful lens. Focus is good, certainly not slow or inaccurate (K10D and K-7). Auto - manual switch needs a couple of days to get used to, but it's no big deal. If you find one at a good price, buy it! Oh, and watch out for the sticky aperture problem

08-09-2011, 02:20 PM	#6
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	Originally posted by Mr. B Oh, and watch out for the sticky aperture problem When is the last time somebody had that issue? 2 years?

08-09-2011, 02:30 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Quote: When is the last time somebody had that issue? 2 years? Probably. Very happy with mine. A forum bigwig judged it awkward to hold :-) I suppose it could be if you don't move the tripod mount out of the way.

08-09-2011, 03:02 PM	#8
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Just picked one up last week. As for the supposed noise, my copy is a bit quieter than the da55-300 and lower pitched or more muffled. I toss that in since you are familiar with the da55-300. I am not in love with the placement and size of the focus and zoom rings and yes, the extra step to manual focus is there too but once engaged and you have your hand on the correct ring, its far more functional as a MF lens than the da55-300 for example. Very easy to focus. Hunting is no worse than any other long zoom I have tried. If it misses and does a full rack, you will start working to miss less. Wish it was a sealed lens, wish it had an internal motor like the da18-135WR, yadda, yadda...But sharp! It can hurt your eyes at f4 and still very useful at f2.8. Since it focuses slightly closer than 1m its a great butterfly lens among other uses. Just came in from shooting bugs and flowers with it. F/2.8 is there if you need it but I found it impossible to adjust the camera for all focal lengths indoors even under natural light. BF at 70mm and FF 200mm. But shooting 200mm at f/2.8 closeup is not something I have much use for fortunately. One stop up at f/4 put the subject with the DOF at all focal lengths with a slight adjustment after testing at135mm. I have to say again, it is very sharp. My usual sharpness test for a new lens is on a grey cat with strong indirect light and at 200mm and f/5.6 it was the sharpest I recall ever seeing. If I find it tonight I will post it as a sample. One thing I dont see many people bringing up is the size and weight. Its a bigger lens than the da*300 for example so don't plan on hidding it in your pocket when going to a pro football game. The cost of a full-frame, f2.8 lens. Anyway, coming from someone with less than 10 days ownership, its a high-value lens and I really like it.

08-09-2011, 03:48 PM	#9
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	I'll chime back in here and say that imtheguy has it spot on in my opinion. I'll add one more thing. If you want to make your camera look like the 'big boys' but a base on it and the Tammy and people will think you are a pro...it's that big. However, I've been told by a Nikon shooter that actually compared to what he would have the Tammy's a lot lighter.

08-09-2011, 03:57 PM	#10
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Help me out Tim....a base?

08-10-2011, 08:02 AM	#11
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636 Original Poster	Thanks every one , The reviews I found for some reason were all used on canon bodies, no other brand and while the IQ was reported as being superior to the Sigma version the Canon mount ones reviewed all seemed to have a problem locking on to focus in situations that surprised the reviewers. the manual focus system I am familiar with as I was lucky enough to buy a Tokina AF 28-70mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro SV recently which uses the same system and is a stunningly sharp lens.

08-10-2011, 11:29 PM	#12
Mr. B Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Varaždin, Croatia, Europe Photos: Gallery Posts: 295	Originally posted by Jodokast96 When is the last time somebody had that issue? 2 years? I'm just saying... It was a very common issue and I don't know if where or how adwb will be buying the lens.

08-10-2011, 11:42 PM	#13
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew I'll chime back in here and say that imtheguy has it spot on in my opinion. I'll add one more thing. If you want to make your camera look like the 'big boys' but a base on it and the Tammy and people will think you are a pro...it's that big. However, I've been told by a Nikon shooter that actually compared to what he would have the Tammy's a lot lighter. It's the same weight as a Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 lens

08-11-2011, 12:40 AM	#14
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	Originally posted by Mr. B I'm just saying... It was a very common issue and I don't know if where or how adwb will be buying the lens. Chances are even if it's a used lens, worst case is it had the problem and was fixed already.

08-11-2011, 12:55 PM	#15
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by imtheguy Help me out Tim....a base? Grip?