VC on the 24-70 f/2.8 VC

[Botts]

Hello everyone!

I just rented a 24-70 f/2.8 VC from Lensrentals.com and have been using it to shoot around Disneyland. One thing I'm noticing, and wonder if it may be just this copy is that the VC/IS, isn't nearly as good as I had expected.

I have extensively used a 7D & 17-55 f/2.8 IS combo, and the IS on the 17-55 seems at least a full-stop equivalent better than the Tamron's VC, closer to 2 full stops. I could handhold 80% of my shots sharp on the 17-55 at 1/8, but I'm only hitting about 20% sharp with the 24-70 @ 1/20th.

Has anyone else been able to do a similar comparison?

 

[Marsu42]

Has anyone else been able to do a similar comparison?

I don't have the 24-70vc (yet), though I guess I'm guilty of having read about every review and post about it trying to decide between this lens and the new and much more expensive Canon counterpart.

From everything I read the vc is said to be equal to Canon, though from my personal hands-on experience I think the swing-in time of the vc seems to be longer than on my IS lenses (esp. 70-300L) - did you allow for the vc to settle before taking your shots?

Maybe you could post two sample shots (crops) to let us see us your experience, they were taken at the same aperture & focal length = same magnification? It isn't an afma/af problem?

 

[Botts]

I don't have my Aperture library with me, but when I get home I'll grab a couple.

I started even using a 1 second burst to allow the VC to for sure have a chance to settle.

With respect to AFMA, I used Focal Pro on the lens as soon as it arrived, and got good AFMA results, so that's not it. It's clearly motion blur.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I can pretty consistently handhold 1/8th with mine, but this is my second copy. I didn't feel that my first one was within spec with the VC (I would get the jumping and inconsistent VC performance). My second copy is very solid in this regard.

1/10th is probably close to 100% with mine. 1/8th is probably at least 80%.

 

[Marsu42]

I didn't feel that my first one was within spec with the VC (I would get the jumping and inconsistent VC performance).

Since I'm most probably going to buy the Tamron, too: could you please write how you tested the lens for "proper" vc performance and came to the conclusion to replace it?

That'd be really most helpful for us budget Tamron customers ... the good thing about Tamron for sure is that they do free lens-body calibrations and have the 6y warranty.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

Hello everyone!

I just rented a 24-70 f/2.8 VC from Lensrentals.com and have been using it to shoot around Disneyland. One thing I'm noticing, and wonder if it may be just this copy is that the VC/IS, isn't nearly as good as I had expected.

I have extensively used a 7D & 17-55 f/2.8 IS combo, and the IS on the 17-55 seems at least a full-stop equivalent better than the Tamron's VC, closer to 2 full stops. I could handhold 80% of my shots sharp on the 17-55 at 1/8, but I'm only hitting about 20% sharp with the 24-70 @ 1/20th.

Has anyone else been able to do a similar comparison?

I just bought the Tamron 24-70 VC last week ... and I had 17-55 till a few months ago for 3 years (I sold it in September 2012 to fund 5D MK III) ... as far as VC/IS is concerned IMO, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 is more effective than Canon 17-55 f/2.8. I think it is just your copy that is at fault (if any).

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I didn't feel that my first one was within spec with the VC (I would get the jumping and inconsistent VC performance).

Since I'm most probably going to buy the Tamron, too: could you please write how you tested the lens for "proper" vc performance and came to the conclusion to replace it?

That'd be really most helpful for us budget Tamron customers ... the good thing about Tamron for sure is that they do free lens-body calibrations and have the 6y warranty.

First, I had an idea how Tamron's VC system should work, having using a couple of copies of the 70-300 VC as well as the 18-270 at one point (and I don't think that the 24-70VC system is quite as comparatively effective as the 70-300 - it is stunningly good). I didn't feel like the first copy was working to spec, so I ran a few tests:

I approached it in two ways: I did a series of images with a bookshelf filled with books (very fine details) and shot multiple series of photos at different focal lengths with VC on/off.

I did a similar series for a reference point with the 24-105L, 70-200L IS, and the Tamron 70-300 VC.

It became quickly apparent that the Tamron system was not consistently working by comparison. My field tests revealed the same issue. I was also getting some of the jumping in the viewfinder as the VC engaged, and sometimes an apparent delay before VC was engaging (which wouldn't suit for my work - I do a lot of event work and weddings where you don't have time to wait for the system to engage).

I had no problem exchanging with the online retailer I bought from, and I have been thrilled with my second copy in every way.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Hello everyone!

I just rented a 24-70 f/2.8 VC from Lensrentals.com and have been using it to shoot around Disneyland. One thing I'm noticing, and wonder if it may be just this copy is that the VC/IS, isn't nearly as good as I had expected.

I have extensively used a 7D & 17-55 f/2.8 IS combo, and the IS on the 17-55 seems at least a full-stop equivalent better than the Tamron's VC, closer to 2 full stops. I could handhold 80% of my shots sharp on the 17-55 at 1/8, but I'm only hitting about 20% sharp with the 24-70 @ 1/20th.

Has anyone else been able to do a similar comparison?

I just bought the Tamron 24-70 VC last week ... and I had 17-55 till a few months ago for 3 years (I sold it in September 2012 to fund 5D MK III) ... as far as VC/IS is concerned IMO, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 is more effective than Canon 17-55 f/2.8. I think it is just your copy that is at fault (if any).

+1

 

[Botts]

I'll have to rent another copy to try it then. With the lens I was shooting with the 17-55 was decidedly better.

Also, bring that lens hood with you if you buy the Tamron 24-70mm, flare kills it's contrast.

 

[Marsu42]

I'm reading that older Tamron copies have issues with the 6d and are more prone to vc failures (and probably other problems) ...

... Question: How do I prevent ending up with an old copy that has been returned and serviced? Can anyone probably tell me what serial numbers could be considered as recent/new, or aren't new lenses as easy to identify like with the Canon date code?

Thanks!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I'm reading that older Tamron copies have issues with the 6d and are more prone to vc failures (and probably other problems) ...

... Question: How do I prevent ending up with an old copy that has been returned and serviced? Can anyone probably tell me what serial numbers could be considered as recent/new, or aren't new lenses as easy to identify like with the Canon date code?

Thanks!

I can tell you mine (which is a great copy): 020270. I can certainly tell that going from a 5DII as a primary body to a 6D was a net positive with my copy. It is already dead on and AFMA didn't result in any changes for me.

 

[rdespy]

The variation from copy to copy is becoming very evident since is was first launch, this is my second copy and loving it, the first copy the VC is somewhat jumpy and vignetting is visible at all focal lenght at 2.8 which is also somewhat in canon's version 1 also, which i also use for three years and sold that one to get the tamrons version. This new copy of this tamron VC is accurate at least two full stops when handholding and the focus is also very accurate, the sharpness beat my canon version 1 even at 2.8 Tamrons quality control people is sleeping at their job.

 

[Marsu42]

I can tell you mine (which is a great copy)

Thanks! So I'm currently not feeling "not buyers-remorse" because I waited to long to decide between the Tamron and the Canon if the recent Tamron lenses now work with the 6d and have less issues

Tamrons quality control people is sleeping at their job.

I'd rather think Tamron made the conscious decision to cut costs on qc, sell the lens at a lower price but add free lens (and lens-body) adjustment plus a 6 year warranty - which is an overall plus if you know how to look for a good sample.

 

[robbymack]

I haven't really put my Tammy through its paces as regards the vc, but I wouldn't say it's worse than the 17-55 is I used to own, so sounds like you may have a lemon of sorts. One real advantage of the Tammy is the 6 yr warrantee, IMHO any of these issues should raise their head in this time and roger over at lens rentals is consistently praising tamron's customer service so I would think even if you have these issues it can be easily fixed.

 

[wickidwombat]

I'm reading that older Tamron copies have issues with the 6d and are more prone to vc failures (and probably other problems) ...

... Question: How do I prevent ending up with an old copy that has been returned and serviced? Can anyone probably tell me what serial numbers could be considered as recent/new, or aren't new lenses as easy to identify like with the Canon date code?

Thanks!

In all honestly its all part of the Tamron lottery
The only real way around it is to buy from a bricks and mortar store that you can physically take it back to and demonstrate a problem should it occur.

 

[rdespy]

you are absolutely right wiciwombat, so you don't have to pay for return shipping in case you got the bad copy.

 

[Marsu42]

so you don't have to pay for return shipping in case you got the bad copy.

Amazon doesn't take return shipping fees (I just exchanged a bad 17-40L copy), but for the Tamron I'll indeed buy it at a local store where I can return it immediately w/o waiting for a few days. At least testing the 17-40L with a chart and reading these threads I am confident I can tell if it's a "good" or "bad" copy.