My one week experience with the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC

This Tamron lens was a disappointment for sure. And my use of it was probably quite different than what others may choose so maybe my comments will be not very significant. But, the direction the zoom turns is not workable for me. As I was constantly switching cameras that had nothing but Canon lenses on them, this was a real pain in the neck. Two, the AF/MF button is a complete joke. The lens should come with an anvil and a hammer. I was switching back and forth from using it as a video lens (for which the focus was, well, quite a bit more challenging than my 24-105) and using it for still shots. So, I was often switching to MF and back to AF. Yikes, forget about it. Third, there will be no lens creep with this lens - regardless of whether you put the lens lock on (also requiring hammer and anvil). Way, way too stiff. And that combined with the annoying reverse direction, again forget about it. I used it mostly for very wide shots - around 24-40. Very poor results. Happier with my 24-105. And, turns out I hardly opened up to f/2.8 so it was a bad choice to begin with. Also, this lens is a monster. I mean heavy and huge. And I'm used to a 70-200 f/2.8 IS and I have used the heavier Canon 24-70 in the past. But, something about this beast that just seemed bigger, bulkier and heavier than the Canon 24-70. Glad I did not buy it. But, my uses were probably different than most. It's probably a great lens for indoor, low light closeups. Just not for me.

I just ordered this lens about an hour ago.

It sounds to me like your main problems are with built quality (or perceived lack thereof) and the fact the zoom ring turns opposite to Canon lenses.

Can you comment on the overall image quality? Color rendition, contrast, overall sharpness etc?

In fairness, I rented it for the perceived need for an f/2.8. I did not need it for that reason as it turned out. The manual focusing on the videos I shot with it (on a tripod) was terrible but that could have easily been user error and the newness of the 5D3 more than anything. I took very few still shots with the lens but most has good color but, again, I had trouble with the auto focusing also. This was my first foray into the Tamron league. Maybe I just got a bad copy. I am still combing through my files and will report back on the ones shot with this lens but - even assuming the images it created were great - I would still not buy this lens due to the problems mentioned in my post.

I believe all the Tamrons zoom in the opposite direction from Canons. My 28-75 f/2.8 (a great lens) does. This is not a quality issue, just a choice. I believe some Sigmas focus (not zoom) in the opposite direction, but I don't own any.

why would you even be touching the AF/MF switch when shooting video? You can use the manual focus anytime while recording... add to the fact that you can focus before you start video and then use your hand to rack focus moving subjects.

all the other nuances are part of owning the tamron 24-70 which has been well documented on youtube and on the tamron 24-70 threads.

you are one out of millions abandoned Tamron 24-70... but the other millions are abandoned canon 24-70.

It sounds to me like you got a rental one that was in iffy condition. Perhaps used and abused a bit already. Maybe spent some time at the beach and got some sand in it or something, who knows. What I know is that my experience has been very different.

I have the Tamron 24-70 and the AF/MF switch is not too tight on mine. It is just tight enough to not move on accident and just loose enough to move with relatively little effort. Not that I care much as I use back-button focus and so can just take advantage of the Full-Time Manual Focus anytime I need it. My lock button is also not that tight. Again, just tight enough to not engage on accident, as it should be.

I don't know what lenses you have used in the past, but the zoom ring on mine moves just fine. I haven't even thought about how stiff it is or isn't because it moved very naturally for me. Same with the focus ring.

The lens is large, not gonna argue there. But it is technically a tad smaller and lighter than the 24-70L. The difference is close enough to make no odds though.

As for shooting video with it, on a FF camera you don't get much DOF under f/4 so it isn't surprising to me that you wouldn't be shooting at f/2.8 much. It sounds like for your purposes the 24-105 is more appropriate, which is just fine, it is for many people. One less lens for you to have to buy. Personally, I shoot video in low-light conditions sometimes and I knowingly give up DOF for aperture, realizing I will have my subject out of focus at times. It is a tradeoff, but sometimes it is called for.

All that being said, if the lens isn't for you then it isn't for you. That is not at all uncommon. Just be be aware it doesn't sound like the copy you got was in very good condition, and is definitely atypical.

c2thew wrote in post #14569853
why would you even be touching the AF/MF switch when shooting video? You can use the manual focus anytime while recording... add to the fact that you can focus before you start video and then use your hand to rack focus moving subjects.

all the other nuances are part of owning the tamron 24-70 which has been well documented on youtube and on the tamron 24-70 threads.

Um, I thought I made that clear. I was alternating scenes in the rehearsals and recitals between using that lens for video and stills. When I was using it for video, I did not want the focus moving around on me by the AF (if it won't - my mistake). So, I set it for autofocus when taking stills and MF when taking video. And, as to the video, due to the nature of the project, I had to manually adjust the focus a good bit. I assume you mean it has the equivalent of Canon's FTM. Fine. But, holy smokes, that switch was just not meant to be moved. And I am comparing it to my Canon Ls - 17-40, 24-105, 135 & 70-200 f/2.8 IS II? Regarding the smoothness of the zoom - it is night and day between the this Tamron and the aforementioned Canon Ls. I am willing to bet it's whatever you are used to. But I don't think I could ever get used to the Tamron in that respect. BTW, looking further at more of the photos it took, yes, it did a very good job image quality wise overall but not a smooth lens with which to work.

Eastport wrote in post #14571092
...using that lens for video and stills. When I was using it for video, I did not want the focus moving around on me by the AF (if it won't - my mistake). So, I set it for autofocus when taking stills and MF when taking video (again, you do not need to toggle the MF when shooting video since there is no AF capability when recording)...I assume you mean it has the equivalent of Canon's FTM. (correct) Fine. But, holy smokes, that switch was just not meant to be moved (that's more of a pro than a con)...but not a smooth lens with which to work.

again, the stiffness has been well documented and should be expected when purchasing the lens.

c2thew wrote in post #14571260
again, the stiffness has been well documented and should be expected when purchasing the lens.

Sorry, I missed that. But it's worth repeating here!

It's crazy stiff. Just never encountered that type of lens before. It's a deal killer for me.

c2thew wrote in post #14571260
again, the stiffness has been well documented and should be expected when purchasing the lens.

I have my Tamron 24-70 VC right in front of me. Nothing about it is particularly stiff. Not the focus ring, the zoom ring, the VC switch, the MF/AF switch, and especially not the lock switch.

I compared all those switches and rings to their equivalent on the 70-200 IS II, and the only thing on that isn't stiffer on the 70-200 is the MF ring, which turns with almost no pressure at all. The rest are at least as stiff, and the zoom ring is definitely stiffer. Maybe I have the exception, but if so then, as usual, I am the one person in the world that seems not to have any problems with his lenses. I have gone through over a dozen third party lenses and never had any problems.... What is wrong with me?

I have owned roughly 20 different lenses over the years. I guess I was just due!

I just got this lens and am a bit disappointed to find that the focus ring turns opposite of all my other lenses (clockwise takes you to infinity focus, like Nikon lenses). I was surprised no one else seems to make a big deal of this; the only mention I found of it was an offhanded comment on a Dave Dugdale video. People seem to care more about the backwards zoom ring than the focus ring. I have the older Tamron 70-200 (the non-vc version) and the focus rings goes the same way as my canon lenses. It's a great lens so I'll try to get used to it, but it will be difficult as I'm constantly switching lenses.

Tamron has focused in the 'Nikon' direction for years IIRC.

Anyone that buys the lens, and that comes as a surprise, obviously didn't do their homework. Every review I've seen on just about any Tamron lens mentions it, especially if tested on a Canon body.

Eastport wrote in post #14569088
This Tamron lens was a disappointment for sure. And my use of it was probably quite different than what others may choose so maybe my comments will be not very significant. But, the direction the zoom turns is not workable for me. As I was constantly switching cameras that had nothing but Canon lenses on them, this was a real pain in the neck. Two, the AF/MF button is a complete joke. The lens should come with an anvil and a hammer. I was switching back and forth from using it as a video lens (for which the focus was, well, quite a bit more challenging than my 24-105) and using it for still shots. So, I was often switching to MF and back to AF. Yikes, forget about it. Third, there will be no lens creep with this lens - regardless of whether you put the lens lock on (also requiring hammer and anvil). Way, way too stiff. And that combined with the annoying reverse direction, again forget about it. I used it mostly for very wide shots - around 24-40. Very poor results. Happier with my 24-105. And, turns out I hardly opened up to f/2.8 so it was a bad choice to begin with. Also, this lens is a monster. I mean heavy and huge. And I'm used to a 70-200 f/2.8 IS and I have used the heavier Canon 24-70 in the past. But, something about this beast that just seemed bigger, bulkier and heavier than the Canon 24-70. Glad I did not buy it. But, my uses were probably different than most. It's probably a great lens for indoor, low light closeups. Just not for me.

Your problem is ability to to compromise (weight) and learn (turn direction).

Bad choice to begin with = not listening to your needs. I had both Canon 24-70mk2 and my Tamron and by every measurement I could take they are physically equal in size and weight specs are within an ounce which is hard to percieve the difference.

Lets talk about Fact here. The Tamron weight is distributed more toward the back of the lens compared to the Canon which has a heavier front end. This "Perceived" difference is the canon is front heavy. The Tamron is better balanced.

The focus ring is not too tight it's just right. The Canon's suffer from loose and lens creep. Build quality is very similiar.

At least you realize that the lens doesn't fit your needs but just wanted to throw some of my experience in there for others to see.