Which Tamron 28-75 f2.8?

dmwierz --

the sigma lenses that don't have HSM in them are in general even slower to focus than the tamron. That's why I mentioned the sigma 70-200 -- it's got the HSM focus motor.

Just went on Sigma's site and printed out their lens comparison. Looks like none of the three above-listed lenses have HSM. I've been looking for an excuse to spring for a 70-200 f2.8 and maybe this is it. I presume the difference between 70 and 120 is noticeable, at almost 50% more FOV. I'd like to be able to zoom in on faces yet be able to zoom out for whole body/group shots.

Is the Canon 24-70 L the only f2.8 lens in this range to have USM/HSM?

I find the Tamron 28-75 focuses quickly enough for me (weddings, theatre, general stuff), and it makes great photos. The 70-200 F2.8 IS focuses slightly more quickly, but there's not much in it IMHO, you'd need a stopwatch and lots of trials to work it out. I don't find either to seek more than the other, though i've used the Tamron a lot more than the Canon.

From what i've read I suspect the Sigma 24-70 would do the job just as well, though i've not tried it myself.

Late response but figured I'd add my 2 cents.

I've been an owner of this lens for over h alf a year and next to my 50, its the best value for quality photography purchase I've made. It stays on my camera full time and only comes off when I need particular shots (ie. Macro, more bokeh, wider angle, etc). It renders colors very well and for a zoom is very sharp and on point. It also focuses internally, but zooms externally, meaning while focusing, the lens just turns and doesnt extend, while zooming the barrel pulls out and in.

The only downs I've come across with this lens is that as mentioned above, it does hunt a bit, but nothing overwhelming. Its speedy, but not super fast, and it makes the mechanical noise while it's autofocusing. In comparison, the 50 is louder when focusing, however the 50 is also faster.

Most of the times I manually focus or lead it off when focusing since the barrel is so comfortable and has such a nice grip, its a nice lens to hold and feels perfect in your hands. Hope this helped a bit.

I bought my Tamron 28-75 about a year ago as well, and while I'm very happy with it, I often think of replacing it with the Sigma 24-60 or 24-70 because I find 28mm not wide enough a lot of the time.

The Tamron focus is loud, but not slow at all. At 70mm, the Tamron focuses way faster than my 70-200/2.8L IS, and about the same or maybe a hair slower than my 85/1.8.

Phil --

even in low light? I find the tamron focus pretty fast in good light (as you say, close to the 70-200) but it slows down somewhat indoors.

and I'll second above comments -- other than this one issue it is a superb lens.


David

I'm getting tired of agreeing witih Cadwell. He's right, the 120-300 is truly "sui generis" and Canon has NO answer for it. Best zoom I've ever used.

Phil, FWIW I replaced my (beloved) 24-70EX with the 18-50EX because it wasn't "wide enough" for me as a walk around. But 24mm might be enough for you. The Sigma 24-70EX focus is louder than the Tamron but in every copy I've used (3 of each on a 1Ds and 20D) the Sigma focus is significantly faster. It is very zippy and quick but noisy.