DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Tamron Confusion
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 12 of 12, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 08/22/2005 12:06:24 PM · #1
Hi. I have been reading up on lens choices for the future.

I have read people commenting on Tamrons excellent lens that compares quite favorably with Canon's 24-70L f2.8, yet costs in the neighborhood of $379US.

The problem is that I can't quite figure out which lens this is.

I have seen people list it as the following:
28-75 Aspherical DI Macro IF
24-70 f2.8
28-75 f2.8

and a few variations on the theme. I even had one local shop tell me that that lens was available, but only in a USM equivalent type for close to 1600US dollars.

I would like to know what this lens is exactly and where to pick it up.

The only thing I can find on BHphoto is:

Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

This certainly seems right, although it doesn't have the Macro on it that another member of this site mentioned. It is currently around $390.

Also, I would simply LOVE to find a place that has compiled all the little cryptic letter combinations for all the different lens makers. I can guess what most of them are (LD = low density element? IF = Internal focusing, and Di is probably indicating a digital specific lens), but I don't know XR and I still find letter combinations a little confusing when skipping from brand to brand.
 08/22/2005 12:07:34 PM · #2
I'm not sure of the difference myself, but DO NOT pay $1600 for a Tamron!! :-)
 08/22/2005 12:09:27 PM · #3
Originally posted by eschelar:
Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS


Checked tamron's website for the "real" one????
 08/22/2005 12:13:12 PM · #4
XR is extra refractive. Di is optimized for digital use, as you guessed. LD is low dispersion.
 08/22/2005 12:20:51 PM · #5
Also, found a glossary that may help.
 08/22/2005 12:27:58 PM · #6
THere are many lenses offered in the 'tradiional' 28-80 range. Forgive us all for not memorizing th especific of each variant - i too am guilty of that.

the one you found on b&h is THE one you want..unless you want something else..(my vote is for the Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC if yo have an APS sized sensor camera D70, 300/350D 20D)

As to the letters...yeah it is confusing. Just to make it more so, each company has their own nomenclature.

VR is Nikon for vibration reduction, IS is Canon for Image Stabilizer, and OS is Sigma's name for the same thing. (optical stabilizer). That was easy, i know those...

EX is sigma for canon's L - their Pro line of lenses. Tokina just calls their pro line PRO. XR is Tamrons name for it i think..not sure.

Tamron lists their coding as:
IF Internal Focusing (outermost lens does not rotate during focusin)
ASL Aspherical
LD Low Dispersion
AD Anomalous Dispersion
XR Extra Refractive Index Glass
Di Digitally Integrated Design
Di-II Lenses for Digital SLR Cameras Only

Sigma
ASP aspherical elements
APO apochromatic design and Special Low Dispersion glass (SLD)
RF rear focusing (rear lens group moves)
IF internal focusing (internal lens groups moves)
HSM like canon's USM
UC ultra compact
DL deluxe (distance markings,DOF scale, IR correction markings)
DF dual focus 0 focus ring does not move during AF
EX Excellence line.

Tokina
AS aspherical lens
f&r - front and read aspherical lenses
SD super low dispersion glass
HLD High-refraction, Low Dispersion glass
MC multi coating on glass
FE floating element in lens to reduce astigmatism
IF internal focusing
IRF internal rear focusing
FC / One Touch FC - focus ring slides form Af to MF instead of using a switch.

There will be a test later....
 08/22/2005 12:36:02 PM · #7
You found the correct lens at B&H. It's $359 after rebate. Although not listed on B&H's site, the word Macro is printed on the lens barrel, but it doesn't come close to true macro magnification.
 08/23/2005 12:14:37 PM · #8
How does it compare to the Tokina 28-80?

//www.thkphoto.com/products/tokina/afl-04.html

The Tokina apparently has 1:5 ratio? Didn't say anything about macro.

I wonder if that is the same situation as the Tamron? Perhaps it isn't enough of a magnification factor to warrant a Macro designation in the circles it flies in.

I was also reading a forum about the difference between I think the 28-70 by canon and the 24-70 by canon. Apparently the 24-70 is newer.

I had been wondering if pehaps the Tamron was in the same boat. I think I understand more clearly though now.

At 28-70, I think I can live without IS at f2.8. I wonder how the 70-200 would do without IS.

Also, does anyone have any hands on with focusing speed and accuracy of the Tamron with a Canon body? I always hear that the Canon stuff focuses better.

Comments?

PS. Thanks for the Glossary and the explanation on some of those silly proprietary designations.
 08/23/2005 12:20:07 PM · #9
The Tamron "28-75 Aspherical DI Macro IF" and "28-75 F/2.8" are the same lens, and the Tamron "24-70 F/2.8" is in fact F/3.3-5.6, not F/2.8. Hope that helps clear things up :o)
 08/23/2005 12:33:26 PM · #10
Originally posted by eschelar:
Also, does anyone have any hands on with focusing speed and accuracy of the Tamron with a Canon body?


That's my main lens, and most of my entries this year were taken with the Tamron. The Canon lens will focus faster, but the Tamron still pretty quick- except in low light where it may hunt in areas without contrast.
 08/23/2005 12:38:25 PM · #11
I understand that for the money the tamron is almost impossible to beat. They have a lot of fine products right now.
 08/23/2005 12:44:03 PM · #12
Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

Yeah, ignore the Macro part...confused me a bit too.
I just bought one last week and think it's a killer lens...almost "legendary" as they put it...at least for the price.

I posted these almost minutes after the lens was out of the box. I know my best is still yet to come.


Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/18/2025 07:31:50 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/18/2025 07:31:50 PM EDT.