Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 first test shots

jsherman999 · 10-13-2008, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by hwblanks

...especially since I have a perfectly good 55-300. With that, the question would be why I should get one then? I'm also curious to see how well it will work with a TC.

Heather

Heather,

You probably don't need the Tammy 70-200 if you already have the 55-300 unless
you need the speed - f/2.8 allows more indoor shooting situations, low-light
outdoors, and DOF manipulation at the long end. Aside from that, the 55-300
looks to me like it's an excellent performer & is probably more than adequate for any outdoor shooting.

.

kristoffon · 10-13-2008, 10:07 AM

So it's screw-drive focus, huh? How many people will rule this lens out in favour of the Sigma because of that?

stevebrot · 10-13-2008, 10:25 AM

You are killing me man! I am late onto this thread and your results are amazing. I took the LBA pledge and am on the wagon until at least the first of the year.

Tell me something. I have looked at many pictures of this lens, but all have been Canon mount. Does the Pentax variant have an aperture ring? I know the lens is FF and if I buy one (after Jan 1, of course) I want to make sure that it will work on my film camera.

Steve

(Repeat as needed...The 70-200 is not required...it is all an illusion...everything J touches turns to gold...no need to rush out to buy anything...no need...no need...)

ftpaddict · 10-13-2008, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by kristoffon

So it's screw-drive focus, huh? How many people will rule this lens out in favour of the Sigma because of that?

I sure as hell ain't one of them!

This is a top-of-the list purchase right here!

Originally posted by stevebrot

Tell me something. I have looked at many pictures of this lens, but all have been Canon mount. Does the Pentax variant have an aperture ring? I know the lens is FF and if I buy one (after Jan 1, of course) I want to make sure that it will work on my film camera.

No aperture ring, sadly. No mainstream manufacturer produces lenses with aperture rings anymore (forget Cosina - Voigtlander & Zeiss)

jsherman999 · 10-13-2008, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by kristoffon

So it's screw-drive focus, huh? How many people will rule this lens out in favour of the Sigma because of that?

I almost chose the Sigma because of the HSM - I love the quiet, precise focus
of HDM on the DA* lenses. In the end, a particular thread on dpreview showing
incredible images from the Tamron tipped me that way, although I've seen some
great images from the Sigma also.

Originally posted by stevebrot

You are killing me man! I am late onto this thread and your results are amazing. I took the LBA pledge and am on the wagon until at least the first of the year.

Tell me something. I have looked at many pictures of this lens, but all have been Canon mount. Does the Pentax variant have an aperture ring? I know the lens is FF and if I buy one (after Jan 1, of course) I want to make sure that it will work on my film camera.

Steve

(Repeat as needed...The 70-200 is not required...it is all an illusion...everything J touches turns to gold...no need to rush out to buy anything...no need...no need...)

Steve, No aperture ring. There you go, you can move on now!

One thing I've come to appreciate all over again - Pentax's in-body shake
reduction. That allows this $699 lens outperform the $1300 Canon/Nikon
equivalents - SR equalizes them, and the Tammy's IQ surpasses them.
Sweet. For us.

Quick 'what-the-hell' moon shot, no tripod:

Putting a rock in his mouth. What a good dad I am:

Methodical stick manipulation:

"What's that sound?? I was expecting HSM!":

Popcorn!

Someone else's little guy:

1:3 "macro" at 200mm:

Some bokeh:

.

kenyee · 10-13-2008, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by kristoffon

So it's screw-drive focus, huh? How many people will rule this lens out in favour of the Sigma because of that?

The Tamron spins the focus ring faster...the K10D has a hefty screw motor.
It's noisier than the Sigma, though, so make your own tradeoffs...

jsherman999 · 10-13-2008, 08:01 PM

.

Dim light, ISO 800, f/2.8, 200mm - still pretty good!

(first time wearing mittens!)

heliphoto · 10-13-2008, 11:03 PM

I'm on a major LBA run right now, but you continued posts have my struggling with a NEED for this lens (doh!). I'm gonna look around tomorrow for stuff to sell. (the 18-250 will go...)

Sprot · 10-14-2008, 12:43 AM

These pictures are superb. I really am considering this lens to my bag (which does not have many lenses). I think I wait 'til it comes here in store so I could have my little fingers around it to test it myself.

Thank You for posting those pictures

Serge · 10-14-2008, 03:10 AM

Amazing captures! Thanks for sharing. Looks like the lens performs very well. I have read a dpreview article about that lens - they point out a weakness (resolution falloff) at 135mm setting at full aperture. Have you noticed that softness? As far as I can see from your photograps in the beginning of the thread, closeups are quite sharp... What about longer focusing distances?

cardinal43 · 10-14-2008, 09:25 AM

Great pics. Looks like the weather is getting a bit nippy in MN. I always enjoy the pics of your son (Igillian also has some winners of his daughters). Love the curly hair. I think your son must be one of the most, if not the most, photographed son in the world.

heliphoto · 10-14-2008, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by cardinal43

Great pics. Looks like the weather is getting a bit nippy in MN. I always enjoy the pics of your son (Igillian also has some winners of his daughters). Love the curly hair. I think your son must be one of the most, if not the most, photographed son in the world.

He might be, he's a bit older than my son by the look of things (my boy's 9 months next week), but I'm working on breaking the record for redundant photography of a child

. I've got 1413 shots tagged with his name right now, and there'll be more soon I'm sure.

The pics of jsherman jr. on this thread and elsewhere are great. I'll have to start posting more of my son

...

LaRee · 10-14-2008, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by heliphoto

He might be, he's a bit older than my son by the look of things (my boy's 9 months next week), but I'm working on breaking the record for redundant photography of a child

. I've got 1413 shots tagged with his name right now, and there'll be more soon I'm sure.

The pics of jsherman jr. on this thread and elsewhere are great. I'll have to start posting more of my son

...

It is natural to take lots of photos of our children. Or at least I think it is.

I've got 2,014 tagged of my youngest 8 yr old son (I'm sure there are some that are not tagged) just from the past 5 months. It would be an interesting (although daunting) exercise to research exactly how many photos I've taken of him over his 8 years. The great thing is all his photos fit in a small box of discs. His older brothers have prints and negatives that fill up a couple huge boxes and lots of albums.
When we were threatened with a major fire a couple years ago I packed all the photos and put them by the door for a fast get away. That is when the contrast hit me between film and digital archiving.

**krs** · 10-14-2008, 10:43 AM

Pictures are very impressive.

A few questions that I have not seen answered:
1. How fast is the autofocus? Does it lag more than other lenses on the camera?
2. How quiet is the lens? I recall the DA* lenses are very quiet on the K10D and newer cameras (K200 and K20)?
3. Showing my ignorance, what is the implications (good and bad) of it being a screw drive?

Mechan1k · 10-14-2008, 02:14 PM

Stop Jay ... I tell you ... this is making it harder and harder for me.
This ia definitely going to be a great outdoor "toddler-chase-and capture" lens ... I have been look high and low for something that can do this.

Plus I have a nice Tamron TC to hook it up to as well ... I just don't have the $900AUD for one at the moment.

10-13-2008, 11:58 AM	#35
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237 Original Poster	Originally posted by kristoffon So it's screw-drive focus, huh? How many people will rule this lens out in favour of the Sigma because of that? I almost chose the Sigma because of the HSM - I love the quiet, precise focus of HDM on the DA* lenses. In the end, a particular thread on dpreview showing incredible images from the Tamron tipped me that way, although I've seen some great images from the Sigma also. Originally posted by stevebrot You are killing me man! I am late onto this thread and your results are amazing. I took the LBA pledge and am on the wagon until at least the first of the year. Tell me something. I have looked at many pictures of this lens, but all have been Canon mount. Does the Pentax variant have an aperture ring? I know the lens is FF and if I buy one (after Jan 1, of course) I want to make sure that it will work on my film camera. Steve (Repeat as needed...The 70-200 is not required...it is all an illusion...everything J touches turns to gold...no need to rush out to buy anything...no need...no need...) Steve, No aperture ring. There you go, you can move on now! One thing I've come to appreciate all over again - Pentax's in-body shake reduction. That allows this $699 lens outperform the $1300 Canon/Nikon equivalents - SR equalizes them, and the Tammy's IQ surpasses them. Sweet. For us. Quick 'what-the-hell' moon shot, no tripod: Putting a rock in his mouth. What a good dad I am: Methodical stick manipulation: "What's that sound?? I was expecting HSM!": Popcorn! Someone else's little guy: 1:3 "macro" at 200mm: Some bokeh: . Last edited by jsherman999; 10-13-2008 at 01:03 PM.

10-14-2008, 12:43 AM	#39
Sprot New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Estonia Posts: 33	These pictures are superb. I really am considering this lens to my bag (which does not have many lenses). I think I wait 'til it comes here in store so I could have my little fingers around it to test it myself. Thank You for posting those pictures Last edited by Sprot; 10-14-2008 at 12:43 AM. Reason: spelling

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10-13-2008, 09:55 AM	#31
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237 Original Poster	Originally posted by hwblanks ...especially since I have a perfectly good 55-300. With that, the question would be why I should get one then? I'm also curious to see how well it will work with a TC. Heather Heather, You probably don't need the Tammy 70-200 if you already have the 55-300 unless you need the speed - f/2.8 allows more indoor shooting situations, low-light outdoors, and DOF manipulation at the long end. Aside from that, the 55-300 looks to me like it's an excellent performer & is probably more than adequate for any outdoor shooting. .

10-13-2008, 10:07 AM	#32
kristoffon Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brazil Posts: 532	So it's screw-drive focus, huh? How many people will rule this lens out in favour of the Sigma because of that?

10-13-2008, 10:25 AM	#33
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	You are killing me man! I am late onto this thread and your results are amazing. I took the LBA pledge and am on the wagon until at least the first of the year. Tell me something. I have looked at many pictures of this lens, but all have been Canon mount. Does the Pentax variant have an aperture ring? I know the lens is FF and if I buy one (after Jan 1, of course) I want to make sure that it will work on my film camera. Steve (Repeat as needed...The 70-200 is not required...it is all an illusion...everything J touches turns to gold...no need to rush out to buy anything...no need...no need...)

10-13-2008, 10:51 AM	#34
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Originally posted by kristoffon So it's screw-drive focus, huh? How many people will rule this lens out in favour of the Sigma because of that? I sure as hell ain't one of them! This is a top-of-the list purchase right here! Originally posted by stevebrot Tell me something. I have looked at many pictures of this lens, but all have been Canon mount. Does the Pentax variant have an aperture ring? I know the lens is FF and if I buy one (after Jan 1, of course) I want to make sure that it will work on my film camera. No aperture ring, sadly. No mainstream manufacturer produces lenses with aperture rings anymore (forget Cosina - Voigtlander & Zeiss)

10-13-2008, 12:28 PM	#36
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by kristoffon So it's screw-drive focus, huh? How many people will rule this lens out in favour of the Sigma because of that? The Tamron spins the focus ring faster...the K10D has a hefty screw motor. It's noisier than the Sigma, though, so make your own tradeoffs...

10-13-2008, 08:01 PM	#37
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237 Original Poster	. Dim light, ISO 800, f/2.8, 200mm - still pretty good! (first time wearing mittens!)

10-13-2008, 11:03 PM	#38
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	I'm on a major LBA run right now, but you continued posts have my struggling with a NEED for this lens (doh!). I'm gonna look around tomorrow for stuff to sell. (the 18-250 will go...)

10-14-2008, 03:10 AM	#40
Serge Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: St.-Petersburg, Russia Photos: Albums Posts: 40	Amazing captures! Thanks for sharing. Looks like the lens performs very well. I have read a dpreview article about that lens - they point out a weakness (resolution falloff) at 135mm setting at full aperture. Have you noticed that softness? As far as I can see from your photograps in the beginning of the thread, closeups are quite sharp... What about longer focusing distances?

10-14-2008, 09:25 AM	#41
cardinal43 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,412	Great pics. Looks like the weather is getting a bit nippy in MN. I always enjoy the pics of your son (Igillian also has some winners of his daughters). Love the curly hair. I think your son must be one of the most, if not the most, photographed son in the world.

10-14-2008, 10:15 AM	#42
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Originally posted by cardinal43 Great pics. Looks like the weather is getting a bit nippy in MN. I always enjoy the pics of your son (Igillian also has some winners of his daughters). Love the curly hair. I think your son must be one of the most, if not the most, photographed son in the world. He might be, he's a bit older than my son by the look of things (my boy's 9 months next week), but I'm working on breaking the record for redundant photography of a child . I've got 1413 shots tagged with his name right now, and there'll be more soon I'm sure. The pics of jsherman jr. on this thread and elsewhere are great. I'll have to start posting more of my son ...

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10-14-2008, 10:39 AM	#43
LaRee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,225	Originally posted by heliphoto He might be, he's a bit older than my son by the look of things (my boy's 9 months next week), but I'm working on breaking the record for redundant photography of a child . I've got 1413 shots tagged with his name right now, and there'll be more soon I'm sure. The pics of jsherman jr. on this thread and elsewhere are great. I'll have to start posting more of my son ... It is natural to take lots of photos of our children. Or at least I think it is. I've got 2,014 tagged of my youngest 8 yr old son (I'm sure there are some that are not tagged) just from the past 5 months. It would be an interesting (although daunting) exercise to research exactly how many photos I've taken of him over his 8 years. The great thing is all his photos fit in a small box of discs. His older brothers have prints and negatives that fill up a couple huge boxes and lots of albums. When we were threatened with a major fire a couple years ago I packed all the photos and put them by the door for a fast get away. That is when the contrast hit me between film and digital archiving.

10-14-2008, 10:43 AM	#44
krs Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 395	Pictures are very impressive. A few questions that I have not seen answered: 1. How fast is the autofocus? Does it lag more than other lenses on the camera? 2. How quiet is the lens? I recall the DA* lenses are very quiet on the K10D and newer cameras (K200 and K20)? 3. Showing my ignorance, what is the implications (good and bad) of it being a screw drive?

10-14-2008, 02:14 PM	#45
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	Stop Jay ... I tell you ... this is making it harder and harder for me. This ia definitely going to be a great outdoor "toddler-chase-and capture" lens ... I have been look high and low for something that can do this. Plus I have a nice Tamron TC to hook it up to as well ... I just don't have the $900AUD for one at the moment.