Review - Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD with Pictures

[wickidwombat]

you have the 40mm pancake dont you?
can you do a head to head 40mm wide open comparison between the 2?

i would love a zoom in this range with IS that was as good across the frame as the 40mm

obviously this is only a 1 copy compare and yours seems to be a good copy but it would be
good to see in some context

 

[verysimplejason]

Very good pictures again Mr Dustin... I must admit, I'm not looking much at your gear because somehow, I can only afford a little bit due to my wife (and photography is still just a hobby for me). I'm looking for great pictures on which I can pattern my work since I admit, I'm not that artistic. I try to gain as much idea as I can from great photographers and that includes you. Thanks again for showing us your work.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

you have the 40mm pancake dont you?
can you do a head to head 40mm wide open comparison between the 2?

i would love a zoom in this range with IS that was as good across the frame as the 40mm

obviously this is only a 1 copy compare and yours seems to be a good copy but it would be
good to see in some context

I can do that. It may be a week or so before I can get around, but I can do some 100% crop comparos.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Very good pictures again Mr Dustin... I must admit, I'm not looking much at your gear because somehow, I can only afford a little bit due to my wife (and photography is still just a hobby for me). I'm looking for great pictures on which I can pattern my work since I admit, I'm not that artistic. I try to gain as much idea as I can from great photographers and that includes you. Thanks again for showing us your work.

That makes you very smart, then. I look at a least 100 photos every day, preferably from people better than me. I feel that absorbing good work can't help but influence your creative process.

 

[wickidwombat]

you have the 40mm pancake dont you?
can you do a head to head 40mm wide open comparison between the 2?

i would love a zoom in this range with IS that was as good across the frame as the 40mm

obviously this is only a 1 copy compare and yours seems to be a good copy but it would be
good to see in some context

I can do that. It may be a week or so before I can get around, but I can do some 100% crop comparos.

cool thanks whenever you have time

 

[candyman]

I just started to use the Tamron 24-70. It is a great addition to my other lenses. I now have a lens I can use indoors (not needing a flash) and in smaller spaced rooms with the benifit of f/2.8 aperture and stabilization.

 

[candyman]

But......yesterday I noticed a small issue with the Tamron.

I was pointing the camera with single spot to an object in front of a window. It was sunny outside and there was a lot of reflection form a white building in the background. I metered the object and the focus distance was close but far enough for the Tamron to set focus. It was hunting and after about 5 seconds my 5D MKIII gave "Err01 ....clean the metal contacts of your lens."

Now this is a new lens and I checked the contacts - they are clean.

I switched off the camera and switched it on again. Things are working normal as they should. But, I was able to reproduce this issue. That worries me.

Anyone run into this issue?

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

But......yesterday I noticed a small issue with the Tamron.

I was pointing the camera with single spot to an object in front of a window. It was sunny outside and there was a lot of reflection form a white building in the background. I metered the object and the focus distance was close but far enough for the Tamron to set focus. It was hunting and after about 5 seconds my 5D MKIII gave "Err01 ....clean the metal contacts of your lens."

Now this is a new lens and I checked the contacts - they are clean.

I switched off the camera and switched it on again. Things are working normal as they should. But, I was able to reproduce this issue. That worries me.

Anyone run into this issue?

I've seen this issue a few times over the years, typically right after changing lenses. I don't know that I've seen it with the 24-70VC, but I have seen it with a copy of the 70-300 VC that I had. I've seen it with a variety of lenses (including Canons), but not consistently. Only the 70-300 VC had the problem with any frequency, and I returned it and Tamron replaced it. If the problem persists with any frequency, I would have Tamron either fix or replace the lens. Having it happen once or twice is not abnormal, however.

 

[candyman]

But......yesterday I noticed a small issue with the Tamron.

I was pointing the camera with single spot to an object in front of a window. It was sunny outside and there was a lot of reflection form a white building in the background. I metered the object and the focus distance was close but far enough for the Tamron to set focus. It was hunting and after about 5 seconds my 5D MKIII gave "Err01 ....clean the metal contacts of your lens."

Now this is a new lens and I checked the contacts - they are clean.

I switched off the camera and switched it on again. Things are working normal as they should. But, I was able to reproduce this issue. That worries me.

Anyone run into this issue?

I've seen this issue a few times over the years, typically right after changing lenses. I don't know that I've seen it with the 24-70VC, but I have seen it with a copy of the 70-300 VC that I had. I've seen it with a variety of lenses (including Canons), but not consistently. Only the 70-300 VC had the problem with any frequency, and I returned it and Tamron replaced it. If the problem persists with any frequency, I would have Tamron either fix or replace the lens. Having it happen once or twice is not abnormal, however.

Thanks for your reply Dustin.
I will keep checking and if it will happen frequently, thus in other setups as well, then I will contact Tamron. Good I registered for the extra years of warranty.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

But......yesterday I noticed a small issue with the Tamron.

I was pointing the camera with single spot to an object in front of a window. It was sunny outside and there was a lot of reflection form a white building in the background. I metered the object and the focus distance was close but far enough for the Tamron to set focus. It was hunting and after about 5 seconds my 5D MKIII gave "Err01 ....clean the metal contacts of your lens."

Now this is a new lens and I checked the contacts - they are clean.

I switched off the camera and switched it on again. Things are working normal as they should. But, I was able to reproduce this issue. That worries me.

Anyone run into this issue?

I've seen this issue a few times over the years, typically right after changing lenses. I don't know that I've seen it with the 24-70VC, but I have seen it with a copy of the 70-300 VC that I had. I've seen it with a variety of lenses (including Canons), but not consistently. Only the 70-300 VC had the problem with any frequency, and I returned it and Tamron replaced it. If the problem persists with any frequency, I would have Tamron either fix or replace the lens. Having it happen once or twice is not abnormal, however.

Thanks for your reply Dustin.
I will keep checking and if it will happen frequently, thus in other setups as well, then I will contact Tamron. Good I registered for the extra years of warranty.

It's only a small issue if it happens when you have to time to unmount/remount the lens. If it happens when you need to take a critical shot, it becomes a HUGE frustration!

 

[candyman]

Ouch, I just found a problem with my Tamron. While it is mounted on 5D MK III, and camera is switch off, there is a huge battery drain. I did a few tests and found that it is caused by the Tamron. What a bummer. Started googling and found some threads about it on internet. Someone claimed it does not happen with lenses serialnumber 02xxxx. I have xx6xxx. I guess I will have to sent it to the servicecenter to fix it. I have read Tamron is aware of the problem and is able to fix it. I hate buying something and then have to return it for a fix. Does anyone have experience with the Servicecenter of Tamron? I hate to have something fixed and then being introduced with a new problem.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Ouch, I just found a problem with my Tamron. While it is mounted on 5D MK III, and camera is switch off, there is a huge battery drain. I did a few tests and found that it is caused by the Tamron. What a bummer. Started googling and found some threads about it on internet. Someone claimed it does not happen with lenses serialnumber 02xxxx. I have xx6xxx. I guess I will have to sent it to the servicecenter to fix it. I have read Tamron is aware of the problem and is able to fix it. I hate buying something and then have to return it for a fix. Does anyone have experience with the Servicecenter of Tamron? I hate to have something fixed and then being introduced with a new problem.

I recently had mine done after noticing the issue once I had switched to the 6Ds. My service area (Canada) had it back to me in under two weeks. Nothing seems to have been affected, although I intend to un Fo-Cal on the lens just to be safe

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Algonquin Heaven by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

The Tamron has proven to be a more capable landscape lens than I originally anticipated.


Verdant Decay by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's an "infrared" style approach to the scene above:


As Time Passes... by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

you have the 40mm pancake dont you?
can you do a head to head 40mm wide open comparison between the 2?

i would love a zoom in this range with IS that was as good across the frame as the 40mm

obviously this is only a 1 copy compare and yours seems to be a good copy but it would be
good to see in some context

I can do that. It may be a week or so before I can get around, but I can do some 100% crop comparos.

cool thanks whenever you have time

Here is the review, as requested

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=15415.0

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Did another big wedding this weekend and used the Tamron 24-70 and 70-200 VC lenses exclusively. I felt like AFMA could be better on the 70-200 (it isn't mine, so I haven't had the time to really lock it to my standard), but this is a pretty killer combo for a wedding shooter. I have put in enough time with the 24-70 VC that I feel it is about as sharp as it is going to get, and it produces stunning, consistent images. Focus is deadly on it now.


Into Life by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Being in the field and not having a tripod means that VC is huge for shots like this (1/10th of a second)


Torrent by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[crasher8]

Dustin,
Just picked up a 24-70 Di VC to compliment my 70-200. Couldn't be happier. Far better walk around lens than the Canon 24-70 2.8L version 1. LOve the work you do with your Tammys!

 

[Erikerodri]

Dustin I love your photos. Your photos convinced me to purchase one of these a few months ago. Do you mind sharing what program you used for that wedding photo you recently posted and how you achieved that look? It's gorgeous