Has anyone made the switch and can speak to their overall impressions, findings? My review of reviews indicates resolution improvement is very minor but AF, has improved a bit and of course some stabilization was added. Not really convinced it would be worth it. I do like the lens. At 180 its wonderful.
I still use my old AF-S ED 70-200/4G VR, and - on the basis of my own experience - I shouldn't comment on the performance of the two 70-180/2.8 zooms you are referring to.
My "review of reviews" ( ) agrees with your findings: the G2 lens should be optically better and VC (built-in VR) should work better than IBIS (most likely at the long end).
However, if you are happy with the Nikon Z 70-180, I see no reason to swap it for the G2. In Italy, I trust Nikon service more than Tamron's, but I don't know how Tamron service works in the US.
I wonder if the new IBIS of Zf/Z5II/Z6III, which should guarantee a couple more stops of stabilization, renders practically superfluous the VC of the G2 lens.
I don't have the original Nikon, but recently purchased the new Tamron 70-180 G2 on z8 and initially found it to be excellent: silent, almost instant and accurate AF with better reach than the z 24-120 f/4 in a compact package complete with VR.
However, after my initial test it sat in a dry cabinet for a few weeks, and mounting it again yielded a "Lens Initialization Failed" error (using v3.10 on z8 and Ver 1 lens, no ver 2 released, and all my other z lenses work). Tamron service has been excellent thus far but all troubleshooting failed, then took it into my local camera store as directed, tried it unsuccessfully on their z8 (v3.10) and an older z6iii (most recent firmware). Then tried the shop's new Tamron 16-30 G2 with new firmware on my z8 and it was successful. So, confirmed my copy has no visible damage, no contact point debris issues, but may be a copy quality issue. Sending it to service today with a pre-paid label provided by Tamron and can update results if you like once they check it out.
Overall, though, I really like the compact package and added reach to 180 for opportunistic wildlife while hiking/cycling/fat biking and hope to enjoy it again soon!
OUTSTANDING experience with Tamron repair service to diagnose and fix the Tamron 70-180 G2 issue I had on the z8. Symptom listed as: P Poor Communication or Contact Problem, with Repairs P: Adjust or Replace Contacts, and O: Complete Overhaul, Cleaning & Adjustment. All covered under Warranty Repair, with outstanding live initial customer service and single-point-of-contact via email throughout process. They sent a pre-paid FedEx label, fixed the lens, and it was returned via FedEx today. Initial testings are back to seamless connection and super responsive AF.
This was my first Tamron purchase ever, and I went from ready to simply toss the lens out to considering further purchases from Tamron. Definitely happy with their responsiveness and service! Sweet.
kalani_kane wrote:
OUTSTANDING experience with Tamron repair service to diagnose and fix the Tamron 70-180 G2 issue I had on the z8. Symptom listed as: P Poor Communication or Contact Problem, with Repairs P: Adjust or Replace Contacts, and O: Complete Overhaul, Cleaning & Adjustment. All covered under Warranty Repair, with outstanding live initial customer service and single-point-of-contact via email throughout process. They sent a pre-paid FedEx label, fixed the lens, and it was returned via FedEx today. Initial testings are back to seamless connection and super responsive AF.
This was my first Tamron purchase ever, and I went from ready to simply toss the lens out to considering further purchases from Tamron. Definitely happy with their responsiveness and service! Sweet....Show more →
That’s a great report. Other FM users have also had great dealings with Tamron USA service which gives confidence in their 6 year warranty (which apparently includes a free annual cleaning and check). I have used the 50-400mm extensively the past year and am extremely pleased with it, and currently shooting the 28-75/2.8 which is a gem. On DSLRs I used the 17-35/2.8 and it was a fine tool also.
) agrees with your findings: the G2 lens should be optically better and VC (built-in VR) should work better than IBIS (most likely at the long end).