Tamron lineup

This weekend they wife and I attended a Tamron event. It was the first of their State Parks workshops. What was so nice was there were basically no speeches (yea). We had the chance to shoot most of the Tamron lineup in the park or at Anna Rudy Falls (Federal property) on the mountaintop above the state park.

http://www.tamron-usa.com/events/parks.a​sp


I must say I was very impressed with their 24-70, 70-200, 200-500, and 180 macro. I really like the internal focusing (IF) concept where all the moving parts are inside the main sleeve. It minimizes dust getting into a seam between two both halves.

We had the 18-270 (not a higher end SP lens) as a good walkaround for our 7Ds. I am seriously considering changing to 24-70 as my walkaround on 5DII instead of my 24-105. I like the faster speed and VC on the 24-70.

In general how do the rest of you perceive the Tamron lens lineup, especially the SP higher end lenses?

I've rented the 24-70 VC and love it. I've used it to shoot a wedding and other events. I've gotten very sharp images. It will be my next purchase. I also plan to buy the 70-200 f/2.8. I've rented the Canon 70-200 f/2.8; it is truly awesome. I plan to rent the Tamron version just to play around with it before I buy it.

Spending the extra money for Canon's "L" equivalents isn't worth it for me. Both Tamron lenses get excellent reviews and most say the are just a tad below their "L" counterparts. They are also weather sealed, and they come with a 6 year warranty.

I also love my 17-50 f/2.8 non-VC. It is very sharp. I like the 18-270 as well, my only complaint; it hunts too much in low light.

MCAsan wrote in post #15949089
This weekend they wife and I attended a Tamron event. It was the first of their State Parks workshops. What was so nice was there were basically no speeches (yea). We had the chance to shoot most of the Tamron lineup in the park or at Anna Rudy Falls (Federal property) on the mountaintop above the state park.

I followed the link and Tamron has one scheduled in my area in the fall. I'm sorta lost on the concept - I get to try out their product line but have to pay $189 for the opportunity? What am I missing? I could understand a nominal fee but $189 goes a long way towards a new lens.

Reads as a workshop lead by a professional photographer with lunch included; thus the fee.

I prefer the "Canon in the Parks" for free myself.

A pro, David, and a Tamron rep are both there to teach photography aspects and provide hands-on help. But our event was not a couple of hours of classroom lectures and then a field hike. At our event there was only one newbie. So most time was spend with multiple loaner lenses in the field. The $189 was for admissions and parking passes in the state park and federal area (Anna Rudy Falls), lunch, and the advice/help that was available. I can't speak as to what will happen at the other parks on the schedule.

It is one thing to try a lens in a camera store. It much better to try lenses in the field and check the AF and image quality doing what you like to do in the field. I have decided to get the Tamron 180 macro. It is $50 off right now and attendees of the workshops get an extra $25 rebate. So the final cost after rebates will be something like $664 from B&H or other online retailer.

MCAsan wrote in post #15949089
In general how do the rest of you perceive the Tamron lens lineup, especially the SP higher end lenses?

I have two new SP's and an older 300 2.8 SP 60B Adaptall. In my opinion Tamron lenses have great build quality and IQ - very good value for the money.

You'd think with 5 National Parks to choose from, they'd have an event here in Utah.....

Workshop sponsered by Tamron , about Tamron lenses? Gee, and they looked good? So amazing. How about stepping back and getting some perspective.

gasrocks wrote in post #15950201
Workshop sponsered by Tamron , about Tamron lenses? Gee, and they looked good? So amazing. How about stepping back and getting some perspective.

How does that have any bearing on the performance of the lenses?

I doubt any one paying for the class will come away thinking the results were "bad."

Then both Tamron and the attendees will be happy.

Tamron has long impressed the trade press for the quality of images produced with the SP line in the Tamron lens lineup.
The Tamron 90mm SP Macro lens, in various incarnations released over the decades, has particularly impressed, for example.

The one aspect of Tamron that I have not enjoyed, though, is in the context of AF cameras...you have to move a switch from Auto to Manual and back, not merely release a 'clutch' (Tokina) or FTM (many/most -- but not all -- of Canon's lens lineup)

I'm happy with all of my Tamron lenses. I rented the 70-200 VC and was very impressed with it optically. It is lighter and smaller than the 70-200 ii (although all 70-200 2.8 with IS are still heavy). Just wish the price came down $200. It would get a lot more love.
The 24-70VC has a lot of happy users here.
The 70-300VC is a great consumer zoom lens that is a wonderful bargain because of price and quality.

Wilt wrote in post #15950591
The one aspect of Tamron that I have not enjoyed, though, is in the context of AF cameras...you have to move a switch from Auto to Manual and back, not merely release a 'clutch' (Tokina) or FTM (many/most -- but not all -- of Canon's lens lineup)

Tamron has FTM on it's good lenses. The 70-300 VC USD, the 90mm macro, the new 70-200 2.8 and the new 24-70 VC USD all have it for sure.

spur wrote in post #15951816
Tamron has FTM on it's good lenses....

I believe Tamron has FTM only on USD lenses.