Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

I have never bought a non-Canon lenses because I love the look, feel and optical quality of Canon's line, especially L-series lenses. But I kept reading rave reviews about this lens. At several places. So I went out and took a look.

First impressions: The build quality is not as good as a Canon L-series lenses. Duh! It costs about 1 / 4 as much for God's sake. This is an objective - not metal. But I must admit that the build quality was pretty darn good. Better, I think, than the Sigma lens I've seen. Fit and finish was very nice and tight. I would give the build quality a 4 / 5 Not bad. I figured I could live with it.

Then I put the lens on my camera. I'd read reviews complaining about the speed of focus. It may not be quite as fast as my 200 f2.8 L series lens but it was pretty darn good, and for my purposes, very quickly. A 4.5 / 5

I'd read reviews complaining about noise and the fact that AF was not USM. I thought AF worked very quiet. Not at all disturbing, and barely noticeable. Noise - not a problem.

So I took pictures with the lens, and I was completely floored! How on earth did manage to produce a Tamron lens that has performed so well optically to such a reasonable price? Beautiful contrast, good resolution, brilliant color, and very sharp, especially with F2.8. But, F2.8 very good too.

Of course, the first comparison that comes to mind between this lens and Canon 24-70 F2.8 L. I would say that I'm not joking, is this lens in all respects optical directly from Canon or better than Canon. I could not believe it.

I tested this lens directly in an entirely new copy of the Canon 24-70 f2.8L. Methodology: I tested both lenses on a tripod @ F 2.8 and 8.0 @ 28mm 50mm and 70mm. Target limestone wall 9.5 meters parallel to the sensor plane. Self-timer employed. No mirror lockup. Center and all four corners have been assessed to my naked eye on a screen with 100% crops. Both lenses are new samples received in the last 7 days.

The limestone walls lent themselves perfectly to assess the sharpness and subtle contrast and color reproduction. It was a huge detail present in the wall with subtle colorations present.

Conclusions:

28MM F8: Tamron definitely sharper in the center and corners

28mm F2.8: Tamron definitely sharper in the center and corners


50MM F8: Tamron slightly sharper in the center and very little sharper in the corners

50MM F2.8: Tamron a bit sharper in the center and right corners.

70MM F2.8: Canon sharper in the center and corners. In addition, the inability Tamron focus as much as I could achieve with manual focus.

70MM F8: Tamron sharper in the center with the Canon a bit sharper in the corners.

Some have said that it is less flare with the Canon, but if you use the lens hood that should not be a problem. I did not notice excessive flare in my copy.

Sure, there is a significant Copy to copy the variation in both Canon and Tamron, but my results convinced me that 1 / 4 of the price, and with the Tamron weighs one pound less than the Canon lens that Tamron has for me. Optical 5 / 5!

I can not recommend this lens highly enough. It is the first non-Canon lens I've owned and I'm happy.