Tamron SP 24–70mm f/2.8 Di VC (USD) (A007)

Review of the Tamron SP 24–70mm f/2.8 Di VC (USD) (A007).

Overall Rating:

This made-in-Japan lens is 12 years old. It debuted at $1300 and is a retrofocus design with three low dispersion elements, three aspherical elements and two large "Extra Refractive Index" elements. This is an "SP" lens which is a designation left only for Tamron's professional line of lenses. It also features image stabilization which is something the lens it competes against, the $1900 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 G ED, does not have.

This is an f/2.8 lens which may help in low light situations. The depth of field is not much more noticable than an f/4 lens, but there definitely is a difference. See depth of field calculator.

Performance

The color fringing is relatively well controlled. It could be better in the corners. There is vignetting to be found wide open. It will have to be corrected in post if shooting at f/2.8.

Color fringing detail at 3-to-1:

At f/2.8, it is not very sharp, but stopped down some, say about f/6.3, it is and remains relatively so until diffraction sets in around f/8. Contrast is a bit lacking.

The autofocus is silent and neither fast nor slow.

There is approximately 1.5% pinchusion (-1.5%) distortion at f=70mm and 2.5% barrel distortion at f=24mm. This amount of distortion is rather heavy.

Infrared

Infrared not tested.

Ghosting & Flaring

There is not too much ghosting for a design like this, and the same for flaring.

Bokeh

The bokeh is rather nice. Highlights look natural thanks to the well-rounded diaphragm. The lens does not appear to suffer from much LoCA. The orchid image above shows just a touch of this aberration.

Construction

At almost two pounds, this lens adds a lot of weight to a DSLR.

This is a plastic lens with a metal base. The focus and zoom collars are not loose and have a nice feel or action to them.

This lens has a focus scale that only goes to three meters or seven feet. The zoom ring is marked at 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 70mm. There is a zoom lock at 24mm which is completely not needed because the lens does not have zoom-creep. It does become longer as it zooms from 24mm.

The 82mm filter threads do not rotate.

Specifications

Focal length	24-70mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8
Minimum aperture	f/22
Lens construction	17 elements in 12 groups
Angle of view	84°-34° (61°-23° with APS-C format)
Minimum focus distance	38 cm/15 in (from focal plane)
Maximum reproduction ratio	1:4.8 (0.21×)
No. of diaphragm blades	9 (rounded)
Filter-attachment size	ø82mm
Diameter x length	Approximately 88.2 x 116.9 mm/3.5 x 4.6 in.
Weight	Approximately 845 g/29.1 oz.
Supplied accessories	82 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap, Rear Lens Cap, Bayonet Hood
Price	$1300 (USD) (2012)

Images

Filter Lens Ratings