Nikon 70-300mm vr vs Tamron 70-300mm vc

StuartH

StuartH

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About to bite the bullet on a vr and someone recommended looking at the tamron.From what I have read it seems a great lens and some say better than the nikon! Anyone here had both or compared?..
Cheers
 
I have the Nikon and it's probably my favourite lens. Super sharp (even up to 300mm) and very easy to use.

Have a look at this set - all taken with a D90 and Nikkor 70-300mm VRII

Daniel.
 
Cheers Daniel, have you used the tamron? It's supposed to be better than the NIKON in the 200-300mm range.
 
No I haven't, but then I haven't experienced the 'soft' issues that some people have reported in this range with my copy.

The only thing I can fault the Nikkor lens on is it occasionally hunts for focus if you move from a close (ish) shot to something at distance. I can live with that for the type of shots I take though.
 
pmaccyd said:
My NIKON is wicked, for the price its a bargain, sharp wide open and stonkin by f8.
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:DI dont doubt it but again have you tried the tamron?..be great to hear from someone that has tried both and has any samples.:thumbs:
 
I've got the Nikon 55-300 and my mum has the tamron 70-300.

I've not done a full side by side comparison, only brief and there was no real difference.

My Nikon however feels much nicer to use.
 
Thanks dale be interested in seeing the comparisons if you had them.
 
StuartH said:
Thanks dale be interested in seeing the comparisons if you had them.
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Sorry I only did a few test shots for a quick comparison and then deleted them.
 
Dale_d3100 said:
I've got the Nikon 55-300 and my mum has the tamron 70-300.

I've not done a full side by side comparison, only brief and there was no real difference.

My Nikon however feels much nicer to use.
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Is your mum's definitely the Tamron VC? The non-VC Tamron is far more common (it's often bundled in starter kits) and feels, and is much cheaper.
 
You're right, she told me it has vibration, but looking at the images of the 2 lenses, it is the non VC
 
amnesia said:
I have the Nikon and it's probably my favourite lens. Super sharp (even up to 300mm) and very easy to use.

Have a look at this set - all taken with a D90 and Nikkor 70-300mm VRII

Daniel.
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This seems like an appropriate place to ask this question. I keep seeing the 70-300 as being described as VRII. Does this mean there is more than one version? I have absolutely no idea whether mine is a VR or VRII. There didn't seem to be an option when I bought it earlier this year.
 
Red VR lettering is the first VR, gold VR lettering is the VRII.

If you bought it new this year, I'm 90% it will be the VRII
 
Dale_d3100 said:
You're right, she told me it has vibration, but looking at the images of the 2 lenses, it is the non VC
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Ahh, the lens the OP is asking about is quite different then. It is meant to be very good but I'd be very surprised if many people have had both.

Here's a few links to discussions on the subject:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/983395

http://www.flickr.com/groups/d7000-club/discuss/72157626366138706/

http://forums.steves-digicams.com/nikon-lenses/179497-70-300-mm-nikon-tamron.html#b

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=37263254

I'm a huge fan of my 70-300VR but there is no denying that the Tamron get's a pretty glowing press.
 
Dale_d3100 said:
Red VR lettering is the first VR, gold VR lettering is the VRII.

If you bought it new this year, I'm 90% it will be the VRII
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Mine has red lettering, though I did buy it used so could be a year or two old.

I can't find any reference to a VR2 or any pictures of a 70-300 with gold VR lettering though. Even Jessops show the lens with red lettering.
 
:naughty: Well went to SRS today and they had both the nikon and tamron in stock so got to play with both lenses.TBH I was blown away with the VC of the tamron!:eek: It is as good as they say in the reviews and some, and much better than the Vr of the nikon. Build quality on both is very good whilst the tamron felt nicer in my hands as its a little bigger.Took several shots with both and the tamron shots looked better to me and also gave sharper results at same shutter speeds.(not clinical test but differences were sufficient).
Only thing I favoured on the nikon was the zoom ring,the tamron is a tad stiff but not a deal breaker.Focus speed was pretty identical no noticable differences there. To sweeten the deal tamron has a cash back offer until mid january plus 5 year warranty so makes it a steal.Needless to say I chose the tamron:D I really thought I would have come back with the nikon but not this time.If you are considering either of these seriously try out the tamron you will see what I mean regarding its quality and VC..I will get some images over next few days and post up.
 
Also bear in mind that there is £30 cashback offer on the Tamron 70-300 VC USD at the moment. I've seen it for £339.99 (£309.99 after cashback).

All the reviews I've read say there is nothing much between the Tamron and Nikon 70-300's.

//edit
Ignore, only just read the previous post! :|

Enjoy the lens. :)
 
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:DCheers Kev,yep will be claiming my 30 quid back! lol.
 
In my experience the Nikkor 70-300VR is pretty sharp at 300mm, well at least I think it is as per this photo :)


Sitting Mara by JP de Jong, on Flickr
 
Lovely shot. I intend to visit whipsnade soon with the tamron as its just round the corner from my house.
 
Now that would be a good comparison. Same here, we live behind the Elephant enclosure :) Well outside the gates of course....
 
:D I'm not that close but down the road in tring. May even go tomorrow if weathers good.
 
And :) did you go out to Whipsnade and shoot some Mara amongst other nice animals...Would be good to see some comparisons...
 
:( Nope couldnt make it mate..managed a dogue de bordeaux this morning though lol..:lol:

DSC_9361.jpg
 
Nothing wrong with the sharpness by the looks of things.

Looks like a very good purchase! :)
 
Cheers Kev really pleased with it..not quite up there with my old sigma 100-300mm f4 but not far off,pretty impressive for the price.:cool:
 
I got the Nikon 70-300VR for my birthday yesterday and I'm really really impressed. It's so sharp and quick. Thanks to wifey, great pressie
 
damianmkv said:
I got the Nikon 70-300VR for my birthday yesterday and I'm really really impressed. It's so sharp and quick. Thanks to wifey, great pressie
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Yep great lens without a doubt but personally preferred the tamron.:cool:
 
If I had to say something 'negative', I'd say they were a little bit on the 'contrasty' side. The shadow areas seem a bit dark to me.
 
:D I'm happy with that critique! Hardly touched contrast in pp.
 
I think I'll be getting one of these for my next camera, either Nikon or Sony mount.

Annoying that the Sony mount seems more expensive despite NOT having VC in the lens!
 
Fozzybear said:
I think I'll be getting one of these for my next camera, either Nikon or Sony mount.

Annoying that the Sony mount seems more expensive despite NOT having VC in the lens!
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Yeah but the Sony has vr built into the body.
 
StuartH said:
Yeah but the Sony has vr built into the body.
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Yeah, it does. It comes in handy if it's in the lens as well if you're using video on something like an A55. The A55 tends to overheat with the in body stabilisation turned on during video.

Just thought it was strange that the Sony mount Tamron 70-300 USD costs more or similar to other mounts.

I'll likely be getting a D5100 or D7000 anyway. :)
 
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Yep does seem strange that its more expensive!
 
StuartH said:
:( Nope couldnt make it mate..managed a dogue de bordeaux this morning though lol..:lol:

DSC_9361.jpg
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His eye looks so.... human :eek:

Gorgeous dog.
 
I didn't realise until now that the Tamron is the same cost as the Nikon. I know which one I'll pick then. I agree with Fozzybear, the black are very black and can't see anything in them, and colours seem rather saturated to me as well for the football players.
 
dejongj said:
I didn't realise until now that the Tamron is the same cost as the Nikon. ....
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Are they the same price? The Tamron is currently available for £309.99 after cashback. What's the cheapest price on the Nikon version?
 
Cheapest I found the NIKON was 371. The light on these was very harsh and on dog shots wb was still set on cloudy I believe although in a few reviews it does mention that tamron images are more saturated than nikons. As I say after trying both side by side and viewing all sample images on line the tamron was favorite for me. Both good lenses though.
 
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