Loving my Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 (Football pics)

**FuzzyOne** · 10-26-2011, 07:44 PM - **1 Like**

I debated this purchase for a LONG time. Finally broke down and bought it. I went to a local store that had the Tamron and the Sigma in stock to try. I shot about 75 pictures in the store and couldn't see why people say the Sigma focuses faster than the Tamron? I recently bought the K-5 (have the K-20....sold the K-10 and K-100). It seemed to me the Tamron focused a lot faster!

I wanted a fast zoom for my son's football games. Usually by half-time, the lights are on and the Pentax 50-300 wasn't cutting it. Here are a few shots from a game the other night. The lens performed beautifully! I was lucky enough to get full access for the game. I only wish Pentax had an affordable 400 2.8 lens...but then again...I probably couldn't afford it. Kids are loving the pictures and I'm loving the lens on the K-5.

90% of the pictures were shot at f/2.8 and 800-1000. If you're on the fence, don't wait! I can't believe how sharp f/2.8 is with this lens...

And a little Photoshop!

Last edited by FuzzyOne; 10-26-2011 at 07:58 PM.

JinDesu · 10-26-2011, 07:47 PM

Awesome shots, especially that second one. The Tamron is supposed to be very good at focusing with the k-5, not so with the other cameras though. But the sharpness of that lens, yummm..

kenafein · 10-26-2011, 07:49 PM

Great shots, I want one, it's second on my list after a K-5.

Adam · 10-26-2011, 08:03 PM

Fantastic shots! (especially the effect in the last)

Adam
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jacpat1234 · 10-26-2011, 08:07 PM

Good shots....I am also considering between Tamron and Sigma but also have the concerns on auto-focus speed rumors on Tamron as I would like to take it for sports and some wildlife photos. Your comment ease my choice towards Tamron for better IQ.....Thanks !!

**blackcloudbrew** · 10-26-2011, 08:56 PM

I appreciate this thread. I would have loved to be able to try both the Sigma and Tamron lenses but alas, I only had the Tamron to try. I love mine and while I'm not a big action shooter, I find it excellent for my landscape work. Congrads and thanks for posting this.

adpo · 10-26-2011, 08:59 PM

great shots, i've been thinking of picking up one to shoot some soccer. funny how i sold my old sigma 70-200 due to not shooting enough sports and then a small sportsy gig comes up

jppp · 10-28-2011, 01:28 PM

Some football (the one actually played with feet...) pics with the same combination: http://speakit.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Futis+2011/TPS+-+FC+Inter/

Most shots taken with K5 + Tamron 70-200 f2.8. A couple of wide angle shots were taken with K7 + Sigma 8-16mm.

aurele · 10-28-2011, 01:36 PM

nice ! nice PS effect on the last !

I have to say that i really would buy a 70-200 but i just can't try any of them (Tamron, Sigma, or even the 50-135.) is the tammy noisy ?

RonHendriks1966 · 10-28-2011, 01:56 PM

This is a great set of pictures! Good job done and a fine lens to work with.

Raybo · 10-28-2011, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by aurele

nice ! nice PS effect on the last !

I have to say that i really would buy a 70-200 but i just can't try any of them (Tamron, Sigma, or even the 50-135.) is the tammy noisy ?

Yea it's kinda noisy IMHO, but not any more noisy than most AF screw lenses.
I bought the 300 DA* so I sold my copy of the Tamron (which is VERY sharp even wide open).

JinDesu · 10-28-2011, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by aurele

nice ! nice PS effect on the last !

I have to say that i really would buy a 70-200 but i just can't try any of them (Tamron, Sigma, or even the 50-135.) is the tammy noisy ?

Bringing it to something like a wedding would be a no-no, it's noisy enough in a quiet environment. That said, I used it in multiple events where there are crowds (sports/concert) and you'll never notice it.

aurele · 10-29-2011, 03:28 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

That said, I used it in multiple events where there are crowds (sports/concert) and you'll never notice it.

good to know

i've read that you just have to pull/push the focus ring to switch between AF/MF, does it need to switch on the body too ?

JinDesu · 10-29-2011, 05:25 AM

Originally posted by aurele

good to know

i've read that you just have to pull/push the focus ring to switch between AF/MF, does it need to switch on the body too ?

Yes you do, but honestly, leave the lens on MF mode (which shows that lovely blue ring at the end) and let your body decide MF/AF. Then the focus ring will spin with the focusing, but that has never impeded me. I particularly dislike the loose feel of the focus ring when it's in AF mode, because it just spins.

**Basset** · 10-29-2011, 05:34 AM

Has anyone tried this on a K-r body? I have an old Tamron 70-300, and it's way too slow for low light action.

10-26-2011, 07:44 PM - 1 Like	#1
FuzzyOne Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central NJ Posts: 90	Loving my Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 (Football pics) I debated this purchase for a LONG time. Finally broke down and bought it. I went to a local store that had the Tamron and the Sigma in stock to try. I shot about 75 pictures in the store and couldn't see why people say the Sigma focuses faster than the Tamron? I recently bought the K-5 (have the K-20....sold the K-10 and K-100). It seemed to me the Tamron focused a lot faster! I wanted a fast zoom for my son's football games. Usually by half-time, the lights are on and the Pentax 50-300 wasn't cutting it. Here are a few shots from a game the other night. The lens performed beautifully! I was lucky enough to get full access for the game. I only wish Pentax had an affordable 400 2.8 lens...but then again...I probably couldn't afford it. Kids are loving the pictures and I'm loving the lens on the K-5. 90% of the pictures were shot at f/2.8 and 800-1000. If you're on the fence, don't wait! I can't believe how sharp f/2.8 is with this lens... And a little Photoshop! Last edited by FuzzyOne; 10-26-2011 at 07:58 PM.

10-28-2011, 01:28 PM	#8
jppp Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SW Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 143	Some football (the one actually played with feet...) pics with the same combination: http://speakit.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Futis+2011/TPS+-+FC+Inter/ Most shots taken with K5 + Tamron 70-200 f2.8. A couple of wide angle shots were taken with K7 + Sigma 8-16mm. Last edited by jppp; 10-28-2011 at 02:04 PM.

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10-26-2011, 07:47 PM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Awesome shots, especially that second one. The Tamron is supposed to be very good at focusing with the k-5, not so with the other cameras though. But the sharpness of that lens, yummm..

10-26-2011, 07:49 PM	#3
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Great shots, I want one, it's second on my list after a K-5.

10-26-2011, 08:03 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Fantastic shots! (especially the effect in the last) Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-26-2011, 08:07 PM	#5
jacpat1234 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25	Good shots....I am also considering between Tamron and Sigma but also have the concerns on auto-focus speed rumors on Tamron as I would like to take it for sports and some wildlife photos. Your comment ease my choice towards Tamron for better IQ.....Thanks !!

10-26-2011, 08:56 PM	#6
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	I appreciate this thread. I would have loved to be able to try both the Sigma and Tamron lenses but alas, I only had the Tamron to try. I love mine and while I'm not a big action shooter, I find it excellent for my landscape work. Congrads and thanks for posting this.

10-26-2011, 08:59 PM	#7
adpo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 888	great shots, i've been thinking of picking up one to shoot some soccer. funny how i sold my old sigma 70-200 due to not shooting enough sports and then a small sportsy gig comes up

10-28-2011, 01:36 PM	#9
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	nice ! nice PS effect on the last ! I have to say that i really would buy a 70-200 but i just can't try any of them (Tamron, Sigma, or even the 50-135.) is the tammy noisy ?

10-28-2011, 01:56 PM	#10
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	This is a great set of pictures! Good job done and a fine lens to work with.

10-28-2011, 04:46 PM	#11
Raybo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 872	Originally posted by aurele nice ! nice PS effect on the last ! I have to say that i really would buy a 70-200 but i just can't try any of them (Tamron, Sigma, or even the 50-135.) is the tammy noisy ? Yea it's kinda noisy IMHO, but not any more noisy than most AF screw lenses. I bought the 300 DA* so I sold my copy of the Tamron (which is VERY sharp even wide open).

10-28-2011, 04:49 PM	#12
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by aurele nice ! nice PS effect on the last ! I have to say that i really would buy a 70-200 but i just can't try any of them (Tamron, Sigma, or even the 50-135.) is the tammy noisy ? Bringing it to something like a wedding would be a no-no, it's noisy enough in a quiet environment. That said, I used it in multiple events where there are crowds (sports/concert) and you'll never notice it.

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10-29-2011, 03:28 AM	#13
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by JinDesu That said, I used it in multiple events where there are crowds (sports/concert) and you'll never notice it. good to know i've read that you just have to pull/push the focus ring to switch between AF/MF, does it need to switch on the body too ?

10-29-2011, 05:25 AM	#14
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by aurele good to know i've read that you just have to pull/push the focus ring to switch between AF/MF, does it need to switch on the body too ? Yes you do, but honestly, leave the lens on MF mode (which shows that lovely blue ring at the end) and let your body decide MF/AF. Then the focus ring will spin with the focusing, but that has never impeded me. I particularly dislike the loose feel of the focus ring when it's in AF mode, because it just spins.

10-29-2011, 05:34 AM	#15
Basset Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 340	Has anyone tried this on a K-r body? I have an old Tamron 70-300, and it's way too slow for low light action.