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View Full Version : Got the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 *pics*

rookieshooter
Jul-28-2009, 07:14 PM
After renting the Nikkor ED 24-70mm lens for a photo workshop last week, I decided I needed to have a standard range zoom.

The Nikkor costs $1,900, the Tamron -- $400. I was worried it would be a piece of garbage but I snapped some pics today at work and around the house and am so far very impressed with the sharpness and colors. There's a teeny bit of vignetting at 28mm but that is due to the full frame sensor I am told.

Examples:

http://joshnorem.smugmug.com/photos/604611554_DqFcF-XL.jpg

http://joshnorem.smugmug.com/photos/604610864_vYhFW-XL.jpg

[http://joshnorem.smugmug.com/photos/604648555_MnYDr-XL.jpg

http://joshnorem.smugmug.com/photos/604610975_vS8z4-XL.jpg

http://joshnorem.smugmug.com/photos/604610700_u9W4d-XL.jpg

http://joshnorem.smugmug.com/photos/604737515_8p23N-XL.jpg

What do you think? Not bad for the money!
rainbow
Jul-28-2009, 08:23 PM
Looks like this lens in your hands will take many fine photos!
Chrissiebeez_NL
Jul-29-2009, 12:33 AM
its a great lens (just focusses somewhat slowly) and i agree your shots look nice! :thumb congrats on the buy!
Scott_Quier
Jul-29-2009, 05:06 AM
:clap - Congrats on the lens. I've had this lens for 3 or 4 years. It's a keeper. Love it - it fits a nice niche in my kit.
rookieshooter
Jul-29-2009, 07:05 AM
its a great lens (just focusses somewhat slowly) and i agree your shots look nice! :thumb congrats on the buy!

Yes, the focusing is a bit slow. That is definitely true.
Cygnus Studios
Jul-29-2009, 07:08 AM
I also own this lens and love it. It is a great all around lens, and really nice for headshots.
KA0TVO
Jul-29-2009, 08:13 AM
On a full frame this lens performs very well.
lilmomma
Jul-29-2009, 09:19 AM
I was thinking about getting this lens...think I might take the plunge after seeing some pics with it.



On a full frame this lens performs very well.

Hey KA0TVO..you live like 5 minutes from me! im in LSL.
paddler4
Jul-29-2009, 09:30 AM
I've had one for about a year and have been very pleased as well--bought it because the corresponding Canon L lens was about 3x the price. Enjoy.
JohnnyNapalm
Jul-29-2009, 10:42 AM
It's a great lens, of course, and looks like you will take great shots with it. Grats.
Manfr3d
Jul-30-2009, 11:27 AM
Nice colors and out of focus blur! I had the Tamron on a crop camera and never considered it for full frame. How is sharpness at f2.8 and f4?
Art Scott
Jul-30-2009, 12:12 PM
I have had both the 28-70 and the 24-70 f2.8, both Siggy's tho, and found them to be fantastic as far as focusing and sharpness, but not wide enuff for my likes on a crop body..........I am still looking to get a 17-70.....just wish it were a constant aperture.......
JohnnyNapalm
Jul-30-2009, 01:05 PM
Nice colors and out of focus blur! I had the Tamron on a crop camera and never considered it for full frame. How is sharpness at f2.8 and f4?Here's a 2.8 at 28mm from mine:
http://scottryanphotography.smugmug.com/photos/513187645_ponmR-XL.jpg
amg2833
Jul-30-2009, 01:25 PM
I have this lenses "brother" (Tamron 17-50 2.8), but I hear the optics are virtually the same.

For the price, these lenses cannot be beat!
Manfr3d
Jul-31-2009, 01:04 AM
Here's a 2.8 at 28mm from mine:

Thanks. Altough everything looks sharp at web size :) I think I will try the lens soon on my 5D II to see what it's all about. The review on Photozone doesn't rate it very good. On the other hand I don't see anything in the sample images I don't like. It's such an affordable lens. Link: http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/418-tamron_2875_28_5d?start=2
JohnnyNapalm
Jul-31-2009, 06:16 AM
Thanks. Altough everything looks sharp at web size :) I think I will try the lens soon on my 5D II to see what it's all about. The review on Photozone doesn't rate it very good. On the other hand I don't see anything in the sample images I don't like. It's such an affordable lens. Link: http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/418-tamron_2875_28_5d?start=2Don't let one review stand in your way. User satisfaction around the forums is almost 100% with this bad boy.
ziggy53
Jul-31-2009, 06:44 AM
Thanks. Altough everything looks sharp at web size :) I think I will try the lens soon on my 5D II to see what it's all about. The review on Photozone doesn't rate it very good. On the other hand I don't see anything in the sample images I don't like. It's such an affordable lens. Link: http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/418-tamron_2875_28_5d?start=2

Here are some independent images that show some of the lens problems on FF (the Canon 5D in this case):

http://www.pbase.com/joemama/tamron_2875__28

Note the combination of obvious vignetting in the corners and extremely soft corners with soft edges.

While there are many circumstances where this really would be acceptable, there are also circumstances where it is not desirable. This would not be a very suitable landscapes lens for full frame cameras, unless you need or desire the effects above.

On crop cameras these effects are much less of a problem, and that's where I think you see the higher level of satisfaction.

To be clear, the middle 80% of the lens is quite good at any aperture and the center shows very good sharpness. It is not a horrible lens, just not my recommendation for FF cameras.

For Canon FF I am very happy with the EF 28-80mm, f2.8-f4L USM. While it has it's own set of problems, they are much less optically than the Tamron above and it is proving to be a very good lens for me on all Canon camera bodies. The biggest problem is that Canon will no longer repair this lens, although some independent shops may still repair it. The used purchase price tends to be on the more reasonable side because of the age of the lens.

The Canon 28-70mm, f2.8L USM is even better and apparently still supported by Canon repairs, although it costs more to purchase used.
rookieshooter
Jul-31-2009, 06:53 AM
The focusing is very slow too, so I've found it basically impossible to photograph a moving subject like my cat. As soon as it focuses on her face and I'm ready she moves, repeat ad nauseum.
JohnnyNapalm
Jul-31-2009, 07:14 AM
This would not be a very suitable landscapes lens for full frame cameras, unless you need or desire the effects above.
28mm for a landscape lens? I'm sure people aren't buying the Tamron with that in mind...
ziggy53
Jul-31-2009, 08:36 AM
28mm for a landscape lens? I'm sure people aren't buying the Tamron with that in mind...

Not for the crop cameras as it isn't very wide, but for a FF camera the wide end can be useful for landscapes although not vista landscapes so much. Actually, any focal length can be used for landscapes and I have used up to 500mm lenses for landscape photography. It just depends upon the subject and angle of view you desire. Longer focal lengths are often used to compress the apparent distance between foreground and background using compressed perspective technique, for instance.

Sorry to hijack your thread and I am not raining on your Tamron for crop cameras, it really is a very good choice for a slightly longer standard zoom on crop cameras. At one time it was "extremely" popular and it is still highly sought.
rookieshooter
Aug-01-2009, 05:27 PM
And the honeymoon is over...

It just focuses too slow for my tastes. If your subject is moving AT ALL it will not work, as it takes about 2-3 seconds to focus, which seems like a lifetime. And by the time you almost get it focused, the subject moves again. Will keep it handy for landscape/flowers and other things but am going to rent the Sigma 24-70mm and see how that does. Reviews say focus is fast and silent, which is exactly what I'm looking for. It's double the cost of the Tamron but still $1,000 less than the Nikkor.
JohnnyNapalm
Aug-01-2009, 07:16 PM
And the honeymoon is over...

It just focuses too slow for my tastes. If your subject is moving AT ALL it will not work, as it takes about 2-3 seconds to focus, which seems like a lifetime. And by the time you almost get it focused, the subject moves again.
I guess that's why I had no trouble using it at a wedding reception in low light, where people were moving constantly? :huh

You DO have AI Servo on for fast moving targets, right?
rookieshooter
Aug-01-2009, 07:47 PM
I guess that's why I had no trouble using it at a wedding reception in low light, where people were moving constantly? :huh

You DO have AI Servo on for fast moving targets, right?

heh, yes I had it on continuous focus (nikon). It is very slow. I'm not doubting your claims but in my experience it is just too slow. Maybe I have a bad copy?
Scott_Quier
Aug-02-2009, 08:27 AM
heh, yes I had it on continuous focus (nikon). It is very slow. I'm not doubting your claims but in my experience it is just too slow. Maybe I have a bad copy?
To quote one of my favorite TV characters, "There's something hinky with that!" I just mounted my Tammy on my Canon 50D and did some focus testing.

Outside with good light, focus was almost as fast as any one of my Canon "L" lenses. With AI-Server (constant AF) engaged, focus followed quite nicely. I don't have any rug-rats to us as test subjects, so I just moved the lens from close stuff to objects further away. One test was to focus at the side of my house (from 10' away) and re-orient the camera to view things 50' to 100' away. No issues. All focus times where sub 1 second.

Inside with light levels to mimic those found at many receptions - took just slightly longer but didn't do much (if any) hunting.
JohnnyNapalm
Aug-02-2009, 09:57 AM
(nikon)Guys, I just found the problem.
ziggy53
Aug-02-2009, 01:02 PM
Guys, I just found the problem.

Care to share?
Chrissiebeez_NL
Aug-02-2009, 01:20 PM
Guys, I just found the problem.

boy you just started a flamewar :rofl
ziggy53
Aug-02-2009, 01:56 PM
Care to share?

Never mind. I missed the joke.
Tim Kamppinen
Aug-02-2009, 05:01 PM
Hmm... I have one that I use with my D90... I shot a wedding reception in a dark cave of a venue, two weeks ago, and didn't have any problems focusing on people who were dancing and moving quickly. I did have an SB900 on top with the focus assist on, however. Have you tried it with a Nikon speedlight mounted, or do you at least have the built-in AF assist illuminator on? Remember, even if you are shooting natural light you can use just the AF-Ill on an SB without the flash firing.
Pamani
Aug-03-2009, 10:05 PM
ive been thinking of getting this Tamron lens, thanks for posting up.
rookieshooter
Aug-05-2009, 08:25 PM
My buddy has the exact same lens, on a Canon 30D. I tried it out and it focuses much quicker. Either I got a bad copy or the Canon is just better, not really sure.

I'm sending this lens back to Amazon for a refund -- which is the reason for this post. If you haven't used a lens before always make sure they have a robust return policy :)
ziggy53
Aug-06-2009, 05:17 AM
... If you haven't used a lens before always make sure they have a robust return policy :)

This is a good idea even if you tried the same make and model before. Sample variation is far too common to purchase sight-unseen without return privileges (unless the price is worth the risk.)

I just went through this with a used purchase through KEH. The original product would not have worked to my satisfaction and they make it very easy to exchange. Exchanged purchase is a keeper.