Tamron 28-75 / 2.8 at DVinfo.net

Ron German · November 14th, 2009, 12:16 PM

Has anyone been using Tamron 28-75 / 2.8 zoom lens and could provide a evaluation on it?
Thanks
Ron

David Sholle · November 14th, 2009, 02:44 PM

I have not used this lens, but SLRgear has tests of many lenses used as still camera lenses, including this one:

Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical IF SP AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com!

Charles W. Hull · November 14th, 2009, 02:49 PM

I have the Tamron 28-75. I've done a little video with it, not much, and it performed fine. I also do quite a bit of still photography with the 5DII and this lens doesn't do as well as Canon L lenses for stills, so I tend not to take the Tamron along when I'm shooting.

The advantage of the Tamron 28-75 is its very compact size, and this can be a significant advantage. I used it quite a bit with the original 5D instead of the Canon 24-70 because of this, and the image quality was close to the 24-70 for that camera. The lens can also focus to near macro, and I use it now and then for closeup work. But the Tamron just can't keep up with the added pixels of the 5DII.

Other disadvantages, the lens can't use Peripherial Illumination Correction in the 5DII, nor can it use AF Microadjustment - these features only work with Canon lenses. Finally, I tend to beat up my equipment, and the Tamron hasn't held up as well as my Canons.

I don't want to come off too negative, I like the lens and respect what Tamron has done, but it doesn't fit too well with my shooting.

Brian Luce · November 16th, 2009, 06:28 PM

I use it on the 7d as a walk around lens. Sure beats the kit lens and am happy with the FOV even on a crop sensor. I just can't afford Canon glass so for my purposes it's ideal.
It's the telescoping type of zoom. Focus ring has enough meat to grip on.

Here's a review Tamron 28-75 review

Ron German · November 16th, 2009, 06:59 PM

Thank you.
I`m also thinking to buy the 7D with this zoom as a walk around lens. Having decided yet mainly because the overheating problem.

Elan Feingold · November 17th, 2009, 01:55 PM

For the money I think it's a great lens. Check out this 100% crop from the lens on a 5DmkII: http://www.bluemandrill.com/plex/cat.png

Brian Luce · November 17th, 2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elan Feingold

For the money I think it's a great lens. Check out this 100% crop from the lens on a 5DmkII: http://www.bluemandrill.com/plex/cat.png

You know it's pretty sharp when you realize an eyeball could use some photoshopping.

Two other drawbacks: 1) not parfocal 2) very little travel on focus ring, get used to moving the lens in tiny increments.

Neither of these are deal breakers for me. Although, I don't have experience with follow focus gears, I'm wondering if there's enough play/travel in the focus ring for a FF to work?

Greg Bates · November 28th, 2009, 01:06 PM

I have one on my 5d and I absolutely love the lens. I don't have any great Canon glass to compare it to but it works well for video and stills. I used it a lot for my Doritos commercial.

Brian Luce · November 29th, 2009, 04:44 AM

One thing for sure, if you're transitioning out of the kit lens, like me, you'll think it's a Panavision. Some of the 5d and 7d users have extensive still photography backgrounds and came to the table loaded for bear lens wise.

Charles W. Hull · November 29th, 2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Luce

Some of the 5d and 7d users have extensive still photography backgrounds and came to the table loaded for bear lens wise.

Literally, I've done bear shoots, Kodiak Island and other places.

Yang Wen · December 3rd, 2009, 04:45 PM

It's a fine lens.. the corners does get a bit soft but that doesn't come into play for the HD video mode..

Fact is, the relatively low resolution of the 1080P video is a real equalizer for lenses of a large range of resolution.

Flare resistance this lens is NOT.. at least not compared to my Canon Ls... but flare is sometimes a very good thing!

One little inconvenience is the the AF motor is not manual full time, unlike the Canon USM motors.. this means I have flip an Auto/Manual switch to change the focus mode.. It is not recommended to turn the focus ring manually while it's in Auto mode.

November 14th, 2009, 12:16 PM	#1
Ron German Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro - Brasil Posts: 304	Tamron 28-75 / 2.8 Has anyone been using Tamron 28-75 / 2.8 zoom lens and could provide a evaluation on it? Thanks Ron

November 14th, 2009, 02:44 PM	#2
David Sholle Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mammoth Lakes CA Posts: 125	I have not used this lens, but SLRgear has tests of many lenses used as still camera lenses, including this one: Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical IF SP AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com!

November 14th, 2009, 02:49 PM	#3
Charles W. Hull Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Canyon Country, CA Posts: 445	I have the Tamron 28-75. I've done a little video with it, not much, and it performed fine. I also do quite a bit of still photography with the 5DII and this lens doesn't do as well as Canon L lenses for stills, so I tend not to take the Tamron along when I'm shooting. The advantage of the Tamron 28-75 is its very compact size, and this can be a significant advantage. I used it quite a bit with the original 5D instead of the Canon 24-70 because of this, and the image quality was close to the 24-70 for that camera. The lens can also focus to near macro, and I use it now and then for closeup work. But the Tamron just can't keep up with the added pixels of the 5DII. Other disadvantages, the lens can't use Peripherial Illumination Correction in the 5DII, nor can it use AF Microadjustment - these features only work with Canon lenses. Finally, I tend to beat up my equipment, and the Tamron hasn't held up as well as my Canons. I don't want to come off too negative, I like the lens and respect what Tamron has done, but it doesn't fit too well with my shooting.

November 16th, 2009, 06:28 PM	#4
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	I use it on the 7d as a walk around lens. Sure beats the kit lens and am happy with the FOV even on a crop sensor. I just can't afford Canon glass so for my purposes it's ideal. It's the telescoping type of zoom. Focus ring has enough meat to grip on. Here's a review Tamron 28-75 review

November 16th, 2009, 06:59 PM	#5
Ron German Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro - Brasil Posts: 304	Thank you. I`m also thinking to buy the 7D with this zoom as a walk around lens. Having decided yet mainly because the overheating problem.

November 17th, 2009, 01:55 PM	#6
Elan Feingold Tourist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Haiku, HI Posts: 4	For the money I think it's a great lens. Check out this 100% crop from the lens on a 5DmkII: http://www.bluemandrill.com/plex/cat.png

November 28th, 2009, 01:06 PM	#8
Greg Bates Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 186	I have one on my 5d and I absolutely love the lens. I don't have any great Canon glass to compare it to but it works well for video and stills. I used it a lot for my Doritos commercial.

November 29th, 2009, 04:44 AM	#9
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	One thing for sure, if you're transitioning out of the kit lens, like me, you'll think it's a Panavision. Some of the 5d and 7d users have extensive still photography backgrounds and came to the table loaded for bear lens wise.

December 3rd, 2009, 04:45 PM	#11
Yang Wen Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 991	It's a fine lens.. the corners does get a bit soft but that doesn't come into play for the HD video mode.. Fact is, the relatively low resolution of the 1080P video is a real equalizer for lenses of a large range of resolution. Flare resistance this lens is NOT.. at least not compared to my Canon Ls... but flare is sometimes a very good thing! One little inconvenience is the the AF motor is not manual full time, unlike the Canon USM motors.. this means I have flip an Auto/Manual switch to change the focus mode.. It is not recommended to turn the focus ring manually while it's in Auto mode.