The best lens: Hi club members It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00. Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc...

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

kenpic Loc: Edmonds, WA

Jules Karney wrote:

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

What camera body are you shooting with?

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

kenpic wrote:

What camera body are you shooting with?

Sorry about that Nikon d-7100

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

What body are you using and is the Nikon the 2009 VRII version? DX or FX body??

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Jules Karney wrote:

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

This would be a no-brainer for me, but I understand the Tamron to be quite good. I just think there's merit in having equipment engineered to work together.

I'd go for the Nikkor. I am regularly amazed that mine just seems to know what I want it to focus on, and it gets there very quickly.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I would go with the Nikon.
Awesome lens!

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

mcveed wrote:

What body are you using and is the Nikon the 2009 VRII version? DX or FX body??

Body is Nikon d-7100, I shoot a lot of sports. The lens is:
70-200 2.8 G ED IF AF-S AF lens. Cost is 1380.00 at KEH

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Jules Karney wrote:

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

Sorry, I don't even own the type equipment but knowing photography in general...

...from a resale stand point alone, the value should hold better in a Nikon lens. If it were me I'd go Nikon. All my 20+ "Pentax mount" lenses but one are Pentax branded. I have View Camera and Enlarging Nikon Lenses, no complaints there!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Jules Karney wrote:

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

With the current $100 rebate ($1399 after) and the 6 year warranty, I am afraid I would have to recommend the Tamron over that first generation Nikon.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

MT Shooter wrote:

With the current $100 rebate ($1399 after) and the 6 year warranty, I am afraid I would have to recommend the Tamron over that first generation Nikon.

I forgot to say the nikon lens is used.

jcboy3

Jules Karney wrote:

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

According to dxomark, the best lens is the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* Otus 1.4/55 ZF.2 Nikon (score 50). But the next best is the 85mm version, so I would recommend that as being in your desired range (focal length, not price).

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Jules Karney wrote:

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

If it's the VRII version, Nikon, as long as you don't mind a lot of focus breathing. If it is the VR, then the Tamron is clearly a better choice. Though you'd be splitting hairs between them.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Jules Karney wrote:

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

I would go for the Nikon. the tamron is a good lens, but I have had trouble with a couple of the zooms. the lenses starting creeping after about a year or so.

alexlink

My preference is Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Jules Karney wrote:

Hi club members

It's time for the big decision. I am going to buy either a Nikon 70-200 2.8 g ed if af-s af lens used for 1479.00.

Or a new Tamron Sp 70-200 2.8 di vc usd zoom lens for 1499. I need opinions on which one to buy. I shoot a lot of sports.
I have watched, read opinions for both lenses, now I need comments from club members who have actually used both of them. I trust our members.
Thanks in advance.

Sorry trusting our members without validation is risky. Many are based upon personal experience and often narrow in application. The most common response is, "I have it and like it" without explanation.

When it comes to lenses, it is best to understand how they are made and what differentiates their quality. For members it is just focal length and sharpness. But there is so much more. Do your homework and become the expert as opposed to being reliant on the opinions of others.