Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC(Is mine a bad copy?)

mikoh4792 · Feb 13, 2015

I just received this lens and one thing I noticed right away is that the focus and zoom rings feel a bit loose(has some play compared to my nikon lenses).The rubber focus ring kind of moves up and down between the gaps). Just wondering if this is a common thing with this lens.

Lucryster · Feb 13, 2015

Call Tamron, theyll have you send it in for a warranty repair. Its really fast too, got mine back in less than a week after sending it in, and its perfect now. I had opposite problem, my focus ring was too tight and ended up with metal shavings inside the glass.

mikoh4792 · Feb 13, 2015

Lucryster said:
Call Tamron, theyll have you send it in for a warranty repair. Its really fast too, got mine back in less than a week after sending it in, and its perfect now. I had opposite problem, my focus ring was too tight and ended up with metal shavings inside the glass.

Good to know their customer service is reliable. I ordered mine from amazon so I can just have it replaced free of charge. However, there would be no point in doing so if this is just the norm for this lens(a bit of a loose feel to the rings).

mikoh4792 · Feb 13, 2015

Okay so now this review of the lens has got me worried. I initially bought this lens not only because this was almost twice as cheap as it's competitors, but because it's build quality was supposedly pretty good.

Build Quality:
I own in the past Tamron SP 17-55 2.8 non VR, and the build quality was horrible. Switch to the Canon 17-55 2.8 after all the grip areas fall out of the lens. I hoped that the new looks of the Tamron SP 24-70 2.8 VR wasn't like that.

The feel of the lens its pretty impressive, and its weather sealed. Looks improved over other Tamron lenses in the past and better than the old Sigmas. Unfortunately it shares the same rubber grip and the same problems of previous Tamron lenses. All rubber in the lens falls apart over 1-2 years.

Its not meant to last forever, not even 5 years.

Recommendations:
This lens its for casual photographers, serious amateurs and travelers. Has some serious punch pack in it, great IQ, weather sealing, VR; and look cool. If you don't mind dealing with the AF Issues and missing a few shots, GO FOR IT! Its a great lens.

But if you are into the business, working in photography (weddings, journalism, or anything heavy duty), save more money and go for the Canon 24-70 F2.8 or F4 IS. Tamron SP 24-70 isn't reliable, and can't take the pressure of work over time. You will be selling it for half-price half-broken in 1 year just to go for the Canon version

Lucryster · Feb 13, 2015

Now that I got mine back, I love it. It feels much sturdier than my nikkor 14-24. Its super sharp as well. The VC is a definite bonus. I think your over thinking things. Just call tamron and they'll fix it for you. That and Tamron lenses have a 6 year warranty, so who ever made that review didnt even bother to have the rubber fixed for free. Ive had other tamron lenses and never had any problem with rubber wearing out or falling off.

BTW the ring on my nikkor wide angle is much looser than the ring on either of my tamrons.

mikoh4792 · Feb 13, 2015

Lucryster said:
Now that I got mine back, I love it. It feels much sturdier than my nikkor 14-24. Its super sharp as well. The VC is a definite bonus. I think your over thinking things. Just call tamron and they'll fix it for you. That and Tamron lenses have a 6 year warranty, so who ever made that review didnt even bother to have the rubber fixed for free. Ive had other tamron lenses and never had any problem with rubber wearing out or falling off.

BTW the ring on my nikkor wide angle is much looser than the ring on either of my tamrons.

By looser do you mean easier to turn, or do you mean the ring wiggling up and down on it's axis?

ruifo · Feb 13, 2015

mikoh4792 said:
Okay so now this review of the lens has got me worried. I initially bought this lens not only because this was almost twice as cheap as it's competitors, but because it's build quality was supposedly pretty good.

Build Quality:
I own in the past Tamron SP 17-55 2.8 non VR, and the build quality was horrible. Switch to the Canon 17-55 2.8 after all the grip areas fall out of the lens. I hoped that the new looks of the Tamron SP 24-70 2.8 VR wasn't like that.

The feel of the lens its pretty impressive, and its weather sealed. Looks improved over other Tamron lenses in the past and better than the old Sigmas. Unfortunately it shares the same rubber grip and the same problems of previous Tamron lenses. All rubber in the lens falls apart over 1-2 years.

Its not meant to last forever, not even 5 years.

Recommendations:
This lens its for casual photographers, serious amateurs and travelers. Has some serious punch pack in it, great IQ, weather sealing, VR; and look cool. If you don't mind dealing with the AF Issues and missing a few shots, GO FOR IT! Its a great lens.

But if you are into the business, working in photography (weddings, journalism, or anything heavy duty), save more money and go for the Canon 24-70 F2.8 or F4 IS. Tamron SP 24-70 isn't reliable, and can't take the pressure of work over time. You will be selling it for half-price half-broken in 1 year just to go for the Canon version

Click to expand...

Just like Nikkors, the Tamrons have different built quality. This review above is about the 17-55mm f/2.8 non VC. The Tamron trinity with highest image and built quality are:

15-30mm f/2.8 VC
24-70mm f/2.8 VC
70-200mm f/2.8 VC

Among these three, I only have the 70-200mm, which is very strong and with excelent built and image quality. I never used the 24-70mm, but I'd guess you got a bad copy of it, as there's nothing lose on my 70-200mm copy at all. Call Tamron or Amazon for service or exchange. Tamron offers a 6 year warranty package for these lenses.

Braineack · Feb 13, 2015

I'm holding mine right now, there's no play in the rubber rings at all.

there's a TINY bit of play in the zoom ring.

the focus ring and zoom rings on my 70-200 has more axial play.

Overread · Feb 13, 2015

I've got one and I have to say I'm scared to put the lens hood on sometimes - its a super tight fit (that hood is NOT coming off/on without a small fight - not worried about it just really nice and tight).

The focus and zoom wheels on mine are tight, there is a minuscule amount of play in the zoom wheel. I'm talking so tiny you will never notice it (in fact its up and down play - which I think you're describing - is as tiny as the play in my 70-200mm f2.8 IS L MII on its focusing ring and that has never ever been a problem -heck I never even noticed it before looking for it now and I won't notice it again either).

If the wheels are a little loose I'd sent it in for a check-up. Also remember there are a fair few "this lens is good but it won't take "pro" work" comments around for a lot of things. Sometimes its true - sometimes its a guess on the reviewers part - sometimes people treat their gear like trash

Braineack · Feb 13, 2015

Now with video:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-.../DNXU-csMtp8/w320-h240-no/20150213_171044.mp4

argh, that didnt work...

mikoh4792 · Feb 13, 2015

I know what you mean by the tight fit on the hood. Takes some force to get it on.

Well, a replacement has been sent to come tomorrow...I'll see if there are any significant variances in terms of ring play(up and down). I don't think the rings on my lens are loose in that they are easy to turn... just a fair bit of up and down play.

Lucryster · Feb 13, 2015

mikoh4792 said:
Lucryster said:

Now that I got mine back, I love it. It feels much sturdier than my nikkor 14-24. Its super sharp as well. The VC is a definite bonus. I think your over thinking things. Just call tamron and they'll fix it for you. That and Tamron lenses have a 6 year warranty, so who ever made that review didnt even bother to have the rubber fixed for free. Ive had other tamron lenses and never had any problem with rubber wearing out or falling off.

BTW the ring on my nikkor wide angle is much looser than the ring on either of my tamrons.

Click to expand...

By looser do you mean easier to turn, or do you mean the ring wiggling up and down on it's axis?

Easier to turn. I prefer the tamron, easier to control the zoom.

mikoh4792 · Feb 13, 2015

Lucryster said:
mikoh4792 said:

Lucryster said:

Now that I got mine back, I love it. It feels much sturdier than my nikkor 14-24. Its super sharp as well. The VC is a definite bonus. I think your over thinking things. Just call tamron and they'll fix it for you. That and Tamron lenses have a 6 year warranty, so who ever made that review didnt even bother to have the rubber fixed for free. Ive had other tamron lenses and never had any problem with rubber wearing out or falling off.

BTW the ring on my nikkor wide angle is much looser than the ring on either of my tamrons.

Click to expand...

By looser do you mean easier to turn, or do you mean the ring wiggling up and down on it's axis?

Click to expand...

Easier to turn. I prefer the tamron, easier to control the zoom.