Tamron 70-200 G2 vs Nikkor 70-200 VR 3

webmastadj

Well I am looking to get my next lens and I have decided it will be a 70-200 f/2.8. BUT, which one do I get? Personally, based on the reviews I have been seeing I want the Nikkor 70-200 but that $2,800 price tag is a bit hard to swallow. The price of the Tamron 70-200 G2 is very attractive.

So based on what everyone has read and opinions on the two, which one would you buy if you did not yet own a 70-200? Do you think the $2,800 price tag is worth it? Do you see the Tamron as the best bang for your buck considering you could buy two of them for the price of the nikkor? Which is the better lens regardless of price?

I am interested in knowing everyone's opinions!

Thanks.

Ironheart

Rodger thinks its a good lens from an MTF perspective, not quite on par with the 70-200 f/2.8E...

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/04/mtf-lens-tests-of-the-new-tamron-70-200-f2-8-sp-di-vc-usd-g2/

We will need a few reviews to find out about handling, AF performance, CA, etc... those things can make or break a lens for some

webmastadj

Here are a few of the reviews I have watched:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-oAYYamOehk

https://youtube.com/watch?v=w_3CR_H-u8k

https://youtube.com/watch?v=a0Pb37PGa2E

heartyfisher

The Nikkor is the lense to get if its is going to be your primary lense. If you are only going to mount the lense on the camera for say 1-2 % of the time.. maybe get the old Tamron. higher percentage? goes up the price range..

So the question is what are you going to use it for? do you think you will be using it often? What camera are you expecting to use it on? and for what purpose.. so excatly what are your requirements? Covering that range there are a dozen or two lenses...

PS: I have 4-6 lenses that "cover" that range.. (gave one away, may be replacing it...) Thinking of getting another... Yes, my fav focal length is in that range.. sigh .. but I dont have a 70-200 F2.8 and will probably not get one.

Coastalconn

I just got the Tamron 70-200 G2 yesterday and so far I really like it. For the price it would be really hard to beat. If you need the extra 2%, by all means get the Nikon. It was pretty dark when I found my Hawk last night.
https://flic.kr/p/SwNRke
https://flic.kr/p/SwNRke

If you are concerned about focus breathing at 200, get the Nikon. Doesn't impact me at all..

heartyfisher

?? so you got that close to a feeding Hawk thing ! ?? sigh .... I may have to reconsider getting a 70-200 F2.8 ;-)

webmastadj

@Coastalconn You have some great shots. I am also impressed you were able to get that close to a hawk feeding. I have tried a few times and each time they take off. One of the reasons why I picked up the 200-500 f/5.6.

Coastalconn

This is the Hawk I've been photographing for 2 years.. He made a Cameo in the Tamron video. He is completely wild and never baited. I think he considers me family.. Here are all the images of him this fall/winter.. https://flic.kr/s/aHskHptM8j
I got a D4 over the winter to use with my 300 F2.8 but there were still times he was too close...

I haven't done a formal fine tune yet.. Just eye balled it at +10 in the field, so I may be able to squeeze a little more sharpness out of it..

heartyfisher

He has grown up nicely !! What type of hawk is it? I may be looking out for a good deal on the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 G2 ! Looks like my small family of Tamron lenses may be growing by one more in the future..

Coastalconn

He is an adult Red Tail and quite handsome I might add

Pistnbroke

Fat photographer loves the tamron ..see his review...

heartyfisher

Coastalconn said:

He is an adult Red Tail and quite handsome I might add

Just read up on it.. Looks like he could be your model for the the next 20 years !! I look forward to seeing more of him the the years to come !!

webmastadj

Just an update. I ended up getting the Nikkor and my girlfriend purchased the Tamron. I am very happy with the Nikkor. A few things made my decision towards the Nikkor.

1. The zoom ring on the Nikkor is much easier to turn. I can zoom in and out with the tip of my finger. The Tamron is more stiff and requires two fingers.

2. Might be something minor for some, but I liked the Lens hood locking mechanism. There is a separate button that locks the lens hood in place.

3. The lens control buttons (i.e. focus modes, VR modes) on the Tamron will switch on/off. I have a black rapid and as it rubs against my leg, the Tamron lens would switch from automatic focus to manual focus. This can be very frustrating when trying to quickly capture a moment.

4. Distance from the Tripod mount and the lens larger on the Nikkor. The tripod foot is also longer. Both of these makes it easier to grip and hand carry the lens easier for me.

5. I just had to have the gold ring!

Here are some of the sample photos I have taken with the D500 and Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 combo:

heartyfisher

Any post processing done on these images ?

webmastadj

@heartyfisher Film is developed right? Yes there was some post processing done. Adjustments on saturation, clarity, and contrast. Some have a small amount of vignetting added. No other major work.

heartyfisher

webmastadj said:

@heartyfisher Film is developed right? Yes there was some post processing done. Adjustments on saturation, clarity, and contrast. Some have a small amount of vignetting added. No other major work.

Love the colours! the skin colours are amazingly glorious.. (for a nikon ;-) )

Ton14

Here are some plain RAW files from the camera, D500 with the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR. This lens autofucus is slow, but good enough for lot of situations.
No editing done, you can do a lot with minor LR adjustments.

Added 1 virtual copy with minor LR editing, sharpening and noise both 40.

https://adobe.ly/2pzXd5c