Lens comparison, anyone know? I am thinking about getting a Tamron 70-200 f2.8. There are 3 versions out there, The first, does not have Vibration Control (VC), bit is said to have...

Chefneil

I am thinking about getting a Tamron 70-200 f2.8. There are 3 versions out there, The first, does not have Vibration Control (VC), bit is said to have great IQ. The second version does have VC and also has Great IQand the 3rd one ia out of my price range. Does any one out there have actual hands on experience with either of the 2 lenses? If so what do you think?

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

Chefneil wrote:

I am thinking about getting a Tamron 70-200 f2.8. There are 3 versions out there, The first, does not have Vibration Control (VC), bit is said to have great IQ. The second version does have VC and also has Great IQand the 3rd one ia out of my price range. Does any one out there have actual hands on experience with either of the 2 lenses? If so what do you think?

Not sure what your third lens is but I have the Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2. I usually shoot baseball and football at f/2.8. The AF is fast and right on at any zoom setting. I check focus often by enlarging the view to 100%. It is tack sharp. I could not be more happy with this lens.

I know its more money but the G2 is well worth it.

Vietnam Vet

I had one version of those but don't remember which one. I loved that lens.
I photographed collegiate sports with it and the only time it failed to get me what I wanted was at a softball game. It was a hit high and to center field, an easy catch. I focused on the outfielder but by the time the lens finally finished focusing she had caught the ball and thrown it infield.
I sold it and bought the Canon 70-200 and have not had that problem since. In retrospect, I regret selling the lens because there are times I wish I had a second 70-200 for my wife to use when we go to the zoo together, etc.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I have the original Tamron SP 70-200 2.8 VC... That retailed for around $1500 six or seven years ago. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being equivalent to the Canon EF 70-200 2.8L II, the Tamron comes in at around 9.5 and that's mainly because the Canon's AF is a bit faster. It's a really nice lens and it's slightly smaller and lighter than the Canon lens.

Chefneil

Kozan wrote:

Not sure what your third lens is but I have the Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2. I usually shoot baseball and football at f/2.8. The AF is fast and right on at any zoom setting. I check focus often by enlarging the view to 100%. It is tack sharp. I could not be more happy with this lens.

I know its more money but the G2 is well worth it.

Thanks Kozan. It is the G2 that I refer to as the third lens. I like the idea of buying the most recent version of any lens however, I can get the VC, or second version of the lens for for nearly $350 Less than the G2.

Your glowing review of that lens though, helps me to feel good about getting any Tamron lens, though.

Thanks!

olc

Chefneil

rmorrison1116 wrote:

I have the original Tamron SP 70-200 2.8 VC... That retailed for around $1500 six or seven years ago. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being equivalent to the Canon EF 70-200 2.8L II, the Tamron comes in at around 9.5 and that's mainly because the Canon's AF is a bit faster. It's a really nice lens and it's slightly smaller and lighter than the Canon lens.

Thanks, I like the 4 stop VC ability of that lens. Let me ask, have you been able to get sharp images at low shutter speeds?

olc

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Vietnam Vet wrote:

I had one version of those but don't remember whic... (show quote)

Trade the camera/lens back and forth between you two. Probably not that often that you both
have to shoot at exactly the same time. The ultimate analog solution. >Alan

henryp Loc: New York, NY

For reference, the three lenses (in Canon mount) are:

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD MFR # AFA009C-700
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens MFR # AFA025C-700
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro AF MFR # AF001C-700

In another mount, the MFR number would change.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Chefneil wrote:

Thanks, I like the 4 stop VC ability of that lens. Let me ask, have you been able to get sharp images at low shutter speeds?

olc

The slowest I generally handhold with the SP 70-200 2.8 model A009 is 1/60 of a second and I have no problem getting sharp images at that speed. I have shot handheld at 1/20 of a second with acceptable results. I normally try to keep the shutter moving at 1/125 of a second when shooting stationary subjects and no less than 1/750 of a second for non-stationary subjects. The VC works quite well and the lens is capable of really nice bokeh.