Big Grouch

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/539401-REG/Tamron_AF001NII_700_70_200mm_f_2_8_Di_LD.html
I'm considering this lens for my Nikon D7000. Note that this is the older lens without vibration reduction. I will be using it to shoot drag racing, often under the lights. Anyone thats actually used this lens have any opinions? I can use a monopod, but I'd rather not. Thank you for any input.

goldy47 Loc: Murrysville Pa.

I've been using the Tamron 70-200 f-2.8 for about four years to photograph ice hockey and find it to be, IMHO, an acceptable lens for that purpose. It is probably not quite as superb as the Nikon 70-200 but I couldn't justify the expense of the Nikon.

Big Grouch

Were these shots hand held? Do you have an opinion on focus speed? I've read a bunch of reviews on it, most are positive. "Some" say it focuses slow, but maybe they are being unreasonable. Your shots are great, I find indoor sports always has difficult lighting. I'd be very happy with shots like yours.

goldy47 Loc: Murrysville Pa.

Yes, I hand hold and I find that the focus speed is adequate provided I continuously depress the shutter release halfway, off/on/off/on as I follow the action. There are many shots that are mis-focused a bit for what i feel are several reasons. First, if the lighting is poor, a common problem, the f-stop may get perilously large (2.8). I started out using a D300 and switched to the D7000. The noise at high ISO was notably lower, so I was able to start shooting at ISO 3200 to 6400 at 1/1000 sec with acceptable results. This is not to say that every shot comes out great. There are rinks where I don't shoot stills at all because of the poor lighting. I also get shots that blur because I'm swinging the camera quickly to follow the puck, and with 70mm minimum, I'm sometimes too close to the subjects. Even when things seem ok as the shutter is released the focus isn't exactly where it should be and the shot is soft or outright out of focus. The lights vary greatly both in their type and in their output per millisecond. Some shots are tinted simply because of the point at which I shoot catches some units heating up to max output and some cooling off. The variations due to this as well as the type of lighting are manifold. I do use auto White Balance and am using an Apple 27" desktop and iPhoto for PP. I do a fair amount of alteration in PP, sharpening, tint, saturation etc. As to the glass, it is a problem. I sometimes am forced to shoot through it and even when I'm not, it gets in the way of otherwise nice views. The attached shots show the problems.
You may have trouble with lighting at night because there will not be any walls to help contain lighting. I would suggest a good speedlight with plenty of power. What camera are you using? Do you wish to freeze the action or want some blur somewhere to suggest speed or power? Do you have a speedlight and which one?

Big Grouch

I use a D7000, and a Nikon SB-600 speedlight. At the dragstrip at night I have Musco lighting illuminating the track, spotlights pointed at the Christmas tree, the colored lights of the Tree itself, and sometimes headlights of support vehicles. And if I'm lucky, header flames 6 feet high.
Most of the time I try to freeze the action, catching wheels in the air and wrinkled slicks. When shooting at places other than the starting line, or road racing events, I shoot at 1/125 or so to get some panning.
I always try to pre-focus and let the car come into the shot. Unless some action happens I wasn't expecting, slower focus shouldn't be a problem. I used to use a Tamron 18-270, it worked well.
Thanks for your help on this, you told me exactly what I needed to know. I think I'll stop by the camera store tonight, and put some old glass on evilBay today.

goldy47 Loc: Murrysville Pa.

Sorry, missed the fine print on your posts. You should have a good setup if you add the Tamron. There is a camera store in my area that allows the return of purchased equipment within a reasonable time period if you aren't happy with it. You might also be able to rent the lens for a trial.
I'm happy with my Tamron, but I do wish I could justify getting the Nikon.

goldy47 Loc: Murrysville Pa.

Try looking at todays UHH links & Resources. Try the lens comparison tool thread. There is a difference between the Nikon and Tamron 70-200's,\]. Question is, how do we view that difference?