Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD

I would trust Talley on this. He's well versed in these lenses. It may be a bummer but problems can occur just as easily on newer lenses.

I've had the same issue before on my first 70-200 VC and had it serviced. Not sure what it was but it was the VC that was doing it but my problem was when it was ON. Even though you have it turned off your images are doing EXACTLY what mine were doing. Even at a SS of 1/800 and such. It's like some sort of induced double vision thing going on.

I also had this look with my 24-70 the first one too. I'm not sure if it's a firmware thing or not but as long as you purchased from an authorized dealer you can send it in and they'll check it out. BEST thing is their customer service. Literally shipped the lens out on a Thursday and had it back the next thursday. They have a 3 day turnaround and they ship via 2 day delivery. I shipped to them via 2 day. I've used their service twice, once with my old 70-200 and once on the 24-70 when I had the front element issue coming off.

I love Tamron... may not be the best glass but their bokeh quality is consistent and their color reproduction is consistent (warmer than canon) which can be pleasing during portraits. Their warranty is top notch. Way better than Canon 1yr. I would love to move back to Canon and financially I can pull this off but even in the end... Tamron does 92.5% of the Canon glass and I don't do this for a living so I'm constantly telling myself to stick with Tamron.

Talley wrote in post #18072398
I've had the same issue before on my first 70-200 VC and had it serviced. Not sure what it was but it was the VC that was doing it but my problem was when it was ON. Even though you have it turned off your images are doing EXACTLY what mine were doing. Even at a SS of 1/800 and such. It's like some sort of induced double vision thing going on.

I also had this look with my 24-70 the first one too. I'm not sure if it's a firmware thing or not but as long as you purchased from an authorized dealer you can send it in and they'll check it out. BEST thing is their customer service. Literally shipped the lens out on a Thursday and had it back the next thursday. They have a 3 day turnaround and they ship via 2 day delivery. I shipped to them via 2 day. I've used their service twice, once with my old 70-200 and once on the 24-70 when I had the front element issue coming off.

I love Tamron... may not be the best glass but their bokeh quality is consistent and their color reproduction is consistent (warmer than canon) which can be pleasing during portraits. Their warranty is top notch. Way better than Canon 1yr. I would love to move back to Canon and financially I can pull this off but even in the end... Tamron does 92.5% of the Canon glass and I don't do this for a living so I'm constantly telling myself to stick with Tamron.

You've mad me feel better it's not just down to me. Tnx.

I have taken the lens back with my camera this afternoon to Jessops. The sales guy tested it out and said it seems fine to him. But I showed him a shot at 70mm.. and the same shot at 200mm (of the same thing in my garden - a foot ball on the lawn.... not that far away from me)

at 70mm I zoom in on the magnification on the camera and the lettering on the football was quite clear/sharp - what I'd accept if zooming in/cropping from a 70mm shot.
at 200mm I zoom in on the same football using the magnifier on the camera... guess what, the same lettering on the ball looked blurred/outta focus.

He asked what shutter speed and F# etc, all the things I've gone over.

I said I'd done shots with VC on and off to make sure it wasn't the VC over compensating etc.

He had no question about sending it back to be checked over as he said he knows lens faults can be temperamental. Also he said how good the lend was too.

I've had some prints come back today and I must say I'm dead pleased with the ones I'd taken and had printed. a few I'm entering into my local Camera Club printed section comp next week. OBVIOSLY WITHOUT THE WATER MARK lol

This is going in next weeks comp

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/JiEi​Lv

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/K5SZ​pU

One from my last wedding on Saturday.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Kuqt​qM

Is that the groom? (in Jeans?)

salsa-king wrote in post #18077404
Is that the groom? (in Jeans?)

Yep it sure is. Quite common for country style weddings.

My current telephoto lens is the Tamron 70-300vc. Is my main lens for shooting cycling races. It does the jobs and it costs me only $300. How's the Tamron 70-200vc for fast pace sport photography? I read lots of reviews on the lens but very few talked about how well it does in shooting fast pace sports. Only with one review, the author cited that the lens would miss focus in a 10 shots burst sequence shooting a runner running towards him. The lens never managed to reacquire or to recorrect the focus.

The used price for the lens is about $800 to $900. With the same price, I can pickup an used Nikon 70-200 f4 vr.

I tried the Tamron 70-300 VC and it was a nice lens on my D750, especially considering its reasonable price. I opted to go for the 70-200 VC, and its AF is very fast and accurate. I'm very pleased with this lens and while my primary purpose is events/portraits, I would think it would make an excellent sports lens as well.

I have both Tamron VC models 70-200 2.8 and the 70-300 F4-5.6

The 70-200 is damn near light years ahead in terms of AF speed, accuracy and IQ. My wife uses the 75-300 and I've taken it on vacation where I wanted a lighter option.

I got my lens back from being checked.. no fault found, but it did get a firmware upgrade... what ever that is.

salsa-king wrote in post #18090044
I got my lens back from being checked.. no fault found, but it did get a firmware upgrade... what ever that is.

Well that could of been the issue... the firmware controls what goes on and how and why and when. Have you tested it out yet?

Also what was the turnaround time if you don't mind me asking? I know many of us would like to know.

Talley wrote in post #18090133
Well that could of been the issue... the firmware controls what goes on and how and why and when. Have you tested it out yet?

Also what was the turnaround time if you don't mind me asking? I know many of us would like to know.

( no, I've not had time to get out with it yet.

Took it in to Jessops on the Saturday, they emailed on the Thursday to say it's ready for collection and I picked up the Saturday morning.

Not sure where they send it though.

been out an taken a few shots with it this aftenoon...... seems a lot better when viewed on the camera, so need to get them on the laptop now to check them out.

tnx for your help

This lens is awful with Al Servo tracking and I speak from having two cameras and two copies of this lens over the past two months. I am really disappointed because you can get this lens for half the cost of the Canon equivalent and i've owned the Canon 2.8 IS II.

I've been using it last week.. I'm still not happy with any shot over 150-200mm. It not sharp at all, unless you are using 200mm on something thats quite close.
a distance shot and it's looking blurred.

I've tried every option I can think of.. f2.8.. f8, f10 etc. centre focus on my 7DmkII, it's jus not clear. 70mm it seem sharp.

am I doing something stupidly wrong??


my 150-600 tamron lens is sharp at all mm. it's a cheaper lens and I get better results.


Is it me?