Tamron Sp 70-200mm F/28 Di Vc Usd Telephoto Zoom Review
There are few lenses more indispensable to photographers every bit a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Though large, heavy, and expensive, these lenses can be institute in the numberless of many, many photographers, both professional person and amateur. They are just so versatile! They tin can practice everything, from events to sports to portraits to landscapes to everyday capture. Wait at the sidelines of any sporting issue and you will see them. Ditto for about weddings. Tamron'south previous generation seventy-200mm f/2.8 VC USD lens (internal code A009) was an first-class, underrated lens. Canon's ain 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II has long been considered i of the best lenses out in that location, period, and the fact that Tamron's A009 was a bit sharper at many focal lengths (until about 140mm or then) and had an overall nicer rendering was met with some disbelief. While that lens has washed reasonably well, information technology has never been a sales leader when compared to the first party lenses. It was mostly purchased by those that felt they couldn't afford the more expensive Nikon and Canon versions. I doubtable that Tamron's newest offering, the SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (the A025), will make a bigger splash for a few important reasons: Build, Prototype Quality, Focus, and Price. Of those iv, Tamron had claim already to price and was competitive on image quality, but the first party lens had the reward in build and focus quality. Has Tamron eliminated the offset political party advantages with the A025 (G2) lens?
Adopt to watch your reviews? I've got you covered! Bank check out my total video review of the new Tamron 70-200 G2 lens!
Build Quality
Tamron has really been impressing with their recent lens releases. There has been a shift away from budget "shells" effectually pretty good optics to at present housing those optics in premium bodies. The new A025 is a great case in point, equally the build class is every bit good equally the first party alternatives but in a sleeker, more mod stop.
I watched with interest as Matt Granger did his unboxing of the lens on YouTube (I hadn't yet received one), and noted that his initial reaction to the lens was that it was smaller than the previous generation lens when in fact it is really a bit larger. It is heavier (3.31 lb/1500g vs. 3.24 lb/1470g) and longer (seven.six"/193.04mm vs. vii.41"/188.3mm), though both increases are minimal and the lens is nevertheless a hair shorter than the Canon 70-200mm f/ii.8L Ii (7.8"/198mm). But the sleek, mod blueprint of the new lens makes it seem much smaller than what information technology is. I understand completely how Matt feels, as I had the same initial impression when unboxing the lens. Information technology seemed smaller than expected, and that speaks to the sleekness of the new design. For practical purposes both increases are so incremental as to be unnoticeable, but for that very slight increment in length and weight nosotros get major improvements in build and operation.
At that place wasn't annihilation wrong with the build of the previous generation 70-200 VC lens (A009). Information technology was mostly metal with a polycarbonate (engineered plastics) shell and I used one professionally for virtually iii ½ years and but recently sold it. The lens still looked similar new. But it did experience a step back from the heavier class construction of the Canon version. The new lens (A025) is a squeamish pace forwards, with a far more than modern blueprint and a fully metallic trunk (a lightweight aluminum). I've been actually impressed with the build of Tamron'southward recent SP line, and this lens is no exception. It feels very nicely made, and the conditions sealing has all been upgraded over the previous generation. At that place was a gasket virtually the lens mount on the A009 lens and a nod towards weather resistance, but the A025 takes conditions resistance to a new level with the improver of internal seals throughout the lens along with an expensive fluorine coating on the front element to protect confronting water and fingerprints.
Lenses with this coating are much easier to clean and it provides some actress protection. The lens feels cracking in the hand, and looks much, much more mod than the four twelvemonth development cycle between the two lenses indicates.
When compared next, the Canon 70-200L II definitely looks somewhat dated, with the Tamron looking far sleeker and more than modern. The "Image Stabilization" gold badge on the Catechism lens strikes me as garish and dated in particular( the 100-400L II in my collection looks like at a glance but more modernized when viewed more advisedly). Some people adopt the higher visibility of Catechism's white lenses, simply I personally prefer the lower profile look of blackness lenses. The lxx-200L 2 is a very well built lens, but in terms of pure appearance it "looks" cheaper" compared to the sleek, metal good looks of the A025. Design sensibilities across the board accept changed and the 70-200 G2 reflects these changes.
The A025 has metal filter threads in the a very mutual 77mm size (shared with the previous gen lens and the Canon). Internally at that place 9 rounder discontinuity blades that retain a nicely circular shape when stopped downward.
The zoom ring is located toward the forepart of the lens, and my preference is for the zoom band to exist the closer to the lens mount. This is unchanged from the A009, however, as is the fact that the lens the focus and zoom rings move in the "Nikon" rather than "Catechism" direction. This latter fact is an issue for some, simply non actually ane for me. I simply don't personally notice it in the field, so my mind must subconsciously make the aligning. Mayhap using so many different lenses makes this a non-upshot for me. The action on both rings is fine, with the zoom band showing the nice smoothness common to internally zooming lenses. The damping is even and there are no sticking points, with the weight on the medium rather than low-cal side (not really a "one-finger" operation). The zoom band is slightly more than narrow than the previous generation lens (though still nice and easy to find) and has a unmarried ribbed design rather than the more complex pattern on the previous lens. The tactile experience is a lilliputian nicer, also. The manual focus ring moves smoothly, though as is usual with autofocusing lenses the experience is less precise and rewarding than that of a good manual focus lens.
I do prefer the feel of both of the zoom and focus rings on the Canon; both of them are overnice and wide and move extremely nicely. Then, while I adopt the look of the Tamron lens, I do prefer the basic ergonomics of the Canon. Information technology is tried and true…and it shows.
The A025 has four switches rather than the two on the A009. The A009 had only the basics: AF/MF and On/Off for the VC. The A025 adds a focus limiter (e'er welcome) that allows you to choose between the full range of focus or to limit the focus from 3 meters to infinity (though this figure can exist customized in Tamron's Tap In Console Utility if y'all have the Tap-In Console).
On that note, let me say that I highly recommend picking up the Tap In even if you simply utilize it use firmware updates to the lens. This saves time (never have to send the lens in to Tamron to take the firmware updated, as I had to do twice with the previous generation lens) and besides helps future-proof your lens. Across this, however, the Tap In opens the door to a good deal of customization of your lens, including tweaking the focus, setting the position of the focus limiter, changing the sensitivity of the transmission focus override, and even selecting an additional VC mode. Beyond this you lot also have the ability to further tweak focus with either the new Tamron 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters attached (completely split values for either combination).
Using the focus limiter tin can help requite yous a little extra speed when you don't demand to focus more than closely than 3 meters (roughly 10 feet). The A025 can focus down quite closely (but 3.12'/0.95m), so you are eliminating a number of focus points between this and iii meters.
The fourth switch on the lens gives y'all a choice of VC (Vibration Compensation/Prototype Stabilization) modes. Position i is the standard, balanced mode that yous will most oftentimes use. Position ii is for panning and limits the compensation to ane axis allowing you to smoothly pan without intermission from the VC. Mode 3 (by default) is what Tamron calls "Capture Priority". Information technology does niggling to stabilize the image in the viewfinder and instead prioritizes stabilizing the captured prototype. Tamron claims an manufacture leading v stops of stability in this style (and in my tests it is the most effective mode), which is great, though those with shaky hands may find that stabilizing the viewfinder is worth too much to them to utilise this way. By using the Tap In you tin can plan this third mode to another option, which is "Viewfinder Priority". This style is really designed for video, and changes the behavior of the VC to prioritize smoothen transitions for the VC coming on and off along with keeping the VC on a piddling longer to aid produce smooth video footage.
The tripod collar has also received a redesign. Information technology now has a different texture with a somewhat "matte" end. As before it tin can be rotated (with markings for the four points of the compass)) merely is also fully removable. This latter point is a big one to me, as I primarily employ a lens like this handheld and often remove the tripod collar to relieve a little weight. A major comeback is to the foot itself, which is now Arca-Swiss compatible, meaning that on many tripods you can but mount it correct onto the tripod without having to mess with a Quick Release plate or adapter. It's one of those common sense touches that I'yard ever happy to come across. I tested four lenses during this review cycles (two copies of the A025, one of the A009, and the Canon) and was reminded on multiple occasions on how much I preferred the tripod foot of the A025, which fabricated going on and off tripods for tests a breeze, while I had to have the time to thread on a quick release plate for the A009 or the Canon (which if y'all leave on, makes everything that much more beefy and oft means the lens won't "sit down" correct.)
Like other contempo Tamron releases the lens is designed in Japan but produced in Tamron'southward plant in China. My copy of their 85mm f/1.8 VC was made in that same plant, and I've had expert results with it, then my fears over moving the production out of Japan have abated somewhat. There's no question that the new lens is beautifully built and has a gorgeous pattern. 70-200 lenses are workhorses, just there'southward no reason why they have to be ugly! The new Tamron 70-200 G2 gives the Catechism Fifty lens a run for its money in overall construction and definitely trumps it in the looks department.
A025 Autofocus Observations
There's no question that using Tamron'due south Tap In Console allows one to produce a custom tuned focus upshot on your camera body, but exist forewarned that it is besides a fairly time consuming procedure. You accept the option to calibrate the lens at three different focus distances (minimum focus, medium distance, and infinity) and at four unlike focal lengths (lxx, 100, 135, and 200mm). That is twelve different scale points, so not something I would want to exercise all the time. It was a time consuming process to fully calibrate the lens, which I did.
Fortunately I constitute the lens' beliefs during calibrating very comforting, equally it gave me repeatable results in multiple tests in Reikan FoCal (my calibration software of selection) and too showed a linear pattern In adjustments as I moved from 70mm to 200mm. That consistently bodes well for those without a Tap In console, equally you should be able to get a skillful issue even when just calibrating the lens at the two focal lengths (70 and 200mm) that near mod camera bodies let for. The payoff for that laborious procedure was the lens has been exceptionally accurate for me in all lighting situations. I've used 2 different copies of the lens during this review period, and both copies focused very well for me.
Tamron has redesigned its USD motors with an additional microprocessor for added speed and accuracy (starting with the 85 VC). It shows in the increased performance of the newer lenses, which are at present virtually as fast as first party competitors. Well-nigh…
Much like the 85 VC, I find the 70-200 G2 arrives apace at the focus destination but then hesitates for a split 2d before locking focus. The Catechism focuses at about the same speed, but without the final hesitation at lock, making focus acquisition that split up second faster. The 70-200L Ii is well known every bit ane of Canon's meliorate focusing lenses, then the fact that the Tamron stays shut in both speed and accuracy is great to see for a third party lens. I tested the lens on a Canon 5D Mark Four, Canon 6D, Canon 80D, and and then via a Metabones IV adapter on a Sony A7R 2. Unsurprisingly the all-time focus arrangement (5D Marker IV) gave the best results, with the increased voltage for focus making an obvious difference in "spool-up" speed compared to the 6D, for example. Focus was unsurprisingly the slowest on the Sony/Metabones combination, though, for what it is worth, I actually got faster results with the Tamron vs the Canon in that situation. On the DSLRs, however, I requite the overall focus speed win to the lxx-200L II, though the advantage is now very slight.
I used the lens on several different occasions in AF Servo manner and institute the the lens had no trouble making the continual minor focus changes necessary to track activeness. We are stuck hither betwixt seasons (March) with information technology as well cold (and however too much snowfall on the footing) for fair weather sports, but with conditions deteriorating for winter sports, so finding a lot of good action to track has been a claiming. I exercise have a very active new kitten, though, and so I spent some time tracking his play (which is a definitely a challenge due to the tight quarters). Nevertheless, I felt similar results were very favorable.
Focus isn't as whisper tranquillity as Canon's new Nano USM, but is tranquillity in a USM kind-of-way. There is a faint sliding audio on big focus changes, only everything is pretty quiet overall – almost the same as the 70-200L II.
Over my review period I was extremely pleased with the focus accuracy of the 70-200 G2. This is one area that Tamron seems to have figured things out, and my focus consistency with the 35 VC, 45 VC, 85 VC, and now the 70-200 G2 is on par with the equivalent Catechism lenses. I shot in a wide variety of situations and lighting conditions and was very pleased with the results that I got.
Teleconverter Performance
One of the shortcomings of the A009 lens was that it was (according to Tamron) not designed for compatibility with teleconverters. This was a competitive disadvantage, as Canon's own lens is a very strong performer when used with teleconverters. Tamron has rectified that error hither and designed this lens from the ground up with compatibility with its new line of SP Teleconverters. I had both the 1.4x and 2x converters on manus, and they, like the balance of the new lineup, are very sleek with metal construction and a weather condition sealing gasket nearly the lens mountain. They seem just as nice as the Canon 1.4x III version that I personally own. Yous tin can view my detailed video review on the new teleconverters here.
In my internal conversations with Tamron representatives they stressed that Canon TCs should exist paired with Canon lenses, and Tamron TCs with Tamron lenses. This proved true in a number of different means. The A025 focused fine with the Canon 1.4x 3 that I take, for instance, but the combination for some reason allows merely a maximum aperture of [reported] f/five.vi rather than f/4 (using it on the Catechism lens allows f/iv). Ditto in the opposite management when I mounted the Tamron 1.4x TC on the Canon lens. The maximum discontinuity will show as f/v.half dozen, but the effective discontinuity is actually f/iv. It'due south a reporting result. You volition likewise get a few other reporting quirks: the Tamron 1.4x extender is recognized as the Canon ane.4x Iii on the photographic camera body (and in software), while the two.0x extender volition almost never annals correctly in terms of discontinuity (and perhaps focal length) when paired with Catechism lenses. On a split note, you will become a few quirks when pairing the TCs with the Tamron 150-600 G2 lens, merely the beliefs on the 70-200 G2 is pretty civilized.
I volition bargain more with the image quality in that section, but I volition annotation that my Catechism bodies registered the maximum discontinuity value correction with both TCs (f/iv with the i.4x, and f/v.six with the 2.0x) when paired with the 70-200 G2. What doesn't always properly register is the new maximum focal length with the 2.0x; sometimes it will show 400mm, but other times it will however bear witness the maximum focal length as 280mm. The reason for this is that the camera doesn't e'er recognize that information technology is a 2.0x extender, and will oft register the two.0x equally the Canon i.4x III. Occasionally it will show 2x III and 400mm, merely not consistently and I can't come across a pattern as to when it decides to record correctly or not. Yous are withal going to become 400mm of reach (that doesn't change), but that information may not register correctly in the camera body or the EXIF engagement.
In good light I saw niggling impairment with either TC, with focus speed and confidence seeming to exist pretty much like with the bare lens. In extremely dim light I saw but a lilliputian pulsing where there was piddling contrast to take hold of, just it did lock focus accurately in the end. That's a definite improvement over the A009. The focus on the A009 didn't respond well to TCs at all. Mounting on the Tamron one.4x extender on the Canon slowed it down a bit (particularly with big focus changes), only was usable. Mounting the Tamron 2.0x on the Canon lxx-200L II didn't produce a useable upshot. Information technology by and large pulsed, and only after several seconds of pulsing did it decide to lock focus…even on college contrast subjects. Switching dorsum to the Tamron on Tamron combination was a night and 24-hour interval improvement.
I'thousand not a big fan of 2.0x converters, myself, as I feel they innovate too many compromises, merely Tamron'southward 2.0x does seem to produce very good optical results. 200mm is the weakest signal optically in the 70-200 G2'south focus range, so unfortunately that is going to be reflected in use with TC'south (where you are often going for the greatest achieve). Final results are good, but non every bit good as the Canon with it's TCs (see more in the image quality section). It is worth noting the Tamron Tap In Console allows y'all to enter dissever values for a lens with either the i.4x or 2.0x attached, and so if you plan to use a certain combination extensively you lot can invest the time to assure maximum focus accuracy and the best results.
It is worth noting that adding extenders definitely improves the maximum magnification figure of the 70-200 G2. The bare lens gives a magnification of right under 0.17x. Adding the ane.4x changes that figure to 0.25, while the two.0x extender brings the magnification up to effectually 0.33x. That final figure is pretty shut to the native magnification of the original Tamron lxx-200mm, which tells me that it must have strongly breathed in the opposite management (like the 70-200L 2 except more so!)
One concluding tip if you programme to use Tamron'southward extenders with the 70-200 G2: I found stopping downwardly one stop with the extenders fastened gave a very squeamish boost in image quality.It is worth noting that a lot of early buyers are giving negative reviews to the Tamron teleconverters. It's not considering they aren't good (they are actually excellent), only rather considering Tamron's promotional material has given some the fake impression that people are going to get quality autofocus with the converters + the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens…which isn't truthful. This lens, yes, just not the 150-600 G2. Scout my video on the teleconverters to get the whole story on them!
Improved Prototype Stabilization
Tamron's new VC works beautifully. It operates more than smoothly than the A009's VC, with smoother transitions on and off. I tested it using both Mode 1 (Standard) and Mode 3 (Capture Priority) at 1/25th second, one/xvth second, and 1/viiith 2nd. I also compared the Canon EF 70-200L II on its Mode 1 (it has only two modes and no equivalent Capture Priority mode). To make things more than fair (considering the focus breathing of the Tamron and the target altitude of about 10.v feet), I tried to match framing and thus shot the Canon at well-nigh 168mm.
| Lens (Style) | 1/25th (out of v) | 1/15th (out of v) | ane/8th (out of 5) |
| Tamron (1) | 4.5 (1 slight blur) | 5 | 2 (ish) |
| Tamron (iii) | 5 | v | 3 (Perfect) |
| Canon | four.5 (one slight blur) | 2.five-3 (ish) | 2 Perfect – three close |
Overall I was impressed with the functioning of both lenses. In Mode 1 the Tamron does the best job of keeping the viewfinder steady, so if this is a big bargain to you then the Tamron has an excellent performance. The value of Tamron'south Manner 3 (though it does nothing for the viewfinder) was seen as the shutter speed dropped. It delivered the nigh consistent results overall, though I will note than in the last sequence its worse blur was a bit worse than the Canon's worse blur. I was surprised past the near identical performance of the Catechism at 1/15thursday and 1/viiithursday. Information technology delivered pretty much the same results, which lagged backside the Tamron at ane/15thursday merely pretty much matched information technology at one/8th 2nd. Both of these lenses have fantastic image stabilization, just but know that at that place are very, very few situations where I would recommend shooting at fifty-fifty 1/15th second shutter speed with a telephoto lens; the chance of subject movement is as well high. For everyday shooting and typical shutter speeds neither of these lenses volition disappoint.
Hither are a few examples of the 70-200 G2 at one/8th second in Mode 3:
In a repose room with my ear near the butt I tin hear faint whirring with both lenses, with the Tamron registering as a bit quieter. Neither lens' epitome stabilization produces enough noise to really exist noticeable behind the photographic camera.
70-200 G2 Image Quality
This is always an area of priority for a new generation of lens. As we accept seen, Tamron has done a great job of refining the autofocus, build, handing, and epitome stabilization of the lens, but have they had equal success with the prototype quality? Permit'due south look at a number of different metrics to make that decision.I recommend that you visit the Lens Image Gallery to see many more photos than what volition fit in the review. I've got photos with extenders, on APS-C, on full frame, and even via adapter on a Sony A7R II.
Sharpness and Resolution
Many don't know this, just Tamron's previous generation A009 actually had a minor optical edge from lxx-135mm over the Canon lxx-200L 2, with the Canon 70-200 giving the better performance in the latter part of the range. What we are going to find is largely an expansion on that theme, where Tamron has built upon their existing strengths but not fully addressed their weaknesses. I used 4 lenses as a part of this test: ii copies of the A025, the A009, and the Canon.You tin watch my detailed assay of the paradigm quality in this video:
When comparison the 2 copies of the A025 I constitute that they performed pretty similarly, though i was a bit better centered than the other and gave a more than fifty-fifty operation on both sides of the frame.
At 70mm the 70-200 G2 is the clear winner. It is crisp and detailed from corner to corner with very little resolution loss correct out the very edges. There is no hint of haziness from a lack of dissimilarity and no chromatic aberration at all. The Canon is fairly good in the eye (though not as good as the A025). Sharpness is skilful but there is both more softness visible forth with a hint of some purple fringing. Towards the edges of the frame is a different story, however, with details becoming blurred somewhat past both a lack of contrast and more than pronounced purple fringing. Stopping downwardly to f/iv allows the center of the Canon to almost catch up with the Tamron, but the Tamron edges are better at f/2.viii than the Canon is even at f/5.6. The A009 eye at 70mm (f/ii.eight) is close to the A025, but the edges lag behind the 70-200 G2 in an credible way.
A025 vs Canon, 70mm f/2.eight (left, eye, right)
A025 vs A009, 70mm f/ii.8 (left, centre, right)
The situation is nearly the same at 100mm, with the Tamron lxx-200 G2 show a strong win on the edges but clearly better towards the eye, also. The Canon still suffers from some CA towards the edges. At f/four the centers are pretty close but there is still an obvious edge for the A025 towards the edges. The same design from 70mm is true for the A009; it is adequately close in the center simply lags towards the edges, so it is clear that on the wider end of the focal range Tamron has worked most at extending resolution towards the edges.
A025 vs Canon, 100mm f/2.viii (left, center, right)
At 135mm the race tightens a flake. Both the Tamron and the Canon evidence a near identical center performance. Towards the edges the Catechism has managed to lose the chromatic aberrations that held it back at wider focal lengths, and while the Tamron still has a small reward nearer the edges, information technology isn't nigh as pronounced anymore. With both lenses at f/4 there is no real advantage to be seen for either ane. Here's a look at both sides:
I was also reviewing another (secret) lens at the aforementioned time, so I had an opportunity to compare both the A025 and the 70-200L Two on the Sony a7R Ii via the Metabones IV adapter. I shot an outdoors comparison with the very high resolution a7RII at 135mm (or, in the case of the Canon, 140mm, equally it is very difficult to use the Canon'southward focal length markers in the middle of the range to accurately set a focal length…they are always off past a fair margin). In this test (shots from about xc anxiety away) there was some minor give and accept across the frame but the Tamron was a slight winner overall showing greater contrast and texture resolution in more areas of the frame. The Tamron maintained its edge even with the lenses stopped down. I observe information technology encouraging that the Tamron seems to shine when paired with a college resolution sensor.
A025 vs Catechism, 135mm f/two.8 (samples from across the frame)
The state of affairs reverses at 200mm, however, and it is articulate that the Canon is optimized for the long cease; a conclusion that is hard to argue with. The edge advantage is minimal but credible, with the Catechism have showing more than precision on the fine engraved numbers on my vintage lenses that I use for these tests. The chromatic aberrations are long gone, and contrast is potent. In the eye the departure is roughly the same. The Tamron is skillful, merely the Canon is better. The lenses are closest on the correct side, but I notwithstanding slightly prefer the Canon'southward functioning. This isn't taking anything away from the Tamron, as it is delivering a great performance, but when yous compare caput to caput (equally I did) you will find that the 200mm results prove a slightly softer issue for the lxx-200 G2. There'due south a fleck of "haze" due to reduced dissimilarity and slightly less resolution. Through f/v.six the Tamron never really "catches upward", either, as the lenses are really closest wide open. When I compared the A025 at f/2.8 and f/5.half-dozen I constitute that the results were pretty much the same with maybe a slight border for the f/2.eight effect. The A009 was about equally good in the center at f/2.8 (as the A025), simply the border results showed a slight advantage for the A025.
A025 vs Catechism, 200mm f/2.8 (left, centre, correct)
A025 vs A009, 200mm f/two.8 (left, eye, right – bottom third of the frame)
If you are interested in seeing a resolution comparison on a high resolution 5DsR, I recommend looking at Bryan Carnathan's Lens Image Quality tool.
Here's a expect at a few other comparisons at 200mm shot on the Sony a7R Two. The infinity shot strongly favored the Canon, but a medium distance shot (tree torso) seems to slightly favor the Tamron, which shows that out in the real world there are a number of factors that ultimately affect resolution. The final shot is from the infinity shot at 200mm stopped down to f/v.half-dozen, which shows parity between the lenses.
When the stars align, however, you can go stunningly sharp results from the 70-200 G2 even at it'due south weakest signal: 200mm, f/2.8. This is a crop from a much larger paradigm.
I did a similar series on APS-C (Canon EOS 80D). While the trend was similar (Tamron delivered a stronger performance through 135mm with the Canon the better at 200mm) I noticed two meaning differences. Outset was the fact that the Catechism almost always matched the operation of the A025 in the center of the frame but non the edges. The middle performance of the Canon was surprisingly good through the focal range even in the focal lengths where its border functioning waned. I also noted that the chromatic aberrations were less pronounced on APS-C, which isn't e'er the case. I've tested some lenses that showed piddling CA on full frame only a lot on APS-C, so you just never know how a lens volition handle that transition. The seventy-200 G2 shows no chromatic aberrations on either full frame or APS-C. Both lenses perform well on APS-C, but relatively I think the Catechism does meliorate. Its optical weaknesses on the wider end are mitigated somewhat on APS-C, while its strengths (center of the frame and on the telephoto stop) remain strong. If you are an APS-C shooter I think the Canon is the better selection optically. But if you are buying the 70-200 G2, in that location's no reason to not utilize it on APS-C. Here'southward an instance:
You can see other APS-C results in this Image Gallery.
Canon and Tamron have ii different points of emphasis in their optical pattern. The Tamron provides a more fifty-fifty operation across the frame and throughout the focal range, merely the Canon is optimized for the telephoto finish. Which arroyo is better will really depend on your shooting priorities. I observe it very hard to phone call either lens the winner in this category, as they both take articulate wins at different ends of the focal range. Neither will disappoint optically.
The Catechism being optimized for the 200mm focal length also ways that it performs improve with extenders attached. 200mm becomes 280 and 400mm, respectively. The Canon remains impressively sharp with either a i.4x or ii.0x extender fastened. The Tamron 70-200 G2 also does well with either extender, just the edge sticks with the lens that has the stronger 200mm operation (since the point is more reach), which is the Canon. The Canon has a 2nd advantage with the extenders at short to medium distances, which leads united states to…
The Focus Breathing/Maximum Magnification Upshot
Tamron's first lxx-200 lens ready the bar very, very high in the magnification and focus breathing metrics. They had Macro in the name, and while that was a picayune aggressive, it did achieve a very impressive 1:three (0.32x) maximum magnification ratio at the minimum focus distance of 3.12′ (95 cm). It was extremely useful for closeup shots, and could obviously completely blur backgrounds at those kinds of distances. The A009 was a much meliorate lens in almost every manner (MUCH faster autofocus, better build, and the inclusion of VC), but it too took a major stride backwards in this department to a disappointing ane:viii (0.125x) maximum magnification ratio at a minimum focus distance of 51.2" (i.3 chiliad). The problem? Tamron jammed a LOT more complexity (5 more glass elements in 4 more groups, a true ring-type USM motor, plus a brand new Vibration Bounty organisation) into a lens that was really both shorter and narrower. Close focus is achieved with space (the elements moving away from the sensor), only with less space bachelor something had to give. I had owned the older Tamron 70-200 lens briefly and appreciated the "macro" qualities, so it is this area that I was nearly disappointed in the newer VC lens (A009). When I heard the rumor of A025's announcement I stated that this was one of the main areas that I was looking for improvement in.
Consider this a proficient news/bad news written report. The good news is that pretty much everything is improved relative to the A009, but nowhere about the level of the one-time 70-200. The minimum focus distance is definitely improved, and is at present identical to that of the first generation lens at 3.12' (95 cm). Wow! We should exist back to that swell magnification effigy, right?
Not and so fast. The old lens didn't negatively "focus breathe". Focus breathing occurs when the lens uses some of the focal length space to achieve closer focus. It's a compromise to cram more optical operation into a similarly sized lens. So while the A025 tin can focus downwardly as closely equally the old lens, it is all the same a more complex optical car with even more features crammed into a lens of similar length (it gains 5mm over the A009). While the lens is a true 200mm at medium focus distance to infinity, nearly minimum focus it behaves more like a 165-170mm lens, and so the maximum magnification ratio is 1:six.1 (0.163x). Definitely a more useful figure than the previous generation lens (0.125x), merely nowhere near the 0.32x of the old seventy-200 nor even every bit good as the Catechism's 0.21x (achieved at a minimum focus distance of 3.94'/1.2m).Here's a visual comparison with the Canon and with the A009
Some comeback, yes, but not as much as I'd hoped. The good news is that the lens gives an exceptional functioning at minimum focus and the ability to focus down closely is very helpful non only for tight headshots but also shooting details at weddings or events. The Canon can't focus as closely, but it besides doesn't focus breathe (at least negatively), so it is even amend in these types of situations.
You tin see my video on the focus breathing issue here:
At distances short of infinity the framing between the A009 and the A025 is virtually identical (see the sharpness comparisons above), so Tamron'south focus animate problem hasn't gotten worse, and information technology is competitive with most lenses, but information technology doesn't fare well compared to the Canon.
I set upwardly a test with a record measure out to compare focus breathing at 6 anxiety, 12 feet, and 18 anxiety. I shot with the Tamron and 200mm first, setting upwardly my test subjects to about touch on the edge of the frame at both sides. I so zoomed the Canon out until I get near identical framing with it. At six feet I needed to zoom back to 146mm before I got equal framing, which indicates a significant amount of focus animate at 6 feet (relative to the Catechism).. At 12 feet the Catechism was zoomed to 168mm. At eighteen feet the Catechism was at 182mm to achieve the same framing. Infinite limited my moving further in my studio space, simply you can extrapolate that by 24 feet framing should exist pretty close. When I shot at infinity I found the framing to be the same with both lenses.
When I released a video on this topic there were a number of people that directed me to tests that show that the Canon is actually longer than 200mm at shut range (information technology breathes in the opposite direction and is more similar 220-230mm), which exaggerates this difference. At close altitude the Tamron probably behaves more like a 165-170mm lens in an accented sense (considering that the Canon breathes in the opposite direction). That being said, however, the Catechism is the chief competitor (at least for Canon shooters), and then that remains an surface area of strength for it when compared to the Tamron.
What does this mean? Information technology means that at close focus distances you produce a tighter caput shot, for example. This comparison was shot at the aforementioned difference and both lenses gear up at 200mm:
It means that backgrounds will exist more blurred because of great focal range pinch. The simply potential upside that I tin see is that if you are situation where y'all are trying to fit more in the frame (and take no room to back up), you can actually get more in the frame with the Tamron than the Catechism, equally the Canon "breathes" in the contrary direction and frames tighter than 70mm at closer focus distances – equally this photo shows.
Some have recently intimated that this was a "3rd political party" problem, simply that's not true at all. Every new Catechism telephoto zoom that I take reviewed recently has exhibited focus breathing, including the EF-South 55-250 STM, EF-Yard 55-200 STM, EF 70-300 IS Two, the lxx-300L, and the otherwise incredible 100-400L Two. In fact, when I compare the seventy-200 G2 + 2.0x @ 400mm to the 100-400L II @ 400mm I find that they frame very similarly (the Tamron is a couple of millimetres wider). Note that due to a reporting quirk it shows 280mm rather than 400mm for the for the 70-200 lenses + two.0x combo.
The Catechism lxx-200L II with the aforementioned 2.0x converter (400mm) frames noticeably tighter (run across the second photo above). Among the newer Catechism offerings the older seventy-200L II is actually the exception to the rule. The merchandise off with the 100-400L II is that it focuses downwards incredibly close (three.5'/0.98m) and has an incredibly useful 0.29x. It focuses downwardly much closer than the lens it replaces (five.9'/1.8m) to achieve a about 50% increase in reproduction (0.20x for the older 100-400L).
I'chiliad afraid that this is a office of modernistic lens blueprint that tries to pack ever more than complexity into similarly sized lens bodies. Photographers have complained in the past near not beingness able to focus closely enough, so many modern lenses piece of work to solve that problem by reducing minimum focus distance (and allowing for great performance at minimum focus). The downside is that the focal range at shorter distances (from six to twenty anxiety) frequently gets compromised by some focus breathing. This seems to be the new norm for many modern lenses. That existence said, Nikon received so much flack over a focus breathing on their seventy-200mm VR II lens that this was one of the principal areas they addressed with their new seventy-200mm FL ED lens…though they as well set a new cost flooring for the lens of $2800, which is a $700 premium over the older lens!
In summation, while focus animate has become a hot topic, the reality is that Tamron has lost nothing here over their previous generation lens (ane that I got adjacent to no comments about over focus breathing!) merely has added the ability to focus much closer and improve the maximum magnification effigy by virtually 25%. If you have decided that focus breathing is a big event for you, then spend the extra coin on the Canon or a LOT more money for the Nikon lxx-200 FL ED lens if yous are a Nikon shooter. If you don't want to spend the coin, and then merely enjoy the lens and the astonishing images it tin produce.
A025 Vignette
Using the A009 and the Canon equally benchmarks, I found some give and take across the zoom range. At 70mm (and f/2.8) the two Tamron lenses wait fairly like, with a little less vignette on the A025. I trend that I did detect is that I don't retrieve that the vignette extends every bit far into the frame and seems to be slightly more linear. It'south subtle, though, and I don't see any radical improvement. The Canon essentially simply has shading in the extreme corners. The extreme corners are a pilus darker than the Tamron, but the vignette intrudes further into the frame on the Tamron. Light transmission in the middle of frame very, very slightly favors the Tamron.
At 100mm the A025 is the clear winner, with just the mildest of vignette in the farthermost corners. The Canon has taken a stride backwards with noticeably darker corners and a vignette that extends further into the frame. The light transmission in the centre of the frame more noticeably favors the Tamron. The A009 was also strong at 100mm, though the A025 is slightly better. Light transmission seems a hair betteron the A025.
At 135mm things shift once again, with the Tamron 70-200 G2 (A025) showing darker farthermost corners than the Catechism. The vignette on the Catechism (though mild) does extend a little further into the frame. Light transmission is better on the Tamron. The A009 is a chip worse, with a shade darker corners and the vignette comes a little further into the frame. Light transmission is similar with perhaps a slight edge to the A025.
At 200mm the story is like to 135mm. All iii lenses vignette a scrap more than heavily at 200mm than 135mm, but the design is similar. The Canon shows less vignette overall in the corners, but the vignette on the A025 doesn't extend as far into the frame and is nicely linear. Light transmission in the center definitely favours the Tamron. If yous are shooting JPEGs with the Tamrons you won't have the option of using the "Peripheral Illumination Correction" in camera, so the JPEG end result will favor the Canon, but this doesn't impact RAW shooters. At 200mm I definitely see better calorie-free transmission for the Tamron and its mod design (see sample beneath).
All in all, while there is some requite and accept, there is some mild improvements for the 70-200 G2. Information technology exhibits a flake less vignette overall, the vignette doesn't creep as far into the frame, and light transmission seems to exist improved and is the best in the grouping that I compared.
Bokeh Quality
Bokeh rendering is always a subjective evaluation, and while I always evaluate lenses with a Christmas light type test (bright bokeh "assurance"), I practise want to stress that there are some lenses that I don't dearest in this type of state of affairs that I recall are great in the field. There are usually iii major things I evaluate when doing the Christmas light exam. 1) Examine the busyness within the bokeh circle 2) Evaluate how soft the transition is (inner line) and 3) Examine how circular the bokeh circles remain across the frame. Here's what I constitute when comparing the Canon 70-200L II, the 70-200 G2 (A025), and the Tamron A009.
The Canon has slightly less busyness in the bokeh circle, with the two Tamrons showing about equal amounts. The 70-200 G2 has the softest inner line and transition out of the circumvolve (a big metric, as this often determines how soft defocused areas will be and if difficult edges volition show). The Canon and the A009 are roughly equal in this metric. None of the lenses maintain a round shape of bokeh highlights across the frame. The A025 maintains a larger area where round highlights remain round, but also produces more pronounced "lemon" shapes around the edge.
I've been very pleased with real world bokeh from the lxx-200 G2. I've not seen whatsoever ugly bokeh in transition zones, and I feel like the lens would work well for events and portraits. I don't discover that 70-200mm lenses are quite as exceptional in this area as the better prime lenses, just the A025 is every bit good as any I've used.
Flare and Ghosting
Whatever lens that will be used every bit a portrait lens will about likely face some backlighting. One of the great weaknesses of the otherwise infrequent Canon 135mm f/2L is that it would completely lose contrast and wash out when the sunday was either in the frame or correct outside it. I compared the Catechism and the Tamron 70-200 G2 with bright, directional evening sun, and discovered that the Catechism definitely washes out a lot. Veiling fills a practiced part of frame with some loss of dissimilarity, and I also got a ghosting design. Not great. This comparison represents worst case scenario.
The Tamron retained contrast better, and has less veiling, though when stopped downwards I found the ghosting pattern fairly pronounced. I would say that the more modern coatings of the Tamron do meliorate, but I would still encourage caution of where you place the sun in the frame with any of the lenses.
Chromatic Aberrations
This is ane area where the 70-200 G2 actually, really shines. I shot hundreds and hundreds of photos in a broad variety of situations and don't recall seeing a hint of chromatic aberrations anywhere. The Catechism likewise gives a strong operation at 200mm, merely upward to about 150mm it definitely suffers from chromatic aberrations. The overall clear win in this expanse goes to the Tamron, which, so far every bit I tin can tell, has eliminated chromatic aberrations adequately completely for field work. Here'south a photograph where CA should show up only doesn't!
Color Rendering
When I compare the ii generations of Tamron lenses I'm reminded of the difference betwixt the 150-600 VC and the 150-600 VC G2 lenses; the color rendition has completely changed. I set a custom white balance to eliminate that from the equation and shot JPEGs to get equal processing. The end outcome clearly shows a warmer event for the G2 lens with a slight tendency towards a dark-green hue rather than blueish one. In this shot the background is actually a lite grayness color, so I would be difficult pressed to say which is the more authentic color rendition.
For what information technology is worth the A009 lens and the Canon wait more similar in colour, while the colour rendering of the seventy-200 G2 and the Canon 100-400L II look more similar to each other. In existent earth shooting I've been very pleased with the color rendition of the 70-200 G2…but I as well shot for years with the A009 and was happy with the color rendition from it. I doubtable that the differences volition mostly but be realized when placing the lenses side past side. I recommend that you take a take at my all-encompassing image gallery and judge for yourself whether or not you like you similar the color rendition. This looks pretty good to me!
Conclusion
There's a expert reason why Tamron has far more than fizz over this G2 lens than they did over the previous generation lens. It was a very good lens, just the A025 is basically better in every way than the A009, which, shockingly, includes price (in most markets). In the US, for case, the A009 retailed for $1499 a few months ago, but the A025 (with all of these improvements) actually comes to market at $1299. While that isn't "cheap" in an absolute sense, when y'all compare information technology to the essentially $2000 price tag for the Canon 70-200L II and the about $2800 for the Nikon 70-200 FL ED it becomes ane of the great bargains of the year. Autofocus accuracy is exceptional, though the slight edge on focus lock speed goes to the Canon. The image quality is improved across the lath from the original and is clearly competitive with the first political party offerings.
The new generation of Tamron'due south Vibration Bounty is smoother and even more effective, and now comes with multiple options of how you can tweak the beliefs. The build quality is beginning rate, and full compatibility with Tamron's new extenders helps add together versatility to the lens. I appreciate the improvement in minimum focus altitude and magnification, but the breathing at close distances still limits that metric and stands every bit one of my disappointments. The 2nd is that I feel like Tamron could have done a better task at optimizing the arguably virtually important focal length of 200mm. At that place are still reasons to cull the first party options, but no longer tin can yous call those lenses the clear winner. The Tamron SP lxx-200mm f/2.8 VC USD G2 lens has closed the gap on many fronts and is nonetheless another reminder that the third-political party lens makers are now a forcefulness to be reckoned with.
Check out the nigh popular family portrait lenses to compare it with Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.eight VC G2.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Tamron Canada for providing retail samples of the 70-200 G2, 70-200 VC (A009), lens, and the extenders for this review, and to Simons Camera for providing the Canon 70-200L 2 to compare them too. B&H Photograph provided the Sony A7r II and Metabones adapter. Shopping with these great people is a way to advantage them for their kindness.
Gear Used:
Canon EOS 5D Marking IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada
Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera (Body Simply)
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.viii VC G2: B&H Photograph: | Amazon: | Amplis Foto (use lawmaking AMPLIS52016DA to become 5% off) | Simons Canada (use code TAM70200 for special gift)
Canon EF 70-200mm f/two.8L IS II USM: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Simons Camera (use code TAM70200 for special gift)
Tamron 1.4x and 2.0x Teleconverters: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amplis Foto (utilise code AMPLIS52016DA to become 5% off)
Adobe Lightroom CC Software for Mac and Windows (Boxed Version)
Adobe Photoshop Creative Deject one-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X2 (Use Code "dustinabbott" to go 10% anything and everything)
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Source: https://dustinabbott.net/2017/04/tamron-sp-70-200mm-f2-8-vc-g2-a025-review/
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