Tamron SP 70-300mm VC USD vs Canon 70-200 (non-IS)

Hi all,

I've got a little lens fever as spring is at last upon us and I'm considering the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 SP Di VC USD, now I've the Canon 70-200 (non-IS) which is lovely and quick etc but I used to have the 55-250 and miss the range plus IS was pretty handy, that said I do have a BigMos but its a little unwieldy.

So I'm asking you good people if you've tried one (certainly the lens archive looks good), but a little feedback from some of you that may have had both would be great.

Cheers,

John

I would recommend a Canon 70-300 IS. I had the Tamron for a short time and it was very inconsistent and I like my Canon 70-300 IS that I replaced it with a lot better. Build quality is about the same for the two lenses. I havent had the 70-200 but Ive had several 80-200 F2.8L magic drain pipes. They were superior in overall image quality but I cant use them off of a tripod, where I can use the 70-300 IS model easily and it has 100mm more range, and is a lot lighter. You can argue the good points of any lens but what is comfortable to use, gives the quality you need, and fits your budget will trump all the arguments when you finally let the dust settle and new wear off.

mastertech01 wrote in post #12165140
I had the Tamron for a short time and it was very inconsistent and I like my Canon 70-300 IS that I replaced it with a lot better.

could you please expand on what you've found inconsistent? AF? IQ?

Autofocus. IQ was fine when it was in focus. There were issues with early models with soft focus but this one was supposedly out of that range. I just didnt want to mess with sending it in to try to make it better. If I wanted to do that I would have bought a Sigma to begin with if you know what I mean

mastertech01 wrote in post #12165175
Autofocus. IQ was fine when it was in focus. There were issues with early models with soft focus but this one was supposedly out of that range. I just didnt want to mess with sending it in to try to make it better. If I wanted to do that I would have bought a Sigma to begin with if you know what I mean

heh @ Sigma. I've received my Tamron today and only tried shooting indoor or through the window. AF is consistent and IQ is good despite me using shutter speeds of 1/100s and less. I'll try to make time tomorrow to get outside with the lens and give it a good test in daylight.

I know from following the Tamron thread that there are a lot of happy folks with it, but my experience didnt follow along. I hope you got a good one and can make a recommendation from a better lens copy. I still say the 70-300 IS that I have is a very good lens and easy to hand hold and get good shots, which for me is a real challenge.

I have the Tamron and have not had a single problem with focusing. It is spot on and sharper with better contrast than my previous Canon 70-300 is

I find it amazing - here is a sample of taking a picture of a wall chart in my office 20 feet away, 300mm, F10, 1/25 shutter speed, ISO 3200 hand held. Picture on the left is VC off and right is VC on.

All pictures - Tamron 70-300

I think the big seller for me was the price (sub 400$ after rebates) and IS.

L-level IQ on the short end (better than the 70-200/4), reasonable performance at 300mm, and quick, accurate AF are pluses, but the IS system is just amazing. It activates and the viewfinder image just freezes. I can shoot 2-4 second exposures at 70 and still get sharp images.

The colors aren't the best, but it certainly performs from a microcontrast standpoint. Works decently as a handheld macro (mainly due to the awesome IS) as well depending on subject size.

Where can this lens be found for sub $400 prices?

woodzy wrote in post #12165983
I say place the order and hope you get one before the rebate ends.

rebate expires 4/30...plenty of time til then

Mcfly682 wrote in post #12166338
Where can this lens be found for sub $400 prices?

it costs $449 and all authorized dealers offer a $50 rebate, so the final price is $399. You can even get it for less if you look hard enough..

I have both the tammy and canon 70-200mm f4 (non-IS). I love the images that I get from the canon, but I am getting rid of it and keeping the tammy. In every aspect, the IQ is better on the canon. In my opinion the biggest difference is the color, everything else is hard to tell without pixel peeping. The tammy wins it for me because of the extra reach, VC and price.

I'm getting my Tammy delivered Thursday. Got it on Amazon. If image quality is neck and neck with the Canon 70-200 f4L (had one), then the Tammy wins because of range, price, and VC. Hope I get a newer copy, they seem to have worked out the bugs from the first ones on IQ and focus.
BTW Woodzy, those shots are awesome!

hubcaps wrote in post #12166412
I have both the tammy and canon 70-200mm f4 (non-IS). I love the images that I get from the canon, but I am getting rid of it and keeping the tammy. In every aspect, the IQ is better on the canon. In my opinion the biggest difference is the color, everything else is hard to tell without pixel peeping. The tammy wins it for me because of the extra reach, VC and price.

exactly my thought process. I like having IS, esp. in a tele-zoom, so my options in 70-200mm lineup started ~$900+ for a used 70-200mm f/4 IS. No doubt the L is an excellent piece of glass, but at this point in my photographic career an extra $500+ is a significant amount of money and I've decided to give tamron a try. Not disappointed so far.

300mm, 1/40s (VC on), f/5.6. No sharpening, RAW - > JPG & resized

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Outstanding - thank you all, I think I'll place the order.

I won't be getting the rebate though as I'm in the UK, so will just get it at £350 or so, I know UK prices suck but on this occasion the 5 year guarantee beats saving £100 and knowing my luck getting stung at customs for the £100 anyway