Help! Tamron 28-75 vs Canon 24-105L?

Hey guys I'm in the market for a good walk around lens and the two that really catch my attention are the Tamron 28-75 f.28 and the Canon 24-105L f4.

I use a Canon 550D (T2i) so I will be pairing one of these lenses with a crop body.
A major difference is the prices..

Tamron 28-75 f2.8 - $500
http://www.amazon.com …?ie=UTF8&m=A23M​3KL3V61UGY

and

Canon 24-105L f4 - $975
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1334023​972&sr=8-1

So that's $475 difference. Both lenses seem to have awesome reviews.

If I got the tamron, I am planning on using the price difference toward an external flash or a Macro lens.

Please help!
Thanks!

The Tammy spends a lot of time on my 550D. 2.8 isn't much of a difference, but it focuses fast and the color/resolution is terrific. Unless you need an L for better weather sealing, i'd get two lenses.

yea im not too too concerned with weather sealing. as long as its built well enough for me to go out on the strip and take a few shots, that's all i need. i baby my equipment too, always put my gear packed securely in my gear bag when i am done.

The 28-75mm produces better images IMO, but the AF not nearly the level of the L. If you want super snappy AF, much wider, and weather sealing, then the L, otherwise the tamron.

How much of an AF difference do you think we're talking here?

The Tammy is sloooooow to focus and at least the copy I had produced inferior images to my 24-105. The 24-105 is my most used lens on my 5D. I would never trade it for another Tammy.

Hi there,

You are not the only one who found the Tamron is up to par with the Canon L. I compared my Tammy with my 24-105 f4 L and they are neck to neck. Then another POTNer saw a comparison between EF 24-70 f2.8 and the Tammy, the contrast, color rendition, sharpness, etc are very very close as well. Granted the Tammy has no weather sealing and liquid smooth USM but i like the size and lightweight of it. Here are the links to similar discussion.
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1105727
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1112543

My Tammy, when I had it was great, the Af was never an issue for me, it gave me great pic's and I feel the colors where very good. I sold mine when I got myself a 24-70. I have since sold that lens for a 35 1.4, now I am in the market for the Tamorn again, If you really need that extra reach then go for the 24-105 but for the money you can't go wrong with the 28-75, if you are comfortable buying used you can get one for about $300

The Tamron is a terrific lens. I've had mine for several years and have no desire to "upgrade" it. As others have said, its drawback, if it can be described as that, is the slower, slightly noisy focusing. Despite the lack of USM, it's still capable of capturing action. I love having the constant f2.8 capability, and really appreciate the sharpness of the lens. Of your two choices, I'd recommend the Tamron plus a dedicated flash, instead of the more expensive Canon.

28 is too long for walk around. I'm having same debate right now, ditching my 17-50 for a 24-105

The 24-105mm kills the tamron in focus speed. Its very fast and accurate. I had a Tamron for a short while and it was sharp in the center but focus was slow and hunts in the dark. If you take pictures of moving things the tamron is not for you.

$500 for new 28-75 on Amazon? You could get the same on e-bay from official Tamron dealer for $400 with Tamron warranty and free shipping?
Tamron 90 is another $400, so it is $175 for flash.

28-75 2.8 is sharp lens on on APS-C DSLRs and it has adequate AF for walkaround, portrait lens.

No problem to track object like this.
75 F3.2

When I was shooting with a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, I tried the 29-75mm f/2.8 Tamron and I was not particularly impressed with the speed and accuracy of the autofocus, especially in lower light levels. This surprised me since I expected more of a lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture.

I ended up selecting a 24-70mm f/2.8L lens and used that for several years until I switched to a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens which I dearly love...

gotaudi wrote in post #14241748
The 24-105mm kills the tamron in focus speed. Its very fast and accurate. I had a Tamron for a short while and it was sharp in the center but focus was slow and hunts in the dark. If you take pictures of moving things the tamron is not for you.

Yep this was my biggest motivator for ditching the Tammy and getting the 24-105. With subjects that will hold still for portraits, the Tammy can be very nice for the money, but with kids that can't hold still, it wasn't working for me. Also the Tammy was too soft at 2.8 for my preferences so I didn't feel like I was loosing that extra stop but I was gaining IS as well as the extra zoom range. At f4, both lenses are fantastic though.

There was a Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro (list $750) that is also worthy of consideration. It is discontinued now but still can be found at very good prices. The replacement has the SLD and ELD glass and lists at $1400.