Review/Impressions of Tamron 24-70mm G2 (2nd edition)

I'm going to the NYC Comic Con next weekend and would love to get it for this event. But I'm still waiting for more reviews to pour in. Has not been that many.

Charlie wrote in post #18458073
from my recollection, from 24-50, the tamron is very strong and comparable to the L mkii, @70, the 24-70ii is much stronger at all apertures.

optics are the same with g1 and g2 so this review will be somewhat relevant.




at the time of release, the 24-70ii would sell for 2200 and tamron for 1300? It was a pretty simple decision with those prices and the fact I bought the tamron before the mkii released. The tamron was better than the 24-70mk 1, so fair deal. fast forward some years and the price of both lenses have gone down dramatically.

for me, easy choice, canon 24-70ii, I dont need VC/IS. Super optics, reasonable price.

You seem to be completely discounting the fact that the Tamron first edition's Auto-Focus was erratoc in poor light, and incapable in bad light. Frig the optics if the a fast zoom can't focus in poor light. I didn't spring for an f/2.8 zoom to shoot it at f/8 in broad daylight.

At $1200, with the LII available refurbished for $300 more, I'd go for the LII. I'm guessing Canon doesn't have focus issues on Canon bodies.

05Xrunner wrote in post #18458244
the optics are not the same from the G1 to G2 tamron. its clear in Dustin review there is a good bit of an upgrade in the optics. its not soft in the corners anymore and sharp from edge to edge.

Even Tamron is convinced the glass in both lenses is IDENTICAL. That makes me really suspicious of Dustin Abbott's review. The only way you get that kind of variability out of IDENTICAL glass, is to have HUGE quality control issues (mis-alignment, de-centering). Neither fact instills any faith in Tamron.

Full disclosure: I recently picked up a used Tamron 17-50 (the good one). I am happy with its focus speed, and accuracy, on my 80D. It handles Servo better than the 85 1.8 on my 6D (pretty sure that is a camera, not a lens, issue).

I find it hard to believe almost all the reviews I have seen show that its improved over the previous. Why would they release it and not be better optically looking at how well they did with the G2 70-200. I can careless about pics of elements and how they are arranged and squiggly lines on a chart. Proof is in the photos I have seen that its optically better edge to edge. Dustin had 2 copies as well from canada and USA and both out performed the g1 so it seems I would say QA is fine on the G2

05Xrunner wrote in post #18461574
I find it hard to believe almost all the reviews I have seen show that its improved over the previous. Why would they release it and not be better optically looking at how well they did with the G2 70-200. I can careless about pics of elements and how they are arranged and squiggly lines on a chart. Proof is in the photos I have seen that its optically better edge to edge. Dustin had 2 copies as well from canada and USA and both out performed the g1 so it seems I would say QA is fine on the G2

I tend to agree that the results are better than charts at showing what a lens can do. Sigma up'd their game with the Global Series. It is entirely possible that Tamron has done the same.

I bought the internet hoopla about how good the VC was. IMHO, it wasn't. If I am going to spend large for a lens, $300 is just not that important in the long run. I'd opt for the LII (refurbished) over the G2. I'm not big fan of f/2.8 zooms; I'll likely never own either.

Bassat wrote in post #18461554
You seem to be completely discounting the fact that the Tamron first edition's Auto-Focus was erratoc in poor light, and incapable in bad light. Frig the optics if the a fast zoom can't focus in poor light. I didn't spring for an f/2.8 zoom to shoot it at f/8 in broad daylight.

At $1200, with the LII available refurbished for $300 more, I'd go for the LII. I'm guessing Canon doesn't have focus issues on Canon bodies.

the Lii on the used market has dipped as low as 1200, and it's the time of year that sales are so close, if I were in the market for a fast zoom, I may just wait it out for the canon again. No fuss, IQ super good.

good condition: http://www.fredmiranda​.com …d=canon,24-70,ii#14180060

1250, not even sold, on market for nearly two weeks.

as for AF performance, not everyone needs killer 24-70ii performance, I've seen a few wedding photographers use the tamron to shoot receptions. My brother's wedding photographer used one and it was sufficient. That's really good enough for many folks, I'de even say most folks. It's typically not a lens I tend to use in a sports capacity, usually longer.

the only reason I'de favor the new tamron over the Lii is if the AF is truly silent, for video purposes. The Lii was a bit noisy for video, even if fairly silent for photography.

05Xrunner wrote in post #18461574
I find it hard to believe almost all the reviews I have seen show that its improved over the previous. Why would they release it and not be better optically looking at how well they did with the G2 70-200. I can careless about pics of elements and how they are arranged and squiggly lines on a chart. Proof is in the photos I have seen that its optically better edge to edge. Dustin had 2 copies as well from canada and USA and both out performed the g1 so it seems I would say QA is fine on the G2

TDP does NOT show improvement.

Charlie wrote in post #18461595
TDP does NOT show improvement.

Thanks for that. I trust Bryan Carnathan and TDP.

I'm not seeing any reviews over at TDP.

gossamer88 wrote in post #18461615
I'm not seeing any reviews over at TDP.

I went looking. You are correct; no review at TDP. Only this stub: https://www.the-digital-picture.com ….8-Di-VC-USD-G2-Lens.aspx

I'd love to read Bryan's review of this lens. It is coming, I am sure.

Just watched Eric Rossi's YouTube 2nd video. The first was just an unboxing. Take his impression with a grain of salt.

Bassat wrote in post #18461554
You seem to be completely discounting the fact that the Tamron first edition's Auto-Focus was erratoc in poor light, and incapable in bad light. Frig the optics if the a fast zoom can't focus in poor light. I didn't spring for an f/2.8 zoom to shoot it at f/8 in broad daylight.

That was for the G1. No company would release a product with the same old, same old ... From DA video, the G2 shows significant improvement in AF and possibly VC. The question is how much improvement is the in the IQ. It appears the basic optical formula has not changed (same number of optical groups) but DA video appears to show improvements in IQ. It's quite possible that Tamron has tweaked the previous design for slightly better optical performance.

That comparison on TDP is I think is messed up. Bryan needs to redo his test.

Charlie wrote in post #18461595
TDP does NOT show improvement.

that is the last place I ever look for reviews. he is to canon biased in my eyes.

And what's wrong with that?!

05Xrunner wrote in post #18461769
that is the last place I ever look for reviews. he is to canon biased in my eyes.

Nope. That's Ken Rockwell.