p.3 #1 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
I am looking for a Tamron to fill in between my 24-105 and my Sigma 100-400. I am mainly a tripod based landscape shooter but occasionally shoot family dogs, along with casual family portraits. The Tamron seems like a good candidate for these needs.
p.3 #2 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
pjmsj21 wrote:
I am looking for a Tamron to fill in between my 24-105 and my Sigma 100-400. I am mainly a tripod based landscape shooter but occasionally shoot family dogs, along with casual family portraits. The Tamron seems like a good candidate for these needs.
I've had the Tamron 70-180 since last summer and it just keeps impressing me with its images. The sharpness is stellar yes, but also the bokeh quality. AF is also extremely fast and responsive--I've been shooting my son's swim team this summer and it can quickly snap focus when a swimmer pops above the water to take a breath.
For shooting family dogs and portraits, I'm sure it will excel. It's all but replaced my Batis 85 lens. Even for landscapes, the Tamron is neck and neck with the Zeiss glass.
p.3 #3 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
Even though I’m selling my T 70-180 if there were no 70-200 2.8 MkII I would be totally satisfied with the Tamron. Now that the MkII is here I figured I bought the best in class body for a reason so the A1 now has a new Sony companion.
p.3 #4 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
liggy wrote:
Even though I’m selling my T 70-180 if there were no 70-200 2.8 MkII I would be totally satisfied with the Tamron. Now that the MkII is here I figured I bought the best in class body for a reason so the A1 now has a new Sony companion.
Neither the 70-200/2.8 v1 nor the 70-180 interested me previously…
The 135GM is optically better than the 70-200v1, and by a significant margin. With the prime you lose oss, but there is compensation (the prime is one stop brighter). Cropping the 135mm to 200mm appears to yield results on par or better than the zoom, and given the price difference you can buy another prime to cover the wide side of things
The 70-180 loses OSS but there’s no compensation. It also doesn’t have internal zoom+focus. The main advantage is price and weight
However the new 70-200GMii changes things. Optically this zoom performs it’s best at 135mm and actually approaches the 135GM’s capabilities optically at f/2.8. It does this while simultaneously having a weight (~1042g) approaching the Tamron 70-180 (810g). And also retains internal zoom and focus
This makes the 70-200GMii the most compelling lens of the lot, even if you add in the Nikon, Canon and Fuji’s equivalent 70-200s, I think the GMii still comes out on top.
p.3 #5 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
For me, the GM II is on top too.
I can understand how it may not be for everyone though.
For a light kit, the weight savings of 1 lens is only a fraction of the story. So the Tamron will still be on top for some.
Likewise, the smaller stowed size of the Canon may put it on top for some.
I appreciate Sony finally providing a Full Time DMF switch. Caught up to Canon and overtook them.
(Canon has always had Full Time MF but you can't turn it off)
p.3 #6 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
Just spent a week in Yellowstone and I used my 70-200GMII a lot for landscapes and wildlife. While I would have liked to have a bit more reach in a few cases (with the bears in particular), I really enjoyed using it. The (prime like) sharpness allows heavy cropping with still good results. The only Cons of the GM lens is the price.
Will probably get the 1.4x and/or 200-600 in the future to complement it.
With that said, the 70-180mm is also a great choice for the price.
Jun 12, 2022 at 12:29 PM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.3 #7 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
I'd consider the Tamron because it's not much heavier than the ~1.5 lb f/4's I'm used to.
p.3 #8 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
I have the Tamron and it does what it should, fast focus, sharp. I shoot Raw so most of the final image is added later for color,curves etc. How its built or which way it turns when zooming doesn’t matter to me. Saved money is earned money.
p.3 #9 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
After half a year of the GMII in the market, how they compare in regards to quality? People who upgrade to GMII feels the change in the images or only in the build quality, AF and pockets? I'm thinking about buying one 70-180...
p.3 #10 · Sony 70-200mm f2.8 II vs. Tamron 70-180: Pros vs. Pros:
I pondered upgrading to the GM II, but I love the size/weight and images out of the Tamron. I'd be willing to pay the price for the Sony, but I haven't seen a compelling reason for me to switch. 20mm of range isn't that significant, I'd rather have an even longer lens like a 100-400 when range is important.
