Handling and Features

Performance

Verdict

Specification





Designed for users of full frame Nikon and Canon cameras, the Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens is a new, upgraded optic with moisture and dust resistance, faster AF and improved 5 stop VC (Vibration Compensation). Intended as a premium quality lens, it arrives hot on the heels of various marque lenses that have been proving to be very strong performers. Let's see how the Tamron fares as it joins the fray of 70-200mm zooms, using the Canon EOS 5DS R camera body for this review.

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Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Handling and Features

Starting at the front of this substantial lens, which weighs in at a hefty 1500g (1485g for the Nikon version), we find a generously sized petal lens hood that bayonets cleanly and crisply onto the lens. Its click stop is sufficient to hold the hood firmly in place, but not excessively tight. There is a 77mm filter thread.

The zoom ring lies behind this, reasonably wide and although smooth in operation it does not have any silkiness in its feel. The lens does not extend on zooming, nor does it do so on focusing. The focusing ring is smaller than the zoom ring and again operates smoothly but without a silky feel to it. The focusing scale is housed under a protective clear plastic window, with indications in feet and metres. The lens focuses down to 0.95m (37.4 inches), offering a maximum magnification of 0.16x, or 1:6.1. Manual focusing tweaks can be applied at any time during AF operation.

Closer again to the camera body are located a series of switches. The AF range can be selected between Full and between infinity and 3m, useful perhaps when shooting more distant subjects to prevent any possibility of the lens hunting through its full range. The AF/MF switch and VC (Vibration Compensation) on/off switch are both self-explanatory. There are three VC modes selectable via the last of the switches. Mode 1 is standard and stabilises the compensation of lens and viewfinder image equally. Mode 2 is for panning shots. Mode 3 is similar to Mode 1 but prioritises stabilising the lens over stabilising the viewfinder image, offering therefore an improvement in the speed of the process. A 5 stop advantage is quoted for the VC system.

The usual tripod mount collar is well made and looks well up to the job. The lens can be rotated into portrait mode or any other point by loosening the screw provided. This is a tremendous convenience for switching between landscape and portrait orientated shots when the lens is tripod mounted.

Lens construction is a complex 23 elements in 17 groups, with a 9 bladed diaphragm and e Band and Fluorine coatings. There are both LD (Low dispersion) and XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens elements. The lens is also moisture and dust resistant, an indispensable feature for use in challenging outdoor shooting. The diaphragm is an ultra-smooth electromagnetic design, now on both Nikon and Canon variants of the lens.

Although quite a heavy combination with the Canon EOS 5DS R body, in practice this does not seem too much of a burden. The package balances well and operates efficiently. Although it depends on the individual photographer and their grip, it is possible to nudge the manual focus ring or even one of the switches as the hand has to reach over them to gain access to the zoom ring.

Lens compatibility with various Tamron accessories enables use with the Tele-converters TC-X14 (1.4x) and TC-X20 (2x), which will extend the focal length range of the lens. There is also compatibility with Tamron's TAP-in console, a decvice that makes a USB connection to a PC. Updating of lens firmware and some lens adjustments can be made easier in this way.

Notwithstanding very minor handling issues, the lens is very pleasing to use, focuses swiftly and is an efficient photographic tool.

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Performance

Sharpness is generally excellent throughout. Starting at 70mm, at the centre results are excellent from f/2.8 to f/8, very good at f/11 and f/16 and drop a little but remain good at f/22. The edges are very good at f/2.8 and f/4, excellent at f/5.6 and f/8, very good at f/11 and f/16. The edges at f/22 do suffer from diffraction and are quite soft.

The centre at 100mm is excellent from f/2.8 through to f/11, and at f/4 is actually pushing towards the point where it could be described as outstanding. At f/16 sharpness is very good, and still good at f/22. The edges at excellent from f/2.8 to f/11. very good at f/16 and become soft at f/22.

135mm sees excellent central sharpness from f/2.8 to f/8, very good results at f/11 and f/16 and still a good level at f/22. The edges are excellent from f/2.8 to f/8, very good at f/11 and f/16 and become soft at f/22.

Results at 200mm are maintained extremely well. At the centre, we have excellent sharpness from f/2.8 to f/8, it is very good at f/11 and f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are excellent from f/2.8 to f/5.6, very good from f/8 to f/16 but are again quite soft at f/22.

The overall picture is one of a lens with extremely even sharpness, with edges closely matching the centre, with a very high level of performance.

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (A025) MTF Charts

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How to read our MTF charts The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.



The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance.



For this review, the lens was tested on a Canon EOS 5DS R using Imatest.

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is almost perfectly corrected at the centre of the image field, at all focal lengths. Correction is not quite so perfect at the edges, but not far behind and definitely a credit to the lens designers. CA is not readily observable in images and can be corrected in software. It is unlikley that additional software correction will be needed for most subject matter.

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (A025) Chromatic Aberration Charts

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How to read our CA charts Chromatic aberration (CA) is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.



Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.



For this review, the lens was tested on a Canon EOS 5DS R using Imatest.

No flare was observed throughout the review period. Admittedly the weather conditions were appalling throughout the review, meaning that no direct sun was available to shoot towards, but light sources and high contrast edges could induce no flare whatsoever.

Most zoom lenses show distortion, some returning quite high figures, but this new Tamron lens has a very impressive set of results. At 70mm, barrel distortion is -0.962%. This changes to pincushion distortion as we zoom, measuring +0.139% at 100mm, +0.749% at 135mm and +1.39% at 200mm. These figures are unlikely to be noticed and in any event could be reduced still further in software if desired.

Bokeh is the quality of the out of focus areas in an image. This is of course easier to notice in a telephoto lens and probably especially important for portraiture, flower studies and any other applications where the subject is sharp but the background rendered out of focus. Tamron have succeeded in making a very sharp lens with very pleasant bokeh and with smooth gradations throughout.

The VC system makes a very ambitious claim of 5 stops advantage, but in reality it can perhaps even exceed that slightly. At 200mm I was able to make a sharp image at ¼ sec, which is ridiculous by conventional standards, where received wisdom would suggest 1/200 sec is the absolute minimum without VC. There are of course many applications where a tripod is still needed, especially macro photography where the point of focus is critical, and in these circumstances the instruction are clear in stating VC should be switched off.

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (A025) Sample Photos

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Value For Money

The Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 is priced at £1349. It is possible that the first version of this lens, the Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD, might still be available at £1099 and there are also lower priced options. The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM is £729, and the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro is £549.

Other marques offer similar specifications, such as the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR at £2649. The previous model, the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, may still be available at £1999. The Sony G Master FE 70-200mm f/2.8 OSS lens is priced at £2499 and the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G at £1249.

There are other examples to measure VFM against, such as the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM II for Alpha DSLRs (£2799), the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (£1848) and the HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW (£1699).

Offering as it does top-of-the-line performance on a par with the most expensive lenses, at a much lower price, then the Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 looks a very attractive proposition.

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Verdict

The Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens is on the same level playing field as lenses costing up to twice as much, punching far above its weight. It may not have the same silky smoothness in operation as its more expensive competition, but it delivers the goods, making no compromise on image quality.

Add to that the amazing VC system and moisture and dust resistance and Tamron have a definite winner on their hands.

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Pros Excellent sharpness

High level of CA correction

Low distortion

Low flare

Moisture and dust resistance

âVery attractive price Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Cons Minor handling issues

Features 4.5/5 Handling 4.5/5 Performance 5/5 Value 5/5 Overall Verdict

With thanks to CliftonCameras who provided the Canon EOS 5DS R used for testing.

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (A025) Specifications

Manufacturer Tamron General Lens Mounts Nikon AF

Canon EF Lens Focal Length 70mm - 200mm Angle of View 12° - 34° Max Aperture f/2.8 Min Aperture f/22 Filter Size 77mm Stabilised Yes 35mm equivalent No Data Internal focusing Yes Maximum magnification 6.1x Focusing Min Focus 95cm Construction Blades 9 Elements 23 Groups 17 Box Contents Box Contents Lens hood, Lens caps, Lens pouch Dimensions Weight 1500g Height 193.8mm

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