Nikon 70-200 F4 vs Tamron 70-200 G2 2.8

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Having a hard time choosing between these two lenses which are the same price brand new (where I’m looking anyway!)

Reviews put the Tamron G2 as good as the Nikon 70-200 vr2 (non fl). But even if my choice were between the Nikon vr2 2.8 vs the F4 version I would still be in a quandary.

I really like the lower weight of the Nikon F4 which would mean it’s more likely to get used than stored in a cupboard but my head is telling me I’d be silly not to get the Excellent Tamron G2 as I also intend to get the Tamron 24-70G2 and the ‘matching pair’ mentality is strong! I also have the 85 1.8 so can use that for low dof.

Any thoughts?
 
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I will be putting my F4 up for sale shortly if you decide to go that route!

It’s a fantastic lens which produces very nice images.
 
JJ! said:
I will be putting my F4 up for sale shortly if you decide to go that route!

It’s a fantastic lens which produces very nice images.
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I’ll keep my eyes peeled!
 
I've seen good things about the new Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 lens and hopefully it doesn't have the same QC issues which seemed to have affected the older model, that said if you can live the f4 the Nikon is an outstanding lens, fairly light but with excellent IQ and sharpness, I used to have on my a D800 and loved it, an even easier buy now as the used prices are frankly a steal!
 
I'm having the exact same dilemma - the weight of the 2.8s puts me off and many times i don't need the extra speed. But then there are times, like this weekend, where i only had the 16-80 f2.8-f4 and ended up at iso5000 which was not ideal. Unless i find a f4 at a bargain price, i think i'll be going with the Tamron
 
Must admit the tamron was one of the lenses i wanted to have a play with at digital splash earlier this month and it didn't disappoint. 1/40th of a second shutter speed handheld at 200mm, from what i could see the photos looked pretty damned good (just people shots at the event) straight out of camera. No idea how it stacks up against either the nikon f4 but the nikon f2.8 equivalent doesn't exactly blow it out of the water in the reviews especially when price is a factor, i just can't see a reason why you would spend so much more on the nikon f2.8.
 
keeweeman said:
Must admit the tamron was one of the lenses i wanted to have a play with at digital splash earlier this month and it didn't disappoint. 1/40th of a second shutter speed handheld at 200mm, from what i could see the photos looked pretty damned good (just people shots at the event) straight out of camera. No idea how it stacks up against either the nikon f4 but the nikon f2.8 equivalent doesn't exactly blow it out of the water in the reviews especially when price is a factor, i just can't see a reason why you would spend so much more on the nikon f2.8.
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From my reading the G2 Tamron is every bit the equal of the Nikon vrii version. There is also a Nikon VR FL version which is a bit ahead again.

It would appear at least for the g2 models that that you get ‘everything’ the Nikon has at half the price and that is tempting!
 
chrism_scotland said:
I've seen good things about the new Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 lens and hopefully it doesn't have the same QC issues which seemed to have affected the older model, that said if you can live the f4 the Nikon is an outstanding lens, fairly light but with excellent IQ and sharpness, I used to have on my a D800 and loved it, an even easier buy now as the used prices are frankly a steal!
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If I go F4 I’ll keep my 85 1.8. If I go 2.8 I’ll struggle to justify it!
 
What body is it going on and do you really need the faster aperture?
 
Gripped D600 and I suppose I don’t need 2.8 as I have the 85 1.8
 
I think I’d go with the Nikon f4 version then, the 2.8 lenses weigh a ton!
 
Yeah I’ve had two before. Both Tamrons. The di macro and G1 versions. Thing is I won’t have the D600 forever...
 
The beauty is that Nikon's lenses hold their value pretty well, so even if, at some stage in the future, you buy a new (Nikon) camera and want to change lenses, you won’t lose much.
 
Brazo said:
From my reading the G2 Tamron is every bit the equal of the Nikon vrii version. There is also a Nikon VR FL version which is a bit ahead again.

It would appear at least for the g2 models that that you get ‘everything’ the Nikon has at half the price and that is tempting!
Click to expand...

only bit i have read that the tamron falls behind a little on is build quality, the nikon is a pro level build and is built like a tank, the tamron is still at the consumer level and put together accordingly materials wise. Not for one saying it felt flimsy for me because it didn't but that is the only discernible difference that i could tell in day to day usage
 
I think it depends on what you photograph which is the better lens to go with. I'm currently considering swapping a f2.8 VR2 to the f4 as although the weight isn't beyond my carrying ability for all day landscape trips but potentially adding in camping makes it that little bit harder especially with other kit too. It's providing difficult to really make the decision to let the VR2 go even though it's a little heavy for landscapes.
 
I had a similar problem a few years ago, albeit with the Canon 70-200 versions. Part of my issue was how imposing the size of the 2.8 was to anyone I aimed it at.
However, once I stopped comparing the 2 lenses it was a no-brainer and I kept the 2.8, and have done exactly the same thing (yes, I bought both) with my Nikon gear.
Buying used means that you can try both with little if any loss, and for what is worth, my 70-200 f2.8 is my most used lens now.
 
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