Pentax 70-200 F/2.8 & Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 ????

Gold Coast · 08-10-2016, 05:06 PM

Considering one of these to lenses down the road. Has anyone ever had experience with the Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 as compared to the Pentax lens? I do not mind getting the Pentax but could save a few dollars with the Tamron if it will perform as good as the Pentax lens. Feedback appreciated thanks Bill

Adam · 08-10-2016, 05:11 PM - **2 Likes**

The Pentax is better- sharp from corner to corner, and really good wide open. It's a considerable step up over the FA* 80-200, and it focuses faster.

That said, is it twice as good as the Tamron? I wouldn't say so, especially if you plan on getting more lenses. So I guess it really depends on your budget and expectations

We'll have a comparative review of the two later on.

KDD · 08-10-2016, 07:14 PM

Pentax work AF with all metering multi-area, center-area, and spot.
Tamron work AF only one spot.

Gold Coast · 08-10-2016, 07:30 PM

I sure do not mind spending more to get more it makes good sense. Thanks for the feedback It will be the Pentax when I am ready. Bill

audiobomber · 08-10-2016, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by KDD

Pentax work AF with all metering multi-area, center-area, and spot.
Tamron work AF only one spot.

That's not correct. Metering and everything else works just like a Pentax autofocus lens.

virusn3t · 08-10-2016, 08:40 PM

I used to have both until i sold the tamron, both are very good but the Pentax is sharper at f2.8 trough all the range, Tamron was good enough sharp wide open; by f3.5-f4 reach the sharpness that the Pentax give at 2.8, on the Focusing speed i will give the point at the Tamron, theyre very close each other but i feel the tamron was faster (i do not have proofs), size.... well, the Tamron is lighter and more "easy handheld" than the bazooka barrel type of the Pentax (i change my way of using the camera strap with the Pentax, i rotate the tripd mount 45° and change the camera to my left side [im right handed] when i must use the camera with my right hand grab the tripod mount im put in front of my facem then rapidly put my left hand beneath the bazooka and place my right hand on the controls of the camera) it was weird at the begining but im used to it by now.

Short story, if you want sharpness from 2.8 in the whole range Pentax, its expensier, heavier.... but WR and silent focusing; If you are ok with sharpness from +f3.5 up to 180mm (my copy was ok at 200 but i rarely reach that focal cause it wasnt as sharp as 180mm in the same aperture) at the cost of noise and WR, but saving 1k, and some pounds in the cargo department, Tamron is very good value and by no means a bad lens

**clackers** · 08-10-2016, 08:55 PM

I love my Tammy 70-200, it's small, and is said to be better than the Sigma wide open, and is sharp from f4 onward, but the Pentax looks to be a whole class better ... and priced accordingly.

gabriels · 08-10-2016, 09:00 PM

My Tamron is very sharp at 2,8. Quite happy with it. Did not tested the Pentax one.

08-10-2016, 05:06 PM	#1
Gold Coast Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Burson California Posts: 61	Pentax 70-200 F/2.8 & Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 ???? Considering one of these to lenses down the road. Has anyone ever had experience with the Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 as compared to the Pentax lens? I do not mind getting the Pentax but could save a few dollars with the Tamron if it will perform as good as the Pentax lens. Feedback appreciated thanks Bill

08-10-2016, 07:54 PM	#5
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by KDD Pentax work AF with all metering multi-area, center-area, and spot. Tamron work AF only one spot. That's not correct. Metering and everything else works just like a Pentax autofocus lens. Last edited by audiobomber; 08-11-2016 at 03:44 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 - AF question	BigMackCam	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	25	06-27-2016 01:41 PM
Pentax 24-70 D-FA or Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8?	jypfoto	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	16	06-13-2016 01:30 PM
tamron 70-200 f/2.8 vs pentax 70-200 f/2.8	hadi	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	25	03-12-2016 06:38 AM
Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 $533	mazinger	Pentax Price Watch	13	02-29-2016 11:57 AM
For Sale - Sold: DA15*f/4, Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 - REDUCED AGAIN!	Archaeologyag	Sold Items	6	05-05-2015 02:14 PM

08-10-2016, 05:11 PM - 2 Likes	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The Pentax is better- sharp from corner to corner, and really good wide open. It's a considerable step up over the FA* 80-200, and it focuses faster. That said, is it twice as good as the Tamron? I wouldn't say so, especially if you plan on getting more lenses. So I guess it really depends on your budget and expectations We'll have a comparative review of the two later on.

08-10-2016, 07:14 PM	#3
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	Pentax work AF with all metering multi-area, center-area, and spot. Tamron work AF only one spot.

08-10-2016, 07:30 PM	#4
Gold Coast Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Burson California Posts: 61 Original Poster	I sure do not mind spending more to get more it makes good sense. Thanks for the feedback It will be the Pentax when I am ready. Bill

08-10-2016, 08:40 PM	#6
virusn3t Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 676	I used to have both until i sold the tamron, both are very good but the Pentax is sharper at f2.8 trough all the range, Tamron was good enough sharp wide open; by f3.5-f4 reach the sharpness that the Pentax give at 2.8, on the Focusing speed i will give the point at the Tamron, theyre very close each other but i feel the tamron was faster (i do not have proofs), size.... well, the Tamron is lighter and more "easy handheld" than the bazooka barrel type of the Pentax (i change my way of using the camera strap with the Pentax, i rotate the tripd mount 45° and change the camera to my left side [im right handed] when i must use the camera with my right hand grab the tripod mount im put in front of my facem then rapidly put my left hand beneath the bazooka and place my right hand on the controls of the camera) it was weird at the begining but im used to it by now. Short story, if you want sharpness from 2.8 in the whole range Pentax, its expensier, heavier.... but WR and silent focusing; If you are ok with sharpness from +f3.5 up to 180mm (my copy was ok at 200 but i rarely reach that focal cause it wasnt as sharp as 180mm in the same aperture) at the cost of noise and WR, but saving 1k, and some pounds in the cargo department, Tamron is very good value and by no means a bad lens

08-10-2016, 08:55 PM	#7
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	I love my Tammy 70-200, it's small, and is said to be better than the Sigma wide open, and is sharp from f4 onward, but the Pentax looks to be a whole class better ... and priced accordingly.

08-10-2016, 09:00 PM	#8
gabriels Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Bucharest Posts: 27	My Tamron is very sharp at 2,8. Quite happy with it. Did not tested the Pentax one.