Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms Tamron announced two zoom lens updates at this year's WPPI show in Las Vegas - the full-frame SP 70-200mm F2. 8 Di VC USD G2 and the APS-C format 10-24mm F3.
5-4. 5 Di II VC HLD. Technically, both are 'updates' to older products, but the improvements are fairly significant. This is the 70-200mm F2. 8, mounted on a Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
The 'G2' 70-200mm F2. 8 now carries the 'SP' designation, which Tamron reserves for its highest-end lenses. The lens has been completely redesigned, and the new optical design consists of 23 elements in 17 groups. These include extra low dispersion and low dispersion elements to reduce chromatic aberrations.
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
Mechanically, there have been some changes too. Like Nikon's new 70-200mm F2. 8E, the Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8's zoom ring can be found near the front of the lens, while the focus ring is positioned closer to the camera. Feel free to argue about whether this is a good idea or not in the comments. Minimum focus distance is unequivocally improved, being reduced to 95cm (37. 4") from the previous model's 130cm (50. 7").
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
Autofocus performance has also been improved, thanks (according to Tamron) to the inclusion of two microcomputers and a new AF algorithm. Vibration Compensation (VC) is enhanced too, and can now compensate up to a claimed 5 stops.
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
The removable tripod collar can be loosened and removed over the lens mount (as opposed to clamshell designs which can be attached and detached when the lens is mounted to a camera). The Nikon mount version of this lens now offers electronic aperture actuation, which is becoming standard on all newer Nikon lenses and should improve exposure accuracy, especially during high framerate burst shooting.
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
Build quality seems excellent, as we've come to expect from all of Tamron's new generation of 'SP' lenses. Dust and moisture seals (including a grommet around the lens mount) help to keep the 70-200mm safe when shooting in tough conditions. The front element is fluorine coated, which should make it easy to quickly clean off water or oily fingerprints.
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
And here's the 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 Di II VC HLD. Designed for APS-C format DSLRs, this wide-angle zoom covers an equivalent focal length range of 15-36mm (16-38mm equiv on Canon).
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
The biggest change in this lens compared to its 2008 predecessor is the addition of Vibration Compensation. Tamron claims 4 stops of compensation, which means that in theory, it should be possible to hand-hold exposures of up to ~1 second at 10mm. Don't quote us on that, though.
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
The 10-24mm zoom features Tamron's new HLD (High/Low torque modulated Drive) AF motor, for smooth and fast autofocus. We've only had a few minutes with a prototype lens, but just anecdotally, focus certainly seems fast. Optically, this new lens differs from its predecessor by offering more elements (16, as opposed to 12) in more groups (11, compared to 9) including one LD (Low Dispersion) lens element, one XLD glass element, one molded glass aspherical element, and one hybrid aspherical lens.
Hands on with Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 and 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 'G2' zooms
Again, the 10-24mm is sealed against dust and moisture, and build quality is excellent. Like the 70-200mm F2. 8 G2, versions of this lens for the Nikon mount now feature fully electronic aperture actuation, allowing aperture to be changed during live view.
We're looking forward to getting our hands on a production sample to see whether the various upgrades have made a significant difference to image quality.
The Tamron 70-200mm F2. 8 Di VC USD G2 is expected to arrive in March for $1299. The Tamron 10-24mm F3. 5-4. 5 Di II VC HLD is slated for availability this spring for $499.
. dpreview.com2017-2-9 11:01
