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07-03-2016, 12:40 AM   #1
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Tamron 70-200 f2.8 low(er) cost af alternative

Hi,

I'm looking for saving up for the tamron 70-200 however since it is quite expensive (600e) I can't stop wondering with every passing week what other great lenses I could get for the money...
Currently I'm circling around my 18-55, M50 and K200 with 1.4TC. I enjoy shooting at the long end wich was the original reason to look for the 70-200, also AF of course.

So, is there a cheaper, not as bright (?) AF version of the lens retaining the great IQ? Something like f4 would be great to allow for a TC. I tried the SMC 55-300 some time ago but didn't like it. IQ was worse than cropped K200.

Cheers!

07-03-2016, 01:00 AM   #2
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07-03-2016, 02:11 AM   #3
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The Tamron is already the 'cheap alternative'...
07-03-2016, 02:22 AM   #4
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There is also a Sigma equivalent. Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM . With several variants. I have one and I like it but I can't comment on price or IQ relative to the Tamron

07-03-2016, 03:44 AM   #5
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Another alternative is the Tokina AT-X 828AF PRO 80-200mm F2.8 which sometimes comes up at a reasonable price. (It is in the database but I couldn't make the link work.)
07-03-2016, 06:31 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by PJ1 Quote
Another alternative is the Tokina AT-X 828AF PRO 80-200mm F2.8 which sometimes comes up at a reasonable price. (It is in the database but I couldn't make the link work.)
Tokina AT-X 828AF PRO 80-200mm F2.8 Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
07-03-2016, 12:34 PM   #7
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Blast. Thanks for the tip with the Tokina didn't know this one.

There should be some cure to PP-LBA...

I somehow hoped someone would make a low-cost version of the 70-200's f2.8 or any other focal range. From everything I've researched IQ is steadily increasing with maximum aperture. As an example IQ rising from DA18-55 f3.5-5.6 < Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 < Sig/Tam 17-50 f.2.8

Is the increase in IQ actually a function of the increase in max aperture or does simply no one bother (cost wise most probably) to make a very good f4 constant aperture optic? (The 17-70 f4 pentax excluded)


Last edited by manufocus; 07-03-2016 at 01:26 PM.
07-03-2016, 12:40 PM   #8
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Unless you absolutely must have fixed F/2.8 in the 100-200mm range, consider the DA55-300 or DA 18-135 for economy, lighter weight, smaller size and greater versatility. The 18-135 plays well with the 1.4x TC for occasional longer reach.
07-05-2016, 12:07 AM   #9
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I found out that the lack of a 70-200 f4 is actually a pentax thing as canon/nikon both offer a70-200 f4. Pricong is a bit lower compared to their f2.8 variant (about 2000 vs 1500 on launch). However it's still pretty high and well above the tamron so it won't matter to me even if pentax should decide to offer one.
07-09-2016, 03:49 PM - 1 Like   #10
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If you search for it, you should be able to find the tarmon used for even lenss than 600€ maybe not right now, but search for it for sometime and you should find for something like 450€. That already less than half the price of the 70-200 f/4. I seen a few advertisement for it over time. It should not be too difficult.

The alternative is a 70-300 or a 55-300. This can go as low as 80-150€ used and quite capable lenses. The issue would be that theses lenses need to be closed down to f/8 to really deliver and would still perform worse than the tamron at f/2.8.

If the size/weight is not an issue for you, that tamron is a very great investment. You could compliment it with a 17-50 for 300€ (or 200€ used) at some point and get a complete and very capable setup.


As for wider apperture lenses performing better, this is not always true. Some f/1.2 lenses (that cost more than 1000€) don't perform as well as some f/1.8 that cost 300€. Some slow lenses like the DA16-85 or DFA 28-105 are all around as sharp as their f/2.8 counterpart but significantly smaller/lighter.

The thing is once a lens is charp enough, it doesn't matter how sharp it is. But an f/2.8 lens would let you do things that an f/5.6 lens wont... Like shooting in low light without lighting equipment or isolating the subject from the background as much...
07-09-2016, 06:24 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by manufocus Quote
Blast. Thanks for the tip with the Tokina didn't know this one.
I got mine at my local camera store for $199 because they don't carry Pentax and there weren't many buyers. It pays to look around and be open to possibilities.
07-10-2016, 03:03 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Nicolas06 Quote
If you search for it, you should be able to find the tarmon used for even lenss than 600€ maybe not right now, but search for it for sometime and you should find for something like 450€. That already less than half the price of the 70-200 f/4. I seen a few advertisement for it over time. It should not be too difficult.
The reason I want to get the Tamron new is, as far as I've heard differences from lens to lens might vary quite strongly so I want to have the option to return the lens if it may be misaligned. Also the warranty only extends to the first owner so this is an added bonus.

QuoteOriginally posted by Nicolas06 Quote
The alternative is a 70-300 or a 55-300. This can go as low as 80-150€ used and quite capable lenses. The issue would be that theses lenses need to be closed down to f/8 to really deliver and would still perform worse than the tamron at f/2.8.
I tried the 55-300 and didn't like it, too plasticky. Also at 300mm IQ wasn't on par with my K200/4 cropped.

QuoteOriginally posted by Nicolas06 Quote
If the size/weight is not an issue for you, that tamron is a very great investment. You could compliment it with a 17-50 for 300€ (or 200€ used) at some point and get a complete and very capable setup.
That's pretty much the plan :-) Add a HD 1.4x TC and the only thing left is UWA before the really really expensive long lenses to start looking attractive.

QuoteOriginally posted by Nicolas06 Quote
As for wider apperture lenses performing better, this is not always true. Some f/1.2 lenses (that cost more than 1000€) don't perform as well as some f/1.8 that cost 300€. Some slow lenses like the DA16-85 or DFA 28-105 are all around as sharp as their f/2.8 counterpart but significantly smaller/lighter.
Ok the f1.2 might be an extreme case, but here the interest really lies in the f1.2. The brand's own lenses are always more expensive than third party additions if only for build quality or WR. What I would like to see would be a Tamron 70-200 f4 priced below the f2.8. Let's say at 450 :-)
That's at least what I thought of when speculating that f4 lenses might be uneconomical for certain manufacturers.
07-10-2016, 03:24 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by manufocus Quote
Ok the f1.2 might be an extreme case, but here the interest really lies in the f1.2. The brand's own lenses are always more expensive than third party additions if only for build quality or WR. What I would like to see would be a Tamron 70-200 f4 priced below the f2.8. Let's say at 450 :-)
That's at least what I thought of when speculating that f4 lenses might be uneconomical for certain manufacturers.
Honestly you are dreaming. A quality 70-200 new price is typically 800-200€ depending of the apperture and option.

The tamron being only 600€ is because it is using outdated screwdrive and no new 70-200 will appear with this old technology. All manufacturer up their game and raise prices, not the contrary. If a 70-200 f/4 from tamron would be made, it would have the latest greatest and cost more than that 70-200 for at least a few years and that maybe why tamron will not design one: there no market for it.
07-10-2016, 03:54 AM   #14
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Well almost all lenses start at almost twice the price when they are new. I think the tamron started at 1100... If one isn't too invested in the newest hype (such as sdm e.g.) you can get by pretty cheap.

At least canon thinks there is a market for f4's, there is some discussion from people looking into high quality 70-200 mostly arguing between it and the tamron.
07-10-2016, 04:40 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by manufocus Quote
Well almost all lenses start at almost twice the price when they are new. I think the tamron started at 1100... If one isn't too invested in the newest hype (such as sdm e.g.) you can get by pretty cheap.

At least canon thinks there is a market for f4's, there is some discussion from people looking into high quality 70-200 mostly arguing between it and the tamron.
But Canon prices are not the same. Canon selling the brand, the fast AF etc. Tamron can't sell at Canon price because they are challenger. At Canon price, nobody would buy their lenses. So it reduce their options.

Anyway this is a silly discussion as it doesn't exist. We could discuss that all the day it would not make the tamron 70-200 f/4 screwdrive appear and be sold for 450€. One can only buy what is available.

As for lens prices... think FAltds... the price didn't drop it raised.

Last edited by Nicolas06; 07-10-2016 at 04:45 AM.
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