Tamron has something of a history of producing high quality affordable fast zooms, as exemplified by the SP AF 28-75mm F2.8 Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro, which has become something of a cult classic due to its winning combination of excellent optics, a compact lightweight body and keen pricing (especially in comparison to F2.8 standard zooms from the major camera manufacturers). It's therefore no surprise to see Tamron emphasizing in its publicity material that this product concept has been retained for the new 70-200mm. Of course this lens is also by no means the company's first foray into fast telezoom territory, and photographers whose experience stretches back to the days of film will remember the SP AF 70-210mm LD and the older manual focus SP 80-200mm LD; this is a len with undeniable pedigree. Show The 70-200mm Macro is slated to be available in Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax-mount versions (although only the Canon and Nikon models are currently shipping as of June 2008), making this a viable alternative to OEM lenses for the majority of DSLR users. Additionally, the Nikon mount variant incorporates a built-in autofocus motor, making it fully compatible with the D40-D40x-D60 range of budget DSLRs. Perhaps most importantly, the lens is available at an undeniably attractive price point, even shortly after its release, further increasing its buyer appeal. However the big question to be answered is of course whether the optics and performance can compete with the class leaders; let's find out. Headline features
Angle of viewThe pictures below illustrate the focal length range from wide to telephoto, on 35mm full-frame and APS-C camera bodies:  Tamron SP AF 70-200mm 1:2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro specificationsStreet price • $700 • £530 Date introduced February 2008 Maximum format size 35mm full frame Focal length 70-200mm 35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C) 109-310mm (1.5x) 112-320mm (1.6x) Diagonal Angle of view (FF) 34º - 12º Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C) 23º - 8º Maximum aperture F2.8 Minimum aperture F32 Lens Construction • 19 elements/16 groups • 3 LD elements Number of diaphragm blades 9, rounded Minimum focus 0.95m Maximum magnification 0.32x at 200mm AF motor type • Micro motor • Manual focus clutch Focus method Internal Zoom method Internal Image stabilization • None Filter thread • 77mm • Does not rotate on focus Supplied accessories • Front and rear caps • Lens Hood • Soft Case Weight 1330g (46.9 oz) Dimensions 89.5mm diameter x 194.3mm length (3.5 x 7.6 in) Lens Mount Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony * Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area You may also likeLatest sample galleriesLatest in-depth reviewsThe fourth camera in Leica's SL series of full-frame mirrorless cameras sees the 60MP BSI sensor from the Q3 and M11 models arrive with a significant interface redesign. The Fujifilm X100VI is the sixth iteration of Fujifilm's classically-styled large sensor compact. A 40MP X-Trans sensor, in-body stabilization and 6.2K video are among the updates. The Nikon Zf is a 24MP full-frame mirrorless camera with classic looks that brings significant improvements to Nikon's mid-price cameras. We just shot a sample reel to get a better feel for its video features and have added our impressions to the review. This $250 electronic lens adapter is perfect for Nikon Z-mount curious Sony shooters — shhh, we won’t tell anyone. Sony updates the ZV-1, giving the vlog-centric compact camera a 18-50mm equivalent F1.8-4.0 lens that's now wide enough for less cramped selfie mode videos. Latest buying guidesWhat’s the best camera for around $2000? This price point gives you access to some of the most all-round capable cameras available. Excellent image quality, powerful autofocus and great looking video are the least you can expect. We've picked the models that really stand out. What's the best camera for travel? Good travel cameras should be small, versatile, and offer good image quality. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for travel and recommended the best. If you want a compact camera that produces great quality photos without the hassle of changing lenses, there are plenty of choices available for every budget. Read on to find out which portable enthusiast compacts are our favorites. 'What's the best mirrorless camera?' We're glad you asked. Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. We case our eye over the options costing more than $2500 but less than $4000, to find the best all-rounder. |
