Tamron 28-75mm f2.8

Postman158 · Oct 20, 2011

I've read nothing but awesome review for this lens! Even compared to the Canon 24-70 f2.8L. Its a third of the price as well. Anyone currently shoot with this lens and have any personal testimony for it? As of right now, it seems like its going to be my next lens..

2WheelPhoto · Oct 20, 2011

I heard it is a plastic build lens, compared to the canon which is of course metal.

Postman158 · Oct 20, 2011

2WheelPhoto said:
I heard it is a plastic build lens, compared to the canon which is of course metal.

You're right, it's not weather proofed like the canon. But I plan on taking care of it, I don't think the extra $1000 right now is worth the weather proof lol.

2WheelPhoto · Oct 20, 2011

Kewl, the pics shot with it look great: Full-size sample photos from Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8

Texas Parrothead · Oct 20, 2011

I have heard it can take some great pics. As expected a little soft at 2.8 but most are. The build quality is not as good as the Canon or Nikon and i have heard it has some issues focusing in low light (may hunt a little). For the price i am sure you will be happy.

Big Mike · Oct 20, 2011

Ask Bitter Jeweler...he has one and really seems to like it.

I've heard that edge to edge sharpness isn't as good as the Canon, but if you are typically shooting wide open (or close to it), it's likely that your edges will be outside your DOF anyway, so it may not be a huge issue. If you are using it as a landscape lens, then it might be something to consider.
Sharpness looks pretty good in the centre though (from the samples I've seen).

I had been using a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 as my primary lens, and it was a great lens for me. Sure, the focus wasn't as quiet or as fast as Canon USM, but for the price, it's a great lens. I'm also thinking of adding this 28-75mm as my next lens. I just wish it it was 24-70mm, as I think I'd like more on the wide end.

Another consideration is the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8. The older version is nice and affordable like the Tamron, but they have a newer version which is close to $1000...and at that price, you might as well go all the way for the Canon.

Ask Bitter Jeweler...he has one and really seems to like it.

Texas Parrothead · Oct 20, 2011

+1 to Big Mike I have the Sigma 24-70 2.8 macro (older version) and have been really pleased with it. So much so that i returned my recently purchased Nikon 24-70 as I just couldn't justify the additional $1100 (nikon = $1700+; Sigma = $600). I have been shooting the Sigma daily for the last 3 weeks and it continues to impress me. I shoot a lot of low like and this thing is great. great build quality and very sharp pictures. I actually went looking for the older version as I had heard it is sharper than the newer HSM version. The only knock I have on it is it is a noisy autofocus, but it doesn't bother me at all.

shootermcgavin · Oct 20, 2011

I would check out the Sigma, I like my Tamron 18-270 because there's nothing else to compete with it. But I do not like that way the zoom feels catchy in the beginning and loose at the end. That seems to be the norm with all their lenses. Sigma has a very smooth zoom small things like that irritate me. Quality of photo should be similar in both. I don't think Canon is worth the extra money...

Big Mike · Oct 20, 2011

Texas Parrothead said:
+1 to Big Mike I have the Sigma 24-70 2.8 macro (older version) and have been really pleased with it. So much so that i returned my recently purchased Nikon 24-70 as I just couldn't justify the additional $1100 (nikon = $1700+; Sigma = $600). I have been shooting the Sigma daily for the last 3 weeks and it continues to impress me. I shoot a lot of low like and this thing is great. great build quality and very sharp pictures. I actually went looking for the older version as I had heard it is sharper than the newer HSM version. The only knock I have on it is it is a noisy autofocus, but it doesn't bother me at all.

Just curious, but where did you get that Sigma for $600? (was is used?)
It's $900 at B&H
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens 571306 B&H Photo

Big Mike · Oct 20, 2011

One more thing...Canon & Nikon lenses have a one year manufacturer's warranty. I'm not sure about Sigma, but Tamron's warranty is 6 years.

Postman158 · Oct 20, 2011

Big Mike said:
One more thing...Canon & Nikon lenses have a one year manufacturer's warranty. I'm not sure about Sigma, but Tamron's warranty is 6 years.

Wow that warranty sounds great. Thanks for your guys's input. I'm pretty set on this lens so far. I would still like to know where Texas Parrothead got his Sigma for $600, if its new.

MLeeK · Oct 20, 2011

I absolutely love my 28-75. It's got some vignetting on full frame, but not anything that you can't fix in raw. When i bought it I went in to Adorama and played with both it and the Sigma. The Sigma 24-70 has a better build quality by far, but I had sharper results with the Tamron... so I bought it. I lust for the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L for my full frame and the 17-55 for my crop camera, but the money fairy hasn't left me any packages under my pillow, so... I will love my tamron and care for it carefully until she does.

My biggest complaint? It's not well sealed AT ALL. I have had to have it sent in and cleaned because of it.

Postman158 · Oct 20, 2011

MLeeK said:
I absolutely love my 28-75. It's got some vignetting on full frame, but not anything that you can't fix in raw. When i bought it I went in to Adorama and played with both it and the Sigma. The Sigma 24-70 has a better build quality by far, but I had sharper results with the Tamron... so I bought it. I lust for the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L for my full frame and the 17-55 for my crop camera, but the money fairy hasn't left me any packages under my pillow, so... I will love my tamron and care for it carefully until she does.

My biggest complaint? It's not well sealed AT ALL. I have had to have it sent in and cleaned because of it.

Thanks for the reply! I'm glad you like it though. I have a 60D, so I'm not working with full frame anyways. I think I'm gonna order the Tamron, haven't heard anything terrible yet, besides the weather proofing.