Smartest choice for 24-70 2.8 lens on the used market

Sorry, another help me pick a 24-70 zoom thread.........

5DIII, 17-40 f4, 70-200 f4, and 85.1.8 are my tools. I do a lot of in church photography and hope to do more portrait/senior photos. Inside I have to pull out my 85 1.8 as f4 is just too tough.

I don't do a lot of wide angle stuff and am thinking I'd like to sell my 17-40 and pick up a 24-70 2.8. $850 is really pushing my budget so I have to look to the used market.

I know the majority opinion out there is that the Tamron 24-70 edges out the Canon mark 1 version from an image quality standpoint. Plus the VC. I hesitate because of the occasional stories I hear of someone having to send multiple Tamron copies back before they get one that focuses. The Canon "Brick" has no IS, perhaps slightly poorer image quality, but is also more consistent between copies. I'm really wondering if I'll miss IS with a brick using my 5D3...... Maybe I can get by with higher ISO

They are both out there used for approximately the same price, most being $700-800. For perspective, Tamron has a rebate going right now that gets a new one down to $1099.

Any thoughts on which direction you'd go with these two in the used market?

Thanks

The 35 IS fits your budget, and gets you 2 stops of aperture and IS. There isn't much zoom between 35 & 85. Big apertures and a choice of focal lengths is not cheap.

I would think that buying used would reasonably ensure the focus worked properly on the Tamron. After all, why would the original purchaser keep the new lens if it didn't work properly? While the seller could be dishonest or simply not have enough experience to recognize a problem, you could review the seller's photos and ask for a short money-back guarantee to address those risks.

My concern with buying used is that damage or wear not obvious upon initial inspection that may require repairs shortly afterwards. The age and number of owners increases this risk.

Personally, I think Canon is ripping it's customers off by charging them as much as they do for the 24-70 Mk2 and not including IS. However, I would have a hard time choosing a Tamron lens because of the opposite zoom/focus ring operation. This might not be a factor for most photographers, but if you're shooting a wedding or other events the potential hesitation or mistake could cause missed shots.

The Tamron is a good lens if you get one that works on your camera. I had one for a short time but I couldn't get it to autofocus properly on the outer AF points, and it was very soft on one side. There are many who get good results with the Tamron 24-70 but I had bad luck. I returned it and went with the Canon 24-70 f/4L IS which has great AF and is lighter (and very good macro as a bonus).

My thinking was this: I usually use 24-70 for relatively static subjects e.g. landscape and portraits so the 4-stop IS on the Canon 24-70 f/4L is good handheld in low light if things aren't moving too quickly. Also, the f/4 is pretty light compared to the f/2.8 lenses. You can set the minimum shutter speed on the auto ISO mode of the 5D3 to decrease the chance of motion blur. I use primes if I want less background detail or faster moving subjects in low light.

I don't want to sound presumptuous but I assume you may have some flexibility with senior portraits regarding IS or recomposing with a fast prime

The Tamron 24-70 .8 VC is $779 on eBay right now after rebate. Add in the 2% eBay bucks, purchasing through a cashback site, and a 2% cashback credit card, that saves another ~$40, plus you may save on sales tax too.

I don't want to sound presumptuous but I assume you may have some flexibility with senior portraits regarding IS or recomposing with a fast prime

85 1.8 for now......

robsudac wrote in post #17713887
The Tamron 24-70 .8 VC is $779 on eBay right now after rebate. Add in the 2% eBay bucks, purchasing through a cashback site, and a 2% cashback credit card, that saves another ~$40, plus you may save on sales tax too.

I got a copy tonight for that price.......... but used in "pristine" condition. I don't regard it as a great deal but I think it was close to market.

Wish me luck and thank you all for the input

I had the sigma 24-70, used the original 24-70...

my vote? the old 28-70. I have it, love it. sharper than the original 24-70. its a beast, super heavy, big. but totally worth it. you can get one for around 500 bucks used. I don't think there is anything on the market that can come close in that price range for a zoom.

I have absolutely no intentions of upgrading unless she dies...

not sure how valuable my 2c will be, but maybe it will provide more perspective...

I hear good things about Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Goes for about $250-300 on ebay/amazon. Not too bad for an f/2.8 zoom!
I recently picked up a pristine Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 for $150 on ebay. Works like a charm on my 6D. I was lucky, but there are "Buy It Now" options for $199 now. There are a LOT of good reviews about this lens. I like it. I am not paying an extra $800 for an extra 10mm of zoomable distance. I have my 24-105 for that But for multi-purpose shots in lower light - perfect!

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17713675
The 35 IS fits your budget, and gets you 2 stops of aperture and IS. There isn't much zoom between 35 & 85. Big apertures and a choice of focal lengths is not cheap.

Yes to this. And maybe add one of the 50's.

If you really need a walkaround zoom, I'd get the 24-105 and for your f/2.8 needs rely on the three primes: 85, 50, 35.

If you can get $600 for your 17-40 (maybe less), you can get a 1.8 50mm for about $100, the 35 f/2 IS used for maybe $300, and the 24-105 for about $475.

I am one of the ones who was rather disappointed by the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC.

My post a while back might have been cryptic, so I'll reiterate: I decided to pull the trigger on the Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC; found a used (and hopefully pristine) copy which I hope to take delivery on tomorrow. I understand some have had issues with the lens. I hope I am not one of those guys. Most people aren't. I appreciate the comments steering me toward a 35 or 50 but I need wider for group shots, and I want somewhat tighter for portrait stuff. I need to sell my 17-40 to make this work (not worth much more than $450 according recent sales), so I have a big gap below 70mm to fill.

Wish me luck with my copy.

Thanks everyone

I've had both the Tamrons and both have been solid for me. The 24-70vc has been especially good.

flowrider wrote in post #17716853
I've had both the Tamrons and both have been solid for me. The 24-70vc has been especially good.

Thanks Steve!

I've had two tamron 70-200 vc's. well I'm on my second copy. I only sold my first because I wanted the 120-300 and I could not at the time afford both. Now I have both. I live in heaven with both.

I did have issues with outer points on the 24-70 my first copy and got rid of it. I now bought one off ebay like you for 799 like new in box and to my surprise it is very sharp... very accurate.

It has become a goto lens for me. When I mean goto lens I mean it has to perform flawless and so far it has not missed period. Very strong performer.

Just wanted to share my experience.

I think the first 6 months of the 24-70 VC made a bad name for themselves with some focus issues but they later issued a firmware fix and since then all has been fine. For what I've seen so far.

To anyone who had one and ditched it I strongly suggest trying a newer one and I'm so happy I have.

Talley wrote in post #17717441
I've had two tamron 70-200 vc's. well I'm on my second copy. I only sold my first because I wanted the 120-300 and I could not at the time afford both. Now I have both. I live in heaven with both.

I did have issues with outer points on the 24-70 my first copy and got rid of it. I now bought one off ebay like you for 799 like new in box and to my surprise it is very sharp... very accurate.

It has become a goto lens for me. When I mean goto lens I mean it has to perform flawless and so far it has not missed period. Very strong performer.

Just wanted to share my experience.

I think the first 6 months of the 24-70 VC made a bad name for themselves with some focus issues but they later issued a firmware fix and since then all has been fine. For what I've seen so far.

To anyone who had one and ditched it I strongly suggest trying a newer one and I'm so happy I have.

Thank you for this, Talley. I think I will take you up on this by renting the Tamron sometime soon! But I do wonder/worry whether the rental copy will be the corrected copy or not!

That being said, other than the 2.8 vs 4 obvious difference, I am and have always been pleased with the 24-105 supplemented as needed by the 35 f/2 IS and 50 f/1.4 (and, for years the 85 f/1.8).

I look forward to the (hopefully soon to arrive) 85 f/1.8 IS and, upon its actual arrival, I will put aside all thoughts of selling the farm to buy the 24-70 f/2.8 II (w or w/o IS) (Canon) and be satisfied with the three primes to solve the light issue.