Tamron G2 70-200: I’m liking to make a purchase of a nice 70-200 lens. I shoot Nikon and while I’d love the Nikon, it’s slightly outside of my budget. Has anyone had any luck with the...

StLouie1970

I’m liking to make a purchase of a nice 70-200 lens. I shoot Nikon and while I’d love the Nikon, it’s slightly outside of my budget. Has anyone had any luck with the second generation Tamron lense? It’s about $900 cheaper than the Nikon.

Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA

Have you looked at used or refurbished Nikon lenses? I see them from $750 and up on ebay. I bought an 80-200 f2.8 from Japan on ebay for $300 (an older model without VR) in excellent condition.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Zoom-NIKKOR-70-200mm-f-2-8-SWM-AF-S-VR-IF-ED-G-Lens/202271569341?epid=101701952&hash=item2f185335bd:g:R1YAAOSwcjhasdGW

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=nikon+af-s+70-200+mm+f%2F2.8+g+vr+if+ed+lens&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin

Agree with checking eBay, I've saved over $800 for two Canon purchases (new items) , gray market, but both registered for warranty with Canon no problem.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

StLouie1970 wrote:

I’m liking to make a purchase of a nice 70-200 lens. I shoot Nikon and while I’d love the Nikon, it’s slightly outside of my budget. Has anyone had any luck with the second generation Tamron lense? It’s about $900 cheaper than the Nikon.

The Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 G2 is a very good lens, that has even had good reviews on this forum. Nikon's newest and best 70-200mm f2.8 has a price tag of $2800..Way out of your budget, I am sure. Is the Tamron G2 better than the latest Nikon's version? The answer. No.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I also picked up a Nikkor 80-200 F2.8. I got mine for $400 (2nd version, 2 ring) from KEH. It doesn't have AFS or VR though (I really don't need them anyway). It's one of the few non VR, non AFS lenses still made & sold by Nikon. Very sharp too, Pro quality to boot.

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

StLouie1970 wrote:

Has anyone had any luck with the second generation Tamron lense?

YES. When I had my Nikon D810 I used the Nikon "trinity" lens set.

When I took delivery of my Nikon D850, I purchased the Tamron 24-70 G2 and the Tamron 70-200 G2. I love both lenses. They are both sharp and fast to focus. I didn't buy the Tamrons for the price difference, I saw a number of favorable recommendations, on the internet, and took a chance. I'm pleased with the Tamrons and highly recommend them to others.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you buy new the Tamron lens is cheaper but if you want quality you can get a nice second hand two rings Nikon 80-200 with superior optics.
The price will be around $500. Roberts Camera offers a 6 months warranty with it.

https://usedphotopro.com/products/usedlenses/used-slr-lenses/used-autofocus-lenses

StLouie1970

This is all good info. My primary subject are my kids during sporting events. I’ve always stayed away fromuswd lenses just because of the “unknown” witbthem, but maybe I should give them a second look.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Any "used" or "refurbished" (by Mfgr) from any of the major retailers (KEH, B&H, Adorama, Cameta, Roberts, etc. usually come with six-month warranties or longer and should not be disregarded. EBay can be a good source but more due diligence is required when shopping there...

StLouie1970 wrote:

This is all good info. My primary subject are my kids during sporting events. I’ve always stayed away fromuswd lenses just because of the “unknown” witbthem, but maybe I should give them a second look.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

StLouie1970 wrote:

I’m liking to make a purchase of a nice 70-200 lens. I shoot Nikon and while I’d love the Nikon, it’s slightly outside of my budget. Has anyone had any luck with the second generation Tamron lense? It’s about $900 cheaper than the Nikon.

I have the Tamron 70-200 G2 lens, and believe you can't go wrong. Optics are superior, and all reviews point out how excellent the lens is. Here's JP Morgan's review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Tjp82i8x4

Photocraig

StLouie1970 wrote:

I’m liking to make a purchase of a nice 70-200 lens. I shoot Nikon and while I’d love the Nikon, it’s slightly outside of my budget. Has anyone had any luck with the second generation Tamron lense? It’s about $900 cheaper than the Nikon.

See Jared Polin (Fro knows.....) You tube video review showing him shooting college baseball with the 70-200 2,8 G2 on a Nikon body, Very positive.

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

I have a Nikon D7100 and the D750. I bought the (full-frame) version of the Tamron
70 to 200 mm, f 2.8. I love this lens! It is sharp, and as you say, was hundreds of
dollars cheaper than the Nikon version.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

StLouie1970 wrote:

I’m liking to make a purchase of a nice 70-200 lens. I shoot Nikon and while I’d love the Nikon, it’s slightly outside of my budget. Has anyone had any luck with the second generation Tamron lense? It’s about $900 cheaper than the Nikon.

Yes, the new Nikon 70-200mm is a bit pricey, but there are alternatives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAAeoB1F7nI
http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/roundup/lens-roundup/best-70-200mm-tele-zoom-lenses-64789
https://petapixel.com/2015/03/28/just-the-lenses-the-great-200mm-shoot-out/
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=that+nikon+guy+70-200mm
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=687&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=946&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

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

SBrodsky Loc: Northern Colorado

I was able to score a refurbished (9+ condition) Nikkor 2.8 70-200 from B & H for $1600. Check around and see what's out there on the used market.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

StLouie1970 wrote:

I’m liking to make a purchase of a nice 70-200 lens. I shoot Nikon and while I’d love the Nikon, it’s slightly outside of my budget. Has anyone had any luck with the second generation Tamron lense? It’s about $900 cheaper than the Nikon.

I bought the native lens (Canon in this case). I had pre-researched the sharpness/IQ blah blah blah and determined they were all "good enough".

Went to the store with my own body. Had the store line up a Sigma, Tamron, and Canon. Attached each and performed near/far AF shooting at different light-level targets.

Net: the Canon lens just nailed the AF instantly. The other 2 were good but a very slight but noticeable over-focus and and adjust. Stood there for 20min humming and hawing but just could not feel like I could lose that split second for sports shooting and coughed up the extra dough for the Canon. (The $pain was real but the GAS was greater:-)

Not sure about the Nikon but if your primary focus is Sports and it matters to get quick accurate AF for the first shot (I did not test continuous tracking), you may want to consider an instore test.

When I bought the 85mm F1.4L, I was consideri g beyond portrait for indoor basketball. Same decison process....same decison. The Sigma was noticeably sharper but the Canon AF ruled.
I did not do the test since a youtuber had done a side by side of the 3 lenses and you could see the difference.