Nice post ... read your review as well ... very nice.
Someone stole my new 24-70 f/2.8 L II lens yesterday ... now I don't have enough money to buy it again ... so your review of Tamron 24-70 came at a right time ... I just ordered the lens after reading your review ... ordered it from Amazon (Japan) got it for US$ 1069 ... I think that is the best deal I've seen so far for this lens ... I should get it in hand by 24th January.
Two things: first, that is the best price that I have seen on the lens. It has not received hardly any discounting yet (which is probably a positive sign for resale value down the road). Good for you!
Secondly, I would be very interested in your feedback after having own the 24-70II . I have not used or tested that lens, and, while I know it is optically superior, I would certainly be interested in hearing your thoughts as to the handling and overall image quality as compared.
Finally, I am really sad to hear about the theft of your lens. That stinks! I hope the Tamron serves as a reasonable substitute and that I haven't steered you wrong 
I think it is due to the exchange rate ... US dollar strengthened against the Yen, hence the difference in price. My boss who is in Japan right now is getting it for me (and he will be here on 24th), so I don' t have to pay any shipping charges.
Once I get the lens in hand I will definitely post my feedback ... but I am not an accomplished professional photographer like you ... for me it is a serious hobby and none of my photos look half as good as yours (but that has not stopped me from spending good money on expensive glass

... hope the wife is not reading this post

) ... nevertheless I will post my feedback with my limited photographic skills.
Yeah it really stinks to have lost that lens ... right now I am limited by my finances to buy the 24-70 L II, also, I did miss IS in 24-70 L II, so with that in mind, the only option I have is Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC, so your review has not steered me anywhere ... but it definitely made me feel good about buying the Tamron
