My Review: Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC vs Canon F4 IS (samples)

For those of you that don't know I recently did a detailed review comparing samples, charts and video for the AF speed. This review can be found here:

Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC vs Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS

Many have asked about the Tamron vs the Canon F4 IS since they are similarly priced (+/-$100ish). Well I won't go into the detailed review like I did with the Sigma but I will post up the data. My neighbor had bought my 70-200 F4 IS about 1.5 years ago so she let me borrow it tonight. I had about 20 minutes with what available light I had left to do this so I did the best I could. Same setup as before with 2 second delay, mirror lockup, tripod mounted, manual focus, live view w/ 10x. everything I can do to eliminate any user error. ADDED INFO: All images were simple import into LR4.3 with standard settings and then screenshots were taken with the side by sides. Also, there are UV filters on both lenses but where REMOVED for the test shots. I forgot to put that in there because I had put them back on when I took the photo of the lenses side by side with my phone.

With that being said lets look at the results:

AF SPEED

Look at this YouTube video Here

They are so very close when looking through the viewfinder it's rather hard to see any difference. I could assume the Canon tracks better in Servo but I simply did not do any testing at all so cannot comment.

(REMEMBER: all crops on left is Tamron and all crops on right are Canon)

ALL IMAGES ARE @ F4

70MM SCENE

RESERVED

Here is a photo taken with my Iphone of the size difference between the two. I almost forgot how small and light weight the Canon F4 IS is.... it's so cute

is it me or does the tamron seem sharper? colors seem better too

Tamron seems like a nice lens.

tamron should show weakness on the corner at 200mm, but still look better than the canon at f4.

It looks like there's a UV filter on the canon. Did you do the test with the filter on? The Tamron looks like a great lens but my f4 seems to be a little sharper then your copy unless the filter had an effect on it.

RHChan84 wrote in post #16271910
It looks like there's a UV filter on the canon. Did you do the test with the filter on? The Tamron looks like a great lens but my f4 seems to be a little sharper then your copy unless the filter had an effect on it.

Looks like there is a filter on the Tammy too.

RHChan84 wrote in post #16271910
It looks like there's a UV filter on the canon. Did you do the test with the filter on? The Tamron looks like a great lens but my f4 seems to be a little sharper then your copy unless the filter had an effect on it.

FEChariot wrote in post #16272126
Looks like there is a filter on the Tammy too.

Both have filters, HOWEVER, both were removed during the sample shots. I put them back on when I was done which is when I took the photo with my phone of them side by side.

I need to add this information to my post to clarify. Thanks.

Tamron's sharper period.

BFox549 wrote in post #16271818
is it me or does the tamron seem sharper? colors seem better too

So far the colors on this Tamron are warmer than either this Canon or the Sigma. Other owners of the Tamron have reported this as well.

kin2son wrote in post #16272534
Tamron's sharper period.

I really really really need to find a guy local that has a Canon MK2 and really do a good comparison with the Tamron VC lens. Now I'm very interersted in seeing those results.

FEChariot wrote in post #16272126
Looks like there is a filter on the Tammy too.

Yea I noticed it after I looked on my laptop. Looked like a lens cap on my phone. I need to upgrade my phone soon.

Talley wrote in post #16272501
Both have filters, HOWEVER, both were removed during the sample shots. I put them back on when I was done which is when I took the photo with my phone of them side by side.

I need to add this information to my post to clarify. Thanks.

Gotcha.

Tamron has always been sharp in my experience, it was their AF speed and their motors that really kept me from buying their original 70-200. But now with the new USD, I might check it out and maybe sell the F4L.

kin2son wrote in post #16272534
Tamron's sharper period.

Well at F4 maybe. Maybe the Canon gets sharper at 5.6 where the Tamron peaks sharpness at F4-4.5 and slowly degrades from there. I didn't have much time so I only took at F4.

Also comparing the data with the Photozone.de numbers between the lenses and from my experience the F4 IS lens is sharper at 200mm than 70mm while the Tamron is sharper at 70mm than 200mm.

This would concur with my samples above and why the Tamron/Canon are very close at 200mm where canon is stronger and Tamron is weaker while at 70mm the Tamron is damn sharp where the Canon is weaker.

Definitely an interesting comparison. The new Tamron is looking like a force to be reckoned with. It's no MkII, but from the looks of it, it will definitely rival the other 70-200mm L's in Canon's lineup. I saw your other review of the Tamron/Sigma - good stuff. Much appreciated.

Having the 70-200 2.8IS II from Canon I must admit, the Tamron does strike me as a good lens.

I'd like to see how it pans out against the MkII 2.8 IS though. It would be hard for me to give this monster up. Build quality-wise I doubt the Tamron could match it.