Tamron 28-75 f2.8

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Opinions on this lens for portraits and general walk about?

Thinking it could be a cheap enough replacement for the 24-85 VR on my D600 whilst getting f2.8.

VC version and Nikon versions out of budget.
 
I have this lens, actually I have 2.
I got the 1st second hand and it is super crisp, but after 2 years it has decided to play up.
Because it is as cheap as it is, I have simply bought another while I send the other in ( something I still have to do ).
The second lens works OK on my D300s but works perfectly on my D3. I am not sure why the D300s does not like my 28-75, but sometimes focus at 2.8-3.2 is to soft. f4 onwards its perfect, on the D3 is 100%. I may send it in to Tamron to get a little love once I fix the 1st.
I can still use my original ( with special care ) on the D300s and it works perfectly.

If you wondering what is wrong with the first - the blades are not operating as fast as they should and so I do not get consistent image light quality, although at 28 and 75 its 100% .

I think its a great reliable lens ( especially for price ) and its very light for what it is.

Some Demo Images :
9948614424_5c47c93167_o.jpg

Stoke_Newington_Finsbury_Wedding-Dewan_Demmer_Photography_1002.jpg

Bridal-bouquet-at-BlackHeath-by-Dewan-Demmer-Photography-1032.jpg


If you have any specific questions about the lens just ask.
 
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Very nice images!

My friend wants me to do there wedding (low key, not as a pro) and want a lens that will give me some nice portrait shots.
 
Thanks.

I posted those images to try give an idea of what you can do with the lens, and image quality.

On a Full frame you will not have the same wide angle as 24mm of a 24-70mm , but on the flip side you will have the extra 5mm on zoom. Groups shots are can be done with the 28mm without to much hassle and the 75mm is very nice for portrait.

The f2.8 is a good to have aswell, with IQ at 2.8 being more than acceptable.

The price has also come down since Tamron released their 24-70mm ( which is an excellent lens ).

Its and excellent lens and very capable. That means the final product will be down to you.
 
Forgot to say, two versions of this lens. BIM and non BIM. Had both. Non built in motor I found to be better re focus speed (on bodies with screw drive)


S
 
I sold my 28-75 to help fund my Nikon 24-70.

The Tamron is a little soft at 2.8 but the rest it's damn good. Ok it's not going to match the beast but the price tag is much cheaper.

I regret selling mine as it's perfect as a walkabout lens for family days out. The 24-70 is quite heavy and I'd rather just leave that for pro work
 
I used this lens when forced to on my previous D800 and found it to perform flawlessly
 
I've yet to see a better budget lens than the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8, i've been using one for the last couple of years for studio and outdoor shots and it performs very well indeed, i do get the very occasional hunt with it in lower light, and obviously not as fast as a Nikon 24-70mm but image wise i haven't noticed any significant difference, you can normally pick one up SH for £200ish, which is money well spent.
 
Thanks guys. Think I will pick one of these up!
 
Also, i'm used to crop figures so excuse my stupidity here...

Is the difference between 24 & 28mm about the same as 16 & 18mm on a Nikon crop?

Is there a big focus speed difference between BIM & non BIM and how can I tell them apart?

Think I might buy new for the 5 year warranty.
 
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I've just bought one of these from the sales section on here for my mrs to use on her D700.
she just Had to buy a full frame camera after i got one & then realised she couldn't afford any lenses :cuckoo:
i already gave her my old 85mm f/1.8d to get her started :bonk:

i chose one of these mainly because of plenty of glowing recommendations on here & other sites. tbh it looks like a steal for the money :)
 
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Just been browsing Flickr at some shots and there are a lot of really nice ones that stood out for me. The 24-85 has to go first, but pretty sure it will sell quickly enough as its new!
 
I have the Tamron 28-75, great studio lens, I've yet to use it much outside but I do suffer a little from shake and have a feeling that not having stabilisation may be a problem, ( may have to up shutter speed) it's fine on a tripod

At around £200 sh it's a very good lens

H
 
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I'm hoping the shake won't be an issue for me, but guess will not know until I try!
 
JJ! said:
I'm hoping the shake won't be an issue for me, but guess will not know until I try!
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Do you already have a Nikon 24-85mm vr ? if so i doubt the Tamron would make any difference to you in a studio, outside yes if you wanted the 2.8 but the Nikon is just as capable and very sharp, (my copy is anyway)
 
I have the 24-85VR but its currently still sitting in its box whilst I ponder over the 28-75. Mainly wanted a standard zoom lens for portraits and my friends wedding.

I don't do any studio work, if that makes any difference.
 
DXoMark rates the 2 lenses about the same

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/%28lens1%29/298/%28lens2%29/971/%28brand1%29/Tamron/%28camera1%29/438/%28brand2%29/Nikkor/%28camera2%29/438

The 2.8 will give you a more shallow DOF and it is consistent.
The 24-85 has VR which should give you about 1 to 1.5 stops leeway.

If you really want to start have a 2.8 lens you cannot go wrong with the 28-75, its a good and reliable lens.
The 24-85 does have extra reach, and VR.
 
I'm worried about getting decent out of focus background shots with the 24-85. But being new to FX I have no idea how well this would work with the 24-85.
 
I've got one and I love it , I also have the 17-55 for my d300 which I love too , I was hoping the 28-75 would be just as good. And so far I'm not disappointed , and 28mm is plenty wide enough . Equivalent to 18mm on a cropped Nikon sensor , yes wider as always has it's benefits but as an alrounder is more than good enough
 
I'm not too fussed about it being 28mm. I just want to capture really nice portraits of people and animals and not sure the 24-85 is the lens for the job.
 
JJ! said:
I just want to capture really nice portraits of people and animals and not sure the 24-85 is the lens for the job.
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Why not ? have you taken it out and given it a good test ? if not maybe thats the thing to do, then make your mind up, post some images here too, then people can compare :)
 
JJ! said:
I'm not too fussed about it being 28mm. I just want to capture really nice portraits of people and animals and not sure the 24-85 is the lens for the job.
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Perhaps you should instead get 85mm f/1.8 or something closer to 200mm

24-70mm is not strictly speaking a portrait lens, just an all round
 
TG. said:
Why not ? have you taken it out and given it a good test ? if not maybe thats the thing to do, then make your mind up, post some images here too, then people can compare :)
Click to expand...

Will give it a go at the weekend and see what results I get. Being new to FX, I didn't realise how much difference there actually was with DOF.
 
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