| Latest Review Posted | Tamron Di LD Macro 70-200mm F2.8
Tamron has produced a remarkable lens. For action sports, outdoor portraits or close wildlife photography this lens is an amazing value. Fast f/2.8 constant aperture gives sharp images even wide open. Stopping down only a 1/3 f-stop produces superbly clean edge to edge images.
This lens has everything I need and nothing I don't. It is a simple and robust design. The barrel is solid, well fitted and feels great in hand. The focusing and zoom rings are lightly dampened with no play. The front element and overall lens length does not change during zoom or focus which makes the balance consistent during use.
The tried and true screw drive auto focusing may be a bit slower and noisier versus newer hypersonic (HSM, SDM) type systems. But those systems are prone to failure and screw drive always works. On my Pentax K-3 focusing is fast at all distances even in low light.
The tripod collar is solid and spins smoothly. There are no detents to identify rotation by feel so you must line up marks on the barrel.
The hood fits well and nicely reverses for storage. The hood lacks a filter access door so polarizer users may be frustrated.
Compared to the Pentax alternative makes this purchase a no brainer. The Pentax is 3 times the price. It offers weather sealing, a more complex optical design and perhaps marginal improvements in autofocusing speed. Thankfully Pentax is dropping the infamous "SDM" in favor of the "DC" motors. Overall I am hard pressed ... |
