Tamron 70-200/2.8 Side by Side Comparrisons?

[dr4gon]

yeah I like the push/pull manual clutch ring. it's on the 90mm macro and the lens barrel does rotate in manual mode even if the camera is in AF.

That's an excellent way to protect the lens between shots!

[DonSchap]

Well ... since you guys are insisting on a side-by-side ... who am I to deprive you of your request? LOL

M.F.D. means "minimum focus distance" or how close you can get to your focused subject from the front of the lens ... before, you lose focus.


Left: ) TAMRON SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO (M.F.D. = 37.1 inches)
Center: ) TAMRON SP AF 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD (IF) (M.F.D. = 10-feet)
Right: ) TAMRON SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD 1:1 MACRO (IF) (M.F.D. = 10-inches in MACRO mode)

Just so there is no mistaking it ... the first image, again for this series, is with the lenses at minimum focal length and maximum focal distance



this second image extends the lenses to maximum focal length, minimum focal distance.



Note: Both the 180mm f/3.5 MACRO & the 70-200mm f/2.8 does not change shape. That lack of change in the MACRO (versuses the 90mm) stops from scaring the small critters from noticing focus changes.

The 200-500mm also only changes length for the zoom ... not the focus. That happens inside (IF). Also, consider that the manual focus ring for the 200-500mm is near the lens mount, unlike the rest of the lenses, where it is up near the first element. The wider ring is the ZOOM ring.

Here are the five side-by-side-by-side-by-side-by-side!



. . . . . 70-300mm . . . . . 80-400mm . . . . . . . 70-200mm . . . . . . . . 200-500mm . . . . . . . . 180mm

[DonSchap]

Another size comparison ... for important selections you may have in mind.

Five lens ... any of which everyone may chose.

Far Left: ) KM 17-35mm f/2.8-4 D (IF)
Left: ) TAMRON SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF)
Center: ) TAMRON SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD MACRO (IF)
Right: ) TAMRON 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
Far Right: ) TAMRON 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF)

Minimum Focal Length



Maximum Focal Length

[DonSchap]

A lot of people have asked about the difference between a 180mm f/3.5 MACRO (IF) and a 90mm f/2.8 MACRO.

Here's a physical example ...

At infinity focus


At maximum close focus


The 180mm f/3.5 (IF) does NOT move during a focus ... while the 90mm f/2.8 stretches right out there, two additional inches. You also have to get a whole lot closer to get a 1:1 shot! That's getting right in the bug's face! Bzzzzzzzzz ... OW!

[dr4gon]

Man, that 18-250 is an engineering marvel! It's the same size (at minimum) as the 17-50!

Yeah, I know about the 90/2.8, you have to get really close for 1:1, and focus becomes trickier and lighting is near impossible with flash unless you're straight above looking straight down.

[DonSchap]

All I can really say, for having these lenses, is that the options are enormous. You are not "trapped" into shooting to "make it fit" or struggling, doing the prime "two-step" with every shot.

Oh sure, having them costs a few bucks (not really all that much) ... and having them with you weighs more than you can imagine. LOL They easily fill two & half back packs ... with no camera. I've had to make some serious upgrades in totes to carry the bigger ones around. Talk about "growing" your hobby.

Oh sure, SONY has simplified it all for us, by releasing a variety of over "$1,500 a lens" solutions. I'm not quite into that, yet. I guess my biggest question is ... where do I get a conservative $15,000 to pump into this hobby? I went through my coat pockets and change buckets ... and came up with about $56.23

Nah ... I'll shoot the TAMRONs for a while and fill in what I need, as I go. I appreciate the "wow, that's sharp!" and "ooh & aahs" from the "unwashed" as they look at my work, over what they turn out with their P&S selections. Yeah, it's not pro-stuff ... but, it gets results. I just keep practicing.

It's rather amusing to me (okay, I admit that I have a strange sense of humor) to see prints of the same image situation, where I have photographed the very same person or aspect as the high-end P&S (8MP or better) camera has ... and the difference is almost scary. I seem to always say to myself, "Wow ... there is definitely a line not being crossed, there."

I like to think my DSLR camera is more than just a place to mount an expensive lens.

GET THE SHOT!

[seanhoxx]

So Don and anyone else, here is the issue, for the lens buying plan what advice or suggestions do you have other then "all of them of course" LOL! Do I go for the 200-500 to "max out" my zoom end? Price seems to be be going DOWN on that lens?? or do I fill in the higher prime end with the 90 or the 180? as I posted before I wonder how the 180 will fit in for me, or will it wind up being left out becuase it's not enough, or to much with the other lenses. Or should I start to think about the lower wider end LOl I would like to have a 24-105 also. man I need to train my dog to be a pack animal!

[seanhoxx]

Oh BTW gotta love Tamron, so far they have been good to me. I also got this really cool bright and I mean BRIGHT blue ball cap that says tamron in white on it. I think that makes me a pro or do I still need the vest??
O.K. guys you know I'm being funny right? or at least trying to be.

[dr4gon]

Oh BTW gotta love Tamron, so far they have been good to me. I also got this really cool bright and I mean BRIGHT blue ball cap that says tamron in white on it. I think that makes me a pro or do I still need the vest??
O.K. guys you know I'm being funny right? or at least trying to be.

Yeah, gotta have the vest to be pro.... or you don't cut it. How true of a photographer are you? I'm definitely not brave enough to wear it (nor do I thankfully have the need). (I'm kidding too)...

Has it been coming down? I thought it was always at $799? It's on my Christmas list . Then I'll be maxed out on my zoom and won't have to look at another zoom again. Got my fast zoom and slow mega zoom covered.

Then comes the expensive primes/CZ 24-70 lens(es). Those might be a 1/year purchase for me lol.

[seanhoxx]

LOL well I haven't worn the hat when "shooting" but have worn it a few times. The 200-500 has a $30.00 rebate on it now, and I thought last fall when I first started looking and researching it was like $835.00, could be mistaken.