Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD, reviewed by mannetti21

alfgardner wrote in post #17686409
Thanks for the review and comments. I primarily do landscape photography and recently bought the 5DSR. Now I'm in the process of upgrading my glass. I'm blown away with the IQ of my new Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II. Now I'm looking to upgrade my Canon 24 - 105 F/4 L, the kit lens that came with my 5DMII. I have been strongly considering the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II, and recently learned about the subject Tamron SP 24 - 70. Has anyone compared both lenses with the 5DS or 5DSR? I hear that you need super sharp lenses with the 5DSR. I don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish. At the same time, I hate to pay too much. Thanks.

I can't speak to this lens paired with the 5DS, but I don't think this would be the best choice for a dedicated landscape lens for a couple of reasons. While I think the corner sharpness is good for 99% of tasks, landscape would be that 1%. Even with small apertures, the corners aren't exactly razor sharp. Secondly, you are paying for f/2.8 and VC (image stabilization) with this lens...how much will you actually use those premium features for landscape. Finally, while 24mm is wide, there are many times when it hasn't been wide enough for vast landscape shots or interior shots.

Therefore, if you are looking for a lens to serve primarily landscape duty, I would recommend one of Canon's 16-35mm options. If you are set on a 24-70 lens, I don't think the small improvement in edge sharpness is enough to justify purchasing the Canon over the Tamron.

Again thanks, and yes, for landscape photography the 5DSR would be mounted on a sturdy tripod with IS turned off. I have been very happy with the Canon 24 - 105 F/4 L and its focal range on the 5DMII. I'm looking for a sharper lens to fill in that range. Another question...Is the IQ (ie. edge sharpness) of the Tamron SP 24 - 70 that much better than the Canon 24 - 105 F/4 L to justify the cost of the Tamron?

When I need a landscape shot in the 16 - 35mm range, I mount the 24 - 105 and more often the 70 - 200 in a portrait mode and shoot and stitch a panorama. The results have been most satisfactory and I end up with a huge file to work with. I also already have the Canon 17 - 40 f/4 L lens. The cost of the 5DS/SR body is a relatively small portion of the entire system cost when you factor in the cost of new and very expensive glass necessary to justify a 50mp camera.

alfgardner wrote in post #17686652
Again thanks, and yes, for landscape photography the 5DSR would be mounted on a sturdy tripod with IS turned off. I have been very happy with the Canon 24 - 105 F/4 L and its focal range on the 5DMII. I'm looking for a sharper lens to fill in that range. Another question...Is the IQ (ie. edge sharpness) of the Tamron SP 24 - 70 that much better than the Canon 24 - 105 F/4 L to justify the cost of the Tamron?

In my opinion, yes...sorta. I say sort of because for an extra $200 you not only get better overall sharpness (especially at mid-frame and edges), but you get the added benefit of f/2.8 (not only for DOF but for improved ability to AF in low-light), and in my experience, a better image stabilization system. In real-life shooting, I was able to get 2 full stops worth of IS with the Canon, and a solid 3-stops with the Tamron. So again, considering you are looking at about $1000-$1200, it would make sense for me to get the Tamron over the 24-105.

If you are looking for a direct replacement for the 24-105, as I was, then the Tamron fits nicely. If you are looking to improve your lens lineup strictly for landscape, I think there are better options.

I was hesitating for months between the Tamron and the two versions of Canon but then it became clear that at f/4.0 max you lose autofocus in low light with the 5DIII. It is annoying. The second poit was that due to the pollen situation I had to take asthma inhalators. Those things make your hands shake, there is nothing you can do about it...well, you can drink less coffee but that's about it.

I wasn't happy having to decide avoiding negatives instead of chasing positives but now after ten days with the Tamron I have no second thoughts. As it is, I do not need the inhalations any more but I had to go through some eye surgery instead. So...patience.

From the little experience I managed to get with the Tamron, it most definitely beats the old Canon 24-70 version hands down.
The VC is actually useful making sharp shots at 70mm possible with as long as 1/15 sec. There is vignetting, there is an LR profile to control it. Will it last me ten years like the old Canon? Will I last ten years? Will I be able to sell it? Should i paint a red ring around it or cover it with camo? Or just paint over the Tamron logo...

No, I just wait to get my eyesight back and go shooting.
Hmmm...a camo cover? That would be cool...

garbidz wrote in post #17733873
The VC is actually useful making sharp shots at 70mm possible with as long as 1/15 sec.

Hosted photo: posted by garbidz in
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That's a very good point that many people tend to miss. For the 24-50ish range, one could make a strong argument that stabilization is likely unnecessary, but at 70mm it becomes very useful. For example, when indoors and shooting people in poorly lit environments, I'll often set the camera (Auto ISO menu) to choose a shutter no slower than 1/60. The next option slower is 1/30 (too slow for moving people), and the next option faster is 1/125 (a bit too fast, forcing me to make the trade off of higher ISO). So, because of Canon, I'm essentially stuck with 1/60. The VC ensures that camera-shake isn't going to be an issue.

The LensCoat camo protective sleeve for this Tamron is not on the shelves yet but can be preordered at BH at 80-some dollars.
A camo neoprene skin for the 5DIII is only 30 bucks, I have get one of those, is is so seventies!
About the VC, of course it will not slow down moving subjects. In low light you can cranck down the ISO a couple of steps and with the current 5DIII sensor it makes a difference.

I do not think the VC/IS should become a religious question. If you see the need, here it is and the price is right.

hello everyone... heard so much about this great things about his lens but wanted to know if this will fit on a Canon Rebel SL1? I was told that it was meant for a full frame camera...

It will work on a Canon SL1, or any other Canon body that accepts EF or EF-S lenses. It's made for full frame cameras, but is compatible with the Canon crop sesnors as well.

aikijoe12 wrote in post #17810582
hello everyone... heard so much about this great things about his lens but wanted to know if this will fit on a Canon Rebel SL1? I was told that it was meant for a full frame camera...

Ephur wrote in post #17811063
It will work on a Canon SL1, or any other Canon body that accepts EF or EF-S lenses. It's made for full frame cameras, but is compatible with the Canon crop sesnors as well.

As Ephur stated it will fit and work. That said since the SL1 is a crop body the 24mm end may not be very wide and you will feel too zoomed in when in close quarters.

You most likely would want to purchase the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS - which is a great lens or the Sigma 17-50 2.8. These will give you a much more workable close quarters or wide angle zoom ability that fits in the normal to mid range of zooms.

Thanks for the review. You've inspired me to rent this lens and give it a shot.

Engler519 wrote in post #17850588
Thanks for the review. You've inspired me to rent this lens and give it a shot.

Enjoy!

thanks for the feedback... truly appreciate it...

So is one better off going with a used Canon 24-70 v1 or this Tamron? I would be using primarily for indoor shooting like restaurants/bars and some portraits (both indoor & outdoor).

I am seeing a lot of these selling used on Ebay for around the same price as the Canon v1 (700-800 range).

Mr. Bill wrote in post #17916780
So is one better off going with a used Canon 24-70 v1 or this Tamron? I would be using primarily for indoor shooting like restaurants/bars and some portraits (both indoor & outdoor).

I am seeing a lot of these selling used on Ebay for around the same price as the Canon v1 (700-800 range).

I think the Tamron is the very clear choice when comparing to the Canon v.1. It outperforms the Canon is every category.