Tamron 70-300 VC vs Tamron 28-300 VC vs Nikon 70-300 VR

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JJ!

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Looking for some longer zoom to use for the odd zoo trip or air show or anything tele.

I have a set of primes which are my main go to lenses so just looking for a half decent zoom whilst I save for some kind of f2.8 varient.

I recently sold my 70-300 VR which was a solid enough performer. Never had any issues.

Both Tamrons seem to get decent reviews, even though one is a super zoom! The 28-300 is the smallest and lightest of the bunch, but also the most expensive.

The 70-300 Tamron is cheapest, but what puts me off is that my friend got one when it was first released and it had terrible lens creep along with a shoddy front element. The replacement also had pretty bad creep.

Not sure if these issues have been fixed or he just had a couple of bad copies.

This will be on a D610 or D750. Any user opinions greatly received.
 
Not used the tammy 28-300, but I don't like super-zooms as they always seem to have too many compromises for me ... I have used both of the 70-300's and I'd be happy with either - sorry guess that didn't help ;)
 
PaulButler said:
Not used the tammy 28-300, but I don't like super-zooms as they always seem to have too many compromises for me ... I have used both of the 70-300's and I'd be happy with either - sorry guess that didn't help ;)
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It helps eliminate one! lol!

(and the most expensive one too)
 
I have used the two 70-300 and for me, I prefered the output from the Tamron, the photos seemed to pop a little more. The Nikon was probably better built/finish than the Tamron but it was also about £150 more at the time. I was using them on a D7000 at the time. Never had a problem with lens creep on the two Tamrons I have owned in the past and same for current one.

I have picked up another Tamron this week to use on my D750 and from initial tests it seems to be perfoming well. I have never had an interest in the super zooms, as for me they are a compromise on IQ compared to two lenses covering the same length, although I can see there benefits for convenience.
 
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The Tamron is superb. The VC is excellent. I'm ordering one on Thursday and heading to Donnington with it on Saturday. This will also be on a D750. It performed admirably on my D7k.
 
Thanks for feedback! Think I will give the Tamron a crack - cheapest of the lot too. Keeps the wife happy lol.
 
chrism_scotland said:
Can't go wrong with the Tamron, if I thought it would be quick enough for motorsport I'd buy another!
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I think it will compliment my small bunch of primes nicely! Now to go shop for the best price...
 
I had both the Tamron and Nikon versions at the same time and did back to back comparisons with the same settings and subject etc.
If IQ is the main concern then I would just go with whichever is the cheapest at the time you are buying (will be Tamron without a doubt). I could see very little if any difference in IQ between them. For me though the Nikon just seemed to be faster to gain focus and more consistent too, especially with busy backgrounds, so in the end I kept the Nikon and sold the Tamron but there was so little between them I would have been happy to keep either.
 
minnnt said:
Quick enough in what way Chris? Don't really see an issue tbh, especially with a D750.
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I wasn't sure the AF would be up to motorsport, I didn't do much action with it when I was away (just static city scenes) I can tell from our two pics though that its more than capable!
 
The Gannets was the first time i had used 3D tracking on my D7k and didn't really have any idea what i was doing but i was amazed how good it was. Like i say, I'm ordering one on Thursday and hopefully it will be delivered on Friday so i can try it out on Saturday. I don't really have any concerns that it won't be quick enough for my needs based on my previous use of it with a lesser body than what i have now. And as most of my work is usually at smaller apertures I'm hoping f5.6 won't really cause me any problems. If i need more then i can simply bump the iso.

The price is silly really and although I'd like a Nik 80-400 vr2 i just haven't got £1200 spare. I had considered one of the superzooms but 150mm would limit my style as i do like to shoot with some surrounding context rather than fill the whole frame with a car.
 
minnnt said:
The Gannets was the first time i had used 3D tracking on my D7k and didn't really have any idea what i was doing but i was amazed how good it was. Like i say, I'm ordering one on Thursday and hopefully it will be delivered on Friday so i can try it out on Saturday. I don't really have any concerns that it won't be quick enough for my needs based on my previous use of it with a lesser body than what i have now. And as most of my work is usually at smaller apertures I'm hoping f5.6 won't really cause me any problems. If i need more then i can simply bump the iso.

The price is silly really and although I'd like a Nik 80-400 vr2 i just haven't got £1200 spare. I had considered one of the superzooms but 150mm would limit my style as i do like to shoot with some surrounding context rather than fill the whole frame with a car.
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My 150-600 is going back due to what would appear to be a fault but I have been thinking 150 at the short end is already a bit long for many things I would want to shoot, I did half have my eye on a 70-200 f2.8... the Sigma in the classifieds is tempting as is Gary's Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR II................ but truth be told I think either the Tamron or Nikon 70-300 would see me through for a bit and I might keep my eyes peeled for another Sigma 100-300 f4 it was epic!
 
As you may know i was shooting motorsport with the Fuji 50-140 and never felt majorly limited so i think having the 70-300 which will offer an extra 90mm and a higher resolution file should see me well for what i shoot. I may shoot a few forest rallies over the winter but i will probably use my 24-70 for a lot of that.
 
Tamron 70-300 VC is excellent. Only had the Canon version but I don't think you can beat it for the price
 
I have the tammy and for the money it`s a great lens. The VC is mad when it locks on too.

Couple of motor sport pix ... Bike is with a D700, and car is D750
 
minnnt said:
Super shots mate. Looking forward to seeing what i can do with it.
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Thanks David ...
Here`s one for fun (hand held)
 
Thanks for the pics - think thats sold it for me! Its only £249 and £200 grey. Nikon is £260 grey, UK price is just silly!
 
I ended up buying a barely used one from the classifieds. Worth the money mate. Having a few computer issues atm but if you check the second to last page in the D750 thread there are a couple of shots from the weekend. The second is with the Tammy.
 
I'm still waiting to get one! waiting for funds to clear!
 
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