Tamron 24-70 F2.8 DI VC USD - testing

Sootchucker

Sootchucker

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Hi guys, on deliberating for what seems like forever, I finally decided to bite the bullet and purchase the Tamron 24-70 F2.8 for my Nikon DSLR's. I got it from Amazon UK, as I know if there's a problem with the lens, their exchange policy is usually superb.

My question is with a lot of users complaining about Tamron's QC, and faulty lenses turning up, what exactly should I be looking for in testing i.e. how do I know I've got a good 'un ?
 
Take pictures. If you like them, the lens is fine.

Or alternatively take a load of artificial test shots. If you take enough you can almost certainly persuade yourself that there is *something* wrong with the lens. Then you can have a really long debate here about whether it's really the lens or whether it's your approach to testing it (ie user error). Either way you won't be happy.
 
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If you really want to then go find a test chart online, print it out and shoot it using your lens.

If you got your lens from Amazon UK then I would suggest you register it now with Tamron for the extended 5 year warranty for your own peace of mind. I've got mine now and so far no issues. It really is a cracking lens but yeah I have heard of issues with QC.
 
StewartR said:
Take pictures. If you like them, the lens is fine.

Or alternatively take a load of artificial test shots. If you take enough you can almost certainly persuade yourself that there is *something* wrong with the lens. Then you can have a really long debate here about whether it's really the lens or whether it's your approach to testing it (ie user error). Either way you won't be happy.
Click to expand...

100% this!

I talked myself out of going through the whole testing process (even though about buying FoCal software) purely because I knew, whatever the result, I'd always have a niggling doubt. Line up the mrs/kids/cat/hemster, whatever, and take a few test shots focusing on the eyes. Have a look on the computer and if you're happy with them, job done. I did that and applied and found after +5 Micro Adjustment it was sharp as a tac.
 
Take hundreds of test shots, brick walls and cornflake boxes with a slanted ruler next to it are the favourites

Alternatively go out, take some photos and enjoy your new lens, if anything is obviously wrong you should spot it fairly quickly and easily
 
The one I sold to @gadgeteer was spot on. However, I have had issues with a 2nd one i owned. First lens had very bad jump in the images when VC kicked in. Not just a small movement, but a big jump. The 2nd one I had really suffered from front focus. Even with the camera dialed in at -20 it still was a problem.
 
StewartR said:
Take pictures. If you like them, the lens is fine.

Or alternatively take a load of artificial test shots. If you take enough you can almost certainly persuade yourself that there is *something* wrong with the lens. Then you can have a really long debate here about whether it's really the lens or whether it's your approach to testing it (ie user error). Either way you won't be happy.
Click to expand...

or like me, you can think ALL of your lenses have gone 'soft' over the last two years, then find out you need glasses!! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
Thanks guys for the above, even if some of them were a little tongue in cheek :)

Lens arrived this morning and on first examination seems to focus quite we'll, very sharp at F2.8 and tack sharp at F4, and that's with no AF fine tuning. Tried the VC and it's pretty quiet and doesn't jump the image around at all. I'll take a few more over the weekend, but hopefully I might have a good one and not one afflicted with all the issues one reads on the internet.
 
Tested & shot a fair amount with mine. Very impressed.
Noticeably sharper than my canon 24-70L f2.8.
Can take shots where the canon can't due to vr which is a tremendous bonus.
Plastic doesn't feel as nice & solid in the hands as the metal canon.
 
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