The Tamron 70-200mm/2.8 is unbelievable...

wallyb · 12-22-2009, 07:58 AM

I am just blown away. There's another thread here about shots with this Tammy lens wide-open, but I figured I should start a new thread because I'm actually testing out how this lens performs with a Teleconverter. And to me, the results are astounding. I don't think I've ever owned such a high-quality zoom lens.

The teleconverter I'm using is a Promaster 1.7x AF, which turns the lens into roughly a 120-340mm f/4.8. Autofocus is pretty slow, and hunts quite a bit with this combo, but it's still usable. However, even if it was MF-only I'd still be thrilled with it, because the image quality, well... take a look yourself! These are two shots I just took out in the snow, with light touch-ups in gimp. Both are with the TC, and at f/2.8!

Anyone else have any experience with this lens and a TC? I'm really shocked by how well it holds up, and I'm looking to push it to the limit and go a bit longer if possible.

**Ash** · 12-22-2009, 12:21 PM

The starting point for the Tamron is that it is very sharp at 200mm at all apertures.
TCs, especially 1.4x and 1.7x, don't degrade IQ all that much - significantly but not drastically.
So I'm not surprised, mate! The Tamron is just a superbly designed set of glassware.

wallyb · 12-22-2009, 12:46 PM

The Promaster (Tamron copy) 1.7x teleconverter is special, in my eyes. I've seen other similar TCs perform much worse. I still wonder where a nice quality, sub-$200, and fully compatible 2x TC is, though.

ilya80 · 12-22-2009, 03:27 PM

I have this lens and only can confirm this - it rocks. It is razor sharp at 200mm and the rendering is quite pleasant too.

photogerald · 12-22-2009, 10:32 PM

Based on all the excellent shots posted here, I'm starting to think that the Tamron outperforms my FA*200 @f2.8 in terms of colours, contrast, and sharpness.

Utik · 12-23-2009, 01:41 AM

Wow, I wonder how it works with a modern autofocus x2 converter.. it would be a nice comparision against the sigma 120-400 5.6

wallyb · 12-23-2009, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by Utik

Wow, I wonder how it works with a modern autofocus x2 converter.. it would be a nice comparision against the sigma 120-400 5.6

If you or anyone else here has one to donate, I'd love to try it out!

jsherman999 · 12-23-2009, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by photogerald

Based on all the excellent shots posted here, I'm starting to think that the Tamron outperforms my FA*200 @f2.8 in terms of colours, contrast, and sharpness.

.

I don't know whether or not it does, but it optically it matches and even outperforms the $1700 Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR I. At 200mm wide-open, the Tamron is better, especially in the corners.

The $2400 VRII finally matches the Tamron optically

Here's another thread with images and discussion:

---> First Impressions

.

ivoire · 12-23-2009, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by Utik

Wow, I wonder how it works with a modern autofocus x2 converter.. it would be a nice comparision against the sigma 120-400 5.6

I shot this with the 200f2.8 Tamron and Kenko MC7 2xtc and K20D at 150mm. First is original and second is a crop, no post processing. It was an excellent combo. Sold the lens recently.

photogerald · 12-23-2009, 08:48 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

.

I don't know whether or not it does, but it optically it matches and even outperforms the $1700 Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR I. At 200mm wide-open, the Tamron is better, especially in the corners.

The $2400 VRII finally matches the Tamron optically

Here's another thread with images and discussion:

---> First Impressions

.

jsherman999, yes in fact your thread is what turned me onto this lens in the first place. I really think my FA*200 would have a hard time beating it.

wallyb · 12-25-2009, 02:49 AM

I took a couple more pictures today with this combination, and it's still blowing my mind.

Both with the teleconverter at varied focal lengths, and some light gimp edits, but this time stopped down a bit. F/3.5 on the first and f/6.3 on the second I believe. Also taken at a bit higher ISO, so forgive any noise. As you can see, the sharpness still stands up on an incredible level, with no added defects introduced into the resulting images.

This is a keeper combo for sure!

Mechan1k · 12-26-2009, 04:28 AM

I wish i had the cashe for one ... I have a nice Tamron x1.4 MC4 TC to mate up to one at home.

darrenleow · 12-27-2009, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by ivoire

I shot this with the 200f2.8 Tamron and Kenko MC7 2xtc and K20D at 150mm. First is original and second is a crop, no post processing. It was an excellent combo. Sold the lens recently.

i had to dial in +8 AF adjustment on my K20D, but after that it has been working like a charm

ivoire · 12-27-2009, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by darrenleow

i had to dial in +8 AF adjustment on my K20D, but after that it has been working like a charm

That's a strange one Darren. I shot a few quick shots with the K7 and that lens before posting it for sale... it was spot on. I'm glad to hear the lens is working for you. Have you used it for any college news/events/sports yet? If so, post a few pics.

Mechan1k · 12-27-2009, 09:26 AM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That right there just goes to show how far out the calibration is for focus between different camera models/bodies. Nothing wrong with the lens ... it's all to do with the camera.

12-22-2009, 07:58 AM	#1
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	The Tamron 70-200mm/2.8 is unbelievable... I am just blown away. There's another thread here about shots with this Tammy lens wide-open, but I figured I should start a new thread because I'm actually testing out how this lens performs with a Teleconverter. And to me, the results are astounding. I don't think I've ever owned such a high-quality zoom lens. The teleconverter I'm using is a Promaster 1.7x AF, which turns the lens into roughly a 120-340mm f/4.8. Autofocus is pretty slow, and hunts quite a bit with this combo, but it's still usable. However, even if it was MF-only I'd still be thrilled with it, because the image quality, well... take a look yourself! These are two shots I just took out in the snow, with light touch-ups in gimp. Both are with the TC, and at f/2.8! Anyone else have any experience with this lens and a TC? I'm really shocked by how well it holds up, and I'm looking to push it to the limit and go a bit longer if possible.

12-23-2009, 02:39 PM	#9
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Originally posted by Utik Wow, I wonder how it works with a modern autofocus x2 converter.. it would be a nice comparision against the sigma 120-400 5.6 I shot this with the 200f2.8 Tamron and Kenko MC7 2xtc and K20D at 150mm. First is original and second is a crop, no post processing. It was an excellent combo. Sold the lens recently. Last edited by ivoire; 11-07-2010 at 10:09 PM.

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12-22-2009, 12:21 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	The starting point for the Tamron is that it is very sharp at 200mm at all apertures. TCs, especially 1.4x and 1.7x, don't degrade IQ all that much - significantly but not drastically. So I'm not surprised, mate! The Tamron is just a superbly designed set of glassware.

12-22-2009, 12:46 PM	#3
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881 Original Poster	The Promaster (Tamron copy) 1.7x teleconverter is special, in my eyes. I've seen other similar TCs perform much worse. I still wonder where a nice quality, sub-$200, and fully compatible 2x TC is, though.

12-22-2009, 03:27 PM	#4
ilya80 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia Photos: Albums Posts: 410	I have this lens and only can confirm this - it rocks. It is razor sharp at 200mm and the rendering is quite pleasant too.

12-22-2009, 10:32 PM	#5
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253	Based on all the excellent shots posted here, I'm starting to think that the Tamron outperforms my FA*200 @f2.8 in terms of colours, contrast, and sharpness.

12-23-2009, 01:41 AM	#6
Utik Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Italy Posts: 30	Wow, I wonder how it works with a modern autofocus x2 converter.. it would be a nice comparision against the sigma 120-400 5.6

12-23-2009, 01:43 AM	#7
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881 Original Poster	Originally posted by Utik Wow, I wonder how it works with a modern autofocus x2 converter.. it would be a nice comparision against the sigma 120-400 5.6 If you or anyone else here has one to donate, I'd love to try it out!

12-23-2009, 01:37 PM	#8
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by photogerald Based on all the excellent shots posted here, I'm starting to think that the Tamron outperforms my FA200 @f2.8 in terms of colours, contrast, and sharpness. . I don't know whether or not it does, but it optically it matches and even outperforms the $1700 Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR I. At 200mm wide-open, the Tamron is better, especially in the corners. The $2400 VRII finally matches the Tamron optically Here's another thread with images and discussion: ---> First Impressions* .

12-23-2009, 08:48 PM	#10
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253	Originally posted by jsherman999 . I don't know whether or not it does, but it optically it matches and even outperforms the $1700 Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR I. At 200mm wide-open, the Tamron is better, especially in the corners. The $2400 VRII finally matches the Tamron optically Here's another thread with images and discussion: ---> First Impressions . jsherman999, yes in fact your thread is what turned me onto this lens in the first place. I really think my FA*200 would have a hard time beating it.

12-25-2009, 02:49 AM	#11
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881 Original Poster	I took a couple more pictures today with this combination, and it's still blowing my mind. Both with the teleconverter at varied focal lengths, and some light gimp edits, but this time stopped down a bit. F/3.5 on the first and f/6.3 on the second I believe. Also taken at a bit higher ISO, so forgive any noise. As you can see, the sharpness still stands up on an incredible level, with no added defects introduced into the resulting images. This is a keeper combo for sure!

12-26-2009, 04:28 AM	#12
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	I wish i had the cashe for one ... I have a nice Tamron x1.4 MC4 TC to mate up to one at home.

12-27-2009, 01:37 AM	#13
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by ivoire I shot this with the 200f2.8 Tamron and Kenko MC7 2xtc and K20D at 150mm. First is original and second is a crop, no post processing. It was an excellent combo. Sold the lens recently. i had to dial in +8 AF adjustment on my K20D, but after that it has been working like a charm

12-27-2009, 07:32 AM	#14
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Originally posted by darrenleow i had to dial in +8 AF adjustment on my K20D, but after that it has been working like a charm That's a strange one Darren. I shot a few quick shots with the K7 and that lens before posting it for sale... it was spot on. I'm glad to hear the lens is working for you. Have you used it for any college news/events/sports yet? If so, post a few pics.

12-27-2009, 09:26 AM	#15
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That right there just goes to show how far out the calibration is for focus between different camera models/bodies. Nothing wrong with the lens ... it's all to do with the camera.