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Review by NavarWynn on 4 January 2010

Individual review
Build Quality	4
Reliability	2
Sharpness	4
Bokeh	4
Other Image Quality	2
AF Accuracy	1
AF Speed	1
AF (difficult conditions)	1
Value for money	4

Pros:  Good (low contrast) image quality, decent bokeh, decent color.
Cons:  AF speed, AF accuracy, low image quality in high contrast, flaring

I ended up taking this lens back. I bought it as a backup for my 70-200 2.8L IS (Or so a second shooter could use have a decent zoom) as my Sig 70-200 2.8 HSM is getting on in years (even though it's still a fine performer). I'd heard positive reviews, and as a backup I felt it would be adequate for it's purposes. Weddings REQUIRE backup equipment (As me, a 5D, a 24-70 2.8, and a couple of primes landed in a pond once on a shoot...)

I was unprepared for the backfocusing which plagued it, both w/ my 50D, and 5D. I wasn't sure what the source of the problem was, but it occurred on both bodies. In all cases, the camera would aquire AF lock, but when I viewed the image on the computer later, the focus was off by a foot +. a foot makes a hell of a dif. when shooting 200mm @ f2.8. In the end it made it so most of the long shots were unusable.

In mid to low light, the lens would hunt badly, (when the 2.8Ls (and the Sig) had almost instant lock) and, compounded with the low AF speed, AF became a real problem, and even given the price point, perhaps is the biggest achilles heel of the lens.

Additionally, it would intermittently lock up the 50D with a lens error. maybe a simple ROM update issue, DK, never bothered TSing it.

Overall image quality turned out decent, especially for the price, but contrasting images had light leakage and bleed, and poor color preservation. To be expected, and stopping it down helped dramatically.

Overall though, as I said, I returned it. If I was a hobby shooter, I'm sure I would have kept it, as at the time it was ~$700. A hell of a deal for a 70-200 2.8. And in all fairness, it did convince my to try the Tamron 10-24mm which I've been quite pleased with.

If Tamron continues to improve as dramatically as they have over the last few years, they will become a real steal!

Review by AngryCorgi on 20 May 2008

Individual review
Build Quality	5
Reliability	5
Sharpness	5
Bokeh	4
Other Image Quality	4
AF Accuracy	5
AF Speed	3
AF (difficult conditions)	3
Value for money	5

Pros:  Very well built, sharp, light and fantastic value
Cons:  No focus limiter switch, non-USM/HSM motor

Pros:
*Cheap! (US$700)
*Solid feel. Despite the extensive plastics used, it feels very well built.
*It comes standard with a tripod collar, hood, and decent case.
*The AF motor is faster and more precise acting than I expected.

Cons:
*AF motor still makes more noise than any USM/HSM drive.
*No IS/VC, and no current rumour of one making it as a future option.
*Typical Tammy hood (some people don't like felt, but for those who do...)
*No focus-limiter switch! (Why?)

The lens is well built and very sharp, matching the 70-200/2.8L IS wide open at all focal lengths. The only downside is really the AF not having a focus limit switch. It focuses very accurately, but can be irritating waiting for it to initially jump backwards to the macro range before looking closer to infinity on initial focus acquisition. It tracks accurately on the 5D in servo and rarely misses a beat. The feel is very nice as it fits my hand more naturally with the slightly narrower main barrel. The focus-clutch mechanism is actually quite nice and functions well. The focus clutch is similar to tokina's implementation. The lens comes with a collar, hood and soft case; a fantastic deal for