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Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

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    Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

    After reading goodness knows how many reviews, both professional and end-user, of both the Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM and the Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens, I 'took the plunge' and today part exchanged my Canon 75-300 f.4-5.6 USM Mk III for the Tamron.

    Pretty much all of the comparison reviews rated the optics as being on a par, or putting the Tamron slightly ahead.

    I should add that I did consider both the Canon L and DO versions of the 70-300, but decided that being a lens that I would only use occassionaly, and not an every day 'walk-about' lens, it didn't justify the extra cost. This is something that may or may not change in the future.

    The Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM's optical line-up comprises 15 elements in 10 groups, and the Tamron 17 elements in 12 groups.

    The big difference when I handled both the Canon and the Tamron in the shop, was the build quality. In this respect the Tamron looked, handled, and felt far superior. This is reflected in the weight, the Canon being 630g against the Tamron's 765g, making it 135g heavier than the Canon.

    Apart from the IS, the Canon felt much like my old 75-300 USM lens, and the build quality of this never really impressed me, although it did it's job, and never failed.

    The AF on the Tamron is noticably faster and quieter than the Canon.

    I didn't really get the chance to compare the IS of the lenses at the shop, as it was pouring with rain outside, and the lighting in the shop wasn't that good.

    Although late in the day, and very overcast, I quickly tested the Tamron when I got home, pushing it to 300mm, and I have to say the IS, or VC as Tamron call it, was very effective.

    I'm sure that the Canon IS would have been equally good, but this I won't now know.

    Other plus points for the Tamron are a non-rotating front lens, lens hood included, and a 5 year warrantee.

    This particular Tamron lens is part of Tamron's pro collection, although I wouldn't put it in the same league as Canon's L series, but then there is a huge price difference of course.

    Comparing the optics of my old Canon 75-300 USM Mk III, the Tamron seems significantly better. Judging by the reviews, the optics in the later Canon 70-300 IS USM, must have been improved over the earlier 75-300.

    Early days yet, but my initial impressions are very favourable, and the Tamron does seem to offer a very good 'bang for the buck'.

    Hopefully, it won't disappoint when 'used in anger'.

    Dave
    Last edited by Dave_S; 08-06-2012, 20:59. Reason: Typos
    Dave

    Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

    #2
    Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

    Ive heard good reports of the Tamron...so would like to see some images at varying focal lengths. Thanks for the review

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

      Originally posted by hhcanon View Post
      Ive heard good reports of the Tamron...so would like to see some images at varying focal lengths. Thanks for the review
      The Tamron is a really good lens, I replaced my 75 - 300 USM Mk 11 with it and have been delighted with the results. It is built better, handles really well and produces much better pictures. My recent picture that won challenge 46 was taken using the Tamron.

      Colin

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

        Hi Colin

        That is encouraging input.

        hh, I will indeed create some test shots, if and when it ever stops raining


        One thing I will say, and that is the Tamron/7D combination, is not something you would want to have hanging around you neck all day, as its quite a heavy package. But then my every day lens, the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX is no lightweight either.

        Dave
        Dave

        Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

          Here are three test images, taken with the Tamron lens.

          The EOS 7D was at ISO 400, and f/5.6.

          The images of the Blue and Great Tit, were at a distance of 8m with the camera Tripod mounted, and the Seagull was around 300m away with the camera hand-held.

          Given that it was virtually impossible to hold the camera steady at full zoom (300mm), and the gusty wind, I was pretty impressed with the stabilisation.

          I need to experiment at other focal lengths, but thought I would start at high end.

          IMO, the images are slightly soft, which was perhaps to be expected at 300mm with a lens costing less than third of the price of it's Canon L series equivalent, but definitley better than my Canon 75-300 f/4-5.6 USM Mk3. The jpeg compression applied to upload them to this site, does seem to have emphasised this softness.

          More experimentation to to do, but a promising start, and I am certainly not yet regretting buying this lens.

          Dave
          Attached Files
          Last edited by Dave_S; 09-06-2012, 17:39.
          Dave

          Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

            Away went the grey clouds, and out came the sun, albeit it after 6pm.

            Time for some more test images, this time at f/8 and at 100mm, 200mm, 300mm

            All hand held, with AF and stabilsiation on. Distance around 13-15m from camera.

            A defiinte improvement at 300mm with an f/8 aperture, as opposed to the lens being at it's f/5.6 limit.

            Dave
            Attached Files
            Last edited by Dave_S; 09-06-2012, 17:52.
            Dave

            Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

              Hi Dave, I hope you enjoy your new lens.
              What was the shutter speed on these, I'm assuming it's in excess of 1/320 ??

              Trev

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

                Good luck with the new lens Dave.
                It is slightly better than the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS and not far off the mark with the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS.
                At £100 less than the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS and £800 less than than the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS it must be a winner.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

                  Hi Trevor

                  That's the one thing that I didn't take note of. I was trying to make sure I got the three focal lengths in, before he flew away, but it would have been above 1/320th.

                  Dave
                  Dave

                  Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

                    Time will tell Stephen, but my early impressions are quite favourable, and your comments are very encouraging.

                    It was a bit of a step into the unknown for me, as I have never used a Tamron lens before, as for a third party lens, I have always opted for the Sigma EX range, which have never disappointed.

                    Unfortunately, Sigma don't have a 70-300 in their EX range, but only at the budget end, so it only left the Tamron and the Canon.

                    My problem, is that I have two other very expensive hobbies, astro-imaging and boating. The cost of my astro imaging kit, far exceeds that of my terrestrial photography, and my boating costs, dwarf the pair of them.

                    Being retired I am doing my best at 'SKIing' (spending the kid's inheritance) , but there are limits!!.

                    Dave
                    Last edited by Dave_S; 10-06-2012, 15:52. Reason: typo
                    Dave

                    Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

                      Originally posted by Trevoreast View Post
                      What was the shutter speed on these, I'm assuming it's in excess of 1/320 ??
                      Trevor, I just realised that this info is of course stored in EXIF data

                      The shutter speed was 1/1000th, the ISO was 400, and the camera was in AV priority mode.

                      Dave
                      Dave

                      Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

                        Trevor, I just realised that this info is of course stored in EXIF data
                        Dave, your software seems to have stripped the exif out - hence the question.

                        Soz mate, no offence. They all seem soft to me, the last one is slightly better though.
                        Gives me no pleasure to say that, I just thought you should know so you can address the issue.
                        I realise these are your first test shots, I'm sure your results will improve as you get more used to your lens.

                        Trev

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

                          Hi Trevor

                          No offence taken at all.

                          Honest criticism is what this type of forum is all about IMO, and I consider that the 'mutaul back patting', so often seen, is meaningless.

                          On my own forum (astro-imaging), the culture is very much one of constructive criticism, where justified.

                          Praise where praise is due, most certainly.

                          I reckon that Photoshop some how stripped off the EXIF data.

                          Early days yet, but with more time, I hope to discover how to get the best from the Lens.

                          Having owned the Canon 75-300 USM, and now played with the later Canon 75-300 IS USM in the camera shop, I have no regrets at choosing the Tamron.

                          Dave
                          Dave

                          Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

                            Honest criticism is what this type of forum is all about IMO, and I consider that the 'mutaul back patting', so often seen, is meaningless.
                            Dave thanks for taking the comments in the spirit they were intended.

                            I'm sure some of the guys n gals who specialise in birds with longer lenses can give you some more more tips.
                            I'd have thought 1/1000 of a sec would be fast enough to counter any camera shake or subject motion that you'd get on a windy day or with a twitchy bird, the only other thing I can think of is misfocusing or large crops. I don't actually know TBH.

                            I reckon that Photoshop some how stripped off the EXIF data
                            I know the "save for the web" in PS strips out the data, selecting "save as" keeps it intact.
                            If the jpg option is not available, you have to change from 16bit to 8bit
                            I have the exif on my flickr barred for the minute, I'm looking for a way not to do this for images I post on this forum.

                            Praise where praise is due, most certainly.
                            As you say, "Praise where praise is due" - sometimes we need to say "great shot", without adding anything else.

                            I don't mind the mutual back patting too much, it's human nature. TBH if someone says something nice about any of my snaps I will seek to return the compliment if I can, without telling lies.

                            Trev
                            Last edited by Trevoreast; 11-06-2012, 14:11.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Tamron 70-300 VC USD - First impressions

                              As a follow-on, here's the same image after a bit of TLC in Photoshop.


                              EOS 7D _ Tamron 70-300 di VC - 1/1300th - f/8 - Aperture Priority - ISO 400 - Focal Length 300mm AF and IS on.

                              Dave
                              Attached Files
                              Dave

                              Website:- https://davesimaging.wixsite.com/mysite

                              Comment

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