tried the new Tamron 70-200mm on a Canon

Albert Siegel · 06-09-2008, 07:22 PM

I have the new Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 for Canon mount in my hands for tonight and tomorrow. I gave it a try and decided to see how it compares to my Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS.

In short, the Tamron is much sharper (in my opinion) and can focus much closer. It does have more CA than the Canon and is much slower to focus as well as very loud. It feels very well made and weighs a little less than the Canon. I don't like the focus clutch at all.

The Tamron looks like a winner so far. I'm sure it's what Pentax owners have been asking for over the past four years. I'm willing to bet it can out perform even the Pentax 80-200mm from what I've seen so far.

Here are two images for a sample test. Both were shot at f4 hand held and are 100% crops with no PP or size adjustments at all. The top one is the Canon shot at 1/640 at 165mm with IS on. The second was the Tamron shot at 1/1600 at 87mm. I know this is not a proper or even test, but I had very little time as it was sunset. I will give them both a more fair test tomorrow and post the results here.

Zhuravlik · 06-10-2008, 05:55 AM

Thanks for your photos.

More people is interested in this lens.

I wait your review and your new photos with impatience.

ftpaddict · 06-10-2008, 06:27 AM

WOW. A very good lens indeed. How much does it cost again?

Zhuravlik · 06-10-2008, 06:41 AM

Review Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD [IF] Macro y Video

È«¹ú¶À¼Ò ÌÚÁú70-200mmF2.8¾µÍ·ÉîÈëÆÀ²â-·äÄñÍø

¼ÑÄÜ¡¢ÌÚÁú¡¢ÊÊÂí70-200mm¾µÍ·¶Ô±È-·äÄñÍø

Review Sigma EX 70-200mm F2.8Ⅱ APO DG MACRO HSM

ÊÊÂí70-200mmF2.8Î¢¾àÐ¡ºÚ¶þ´úÈëÊÖÆÀ²â-·äÄñÍø

Here comparative and crops of the three (Canon Tamron Sigma)

»Æ½ðPK£¡¼ÑÄÜÊÊÂíÌÚÁú70-200mmF2.8ºáÏòÆÀ²â-·äÄñÍø

I know that the pages are in Chinesse but the important are the photos and crops

kenyee · 06-10-2008, 08:58 AM

Thanks, Albert. I'm surprised indeed. The Canon 70-200/2.8 is supposed to be sharp when stopped down to f/4...

Could you try a few people pics wide open and do center/corner crops?

OniFactor · 06-10-2008, 09:18 AM

better question yet -- who owns the porsche? LOL

hinman · 06-10-2008, 10:16 AM

Thanks for sharing the information with us. I have a dumb question to ask. I check that this lens is over 2.5 lbs and can this still be hand held in taking a shot? I think it is going to be a huge challenge in hand holding but I want to hear the real experience in using this lens without tripod and if it is still feasible.

Thanks,
Hin

Last edited by hinman; 06-10-2008 at 12:19 PM.

Albert Siegel · 06-10-2008, 12:27 PM

uptade: The weather has been really bad all day. Not much in the way of sun shine and way too much rain. I tried to shoot during the short times between heavy rain, but it was just too dark outside to get a shot without going to ISO 800 or 1600. I will need to try this again tomorrow. I will still have the lens then.

So far, the Tamron is very sharp. It's clearly sharper than the Canon in my opinion. I don't care too much for the built in motor on the Tamron, but the optics are stunning... even more so when you consider the price. This is a must have lens when it comes out for Pentax. I will update with some photos as soon as I can.

egordon99 · 06-10-2008, 12:40 PM

Hin - It depends on how strong you are

I just bought the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L USM (that's a mouthful) which weighs more than 3 pounds. I have trouble holding it up after a little while. Thankfully it has IS! Now the 70-200mm f/4 IS is a joy to handhold!

So the Tamron should be easy to handhold, and it's stabilized on a Pentax camera!

Originally posted by hinman

Thanks for sharing the information with us. I have a dumb question to ask. I check that this lens is over 2.5 lbs and can this still be hand held in taking a shot? I think it is going to be a huge challenge in hand holding but I want to hear the real experience in using this lens without tripod and if it is still feasible.

Thanks,
Hin

Zhuravlik · 06-10-2008, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by AlbertSiegel

uptade: The weather has been really bad all day. Not much in the way of sun shine and way too much rain. I tried to shoot during the short times between heavy rain, but it was just too dark outside to get a shot without going to ISO 800 or 1600. I will need to try this again tomorrow. I will still have the lens then.

So far, the Tamron is very sharp. It's clearly sharper than the Canon in my opinion. I don't care too much for the built in motor on the Tamron, but the optics are stunning... even more so when you consider the price. This is a must have lens when it comes out for Pentax. I will update with some photos as soon as I can.

Thanks for update your post.

Regards

ivoire · 06-10-2008, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by AlbertSiegel

uptade: The weather has been really bad all day. Not much in the way of sun shine and way too much rain. I tried to shoot during the short times between heavy rain, but it was just too dark outside to get a shot without going to ISO 800 or 1600. I will need to try this again tomorrow. I will still have the lens then.

So far, the Tamron is very sharp. It's clearly sharper than the Canon in my opinion. I don't care too much for the built in motor on the Tamron, but the optics are stunning... even more so when you consider the price. This is a must have lens when it comes out for Pentax. I will update with some photos as soon as I can.

Albert, thanks for the update on this lens. I was wondering what you don't like about the motor drive. Is it too slow, noisy? I have a wait list order with Adorama and would like to hear more from you on this. thanks

edl · 06-10-2008, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by hinman

Thanks for sharing the information with us. I have a dumb question to ask. I check that this lens is over 2.5 lbs and can this still be hand held in taking a shot? I think it is going to be a huge challenge in hand holding but I want to hear the real experience in using this lens without tripod and if it is still feasible.

Thanks,
Hin

It sounds impossible but that lens should be able to be used hand-held in good light. I helped a friend shoot a bicycle event last weekend, and was using his 1ds with 70-200 2.8L. Although the whole package was probably over 5 pounds, it was very well balanced and easy to shoot. (sidenote: if I had money to burn I'd be all over that setup. It's great.)

Anyways here's a link: Mike Schmitt Photo | 11:00-12:00

I shot most of these photos sitting down, but unbraced and handheld. IS turned off.

I'm looking forward to the Tamron 70-200 for my k10d. And the 28-75. And the 10-24. And the list goes on...

Edmund

Arpe · 06-10-2008, 05:30 PM

I have used my Sigma 70-200/2.8 hand held often, usually shooting sport. Tired by the end of the game (80mins) but not too bad.

Albert Siegel · 06-10-2008, 07:10 PM

Here is the Tamron 70-200mm and the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS next to a Rebel XT for an idea on size.

cputeq · 06-10-2008, 09:10 PM

Thanks for the information.

I'm waiting patiently for comparisons between this and Sigma's upcoming 70-200 f/2.8.
I'm considering going Sigma and then buying their 2x APO TC for wildlife on the long end, but I'll have to see how IQ compares between the two lenses.

06-09-2008, 07:22 PM	#1
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372	tried the new Tamron 70-200mm on a Canon I have the new Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 for Canon mount in my hands for tonight and tomorrow. I gave it a try and decided to see how it compares to my Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS. In short, the Tamron is much sharper (in my opinion) and can focus much closer. It does have more CA than the Canon and is much slower to focus as well as very loud. It feels very well made and weighs a little less than the Canon. I don't like the focus clutch at all. The Tamron looks like a winner so far. I'm sure it's what Pentax owners have been asking for over the past four years. I'm willing to bet it can out perform even the Pentax 80-200mm from what I've seen so far. Here are two images for a sample test. Both were shot at f4 hand held and are 100% crops with no PP or size adjustments at all. The top one is the Canon shot at 1/640 at 165mm with IS on. The second was the Tamron shot at 1/1600 at 87mm. I know this is not a proper or even test, but I had very little time as it was sunset. I will give them both a more fair test tomorrow and post the results here.

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06-10-2008, 05:55 AM	#2
Zhuravlik New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 5	Thanks for your photos. More people is interested in this lens. I wait your review and your new photos with impatience.

06-10-2008, 06:27 AM	#3
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	WOW. A very good lens indeed. How much does it cost again?

06-10-2008, 06:41 AM	#4
Zhuravlik New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 5	Review Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD [IF] Macro y Video È«¹ú¶À¼Ò ÌÚÁú70-200mmF2.8¾µÍ·ÉîÈëÆÀ²â-·äÄñÍø ¼ÑÄÜ¡¢ÌÚÁú¡¢ÊÊÂí70-200mm¾µÍ·¶Ô±È-·äÄñÍø Review Sigma EX 70-200mm F2.8Ⅱ APO DG MACRO HSM ÊÊÂí70-200mmF2.8Î¢¾àÐ¡ºÚ¶þ´úÈëÊÖÆÀ²â-·äÄñÍø Here comparative and crops of the three (Canon Tamron Sigma) »Æ½ðPK£¡¼ÑÄÜÊÊÂíÌÚÁú70-200mmF2.8ºáÏòÆÀ²â-·äÄñÍø I know that the pages are in Chinesse but the important are the photos and crops

06-10-2008, 08:58 AM	#5
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Thanks, Albert. I'm surprised indeed. The Canon 70-200/2.8 is supposed to be sharp when stopped down to f/4... Could you try a few people pics wide open and do center/corner crops?

06-10-2008, 09:18 AM	#6
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643	better question yet -- who owns the porsche? LOL

06-10-2008, 10:16 AM	#7
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	Thanks for sharing the information with us. I have a dumb question to ask. I check that this lens is over 2.5 lbs and can this still be hand held in taking a shot? I think it is going to be a huge challenge in hand holding but I want to hear the real experience in using this lens without tripod and if it is still feasible. Thanks, Hin Last edited by hinman; 06-10-2008 at 12:19 PM.

06-10-2008, 12:27 PM	#8
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372 Original Poster	uptade: The weather has been really bad all day. Not much in the way of sun shine and way too much rain. I tried to shoot during the short times between heavy rain, but it was just too dark outside to get a shot without going to ISO 800 or 1600. I will need to try this again tomorrow. I will still have the lens then. So far, the Tamron is very sharp. It's clearly sharper than the Canon in my opinion. I don't care too much for the built in motor on the Tamron, but the optics are stunning... even more so when you consider the price. This is a must have lens when it comes out for Pentax. I will update with some photos as soon as I can.

06-10-2008, 12:40 PM	#9
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Hin - It depends on how strong you are I just bought the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L USM (that's a mouthful) which weighs more than 3 pounds. I have trouble holding it up after a little while. Thankfully it has IS! Now the 70-200mm f/4 IS is a joy to handhold! So the Tamron should be easy to handhold, and it's stabilized on a Pentax camera! Originally posted by hinman Thanks for sharing the information with us. I have a dumb question to ask. I check that this lens is over 2.5 lbs and can this still be hand held in taking a shot? I think it is going to be a huge challenge in hand holding but I want to hear the real experience in using this lens without tripod and if it is still feasible. Thanks, Hin

06-10-2008, 01:07 PM	#10
Zhuravlik New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 5	Originally posted by AlbertSiegel uptade: The weather has been really bad all day. Not much in the way of sun shine and way too much rain. I tried to shoot during the short times between heavy rain, but it was just too dark outside to get a shot without going to ISO 800 or 1600. I will need to try this again tomorrow. I will still have the lens then. So far, the Tamron is very sharp. It's clearly sharper than the Canon in my opinion. I don't care too much for the built in motor on the Tamron, but the optics are stunning... even more so when you consider the price. This is a must have lens when it comes out for Pentax. I will update with some photos as soon as I can. Thanks for update your post. Regards

06-10-2008, 03:33 PM	#11
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Originally posted by AlbertSiegel uptade: The weather has been really bad all day. Not much in the way of sun shine and way too much rain. I tried to shoot during the short times between heavy rain, but it was just too dark outside to get a shot without going to ISO 800 or 1600. I will need to try this again tomorrow. I will still have the lens then. So far, the Tamron is very sharp. It's clearly sharper than the Canon in my opinion. I don't care too much for the built in motor on the Tamron, but the optics are stunning... even more so when you consider the price. This is a must have lens when it comes out for Pentax. I will update with some photos as soon as I can. Albert, thanks for the update on this lens. I was wondering what you don't like about the motor drive. Is it too slow, noisy? I have a wait list order with Adorama and would like to hear more from you on this. thanks

06-10-2008, 04:47 PM	#12
edl Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 457	Originally posted by hinman Thanks for sharing the information with us. I have a dumb question to ask. I check that this lens is over 2.5 lbs and can this still be hand held in taking a shot? I think it is going to be a huge challenge in hand holding but I want to hear the real experience in using this lens without tripod and if it is still feasible. Thanks, Hin It sounds impossible but that lens should be able to be used hand-held in good light. I helped a friend shoot a bicycle event last weekend, and was using his 1ds with 70-200 2.8L. Although the whole package was probably over 5 pounds, it was very well balanced and easy to shoot. (sidenote: if I had money to burn I'd be all over that setup. It's great.) Anyways here's a link: Mike Schmitt Photo \| 11:00-12:00 I shot most of these photos sitting down, but unbraced and handheld. IS turned off. I'm looking forward to the Tamron 70-200 for my k10d. And the 28-75. And the 10-24. And the list goes on... Edmund

06-10-2008, 05:30 PM	#13
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	I have used my Sigma 70-200/2.8 hand held often, usually shooting sport. Tired by the end of the game (80mins) but not too bad.

06-10-2008, 07:10 PM	#14
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372 Original Poster	Here is the Tamron 70-200mm and the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS next to a Rebel XT for an idea on size.

06-10-2008, 09:10 PM	#15
cputeq Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 464	Thanks for the information. I'm waiting patiently for comparisons between this and Sigma's upcoming 70-200 f/2.8. I'm considering going Sigma and then buying their 2x APO TC for wildlife on the long end, but I'll have to see how IQ compares between the two lenses.