New Tamron 28-85 SP-AF28-75 f/2.8 XR Di LD

[pvalerio]

Has anybody tested this new lens?

I'm looking for somenthing to carry with the camera for trips without changing lenses all the time.

I have a couple of primes and a Nikon 70-300. I checked the price and it is about $350 which looks very nice for a constant f/2.8.

[lightwrangler]

I quickly looked at the Di lens in the store, but I am waiting to get it for the weekend soon from a rental shop in order to test it. I am interested in the constant aperature and the digital optimization of this, I'll let you know how it works out.

Adrian

[Bruce Tucker]

Glad this question has been asked again.
I posed it here in this catagory a few weeks ago but I suppose thus far that no one has really had a chance to try it out. I too looked one over in my local camera here in NJ and I was impressed with its light weight and close focus capability but the real test ofcourse is in the quality of images it produces on our Fuji S2's CCD.
I'm also looking forward to your opinion or anyone else who gets one out in the world and can put some images thru it.
Thanks !

[lightwrangler]

I found myself in a store this afternoon (with my S2) and looked at this lens. While I really couldn't check it out that well, here's a quick reaction. It's light and very smooth. Focus is fast and quiet, the lens seems sharp across the image plane at both ends of the zoom range. I couldn't see any problem with chromatic abberation. No barrel distortion at 28mm. I'm still hoping to have it for a weekend, before I make up my mind. Also looked at the 28-300xr Tamron. While not as sharp or as bright as the 28-75Di, still pretty good and wow, it that ever a nice range. Small and light, easy to handle, no noticeable barrel distortion at the wide end, very slight chromatic distortion but certainly much better than most. Both lenses have good macro capability, the 28-300 gets closer but does it at a greater distance.

[Bruce Tucker]

Theo,

Thanks for the reply on this question.

I have also considered the much more expansive Nikon glass in this catagory but need a less expensive alternate until I can balance that extra cost with my current photo business revenue.

I assume its not gonna compare with the Nikon's shapness at 2.8. I'm looking for reasonable sharpness (comparable to what I currently get on my Sigma 28-105m 2.8-4.0 with that 2.8 available all the way out to 75mm.

Bruce

[smunky]

Ive got the Nikon 28-70 2.8 as well and I love it!

[laue]

I bought the Tamron 28-75 Di few weeks ago in replace to my Tokina ATX-Pro II 28-70 f2.8 lens.
In my opinion, the Tamron has better sharpness at all range but telephoto compare to the Tokina. And it has better Color & Extreamly good Contrast. I think I don't like about it, is that the lens extend itself as you zoom, but the lens sure is much lighter then others.
I have no problem of running it @ f2.8 from 28mm to 75mm.
I have so far took about 1000 pictures with it, and it works for me.

Here is the list of lens I use with my S2.
Sigma 15-30mm f3.5-4.5, not great, but cheap.
Tamron 28-75 f2.8 Di
Nikon 80-200 f2.8 (I really want the 70-200 f2.8 VR, but $$$$)
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Nikon 60mm f2.8 Micro
Nikon 300mm f2.8 AF AIS
Tamron SP 1.4X

So, feel free to ask me anything about those lenses!

Regards,
Eddy L.

[Bruce Tucker]

Eddy,

Curious about why you replaced the Tokina. I've heard mixed reviews of that lens. Took a cruise a few months ago and all the ships photographers were using them.
Was it just weight (it seems pretty hefty) or was it performance ?
I need the wide side for group shots but spend most of my time on the tele end of this range.

Thanks,

Bruce

[lightwrangler]

From what I have been able to ascertain, some of the early models of the Tamron lens had issues with even sharpness and a slight loss of max fstop at 75mm. This as I understand it, has been corrected. I have arranged with the distributor of Tamron to test this lens this week and I will post images when I do. I want to make it my "standard" lens if it works out. I am also testing the 14mm. I should have images up by next week.

[laue]

lumens, Thanks for your input! I will do abit of test and see how the lens response. I have the Minolta VF meter which would probably help abit.
As for the Tokina, the zoom in/out has never been smooth, and it focus abit slower then the Tamron. As you can see that I am carrying quite abit of weight around. Around 33-35lbs w/ my tripod, every bit of weight decrease would help!

Eddy

[Bruce Tucker]

Lightwrangler,

Thanks for your reply.
Looking forward to your test results.

Bruce

[ballroom_boy]

Dear Lightwrangler,

Did you ever get a chance to test this lens? What were your thoughts/impressions of it?

[lightwrangler]

I am expecting this lens tomorrow. Later than I thought, but that's ok. The 28-75 2.8Di is going for around $600. I think I should have a chance to test it outdoors early next week. I'll post my findings then.

Tamron has also released a new SP70-200 2.8 Di, which I am also very interested in, SP as you may know is their designation for a super performance lens. I'm very pleased with the SP90mm, so one hopes the new ones will be just as good Price in CDN$ is around 1,400. Also just out is a 17-35 2.8 Di, around $800. With the 3 of them, you have a very nice range in 2.8 glass, all digitally integrated. It looks promising.

[KTH]

Here is my thread and link to photos by the Tamron 28-75 Di.

http://www.s2pro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2909

[lightwrangler]

I just got it yesterday. I'm too busy to do much with it until Monday or later in the week. First impressions are that it is a solid lens, focus seems smooth and accurate. It does have a plastic feel, but the use of plastics makes it light too. Zoom seems very tight, however this might be better than too loose - time will tell. It has a good macro range.

More later.

[bjnicholls]

I want to know why the heck they made a "digital" zoom that starts at 28mm? At 1.5X that's only a normal lens angle of view equal to 42mm. The APS size sensor market needs lenses with wider focal lengths to deliver the wide-to-tele range that 28-75mm offers for full frame.

[jweisskohl]

I bought this lens while I was in NYC 5 weeks ago and have since used it to do two weddings. The images are razor sharp, and this one lens stayed on my S2 about 90% of the time. The other 10% I was using the Nikon 17-35 for large group shots.

I hand hold all my wedding shots and am able to go down to 1/30 and still maintain a sharp picture. The lens is very light.

I own several Tamron lenses but this is my favorite. It has replaced my Nikon 28-105 as my main wedding lens.

[lightwrangler]

I haven't had much of a chance to really "use" this lens, however on the few shots I have made with it, I have to say that I am pleased. Images are sharp and there is no obvious fall off in light or sharpness at the edges. This is a compact and light lens and that makes it easy to handle. The 2.8 max aperature offers good viewing brightness and fits in with my personal desire to own nothing lower than 2.8 glass unless it is for something really unique.

" I want to know why the heck they made a "digital" zoom that starts at 28mm? At 1.5X that's only a normal lens angle of view equal to 42mm. The APS size sensor market needs lenses with wider focal lengths to deliver the wide-to-tele range that 28-75mm offers for full frame."

Some thoughts;
A) The lens is small for a 2.8, using a 67mm filter and it is light, a longer range would mean a bigger lens and a larger filtler size.
B) The limited range also makes it easier to create a sharp and chromatically corrected lens at a more affordable price point. My overall concern for a new lens is sharpness and very controlled aberations and distortions, the range was a secondary.
C) This lens is usable with full frame sensors making it a good lens for film as well as digital. While I like the APS sized sensor, I believe that like it or not, we will be looking at full frame sensors in the future. Unlike DX Nikon lenses, this one won't be outmoded by a new sensor.
D) This range makes sense when viewed with the new Tamron's Di line; a 17 -35mm, 28-75mm and a 70-200mm, all in fixed 2.8 (no variable aperature lenses). A little overlap in focal length for the middle of the pack lens.

I'll try to post an image or two soon from this lens. Sofar, my stuff from it has been pretty bland. My avatar is shot with it. Here's a larger image;

[lightwrangler]

Notes on previous shot;
57mm, 1/100 @ f9.5, JPEG, sharpness - normal, contrast - soft, white balance - auto, color - manual natural. I adjusted levels slightly and resized.

Here's a closeup;

[moo750]

I have been interested in this lens have you heard anything cos I cant find anything on it anywhere

thanks

[lightwrangler]

In Canada at least, I think that the 70-200mm isn't available yet, but it has been announced. I know that the 17-35mm is going to be out this month, I'm trying to get a sample to test. If I can I'll also try to get the 70-200 for a test run, as I am interested in purchasing both. I have a contact with the national distributor, I'll ask about the 70-200mm.

[moo750]

thanks - im am hanging out for this lens (70-200mm)

wayne

[Roger M]

Yesterday I attended the Will Crockett seminar here in Phoenix. He is currently testing this lens and had one on a S2 for the attendees to check out. Although he said his review is not totally conclusive yet, he anticipates giving the lens very high marks. Unless he finds something that he really dislikes, he is very impressed by the lens.

For $320.00 , this could be the next piece of glass in my stable.:righton: