Tamron AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro Pro Reviews

The Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 SP LD Di [IF] macro (*gasp*) is a very capable lens when used on an APS-C DSLR. It provides a very harmonious performance throughout the zoom range. The center quality is generally very high followed by very good borders. Expect a lower performance in close focus scenarios though. Vignetting is usually a non-issue thanks to the sweet spot advantage here. Neither lateral CAs nor distortions are something to worry about from a field perspective. The bokeh is generally very pleasing and bokeh fringing remains comparatively moderate albeit visible at f/2.8. The build quality is on a high level but it does not reach Canon L level here. The biggest drawback of the lens is its conventional AF.

The Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 SP LD Di [IF] macro showed a very good performance during our APS-C format tests and it is only slightly worse in the full format scope. The center performance is very good at f/2.8 and excellent at medium aperture settings. The border/corner quality remains very high at 70mm and it's still decent beyond. However, don't except too much from the macro aspect of the lens - the results get quite soft at closer focus distances specifically towards the 200mm setting. The amount of light falloff is about class-average which translates to very visible vignetting at f/2.8 and slight vignetting at f/4. Lateral CAs are very well controlled and not really an issue in field conditions. The amount of distortions is moderate throughout most of the range.

Overall, this is the sort of lens that you are likely either to love or hate. It lacks image stabilisation and its AF system is less sophisticated than its peers' but it has a distinctive, friendly feel and is also by far the least expensive option. By shopping around you should be able to purchase Tamron's 70-200mm zoom for under £500.

Price is obviously the major consideration when considering a lens in this category, and with exceptional results for image quality, it's not just about the money when considering the Tamron 70-200mm ƒ/2.8. Sharpness results meet and even exceed those for ''brand-name'' manufacturers, however the concession is build quality and autofocus speed. Professionals may require these; everyone else may not. Either way, if it's image quality you're after, the Tamron 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 delivers, and doesn't hit too heavily on the pocketbook.

For the price, this lens represents excellent value for money, producing images with superb resolution at shorter focal lengths and good build quality, all in a relatively lightweight package.

If your tolerance level for OOF (Out of Focus) shots is higher than your budget, this might be the right lens for you.

The SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro is Tamron's latest lens, announced at the end of February 2008. A fast telephoto zoom for the more budget-conscious photographer, the design features 19 elements on 16 groups, including three Low Dispersion (LD) glass elements for minimizing chromatic aberration...

This isn't your average telephoto zoom and it's not for beginners, however Tamron's heavyweight full-frame offering is worth putting the work in, delivering top-notch images across the range.