Tamron 28-75 & Canon 24-70L UPDATE

[Curos]

Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di or Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L

I've seen pictures from each, and both are incredible. I understand the Canon is almost 2.5 times the price, and I wont be getting either for at least a month or two. So I could get the Canon, or the Tamron and a Canon 17-40L. What do you think? I can always get the 17-40L later, if I need, and the 24-70 would cover most of its uses anyways. So what do you guys think, Tamron, or Canon? Which is better quality wise, ignoring price. Autofocus faster on one or the other? Build quality - i assume its better on the L. anyways, thanks in advance.

[minatophase3]

I own the Tamron and bought it because I thought the 24-70L was too much money. If you remove price from the equation then I would have the Canon. But in the real world you cannot do that. So, given your choices I would choose the Tamron and get the 17-40L as well. The Tamron is a very good lens. The build quality is not as good as the Canon and the Canon focuses faster, but for the price the Tamron is a real bargain.

[drisley]

I would get the Tamron, mainly because of price.
The Canon is SO expensive, and it's probably only better by a small fraction.
I have counted so many complaints from people with the Canon 24-70F2.8 saying that they often get soft images, thinking there may be a problem with the lens. I've also read just as many from people who have sent that lens in for calibration, only to get slightly better results when the lens returns.
If they were the same price, or the Canon was only slightly more, I would recommend the Canon. But it's SO darn expensive.

[phili1]

I just got the Tamron 28 to 75 and all I can say is awsome, I cant beleive the pictures it takes.

[Curos]

Sounds like a pretty easy decision so far :)

[MrChad]

Let's add another choice:

Can anyone recommend the Sigma 24-60mm f2.8

I yearn for a Canon 24-70L, but the price.

I'll definately look into the Tamron too.

[Mthorpe_Davies]

I've always been curious why people look at the 28-75 only when Tamaron also make a 28-105 f2.8 aswell which is a bit more expensive but is apparently a much better lense. Why doesn't anyone purchase them.

I looked for one when I was in LA recently but could only get one ordered it so ended up with the Canon 24-70 as I wanted to use it straight away. This is a seriously amazing lens I love it, IMO it blows away the images I got on my 17-40 and 70-200 f4.0. It's now got me thinking I might have to replace the 70-200 with the 2.8 version.

[phili1]

About $500 dollare more for the 28 to 105. If its anything like the 228 to 75 it must be awsome.

[who me?]

Let's add another choice:

Can anyone recommend the Sigma 24-60mm f2.8

I yearn for a Canon 24-70L, but the price.

I'll definately look into the Tamron too.

What about the Sigma 28-70 f2.8. For my wish list, I am looking at the 17-40 and a 70-200 but that 24-70 is too much $. I am looking for that lens that will fill the mm gap. Which is it, Sigma or Tamron? Both look good and affordable. Any good reviews out there for either lens?
Thanks

[Tom W]

Let's add another choice:

Can anyone recommend the Sigma 24-60mm f2.8

I yearn for a Canon 24-70L, but the price.

I'll definately look into the Tamron too.

Can't recommend the 24-60 Sigma, but I will note that the latest print version of Popular Photography tests it, and the SQF charts look very good.

The 24-70L showed better results, but the price difference is pretty big. BTW, I much prefer 24 to 28 for the wide end on the 1.6X, since 28 is pretty much a "normal" lens for that sensor.

[daaaveman]

Photozone sure doesn't like the Tamron 28-105. See here http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm#Zstd


Tamron SP AF 2.8 28-105mm LD (IF) 2.93 (5) = average

Canon EF 2.8 24-70mm USM L 4.16 (3) = very-good

Tamron AF 2.8 28-75mm LD XR Aspherical SP 4.14 (3) = very-good

[davidwegs]

Have both and found that the Tamron 28-75 is as good as the Canon and better when price is a consideration :-)

If I have the choice (my assistant wants the Tamron most of the time) I choose the Tamron for the AF accuracy in poor light and the lack of weight. They give a 5 or 6 year warranty too.

simple math to me.

[Cadwell]

Well you said "ignoring price" in your question so I have voted for the Canon (personally I have the Tamron, but if price wasn't an issue...). The two lenses are very simillar in terms of image quality. The Canon L series is undoubtedly better built and the USM motor focuses more quietly.

That's not to say that the Tamron is badly built or very noisy, just that the Canon is better in those areas.

[Transfix]

I use my Canon 24-70 2.8/L all the time. Can't live without it.

[Deckyon]

Here is something to think about concerning the USM on the Canon lenses. The 20D, 1D Mark II and 1Ds Mark II all use the new ETTL-II flash algorythymn (sp, i know) which incorporates the distance from transmitted from the USM lenses. If you are interested in utilizing ANY of the new ETTL-II cameras, you have to go with the USM lenses from Canon. Of course this assumes you have one of the EX series speedlites. pp98 in the 1D Mark II manual, pp 97 in the 20D manual

I will have the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L USM tomorrow (can't wait) and feel I will be using it as much or more than any of the other lenses I am buying. I chose staying native with the equipment just so I know it would all play nicely and 100% compatibly with each other.

If you do not have or plan on buying one of the cameras I mentioned above, you can thorw all this info out the window.

[dds]

Money is not a limit --> canon
Money is a limit --> tamron

To me. that I have Tamron, canon is worth if you need if you need the best available quality.

DDS

[Olegis]

Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di or Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L

Which is better quality wise, ignoring price.

This is not a fair comparison, if you take the price out of equation - the Canon is better in virtually every aspect, the only reason people would get the Tamron instead is the price (and to some - the weight). I myself have the Tamron - but only because I don't have the money for the Canon lens ...

[canon_user808]

I use my Canon 24-70 2.8/L all the time. Can't live without it.

Me too. Very versatile and tack sharp.

[Mthorpe_Davies]

To be honest I couldn't justify buying the canon in NZ, it way to expensive, however in the US the price is pretty good, I saved nearly $800 NZD, that made the difference between the tamron and sigma versions considerably less and the canon look much better value. Easier to justify to the wife aswell.

[phili1]

Brad I think the new Ettl II system only works with the new flash that came out.

And yes to all If I had the money I would go for Canon L lenses without a doubt.

I am happy right now that I am getting really good pictures from my 20 D with the Tamron.

I will save my dough re me for the 100- 400 L Zooom.

[Curos]

Hmm...interesting? Can we look at a different way now? Would you get the Canon, or would you get the Tamron AND a Canon 17-40 f/4L?? this is what i need to decide on now...seeing as how i can get a new tamron/canon combo for the same price as the one canon.

[Adam Hicks]

Buy the Tamron, enjoy the same image quality, and if you're concerned about build (which you shouldn't be... it's built great AND has an awesome warranty) buy another one or two. You can buy 3 Tamron lenses for the price of the Canon and have $60 left over for a nice meal. Anyone who sees your pictures will not know the difference. My local pro shot had some big prints from both cameras, and I couldn't tell any image difference. I went to BUY the Canon and they recommended I look at the Tamron before I made any decisions.

By the way... for those that are recommending the 28-105 2.8 Tamron, I recommend against it unless for studio only use. The AF is very slow (about 1/4 the speed of the 28-75!) and the thing weighs a ton.

Adam

[HJMinard]

Hmm...interesting? Can we look at a different way now? Would you get the Canon, or would you get the Tamron AND a Canon 17-40 f/4L?? this is what i need to decide on now...seeing as how i can get a new tamron/canon combo for the same price as the one canon.

According to Photozone (http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm#Zstd) and general online word of mouth, the Tamron is very comparible (optical quality wise) to the Canon. Build quality is not even close, but you can buy multiple Tamron's for the Canon's price, and it comes with a long warranty.

Then you have money left over for the superb 17-40/4L ?! Sounds like a no brainer to me.

[Cadwell]

Hmm...interesting? Can we look at a different way now? Would you get the Canon, or would you get the Tamron AND a Canon 17-40 f/4L?? this is what i need to decide on now...seeing as how i can get a new tamron/canon combo for the same price as the one canon.

Ah... now that you bring money into the equation it becomes a no-brainer. Get the Tamron and the 17-40L. Both superb toys.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Brad I think the new Ettl II system only works with the new flash that came out.



Just to clarify,. this statement is incorrect.

ETTL II works with any ETTL capable flash on the 1D MkII, 1Ds MkII or 20D (so far) One does not need to invest in a new flash if they are using a 550EX or 420EX on one of these bodies to reap the benifits of ETTL II.

[phili1]

Sorry you are right, what I read was it takes distance into account but it only works with USM lenses

The EOS 20D's hot-shoe can be used with Canon and third party flash units (sync only). As with the internal flash the hot shoe supports the new E-TTL II metering which uses distance information from the lens to calculate flash power. This works with all Canon lenses (although distance information is only provided by lenses with ring type USM motors).

[Yan]

I am considering on buying a lens of this range too..

How about canon 28-70L, if can find it used.

Is Minimum Focus Distance something that we should concern?? Tamron said 33cm over entire zoom range.. and for 24-79L it only says 38cm (would it change as it zoom??)

[shiningstardv]

Sorry you are right, what I read was it takes distance into account but it only works with USM lenses

The EOS 20D's hot-shoe can be used with Canon and third party flash units (sync only). As with the internal flash the hot shoe supports the new E-TTL II metering which uses distance information from the lens to calculate flash power. This works with all Canon lenses (although distance information is only provided by lenses with ring type USM motors).

So does this mean that with ONLY a 20D and any Canon USM lens, I can use the E-TTL II technology? Basically, does it work with the flash already built into the 20D, or would I have to buy an external flash?

[phili1]

It works with the Mk II and 20 D but only that one feature. but the kick is it only works with certain lenses.

[MarkH]

To be honest I couldn't justify buying the canon in NZ, it way to expensive, however in the US the price is pretty good, I saved nearly $800 NZD, that made the difference between the tamron and sigma versions considerably less and the canon look much better value. Easier to justify to the wife aswell.

By my calculations the Canon 24-70 f2.8L from B&H would cost $2100 NZ including freight and GST whereas the same lens from the Auckland Camera Centre retails at $2749 (Saving $650). The Tamron 28-75 costs $849 NZ from Auckland Camera centre (from B&H it would cost about $710 NZ incl freight and GST). The Canon is still well over twice the price of the Tamron.

If this was to be the lens I use over 80% of the time then I would buy the Canon, the extra quality would be worth it. But most of the time I use longer focal lengths like 70-200 so I will be looking at a Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS for my main lens and possibly the Tamron 28-75 for wider angles.

[MarkH]

BTW

I voted Canon on the poll. When I buy something I have to consider the cost, when I vote on a poll it costs me nothing and the Canon is the better lens. If I buy the Tamron it doesn't mean that I don't think the Canon is the better lens to buy, it just means I have decided to prioritise my spending towards other things.

When it is someone elses money I always tend to suggest the best, even if it costs more. When it is my money I sometimes opt for the best, even if it costs more (but I have a 10D and not a 1DMkII). If I were wealthy then it would be different, I would always opt for the best regardless of price.