Buckeye Bob

First post here but would love some help. I am definitely an amateur and shoot with a Canon 70D and love it for what I do. I primarily shoot landscapes, nature but also lots of pics of my son and his band. My primary lens is a Tamron 16-300 f3.5-6.3. I am looking to upgrade to a faster lens primarily for the concert pics as it tends to be more challenging lighting obviously. I do like the Tamron line especially with the Vibration Control and am considering the 24-70 f2.8 Di VC G2 SP. Most of the shots I take are closer to the stage so don’t necessarily need the longer focal length. Although also considered upgrading to the 70-200 f2.8. Would love to hear your thoughts and anything else I should consider.

Thanks in advance.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

You must have a fairly good idea of what your popularly used focal lengths are. If the 24-70 cover most than it would be a good choice....I like mine.

MrMagoo

I just bought the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 a few weeks ago. So far, so good. I really like it. I take a fair amount of sports pictures for the grandkids and it has performed great. The only warning is that it is heavy! I use a sling strap and that helps. I would not want it hanging around my neck for any length of time.

justhercamera Loc: NW Michigan

I also have the Tamron 70-200 and love using that lens. However, for what you are doing, it sounds like you don't need that reach and likely the 24-70 would give you the most benefit.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Bob, Welcome to our forum. I would go with the 24-70 f2.8 Di VC G2 SPif I were in your shoes.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Depends on how close you can get to the stage. Take a look at where you’re shooting with regards to FL with your present lens for guidance. If front row, then I’d agree with the 24-70 f2.8 suggestion, but if you’re 30’ or further, take a look at the 135 f2L. Not cheap, but a stop faster and tack sharp with excellent bokeh wide open to isolate the subject - you will love this lens. The caveats are that it may be too long if you want the entire width of the stage and it’s not as versatile as the zoom. The 70-200 f2.8 is a great lens and a staple for longer reach than the 24-70, but not a lightweight.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A faster lens can make a big difference in low light situations.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/tamron-sp-70-200mm-f2-8-di-vc-usd-g2
https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/photography-gear/lenses/tamron-sp-70-200mm-f2-8-g2-review/
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/tamron-sp-70-200mm-f-2-8-di-vc-usd-g2--a025--review-30649

https://photographylife.com/nikon-70-200mm-f4-vs-f2-8
http://news.coreyrich.com/2014/06/ask-corey-nikon-70-200mm-f4-vs-f2-8/
http://www.cameradebate.com/2012/nikon-70-200mm-f4-vs-f28-comparison/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFI4WFFg1K8

hj Loc: Florida

A few weeks ago I sold my Canon 70-200mm f2.8 because it was SO HEAVY. Replaced it with the Canon 70-300mm IS II USM and am very pleased. Also much less expensive. Decided I didn't need the extra low light capability of the f2.8.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Get a nifty 50 for $100 and it is all you need!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

On crop frame, and doing what you want, I would be using Sigma 17-70 2.8-4. Not too heavy, not too expensive. Going longer, the Sigma 50-150 2.8 is a great lens but discontinued and no IS.

..

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Heavy but cant give up my 70-200 F2.8L IS ii. Its just rocks in all categories (except weight, in which case it is a "rock").

For "non-conspicuous but versatile" - 70-300 as others have mentioned is a good all-round value (not best IQ, not too much money, not best low light, BUT good in every category)

For uber low light, look at the 50mm and 85mm1.4 and 1.8 primes...some have image stabilisation.
The 135 F2 is also a great option as others have mentioned for both low light and non-conspicuous.

I shoot a couple concerts each year as a paid photographer and use variants of all the above. If I could only have 1 lens....hmmm...I would go with a "trinity" lens. 70-200 or the 24-70 tammy G2.... 70-300 would be another option too but I dont think you would need the 300 end unless you had no access.....and it is not a fast lens.

I cant comment on the 18-400 tamron-type lenses but I have not heard/experienced great results in low light with these ultra-versatile lenses when it comes to resolution. You have experienced that already...hence your question.
You are shooting with a 70D....ISO performance for me begins to get a little nasty around 800 and unuseable (for me) around 2400).

The primes are not as versatile but I usually crop anyway so for me, AF performance and IQ trump versatity.

Net: your instinct was right. Get the 24-70 2.8 g2. and ALSO...get a "plastic fantastic" 50mm1.8 cheap lens and try it out. The IQ may not be great but you will decide for yourself whether the workflow with a niftyfifty works for you. Then buy an expensive prime50mm ...(Sigma Art, TammyG2, CanonL or good EF-s) ...the IQ will blow you away)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

You should be happy with both lenses (I use Nikon cameras and lenses) and in regard to distance, if it is not that far from you the 24-70 f2.8 VR should do very well.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Greetings, and welcome to the forum Bob. I recently purchased the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 Di VC G2 through Greentoe and fulfilled by an east coast camera store at quite a savings. I am quite pleased with this lens, and have enclosed some examples. I don't think you will go wrong with this lens, and check the downloads to see just how sharp the lens is.

Original shot hand held from about 8' away

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1st Crop

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2nd Crop

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Use the focal length of your current images from the 16-300 lens and determine which you need, 24-70 or 70-200. Both Tamrom lenses are excellent choices. If shooting from any amount of distance, I'd go with the 70-200 option.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Oops, also forgot to mention I have the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 Di VC and love it too. If you can afford it, you should get them both, and from your post those two great lenses would cover 98% of your shooting situations. I also purchased this lens through Greentoe and fulfilled by one of the East Coast big boys at a substantial savings as well. Being an amateur like you, these are my most used lenses. Some examples of the Tamron 70-200 SOOC with the exception of the last one.

From about 80 yards away

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Post Processed using Topaz Studio & Corel Paint Shop Pro 2018

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