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

Order placed, should be here tomorrow.

I ended up using Jessops as they were the cheapest (after postage), but used Quidco will give a little cash back

I have the Tammy and a Canon 70-200 2.8 non-IS. I think they both have their place. It really depends what you are shooting. If you need reach, you need it - period. The Canon L has superior IQ and the 70-200 series are known as some of the sharpest lenses in Canon's line up.

That said, you'll notice that I have both. The Tamron is smaller and lighter than the 2.8 canon and so comes with me more often. The VC is fantastic and the IQ is certainly good enough. The Canon has better color an contrast and lightning fast focus. Here's the deal, though - I wouldn't own it if I didn't inherit it. It's a great lens but not one I would have bought. I would probably have gone with the F4 IS version if I were going to spend that much. I would certainly have bought the Tamron again, though. For ~$400 it's a steal.

Good luck with your Tammy.

Eric

Cheers Eric, I have to say the 2.8 would have been nice, but its the 4 I'm moving from and if all goes well and the Tammy works out okay I'll sell that and it'll pay for most of the new lens.

I may also be getting rid of my Sigma 150-500mm DG OS HSM, while its a very good lens committing to taking it out has become an obstacle as I like to have a couple of lenses with me if I'm on a day out and its just too big!

Took the lens outside early this morning to do some more tests. AF is good, quite an reasonably fast. I can't say I'm blown away by the IQ when using the lens fully extended to 300mm @ f/5.6 but it's certainly in line with my expectations especially given the price of this lens.

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I think that the Tamron is great. The L is a different class but there are too many times when I wished it were smaller, lighter, had more reach and IS...oh and that it weren't white! Best of luck and keep us posted.

I have to say if I get rid of my 70-200 F4L one thing I won;t miss is the white - why do they do that, surely even Canon must realize that it just means the user has a shed load of cash, not that it indicates a pro... anyway whinge over!

Just seen the pigeon you added - that only looks nice, in fact all look pretty crisp - I just hope I get a good copy now.

Well it arrived and so far so good - I am having some focusing issues (but then I do on all my lenses and with two cameras now, so its operator error )

They have been touched up a little, but no more than a minute or so in lightroom (usually autotone, punch then a crop if needed, sometimes a little sharpen)

Here are a couple from today:

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My 70-300 Tammy had some focusing issues. Would front focus at the short end but was dead on at 300. Since I managed to get it for $330 I didn't want to hassle with returning it to Newegg and still trying to get the rebate later, blah blah long story. But I ended up sending it to Tamron.

I was super afraid of sending it but it cost about $13 to ship it to them, lens came back about two weeks later, and AF is dead on at all focal lengths, no MA required. Also they cleaned it up good as new. I had kept the little clear sticker over the focus window and they didn't even take it off while servicing and cleaning it. That's pretty good service there. But overall, for the price I paid(and free stuff I got with it), it is a ridiculously nice lens. IQ is fantastic and the VC is extremely effective.

Raylon wrote in post #12177610
My 70-300 Tammy had some focusing issues. Would front focus at the short end but was dead on at 300. Since I managed to get it for $330 I didn't want to hassle with returning it to Newegg and still trying to get the rebate later, blah blah long story. But I ended up sending it to Tamron.

I was super afraid of sending it but it cost about $13 to ship it to them, lens came back about two weeks later, and AF is dead on at all focal lengths, no MA required. Also they cleaned it up good as new. I had kept the little clear sticker over the focus window and they didn't even take it off while servicing and cleaning it. That's pretty good service there. But overall, for the price I paid(and free stuff I got with it), it is a ridiculously nice lens. IQ is fantastic and the VC is extremely effective.

What kind of free stuff you get with it? Am seriously considering this lens!

Just a hood (which is a bit big as I like to keep it them on the lens reversed and only put of properly if its needed, but with this one you can;t zoom with the hood on backward - I hope that made sense!) and a few bits of paper, 5yr warranty though (so I understand - but yet to see confirmed in writing)

Sandra0655 wrote in post #12178588
What kind of free stuff you get with it? Am seriously considering this lens!

Haha well, besides the normal lens hood and warranty, I got some other goods from Newegg because of a deal and some screwups on their part.

I'll try to condense the story here. I bought the 70-300 on Newegg with a 15% off coupon. Came out to be like $380. Also running at the same time was a free Dolica backpack deal, which was about $100 separate. So I made the order, the backpack was on the sales confirmation. About 2 hours later I get an email cancelling the backpack saying that it should not have been sold with the 15% off coupon. They also listed the backpack as being discontinued. I talked to a few sales reps and most said well tough sh*t. Finally some rep said check back in a few days for a new deal. So I did and they were giving away a $50 giftcard with purchases of $300 or more.

Talked to a sales rep and they agreed to give me the gift card. I was pretty pleased. Well about a week later I notice the backpack come back in stock. Well on a hunch I talked to another rep and said that I had ordered the backpack and it never shipped. They said oh well we gave you a gift card. And I said well that was just for you buys being a total pain in the a** and lying to me. She said they would investigate further. Fast forward a week. While at work I get an email saying A Dolica DK-30 had been shipped.

Sooo, long story short, I got the Tamron 70-300 USD($450), a Dolica DK-30($100), and a $50 Newegg gift card for the low low price of $330. Feels nice to rip off a big company for once instead of the other way around.

lol, nice work, I had a go a price matching and they wouldn't even do that over here

Oh, I did get £11 or so back by using QuidCo - not anywhere near your league, but its a minor triumph over here!

Raylon wrote in post #12178677
Haha well, besides the normal lens hood and warranty, I got some other goods from Newegg because of a deal and some screwups on their part.

I'll try to condense the story here. I bought the 70-300 on Newegg with a 15% off coupon. Came out to be like $380. Also running at the same time was a free Dolica backpack deal, which was about $100 separate. So I made the order, the backpack was on the sales confirmation. About 2 hours later I get an email cancelling the backpack saying that it should not have been sold with the 15% off coupon. They also listed the backpack as being discontinued. I talked to a few sales reps and most said well tough sh*t. Finally some rep said check back in a few days for a new deal. So I did and they were giving away a $50 giftcard with purchases of $300 or more.

Talked to a sales rep and they agreed to give me the gift card. I was pretty pleased. Well about a week later I notice the backpack come back in stock. Well on a hunch I talked to another rep and said that I had ordered the backpack and it never shipped. They said oh well we gave you a gift card. And I said well that was just for you buys being a total pain in the a** and lying to me. She said they would investigate further. Fast forward a week. While at work I get an email saying A Dolica DK-30 had been shipped.

Sooo, long story short, I got the Tamron 70-300 USD($450), a Dolica DK-30($100), and a $50 Newegg gift card for the low low price of $330. Feels nice to rip off a big company for once instead of the other way around.

wow, good deal. got a pretty sweet deal on mine as well...but it's really worth the asking $399 after rebate and more.

Raylon wrote in post #12177610
My 70-300 Tammy had some focusing issues. Would front focus at the short end but was dead on at 300. Since I managed to get it for $330 I didn't want to hassle with returning it to Newegg and still trying to get the rebate later, blah blah long story. But I ended up sending it to Tamron.

I was super afraid of sending it but it cost about $13 to ship it to them, lens came back about two weeks later, and AF is dead on at all focal lengths, no MA required. Also they cleaned it up good as new. I had kept the little clear sticker over the focus window and they didn't even take it off while servicing and cleaning it. That's pretty good service there. But overall, for the price I paid(and free stuff I got with it), it is a ridiculously nice lens. IQ is fantastic and the VC is extremely effective.

I am curious to how long the lens took with Tamron. Mine is also front focusing at 70mm, but dead on at the longer range. I have been working around it because I wasn't sure they could get it correct at 70mm without screwing it up at the longer focal lenght, but it looks like it worked out great for you. I also bought mine from New Egg at the same time, but never did get the backpack and talked to sever CS's there!

GregoryF wrote in post #12178861
I am curious to how long the lens took with Tamron. Mine is also front focusing at 70mm, but dead on at the longer range. I have been working around it because I wasn't sure they could get it correct at 70mm without screwing it up at the longer focal lenght, but it looks like it worked out great for you. I also bought mine from New Egg at the same time, but never did get the backpack and talked to sever CS's there!

I just checked. I sent it the 16th, they got it the 18th. They shipped it out on the 28th and I got the the 29th or 30th. All took place during March.