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TAMRON
SP 70-200mm f2.8
DI VC USD G2
(MODEL A025)
$2199
Format: Full-35mm digital sensors or
35mm film. The focal range is equivalent
to 105-300mm on an ‘APS-C’ format
D-SLR (with a 1.5x focal length magnifica-
tion factor).
Angle-of-View: 34.21 to 12.2 degrees
(diagonal on 35mm format).
Construction: 23 elements/17 groups.
Minimum Focus: 95 cm (across the
focal range).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 1:6.1
(at 200mm).
Aperture Range: f2.8 – f22.
Overall Length: 191.3 mm.
Maximum Diameter: 88.0 mm.
Filter Diameter: 77 mm.
Weight: 1490 grams (Nikon mount).
Lens Mount(s): Canon EF and Nikon F
(G-type AF).
Features: Weather-proofed barrel and
mount, fluorine coating on the front ele-
ment’s external surface, built-in ‘Vibration
Compensation’ optical stabilisation (three
modes), five LD (low dispersion) glass
elements, one XLD (extra low dispersion)
glass elements, ‘eBAND’ multi-coating,
‘USD’ ultrasonic autofocusing drive, inter-
nal focusing group, nine-blade diaphragm,
zoom lock, focus limiter switch, con-
tinuous manual focusing override, tripod
mounting collar with Arca-Swiss quick-
release plate. Bayonet mount lens hood
and soft carry pouch supplied. Compatible
with the Tamron Tap-In Console for apply-
ing firmware upgrades.
Price: $2199.
Distributor: Blonde Robot Pty Ltd,
telephone (03) 9023 9777 or visit
http://www.blonde-robot.com.au
VITAL STATISTICS
56
TAMRON ON TRIAL
impressive. Flare is very effectively
suppressed and, even in strongly
back-lit situations, the contrast and
colour are still very good.
We tested a Nikon mount
version of the Tamron G2 70-
200mm and used it on a variety
of Nikon D-SLRs, both full-35mm
and ‘APS-C’ models. Autofocusing
operation was fl awless on them
all and certainly on a par with the
speeds we’d experienced with
Nikon’s own lens, including when
tracking high-speed subjects.
The new VC optical image
stabilisation does indeed deliver
up to fi ve stops of correction so
we were able to obtain pin-sharp
results when shooting hand-held
at 200mm with a shutter speed
of just 1/6 second. In lower light
situations this means being
able to keep using a lower ISO
setting rather than dialling up
the sensitivity and thereby
increasing the effects of noise
reduction processing.
THE VERDICT
Tamron’s profi le in Australia has
suffered a little recently as the
result of the unfortunate demise
of two distributors in quick
succession, but it’s now in the
capable hands of Blonde Robot,
and new products like the SP 70-
200mm f2.8 G2 zoom will certainly
also help re-attract attention.
The comprehensive G2
upgrade has covered all aspects of
the new lens’s design, handling,
capabilities and performance;
making it a serious competitor to
the models from camera brands
and independent rival Sigma.
Along with Nikon’s latest model,
it benefi ts greatly from utilising
TAMRON’S CLAIMS
REGARDING THE
IMPROVED IMAGING
PERFORMANCE OF
ITS G2 70-200MM
F2.8 ARE NO
IDLE BOAST.
the latest optical technologies
and manufacturing processes.
In comparison, a couple of
competitors are starting to get a
bit long in the tooth.
The Tamron lens is beautifully
made and handles very
comfortably with both the bigger
pro-level D-SLRs and on more
compact bodies. And while this
may be purely cosmetic, it looks
smart too.
But the big deal is the
performance or, more specifi cally,
the performance-for-the-price.
Given how close it is to the
latest Nikon lens in terms of both
sharpness and the high levels of
correction for aberrations, the
actual price difference here is a
signifi cant consideration. With
the SP 70-200mm f2.8 G2,
Tamron is back on the enthusiast
photographer’s radar.
CamMayJune17_054-056 Tamron.indd 56 13/04/2017 8:35 AM