70mm - 200mm F2.8 Sigma, Tamron or Nikkor?
- Thread starter Samsonite
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AC016
Senior Member
I can not say anything about the particular lenses you are looking at, but i can speak to the 70-300mm Di VC USD from Tamron. Build quality is great, VC works a charm, zoom is smooth, focus is fast... overall a very good lens. I did also try the Nikon and did not really see a difference to make me want to lose out on the Tamron rebate that was going on ($100.00). Tamron comes with a 6 year warranty, so that sweetened the deal as well. In conclusion, i think you will be very happy with either one.
AC016
Senior Member
You gave me a good laugh with that one.
I'm all in favor of Nikon glass and that's all I own. From the reviews and pics from this lens on Canon bodies, I doubt any of us would be able to tell the difference between identical shots from the new Tamron and the VRII, they are getting very close.
And yet where I live, in the land of 10 kids per household, there are far too many self-annointed "pros" who are so named because they shoot weddings for a living with $500 worth of gear, whose photos are sub-amateurish.
A few more examples of the Tamron on Canon bodies: Google Translate
And another test (also the Canon mount): Google Translate
And another test (also the Canon mount): Google Translate
Don't worry about being confused. You are not alone. You should also be experiencing some light headache or feel that your head is spinning.
I have tried a lot of lenses and I have my own standard when it comes to optical quality. I have tried 3rd party brands too and still own a few Sigmas. The Sigma with OS is not a bad choice especially if your budget limits you to go any higher. I would say that the Sigma with OS is about equal to the Nikon VRI. The Tamron is nice and quiet but I didn't like on how it is so slow when you zoom and wait for it to auto focus. It is not as instantaneous as the Nikon.
Do consider the resale value should you decide to ditch your equipment. Nikon tend to keep their value better than most lenses.
Are your experiences with the Tamron based on the previous $800 model or the brand new $1500 model?
The new model. You should do a side by side comparison so that you can experience the difference. I'm not saying that the Tamron is not good, it's just the Nikon is even better hands down.
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRI is the lens for you.
The Cheapest Excellent condition Nikkor VRI I have found on Ebay is 1375 USD, is 1950.... there really isnt a big enough gap in price to make this an easy choice
I've been watching the VRI prices on Ebay for the last 6 months. The cheapest I've seen a lens in excellent condition go for was around $1200US. Granted, that lens was 5 years old, but at least the rubber rings had not turned gray/white yet like most of the others. Remember also that the VRI was ridiculed for having soft corners. The VRII, IMO, has the best IQ out of all of them, but then there's the focus breathing issue...
Just to stir up the pot even more, here is a recent review of the Tamron 70-200 VC from Cameralabs: Tamron SP 70-200mm f2.8 VC review | Cameralabs
This review is completely opposite to all the other reviews I have seen. Whole thing is giving me a headache. Anyone know of a cheap 200mm f2.8 Nikkor with fast AF?