Tamron 28-75....a mini review!!

[schmoelzel]

Greetings from humid London Ontario Canada!! I recently completed a trade with a local photographer who wanted my 100F2.8 Macro and offered his brand new Tamron 28-75 f2.8 zoom (plus some cash which I always like!!). I decided to go for it since I was not using the macro all that much even though it really was a stunning lens. This is one of the first non-Canon zooms that I have used and I must admit that I am a little partial to Canon gear but realize that there are some great 3rd party lenses out there.........

First impressions.......
1) Nice weight to the lens. Very light but not in a cheap way (see 50F1.8II)
2) Now I understand why Canon charges more for their lens hoods!! This thing stinks.......I honestly am not sure if it shades any light from the lens....well, maybe it does but it sure looks and feels cheap!!
3) Not crazy about the barrel of the lens moving in/out as you zoom. Again, it probably is just me having been spoiled with Canon 70-200 zooms.....takes some getting used to........
4) AF is quick but not as quick is my 70-200F2,8 zoom..........seems to hunt a lot more in low light but nothing serious.
5) I had read that it is a sharp lens and I must concur. Even wide-open, it has nice centre sharpness and colour. It's the contrast that I notice is not that great, but this can be fixed in post-processing. The shots don't seem to have that 'pop' quality that I get with the Canon L lenses......then again , it is a much more inexpensive lens.

Here in Canada this lens sells for about $500 new and for this price, you can't beat the focal length and the build quality. It is not an L lens but optically it is very close. It is definitely better than the cheaper consumer zooms that Canon makes (at least the couple that I have tried). I like having the wider end especially for any scenic shots that I might start taking (I am still basically a portrait person)..........on my 1D, the 28mm is like 36mm.......not super-wide but a good start. I can see why this lens is so popular right now.........size is right for a lot of people who don't want to carry around a lot of gear. Optical quality is top-notch even though I think the contrast is not up to snuff.

Will I keep this lens? Who knows..........I think I am leaning more to primes right now but the zooms are so convenient sometimes that maybe this one will stay.......only time will tell!! Here are some shots of Julia taken with the Tamron 28-75F2.8.....comments and critiques are always welcome!!

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/Tamron28-75-1D-B.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/125 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL
Metering mode: Spot
Drive mode: Continuous (low): frame 1
ISO: 640
Lens: 28.0 to 75.0 mm
Focal length: 75.0mm

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/Tamron28-75-1D-C.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/350 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL
Metering mode: Spot
Drive mode: Continuous (low): frame 1
ISO: 640
Lens: 28.0 to 75.0 mm
Focal length: 75.0mm

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/Tamron28-75-1D-D.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/500 sec
Aperture: 4.0
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL
Metering mode: Spot
Drive mode: Continuous (low): frame 1
ISO: 640
Lens: 28.0 to 75.0 mm
Focal length: 70.0mm

[Outdoor23]

Thanks for the review! I have to admite, I'm more of a loyal canon lens person as well. But if the 3rd party lens can match the challenge..why not?!?! Lens looks sharp, great pics!

[HJMinard]

Schmoelzel ... I'm embarrassed by what I've managed to wring out of this lens compared to you. You are one very talented people picture taker. Or maybe it's just your extremely photogenic young model ... yeah, that's the ticket ... I could take photos just as good as yours if I had Julia for a model! ;) :)

[Andy_T]

Michael,

stunning images, as always!
It seems that your copy of the lens is very sharp wide open, and it has nice bokeh (told you so).

One question ... did you ever share your normal post-processing procedure here on the forum?
If so, I would be grateful for a link.

Best regards,
Andy

[martook]

Schmoelzel ... I'm embarrassed by what I've managed to wring out of this lens compared to you. You are one very talented people picture taker. Or maybe it's just your extremely photogenic young model ... yeah, that's the ticket ... I could take photos just as good as yours if I had Julia for a model! ;) :)

That's what I was thinking as well. But then I realised that sure, I've got the same lens, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SAME CAMERA! That's the problem here! I'm positive that's it, I must now get a 1D camera instead *nods to himself*
Ok, it could also be that I'm a crappy photog with absolutly no idea what I'm doing. Seeing this almost makes me want to sell my gear and get a P&S instead :P

[Jackal]

Nice pictures.

Can you post a 100% crop (no photoshop USM applied) of the first one?

[martook]

schmoelzel: Great pictures as always!
Agree with your opinions, but would like to add that the lens really lacks two things, USM and FTM. Unfortunatly, only the L-lens has it, since Sigma for some reason didn't put HSM on their 24/28-70. Too bad the L weighs a lot more and is much more expensive :)

Anyway, the Tamron is a good lens worth it's price and more IMHO.

[schmoelzel]

Nice pictures.

Can you post a 100% crop (no photoshop USM applied) of the first one?

Thanks for the nice compliment! Here is a 100% crop from the first shot.......right out of the RAW conversion; nothing applied..........

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/DRebelPix/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/Tamron28-75-1D-100crop.jpg

[schmoelzel]

Schmoelzel ... I'm embarrassed by what I've managed to wring out of this lens compared to you. You are one very talented people picture taker. Or maybe it's just your extremely photogenic young model ... yeah, that's the ticket ... I could take photos just as good as yours if I had Julia for a model! ;) :)

Thanks kindly!! I think your last comments are the most accurate.......try as I might, every shot if Julia is a keeper!! (but I am very subjective!)......I don't think you could afford her posing fee!!:D

[schmoelzel]

Michael,

stunning images, as always!
It seems that your copy of the lens is very sharp wide open, and it has nice bokeh (told you so).

One question ... did you ever share your normal post-processing procedure here on the forum?
If so, I would be grateful for a link.

Best regards,
Andy

Thanks Andy.......yes, it seems very sharp. I think I will try some at 35mm and compare directly with the 35L; that should be an interesting comparison. I haven't used it at the wide-end all that much yet........I am addicted to portrait shooting (as if you hadn't noticed!!)

I'll see if I can write my workflow down at some point and post it.......nothing spectacular (at least I don't think so) but I can understand if others might be helped.......the biggest thing that I have found to help with the RAW workflow is get the book by Bruce Fraser "Camera Raw". Once I had read that and started to apply some of the tricks, my shots were definitely better looking.......

[schmoelzel]

That's what I was thinking as well. But then I realised that sure, I've got the same lens, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SAME CAMERA! That's the problem here! I'm positive that's it, I must now get a 1D camera instead *nods to himself*
Ok, it could also be that I'm a crappy photog with absolutly no idea what I'm doing. Seeing this almost makes me want to sell my gear and get a P&S instead :P

Good one!! You know that's its the camera and not the person behind it!!! Just kidding of course, but really, a good camera does help inspire confidence!!

[Dante King]

Wow, nice tea, nice lens, nice family. This guy has it ALL!!! I just picked up this lens and had the first opportunity to ring it out last night. Pretty happy with the results.

www.danteking.com/ssbd/index.htm

[Keiffer]

Michael, You say they don't pop pot like the "L" lens, I disagree, Your pics jumped, popped and just come alive!! I like the other poster would love to know your work flow and can you come show me how to take pics this well:-) Really, If I were a lens maker, I would have you do all my media shots, Your shots, no matter what lens you seem to use "ALWAYS" have that "POP" to them.

[schmoelzel]

Wow, nice tea, nice lens, nice family. This guy has it ALL!!! I just picked up this lens and had the first opportunity to ring it out last night. Pretty happy with the results.

www.danteking.com/ssbd/index.htm (http://www.danteking.com/ssbd/index.htm)

Thanks Dante!! Well, I don't have it all (still waiting for an 85L :D) but I have everything I need!! Really liked your series of shots!! Cool how it is displayed seems almost like a movie!! Is that your daughter??

[TTP]

Great Lense, Great Photo's!

[Andrew Pratt]

Hi Trevor.

Nice review of the Tamron. I'm still getting used to mine but so far I like it a lot.

[Dante King]

Thanks Dante!! Well, I don't have it all (still waiting for an 85L :D) but I have everything I need!! Really liked your series of shots!! Cool how it is displayed seems almost like a movie!! Is that your daughter??

Yes on her second birthday! Is your girl your one and only child?

[martook]

Good one!! You know that's its the camera and not the person behind it!!! Just kidding of course, but really, a good camera does help inspire confidence!!

Hehe... I'm pretty sure a 1D wouldn't inspire me enough to make the cost worthwile. Getting a few books and shooting another 10 000 pics will help me a lot more, I'm sure... if I can take half as good pics as these after that, I'll be very happy! :)
I don't really have anyone to practice on though, that's not helping at all. If you could let me borrow Julia for a few weeks, I'm sure that would make my skill as a portrait shooter grow much faster! Pretty please with sugar on top? ;)

[CyberPet]

geeesh, martook, it only takes 9 months to make your own Julia. So what are you waiting for, start making babies! :D

[martook]

geeesh, martook, it only takes 9 months to make your own Julia. So what are you waiting for, start making babies! :D

Haha, true!
There is just one problem, it takes two to make 'em... I would need some assistance, you available? I'll let you borrow my 17-40 L! *nudge nudge* :lol:

[CyberPet]

ROTFL!!!!!! I wonder what my husband would say though. Hmm.... if you had a 16-35/2.8 L I might consider it. :D :D :D

[martook]

ROTFL!!!!!! I wonder what my husband would say though. Hmm.... if you had a 16-35/2.8 L I might consider it. :D :D :D

Hey, you don't have to tell him about it! He'd never know! :o:p
I was planning on upgrading to the 16-35 some day, but I thought I'd wait until I'd taken at least one shot with the 17-40 first... but I guess I can skip the 10-22 for now, and upgrade my 17-40 instead! Anything for you my fair lady! :D

[schmoelzel]

My gosh.....this is starting to become quite the discussion (producing babies to ensure good models for photography!!) Quick, where is CDS so he can lock this thing??!! Wait a minute, he'll probably want to participate!! :D

[Jon]

Wait a minute, he'll probably want to participate!! :D

. . . now there's an ambiguous comment!

[martook]

My gosh.....this is starting to become quite the discussion (producing babies to ensure good models for photography!!) Quick, where is CDS so he can lock this thing??!! Wait a minute, he'll probably want to participate!! :D


Sorry schmoelzel, I promise I didn't mean to hijack and ruin your thread! :(

Just one question... would CDS participate in the ruining of this thread or in the... other thing? Hmm.. not sure I want an answer to that question really :lol:

[drisley]

More proof that schmoelzel can take amazing pictures with almost any lens.
These are fabulous! But, I can definately say pictures you have taken with your other L lenses do have a bit more pop. Just more proof that "shaprness" isn't the be all and end all of optical quality.
Colour and contrast are just as important.
I've always wondered about this lens, and your review gives me a good idea now what to expect.

[schmoelzel]

More proof that schmoelzel can take amazing pictures with almost any lens.
These are fabulous! But, I can definately say pictures you have taken with your other L lenses do have a bit more pop. Just more proof that "shaprness" isn't the be all and end all of optical quality.
Colour and contrast are just as important.
I've always wondered about this lens, and your review gives me a good idea now what to expect.

Thanks Drisley!! You're too kind!! Yeah, I see a slight difference too but it's not the sharpness. This lens is sharp. Had one printed out to 8 X 10 and it lloks fantastic. This is really a good lens for the price.........I will post my comparison at 35MM against the 35L in the next few days........