Tamron 70-200+1.4xTC (vs) Pentax 60-250

snimcho · 05-28-2015, 03:55 AM

Hello,

I don't want to make one of these lenses winner or better than the other. I know both lenses are great. I'd like to understand how they compare at the far end of the zoom if a TC is added to Tammy(280/f4 vs 250/f4).

Probably there are a few people who have used both, because normally if you have one of these you don't need the other.

Also in case that Tammy 70-200+1.4xTC lags a little behind the SDM 60-250 as IQ, then it would be quite interesting how it compares to DA 55-300. I have in mind that the SDM is silent and WR, I don't know how noisy is Tammy.

I expect it to be a difficult thread so, if you have any good pictures with Tammy+TC or SDM 60-250(+/-TC) please share with us

I add a link to a picture with DA 55-300 just to show what seems good to me:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/snimcho/17873861825/in/album-72157650333272469/

Thanks

bdery · 05-28-2015, 05:04 AM

The Tamron+TC will be larger, heavier and more front-heavy than the 60-250, that's for sure. Regarding IQ, every test I've seen suggests that the 60-250 has a slight advantage over the Tamron, especially regarding aberrations. Adding a TC, even a good one, is only going to make the difference more obvious. Also, the 60-250 goes wider, which is even more true if you add the TC to the Tamron. And it's WR. Lastly, it's subjective to some extend, but the build quality of the Tammy is cheaper.

Here are some samples from the 60-250.

What impresses me with the lens is the richness of the colours. Yesterday I was shooting my son's soccer training (last pic), using the 16-85 and 60-250. The former is very good in itself, but the pop of the 60-250's images was immediately noticeable. Here's one with the 16-85 just to compare.

**erikro** · 05-28-2015, 05:35 AM

Hi.
I don't know abut the Tamron, but here is a 100% crop taken with my 60-250mm at 250mm and K-5IIs.
Very sharp lens, I love it.

osv · 05-28-2015, 09:56 AM

tc on a zoom is usually problematic.

biz-engineer · 05-28-2015, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by osv

tc on a zoom is usually problematic.

Not problematic on the Tamron 70-200, it is very sharp, @200mm+TC @f5.6, it is as sharp as the DA*300.

snimcho · 05-28-2015, 01:45 PM

That's nice! Please, if possible show us some shots.

snimcho · 06-01-2015, 12:50 AM

Seems like there is no many people who have used Tamron 70-200 + TC ;-)

**pacerr** · 06-01-2015, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by snimcho

Seems like there is no many people who have used Tamron 70-200 + TC ;-)

One possible reason: Both the AF SP 70-200 and the DA 60-250 are large, heavy lenses. They're excellent when the versatility of the wider field of view is needed but if I'm intending to use the longer end of their FL range, especially with a 1.4x TC, I'd rather carry the DA*300. Therefore, I'd have no reason to compare the results or have to choose between those lenses.

OTOH, if the 70-200 plus a 1.4x TC were the lens that happened to be in hand, I wouldn't feel limited by the results nor would I have the practical opportunity to compare identical images in that case.

snimcho · 06-02-2015, 02:45 AM

Originally posted by pacerr

if I'm intending to use the longer end of their FL range, especially with a 1.4x TC, I'd rather carry the DA*300.

I know:-) but my idea was to use the 70-200+TC because I will have a zoom and if it is kind of sharp on the long end, then it will be definately sharper than my 55-300

So, I know it will be a valuable upgrade but I wanted to see the difference

I still hesitate if I should buy a long fast zoom first or DA*300. Tammy can be used in more situations... seems more practical. If I could confirm that it is a valuable upgrade for birding also, it would be my next lense.

redpit · 06-02-2015, 03:00 AM

I am using the Tamron 70-200 with the Pentax 1.4 TC on my K-5IIS and I can say that I usually end up using the lens alone! The IQ drop is significant for me and there are 2 other reasons that I only use this combination experimentally! First is that there is no consistency in results. Sometimes the IQ is obviously better than others and this has not to do with the focal length. Anyway at 280 and long distances (eg birding) I'm not satisfied with the reults. In closer distances and close up pictures it performs significantly better. The second reason is the very slow AF and the hunting when the TC is attached. When the light is anything but strong and the subject in a not contrasty background you will not be able to AF fast and correctly... The sound of the Tamron is loud too, but that is a lens characteristic, nothing to do with the TC. Just notifying it because it can easily scare away a sitting bird!

One good result shot with the Tamron+TC at a distance of around 12 meters away, post processed - not cropped.

snimcho · 06-03-2015, 01:48 AM

Originally posted by redpit

I am using the Tamron 70-200 with the Pentax 1.4 TC on my K-5IIS and I can say that I usually end up using the lens alone! The IQ drop is significant for me and there are 2 other reasons that I only use this combination experimentally! First is that there is no consistency in results. Sometimes the IQ is obviously better than others and this has not to do with the focal length. Anyway at 280 and long distances (eg birding) I'm not satisfied with the reults. In closer distances and close up pictures it performs significantly better. The second reason is the very slow AF and the hunting when the TC is attached. When the light is anything but strong and the subject in a not contrasty background you will not be able to AF fast and correctly... The sound of the Tamron is loud too, but that is a lens characteristic, nothing to do with the TC. Just notifying it because it can easily scare away a sitting bird!

Your experiance is very valuable for me. Thanks!

05-28-2015, 03:55 AM	#1
snimcho Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 79	Tamron 70-200+1.4xTC (vs) Pentax 60-250 Hello, I don't want to make one of these lenses winner or better than the other. I know both lenses are great. I'd like to understand how they compare at the far end of the zoom if a TC is added to Tammy(280/f4 vs 250/f4). Probably there are a few people who have used both, because normally if you have one of these you don't need the other. Also in case that Tammy 70-200+1.4xTC lags a little behind the SDM 60-250 as IQ, then it would be quite interesting how it compares to DA 55-300. I have in mind that the SDM is silent and WR, I don't know how noisy is Tammy. I expect it to be a difficult thread so, if you have any good pictures with Tammy+TC or SDM 60-250(+/-TC) please share with us I add a link to a picture with DA 55-300 just to show what seems good to me: https://www.flickr.com/photos/snimcho/17873861825/in/album-72157650333272469/ Thanks

05-28-2015, 05:04 AM	#2
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	The Tamron+TC will be larger, heavier and more front-heavy than the 60-250, that's for sure. Regarding IQ, every test I've seen suggests that the 60-250 has a slight advantage over the Tamron, especially regarding aberrations. Adding a TC, even a good one, is only going to make the difference more obvious. Also, the 60-250 goes wider, which is even more true if you add the TC to the Tamron. And it's WR. Lastly, it's subjective to some extend, but the build quality of the Tammy is cheaper. Here are some samples from the 60-250. What impresses me with the lens is the richness of the colours. Yesterday I was shooting my son's soccer training (last pic), using the 16-85 and 60-250. The former is very good in itself, but the pop of the 60-250's images was immediately noticeable. Here's one with the 16-85 just to compare. Last edited by bdery; 05-28-2015 at 06:18 AM.

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05-28-2015, 09:56 AM	#4
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	tc on a zoom is usually problematic.

05-28-2015, 11:13 AM	#5
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by osv tc on a zoom is usually problematic. Not problematic on the Tamron 70-200, it is very sharp, @200mm+TC @f5.6, it is as sharp as the DA*300.

05-28-2015, 01:45 PM	#6
snimcho Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 79 Original Poster	That's nice! Please, if possible show us some shots.

06-01-2015, 12:50 AM	#7
snimcho Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 79 Original Poster	Seems like there is no many people who have used Tamron 70-200 + TC ;-)

06-01-2015, 10:41 AM	#8
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by snimcho Seems like there is no many people who have used Tamron 70-200 + TC ;-) One possible reason: Both the AF SP 70-200 and the DA 60-250 are large, heavy lenses. They're excellent when the versatility of the wider field of view is needed but if I'm intending to use the longer end of their FL range, especially with a 1.4x TC, I'd rather carry the DA*300. Therefore, I'd have no reason to compare the results or have to choose between those lenses. OTOH, if the 70-200 plus a 1.4x TC were the lens that happened to be in hand, I wouldn't feel limited by the results nor would I have the practical opportunity to compare identical images in that case.

06-02-2015, 02:45 AM	#9
snimcho Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 79 Original Poster	Originally posted by pacerr if I'm intending to use the longer end of their FL range, especially with a 1.4x TC, I'd rather carry the DA300. I know:-) but my idea was to use the 70-200+TC because I will have a zoom and if it is kind of sharp on the long end, then it will be definately sharper than my 55-300 So, I know it will be a valuable upgrade but I wanted to see the difference I still hesitate if I should buy a long fast zoom first or DA300. Tammy can be used in more situations... seems more practical. If I could confirm that it is a valuable upgrade for birding also, it would be my next lense.

06-03-2015, 01:48 AM	#11
snimcho Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 79 Original Poster	Originally posted by redpit I am using the Tamron 70-200 with the Pentax 1.4 TC on my K-5IIS and I can say that I usually end up using the lens alone! The IQ drop is significant for me and there are 2 other reasons that I only use this combination experimentally! First is that there is no consistency in results. Sometimes the IQ is obviously better than others and this has not to do with the focal length. Anyway at 280 and long distances (eg birding) I'm not satisfied with the reults. In closer distances and close up pictures it performs significantly better. The second reason is the very slow AF and the hunting when the TC is attached. When the light is anything but strong and the subject in a not contrasty background you will not be able to AF fast and correctly... The sound of the Tamron is loud too, but that is a lens characteristic, nothing to do with the TC. Just notifying it because it can easily scare away a sitting bird! Your experiance is very valuable for me. Thanks!