Nikkor 70-200mm f4 vs Tamron 70-200mm f2.8

[gryffinwings]

Looking at buying one of these lens, not quite sure which one to get, both are roughly the same price. Trying to compare sharpness and other things, but would like to get an opinion on those that have used both of these. This lens is going to be used on a D7100.

 

[KmH]

The Tamron lens has some significant light fall off in the corners from f/2.8 to f/5.6.
So if you can't live with the fall off it's a f/5.6 lens not a f/2.8 lens.

The Nikon f/4 loses some edge sharpness until stopped down to f/5.6.

If I were buying I would buy the Nikon.

 

[hamlet]

As you reach more professional gear it becomes harder and harder to spend money on nikon gear. The only advice i have is to not be afraid to go third party, a lot of exciting things are happening on the third party front and the 70-200 2.8 is one of them.

 

[ruifo]

Tamron, no question. I have it and love it.

My samples with the Tamron and D810 & D5200: Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD

 

[gryffinwings]

Tamron, no question. I have it and love it.

My samples with the Tamron and D810 & D5200: Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD

You just made it more difficult to make a decision, it's kinda confusing to make a decision.

Side 1: Always stick with Nikkor Lens, you know it will always work.

Side 2: Go With the Tamron it's f2.8 and stuff.

 

[Braineack]

The Tamron lens has some significant light fall off in the corners from f/2.8 to f/5.6.

and the Nikon doesn't?

So if you can't live with the fall off it's a f/5.6 lens not a f/2.8 lens.

This is an incredibly misleading statement to make -- it's a 2.8 lens. the end.

Especially since it's being shot on a d7100 that wont be using the corners of the image projection:

It has equal falloff at f/2.8 as the Nikon has at f/4, fwiw.

The Nikon f/4 loses some edge sharpness until stopped down to f/5.6.

true. and the Tamron is a bit soft in the corners at f/2.8 itself. But again, almost moot since the D7100 doesn't use the full image projection.

MTFs look pretty spot on as well:

Nikon

Tamron:

Tamron looks like it has the edge at 70mm.

If I were buying I would buy the Nikon.

Not me. I'd buy the Tamron again, hands down, no question about it.

I'd much rather shoot Tamron's f/5.6 lens at f/2.8 than gain the size/weight advantage of Nikon's f/5.6 lens.

 

[goodguy]

I am sorry, just no comparison!!!
f4 vs f2.8, thats a whole stop of light you are loosing and thats A LOT of light especially when you need it.
Also give you better separation from background when doing portraits.
I own the Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 VC I use it almost all the time at f2.8 (except when I do in studio portraits) and its sharp, sharp, sharp!!!

Get the Tamron!

 

[goodguy]

Oh and generally speaking about Vignetting, in lightroom there is a little magic box that when you tick it all your Vignetting problems are gone!!!
It simply say "Enable Profile Correction" and pooffff all your Vignetting problems are gone

 

[ruifo]

Tamron, no question. I have it and love it.

My samples with the Tamron and D810 & D5200: Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD

You just made it more difficult to make a decision, it's kinda confusing to make a decision.

Side 1: Always stick with Nikkor Lens, you know it will always work.

Side 2: Go With the Tamron it's f2.8 and stuff.

Not difficult. See this: Best Zooms on the Nikon D810 | DxOMark or this: Best Zoom models for the D7100 | DxOMark

 

[ruifo]

Here some of my shots with the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC with the D5200, that has the same sensor of the D7100. 3 in low light, 3 in good light. Not bad, right?

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@ 200mm, f/2.8, ISO 800, 1/250

Alice in Chains by ruifo, on Flickr

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@ 195mm, f/2.8, ISO 800, 1/350

Alice in Chains by ruifo, on Flickr

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@ 70mm, f/2.8, ISO 640, 1/250

Monster Truck by ruifo, on Flickr

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@ 200mm, f/3.3, ISO 100, 1/1000

Seagull @ GRR Airport Viewer by ruifo, on Flickr

_______
@ 200mm, f/4, ISO 100, 1/500

Trajineras de Xochimilco by ruifo, on Flickr

_______
@ 85mm, f/4, ISO 100, 1/750

Trajineras de Xochimilco by ruifo, on Flickr

 

[Braineack]

not bad for a f/5.6 lens.

 

[goodguy]

Here some of my shots with the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC with the D5200, that has the same sensor of the D7100. 3 in low light, 3 in good light. Not bad, right?

_______
@ 200mm, f/2.8, ISO 800, 1/250

Alice in Chains by ruifo, on Flickr

_______
@ 195mm, f/2.8, ISO 800, 1/350

Alice in Chains by ruifo, on Flickr

_______
@ 70mm, f/2.8, ISO 640, 1/250

Monster Truck by ruifo, on Flickr

_______
@ 200mm, f/3.3, ISO 100, 1/1000

Seagull @ GRR Airport Viewer by ruifo, on Flickr

_______
@ 200mm, f/4, ISO 100, 1/500

Trajineras de Xochimilco by ruifo, on Flickr

_______
@ 85mm, f/4, ISO 100, 1/750

Trajineras de Xochimilco by ruifo, on Flickr

Very nice shots!

And BTW the D5200 (if I am not mistaking) has a Sony sensor while the D7100 is Toshiba, the D5200 has a slightly better sensor with slightly better low light performance but its negligible, both excellent sensors.

 

[ruifo]

I always read that the D5200 has a Toshiba sensor, like the D7100 as well. The only two with this sensor. Here's one link about that. And yes, the tests for the D5200 sensor are pretty good.

The D5300 and D5500 have Sony sensor instead. The D3200 has a Nikon own sensor, like the DF and D4s.

 

[ruifo]

See how the Tamron looks like:



70-200mm f/2.8 by ruifo, on Flickr



D810 and Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD by ruifo, on Flickr



D5200 and Tamron 70-200mm by ruifo, on Flickr



Nikon F75/N75 and Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC by ruifo, on Flickr

 

[goodguy]

Yeah the Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 VC is a beasty lens and build like a tank.
What I like about these lenses is how flexible and useful it is in various scenarios.
Its great for sports, portrait and candids