Paul Hendley Loc: UK and USA

I have been debating pros and cons of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens and the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD given the substantial price differential (currently 1800/1200 USD at B&H) as a replacement walk around for the 18-135 f 3.5 -5.6 EFS kit lens that came with my 7DMII.

dpreview fora and amazon review comments speak of people having to send back multiple copies of the Tamron before they got a "keeper" and there are several folks who seem to apparently find the Tamron VC effect disconcerting. However the constant 2.8 with VC for a walk-around lens seems to make the Tamron a rather sexy proposition - especially given the price differential.

This dilemma was made worse when I saw that in the UK (where I am currently), the price of the Tamron on amazon.co.uk is currently 547.09 GBP (after a 100 GBP cashback refund) - which is equivalent to 852 USD - i.e half the price of the Canon in UK or US. There is no equivalent sale on the US Amazon.com site.

So I am in need of help from the forum:
1) Anyone know if Tamron are discontinuing this lens or bringing out an updated version that might explain why they want to sell these cheap in UK?
2) Do any hogs have experience of sending copies of this Tamron lens back - in which case what defects did you see? DI d you keep a copy in the end or migrate to a different lens?
3) I know I should be a good enough photographer not to need a 4 stop VC assist for getting sharp photos but it sounds like a real plus for low light alongside the constant F2.8

Am I missing something obvious as to why buying "the brand" and sticking to Canon would be the more sensible decision (which was my thinking when I bought the Canon 70-200 2.8L II which is a wonderful lens) rather than getting this "cheap" Tamron VC as a walk- around.

Before anyone asks, I also have a wide angle 10-20 f3.5 Sigma so it really is this intermediate 30'ish to 70'ish focal length range that I am trying to fill in with a faster lens.

As usual with a GAS attack, my disturbed state may settle if I get a range of views from folks with more experience than me!! So I will appreciate any and all views

thanks in advance

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Have and use the nikon version of this lens and have never had a problem.

legion3 Loc: Deer Park Long Island

i have the lens and it is very sharp love it and use it a lot for portraits on a full frame body

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I would honestly consider getting the Sigma F2.8 APO HSM EX version, I think you would be far better off, especially if you want to save your dollars.
I had this same quandary when I was looking for a macro lens- back and forth between the canon and sigma. I bought the 180mm Sigma F3.5 Macro; used it for some wild life shots, and promptly got a first with a shot of a rare dragonfly ! Your choice, but I think Tamron is struggling a bit.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Here's a thorough multi-oart review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV9ju8LmRfU

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

It is on the Amazon U.S. Web site

(Download)

sonic Loc: chesterfield UK

I have just watched all the vids he has for this lens review .
canon , sigma , tamron and nikon .
here is a link to the conclusion well worth watching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fC3IWsQ_Ms&index=9&list=PL029043243BB9DB72

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I use the Tamron on my Canons. I like it very much. It's surprisingly heavy, though.

Paul Hendley Loc: UK and USA

thanks - that is a really useful and thorough comparison - long but informative.

As always, the conclusion would still be easier if one could find a one-handed photography expert (rather than "on the one hand we have vignetting and fuzzy corners but on the other hand we have excellent VC"!)

Paul Hendley Loc: UK and USA

OOPS - I did not clarify - my response was to jerryc41 for suggesting the series at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV9ju8LmRfU

Paul Hendley Loc: UK and USA

Jethro - yes, this pricing is why I am amazed is is so cheap in the UK - equivalent to 892 USD

sonic Loc: chesterfield UK

would you get vignetting and fuzzy corners on a crop sensor .

Paul Hendley Loc: UK and USA

good point!! I am assuming much "less so" but the Utube reviews were strictly FF focused.

sonic Loc: chesterfield UK

personally now that you have introduced me to the 24-70 f2.8 , I think i am going to get the tamron at such a good price .
plus if you are from the states i bet you would get your money back if you wanted to upgrade , if the tamron is more expensive there .
I don't think there would be a problem with vignetting as you will be using more the center of the lens .
Unless you are thinking of going FF in the future , which i am not .

Paul Hendley Loc: UK and USA

thanks sonic,

I pressed the go button last night so we shall see later today what the lens really looks like - with amazon, at least it can go back easily if all is not well.

to others who responded, many thanks for the helpful input. The driver in the end that made me decide on trying the Tamron was the VC and the fact the Sigma did not do as well as the other three in the head to head run by nikonguy (the utube sessions) and, given the UK pricing, the Sigma's advantage over the Tamron goes away.