Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

  

Archive 2016 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?

  
 
Max_Pain
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


I know this has been beaten to death in the past and I apologize in advance for yet another one of these topics. I've read through at least 6 threads dedicated to this, but none were recent enough for my liking. I also would like to hear from someone who used one and switched to the other, and hear why.

I have used a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for over a decade, and it's probably my least favorite lens now and I try to avoid using it, but I really like that range so need to replace it with something better. The images I get from the 28-75 feel consistently soft and I'm not satisfied with the AF speed compared to the performance of my Canon lenses.

I can't afford or justify the cost of the 24-70 2.8 II, so I'm in between the Canon f/4L IS or the Tamron f/2.8 VC.

My main interest in the Tamron is the larger aperture - my main concern here is subject/background isolation. I don't do anything with sports that I would need the extra stop to freeze action with. But I do enjoy having a shallow dof for subject isolation. My main concern is that IQ might not be as good and that AF might underperform.

My main interests in the Canon is the L build, quality and AF reliability. My main concern is that f/4 won't give me enough subject isolation. I can get beautiful subject isolation with my 70-200mm f/4L IS at f/4 - but at 200mm. Obviously I wouldn't have that here.

The lens would be used with a 6D, and complimented with a 16-35 f/4L IS and 70-200 f/4L IS, along with 50 1.4, 40 2.8 and 100 2.8, and a few others. Part of me was thinking the Canon 24-70 f/4L IS would be a nice compliment to my kit, and I can use the 50 1.4 for low light and subject isolation...

But obviously I'm not convinced. I've been struggling with this internal debate for a few weeks now with no decision.

Can you give me your opinion on this? Thank you kindly.



May 12, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Ernie Aubert
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


My thoughts would be that you already have f1.4 and f2.8 available with your primes, so maybe you could do without a zoom in the 35-70 range? I had the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC, and I don't remember any issues with AF (on a 5D III), but its IQ wasn't too impressive; if you go for that, don't expect excellence.


May 12, 2016 at 11:20 AM
svassh
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


I made this decision recently myself. After all my research and a trial of the Canon I bought the Canon. It replaced my 24-70 II which I sold to mix things up. Really happy with the 24-70 IS is nice and the macro feature is fun. Don't really need the dof for what I use it for. Was worried with inconsistent quality between Tamron versions from what I read.


May 12, 2016 at 11:50 AM
rstoddard11
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


24-70 f4 IS takes incredible photos and by f5.6 is as sharp as the more expensive 24-70 f2.8 II. Here are some shots with mine showing background isolation and general look and feel.






















May 12, 2016 at 12:14 PM
dhphoto
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


In a close battle I'd usually go for the OEM lens, potentially better resale value, you can use DLO on the RAW files. If you need f2.8 it's moot, otherwise I'd get the Canon


May 12, 2016 at 12:17 PM
DougVaughn
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


My wife's birthday present two months ago from her wonderful husband was a Canon 7DII and the 24-70mm f/4L IS. I'm very impressed with that combination so far, and she's producing nice images. It's not going to be the shallow DOF master that some other lenses are, but it's a great value for all around shooting.

This combination runs circles around the 70D with kit lens she had previously, and I think that's more attributable to the lens as the 70D is quite capable.



May 12, 2016 at 12:19 PM
rstoddard11
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


Note also that I got mine well used from lensauthority.com. It looks like it was chewed on by a grizzly bear and then thrown down a mountain, but still takes great photos, even with a chip in the front glass. I paid $450. KEH may have a good used copy. I would never part ways with mine unless they updated the 24-105 ever and I could get a bit more range. The moth photo is well cropped. Shot with a 6D.


May 12, 2016 at 12:20 PM
Max_Pain
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


Ernie Aubert wrote:
My thoughts would be that you already have f1.4 and f2.8 available with your primes, so maybe you could do without a zoom in the 35-70 range? I had the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC, and I don't remember any issues with AF (on a 5D III), but its IQ wasn't too impressive; if you go for that, don't expect excellence.


Thank you for the input. I'm not a huge fan of primes myself, I prefer the convenience of zooms, that's why I feel compelled to fill that gap I have now. But it's helpful to hear you didn't think much of the Tamron's IQ.

---------------------------------------------

svassh wrote:
I made this decision recently myself. After all my research and a trial of the Canon I bought the Canon. It replaced my 24-70 II which I sold to mix things up. Really happy with the 24-70 IS is nice and the macro feature is fun. Don't really need the dof for what I use it for. Was worried with inconsistent quality between Tamron versions from what I read.


Thank you for that insight.

---------------------------------------------

rstoddard11 wrote:
24-70 f4 IS takes incredible photos and by f5.6 is as sharp as the more expensive 24-70 f2.8 II. Here are some shots with mine showing background isolation and general look and feel.


Beautiful shots, very nice. I mainly would be using the lens for family portraits. Do you have any samples by any chance?

---------------------------------------------

dhphoto wrote:
In a close battle I'd usually go for the OEM lens, potentially better resale value, you can use DLO on the RAW files. If you need f2.8 it's moot, otherwise I'd get the Canon


Yeah that's where I'm leaning I think. I don't believe I NEED f/2.8, if the f/4 can deliver nice enough subject/background separation.

---------------------------------------------

DougVaughn wrote:
My wife's birthday present two months ago from her wonderful husband was a Canon 7DII and the 24-70mm f/4L IS. I'm very impressed with that combination so far, and she's producing nice images. It's not going to be the shallow DOF master that some other lenses are, but it's a great value for all around shooting.


Thank you. DOF should be better on my 6D than on either the 7DII or the 70D, so I'm glad to hear it's doing well for her.

Thank you everyone. I'd like more input, but I'm already leaning one way based on what I've heard and my own research. Any more input is welcome!




May 12, 2016 at 12:52 PM
StillFingerz
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


MP,

For near two decades my EF 24-58 has been a wonderful mid-range zoom, it's not an 'L' and thus has some issues but none serious. The issue, once you go 'L' zooms there's just no going back; except with a few primes.

I'm looking to get the exact trio of f4L's and the 6D at some future date; in early 2017 cross fingers. For now my trio consists of the above mentioned zoom, along with the 17-40L and 70-200 f4L IS. And like you I'm looking for sharper glass and IS.

Awhile back my 24-85 was shelved and I started carrying primes to fill the mid-range gap; it's actually been five years now with the 28 f1.8, 50 f1.4 and 85 f1.8. These three lenses by f2.8 are stellar, no their build quality isn't pro grade, but they are smallish and fit well with my standard kit; day or night.

But I'm finding zooms easier to manage and the IS to be a must. There seem several pluses for the 24-70 f4L IS, size/weight, sharpness and less distortion, Canon's AF which is top notch and lastly it's IS which is the hybrid version that the 100L IS Macro uses. I have and hand-hold the 100L and it's IS is fantastic.

I've 'always' had some overlap in my zooms, it gave me comfort somehow, but the more I look at the other Canon and 3rd party alternatives the more the 24-70 f4L IS seems my best move once I'm ready for a FF/6D. Reasoning for a 6D is size/weight so why not do the same and get the lighter glass. I know the 24-105 is a decent lens; it's 'L' grade, and has that extra reach/overlap that I like, but it's heavier/older with the older IS.

Of my current mid primes the 28 and 85 will get the boot at some point and I'll pickup the newer 35 f2 IS, all I need now is for Canon to put IS in a 50mm and I'd be fine with an f1.8 or f2

Edited on May 12, 2016 at 01:58 PM · View previous versions



May 12, 2016 at 01:53 PM
dhphoto
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


StillFingerz wrote:
MP,

For near two decades my EF 24-58 has been a wonderful mid-range zoom, it's not an 'L' and thus has some issues but none serious. The issue, once you go 'L' zooms there's just no going back; except with a few primes.

I'm looking to get the exact trio of f4L's and the 6D at some future date; in early 2017 cross fingers. For now my trio consists of the above mentioned zoom, along with the 17-40L and 70-200 f4L IS. And like you I'm looking for sharper glass and IS.

Awhile back my 24-85 was shelved and I started carrying primes
...Show more


Yes the 6D and 24-85mm make a great small full frame combo. With lens profiles and DLO the 24-85 even performs pretty well, it's just a very useful lens.



May 12, 2016 at 01:57 PM
StillFingerz
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


dhphoto wrote:
Yes the 6D and 24-85mm make a great small full frame combo. With lens profiles and DLO the 24-85 even performs pretty well, it's just a very useful lens.


DH, given the above, should I wait on the 24-70L and just test my 24-85 with the 6D? I'm quite keen on IS these days but given the 24-85 is so light/tiny

Do lens profiles/DLO work with RAW or just Jpeg output?



May 12, 2016 at 02:03 PM
dhphoto
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


StillFingerz wrote:
DH, given the above, should I wait on the 24-70L and just test my 24-85 with the 6D? I'm quite keen on IS these days but given the 24-85 is so light/tiny

Do lens profiles/DLO work with RAW or just Jpeg output?


I would rate the 24-85mm on full frame as pretty decent but probably noticeably not as good as the new 24-70L's. The sharpness is actually very good but the bokeh is busy and you definitely need profiles at 24mm. The corners are never perfect either. But for an old lens mine does very well, it's personal preference, certainly worth a test.

AFAIK you can only use DLO on RAW files (from within DPP3 or 4) but there is no doubt it gets a bit more sharpness and contrast out of the lenses



May 12, 2016 at 02:13 PM
Johnny McClung
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


I love the 24-70 f/4L ... I use both the 2.8L and f4L and have used Tamron's 2.8 ... I just prefer Canon glass when you're in the L range. A lot of the photos here were shot with the 24-70 f/4L:

http://johnnymcclung.com/beautiful-ukraine/



May 12, 2016 at 03:07 PM
Max_Pain
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


Hi Johnny. Very nice photos. I was actually born in Kharkiv, Ukraine but left as an infant and haven't returned. I probably should at some point, your photos certainly inspire one to go

Thanks for the vote for the Canon. That helps with the decision.



May 12, 2016 at 03:17 PM
rstoddard11
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


I don't have any at the ready for portraits. I'm sure it would do fine. I use a 100mm f2 for portraits. The 85mm 1.8 is similar and both are probably better than the mid zoom at portrait focal lengths. You may do well with the 50mm 1.4 that you already have for portraits as well. Just stop it down to f2.8 or f4 as it is quite soft at 1.4


May 12, 2016 at 04:59 PM
dthrog00
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


Is the 24-70 enough range? I'm sticking with 24-105 as a good travel lens, I thought about going for the 24-70 f/4, but ultimately did not want to give up 71-105.

I haven't used the 24-70 f/4 L IS or the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8. I've read the Tamron in reality is a little less than 70mm on the long end.

Here's a good link if you want to compare those lenses: https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/01/canon-24-70-f4-is-resolution-tests/

Dave



May 12, 2016 at 08:31 PM
gwaww
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


Max, I owned the Tamron for a long time and now have the Canon 24-70 f4. I shoot weddings and the smaller size and macro function allows me to carry one less lens (macro) and save room in my bag. There is nothing wrong with the Tamron IQ wise and I have a lot of great images taken with it.


May 12, 2016 at 09:26 PM
rstoddard11
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · In mid 2016, what is a better buy? Canon 24-70 f/4 or Tamron 24-70 f/2.8?


If you have the 24-105 you should just keep that lens. My friend has one and I see no difference in our images. Maybe the edge for the 24-70 at f4 and 24mm, but stopped down a bit they are basically indiscernible. I'm actually considering the 24-105 for travel.


May 13, 2016 at 11:56 AM





FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.