Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 SP Di USD VC (Canon EOS) - Full Format Review / Lens Test - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Canon EOS (Full Format)

Sample Images

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Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3200s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2000s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3200s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 40.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/320s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 24.0mm
Aperture: f/11.0
Exposure 1/320s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 61.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/640s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2000s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 640
Focal Length 24.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/80s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 24.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/800s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 24.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2000s

Verdict

I reckon that the Tamron designers had some fun during the design of the lens. Unlike with the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR they were not so much restricted by pricing concerns and the positive effect on the results is obvious - the Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 SP Di USD VC is an impressive lens. It is capable of delivering very sharp results at medium aperture settings and at max. aperture the center quality is more than decent. Lateral CAs are very low which contributes to the high sharpness perception. The vignetting is very pronounced at f/2.8 but this is actually quite normal in this (full format) lens class. You should either stop down to f/5.6 or take care of this during post processing. Distortions are primarily an issue at 24mm. They are a bit higher than average here but not a significant problem anymore from 35mm onward. The quality of the bokeh is somewhat mixed. It is quite smooth in the background but the foreground as well as bokeh highlights can be nervous. Bokeh fringing is not an issue to worry about.

So far we were mostly unimpressed by the build quality of Tamron lenses. However, we are happy to report that things have improved with the Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 SP Di USD VC. The lens barrel is mostly made of plastics but it is of high quality and it is tightly assembled. The new weather sealing is very welcome, of course. Same goes for the very fast and silent USD (ultrasonic AF drive). The Tamron lens has one unique selling point: it is the first fast standard zoom lens to feature an image stabilizer and based on what we have experienced during the field trip we would rate it with a 3 f-stops efficiency. Your mileage may vary here a bit into the one or the other direction depending on your shake characteristic.

The Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 SP Di USD VC is not a perfect lens - none really are - but regarding the sum of its qualities it is obviously the best standard zoom for Canon EOS at this stage - at least till the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 USM L II enters the scene. However, in any case it will be very hard to beat from a price perspective!

Optical Quality:    
Mechanical Quality:
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