I've been wanting this lens for a long while and I finally saved up enough money to get it with. I've got to say right off hand, you can't beat it for the price. I have had this lens for a few days and right out of the box, I noticed the weight. It's not extremely heavy but just heavy enough to show it's a quality lens. It doesn't feel like if you drop it that you're going to break it. It's made from a super thick feeling plastic with rubber grips on the zoom ring and focus ring. The tripod colar is made out of metal, I'm assuming. It's a quality tripod colar and feels very well built. Completely able to hold up the lens and camera with no problem.
Now to address the problem that everyone has with this lens, the focus speed. I was worried about this as well when I ordered it, but it's not been a problem. I've seen videos showing this lens and it's focus speed and they always having it trying to find focus with the lens cap on. It just as fast as the Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 at finding it's focus point and is very accurate at finding it. I don't know why people have problems with it unless you're shooting high movement sports such as football or something like that. I'm shooting a Nikon D90 and it not slow with the AF at all.
Tamron has classified it as a macro lens, but it's really a telephoto lens. It will not do macro so do not get it if you're looking for a macro lens.
As for optics, it's very sharp. I shot my girlfriend with it and it's sharp even wide open. I stopped it down and it becomes extremely sharp. It has a great contrast, not any chromatic aberration from what I can tell or very little of it. It just has all around fantastic optics.
As for the look of this lens alone, with the lens hood attached, it looks like a professional lens. It looks like a lens that a paparazzi would carry around with them to shoot the movie stars.
In a nutshell, if you're looking for a lens that has great optics, has a nice professional weight to it, looks like a professional lens, and won't break the bank, I would suggest getting the Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 lens. I bought this and a Zeikos 77mm filter and it came out to around $710. You just cannot beat that when the Canon and Nikon versions of this lens are both around $2,200. If you're on a budget, this would be the lens you would want to get.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Consider a similar item
$332.99
Climate Pledge Friendly Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn morePRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Pre-owned Certified: Electronics products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.
Compare with similar items
This Item  Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens with Built in Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Model A001NII) |  |  | |  |  | |
| Price | $428.00 | -43% $332.99 New Price: $589.00 | -33% $869.00 New Price: $1,299.00 | -12% $1,139.00 New Price: $1,299.00 | -15% $2,296.95 Typical: $2,696.95 | $2,490.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it May 13 - 16 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 7 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 7 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it May 10 - 17 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Image stabilization | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Sold By | TONY'S Camera Shop | Global Camera USA | Minty Gadgets (we track serial numbers) | Minty Gadgets (we track serial numbers) | Amazon.com | BUYDIRECT & SAVE, USA |
| lens type | Macro | Zoom lens | Telephoto | Telephoto | Telephoto | Telephoto |
| compatible mountings | Nikon F | Nikon F | Nikon F (FX) | Canon EF | Nikon Z | Nikon F (FX) |
| lens design | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
| focus type | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus, Manual Focus | Auto Focus |
| minimum focal length | 70 millimeters | 70 millimeters | — | — | 70 millimeters | 70 millimeters |
| max focal length | 200 millimeters | 300 millimeters | — | — | 200 millimeters | 200 millimeters |
| fixed focal length | 200 millimeters | 300 millimeters | 200 millimeters | 200 millimeters | 200 millimeters | 200 millimeters |
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
1:32
Click to play video
Auto Focus Video
Merchant Video
Videos for this product
1:21
Click to play video
Wide Angle Video
Merchant Video
Videos for this product
1:35
Click to play video
Flash Photography Video
Merchant Video
Videos for this product
1:56
Click to play video
Night Photography Video
Merchant Video
Reviews with images
No brainer 4.5 stars
All of you out there that are reading this review of the Tamron 70-200 are probably in one of two categories. 1) Looking for a fast low light zoom but don't wont to pay the price of the Nikon/Canon 2.8 tele or 2) Your looking for a backup telezoom for your Nikon/Canon. I do wedding, family, sports shoots as a side biz and I'm in category 1. You're probably worried about buying it and it not Auto Focusing fast enough or having some other issues that you've read......because that was a concern of mine. Let me put you at ease.....don't worry, the Tamron 70-200 is fantastic! In fact I was so pleased that I ended up purchasing other Tamron lenses. The 28-75 f/2.8 and also the 17-35 f/2.8-4mm and all 3 have been exceptional to say the least.AF - Lets get to what everyone is concerned about...Auto Focus. I have two Nikons that I've use this lens on. A D5000 (cropped 1.5x sensor) that I use for quick pics of the kids and vacations (non paying gigs) and a D700 full frame for my professional paying gigs and if the kids have very special events like my daughters kindergarten graduation. I'm really not seeing what everyone is fussing about this lens AF's just as fast as my Nikon DX lens....55-200 VR for example. I use this lens for in and out doors and have never had a problem with it auto focusing. It's like any lens you use.....take a person dressed in black standing in front of a black background and any lens will have a hard time trying to find the focus. Adjust your focal point on the face where the contrast is different and boom it finds it. This is only rare occasions but it does happen sometimes and it also happens with my Nikkors. One thing I do notice is my D700 AF quicker compared to my D5000. It's not by much but it is noticeable, but not an issue. I honestly believe it's due to the difference of the AF systems in the two cameras. D700 is known for its superb AF.AF Accuracy - Spot on, never a problem. I have my D700 set where it will not release the shutter unless it's in focus and I've never have had a problem with it being fooled or hunting for focus unless it's in a dark closet.AF loudness - Is the Tamron louder than the Nikkor lenses when Auto focusing? Yes it is. It's not quiet but it's not loud by any means. You have to remember you're the one looking through the viewfinder and of course you're going to hear it. Others won't even notice it. The shutter closing/opening when taking a picture is twice as loud as the Tamron AF system. It's not even an issue. I don't know if I would take it out to the Amazon taking pics of dangerous and exotic animals where my life depended on it......but then again you'd still probably be ok. Remember the shutter is louder than the auto focus.....again it's not even an issue I don't think.Sharpness - Super sharp at all focal lengths. I've actually have been very pleased with all of my Tamrons and the sharpness it produces. When hand held at 200mm 2.8 it is a tad softer but 95% of that is due to camera shake. I've tested this and have mounted it on a tripod at that setting with sharp as a tack results. Vibration Reduction or Tamrons VC would be a huge plus but it's not totally necessary.Construction - Very well made, very hefty and durable. I've used Nikons version and it's a fantastic piece of engineering that is weather sealed, built like a tank and is without a doubt more durable. I think this is where the price difference is. The Tamron is not cheap feeling by any means. When you hold it you know its made very well but the Nikon just takes that to another level which is why its $2000 plus US dollars and the fact this it has Vibration Reduction. If you're going to be going through some rugged terrain on a paid photo shoot it would only make sense to purchase the Nikon. Honestly if you took care of the Tamron and kept it clean I'm sure it could make it out fine also but I wouldn't try it.Overall - Superb sharpness, old school but very effective AF system and AF accuracy, AF noise is not a problem and is really not even loud enough to even mention in this review but I know people have brought it up and are concerned. I'm 100% pleased. Even if I would have paid more I still would have been pleased but that's the beauty of Tamron. Giving you a great professional lens at a great price. Quick story: I was outside under the patio just a couple of days ago taking pics of the massive storm that we had here in Oklahoma using this lens. I would AF on the clouds and press the shutter and to my surprise the shutter would not release. Remember I have it set where it will not take the pic unless it's in perfect focus. After a few times of this I was getting very frustrated and thought to myself........this is what everyone must be talking about when they mean the Tamron has trouble AFing. Few seconds later the shutter goes off taking pics of nothing. I'm thoroughly confused now and then it hit me. Just a day earlier I was taking some self portraits for my online profile and I was using the auto delay 20 second timer and I still had it in that setting.......sigh.....I was quick to blame the Tamron....poor Tamron.8/19/10 UPDATE:I've owned this lens going on 3 months now and have used it extensively for indoor events (weddings) and low light evening portrait sessions. I'm still very pleased with the performance. There is one thing I'm a little disappointed in but its not a deal breaker but enough to drop my original 5 star rating to a 4.5.Sharpness -At f2.8 and 200mm the sharpness takes a hit some, its actually more of a soft image.....especially in low lighting. If you back off the focal length to 165mm or under it improves. Stopping down to f4 is razor sharp. Its annoying that I can't use f2.8 for razor sharp pics but in reality there's not a lot of lens that are razor sharp when completely stopped down to its maximum, with the exception to some. I'm finding all my Tamrons are this way at f2.8. Of course when asking owners of the $1750 Nikon 24-70 2.8 and $2200 Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR they all say its tack sharp at 2.8.Auto focusing -Its still does a great job at AFing but now that I'm getting used to other lenses in my bag (Nikon primes and Tamron Zooms) and then coming back to this 70-200 I am seeing a difference in speed. Its not much and its not a problem but I do feel the difference. Its a tad slower....even slower than my Tamron 28-75 2.8 which in my opinion is still fast. My Tamron 17-35 2.8 does not have internal AF and is a screwdriver cam type where you rely on the camera to do the AFing. Its so fast that it can become violent..it will take your finger off if not careful...ha,ha.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2012
I've been wanting this lens for a long while and I finally saved up enough money to get it with. I've got to say right off hand, you can't beat it for the price. I have had this lens for a few days and right out of the box, I noticed the weight. It's not extremely heavy but just heavy enough to show it's a quality lens. It doesn't feel like if you drop it that you're going to break it. It's made from a super thick feeling plastic with rubber grips on the zoom ring and focus ring. The tripod colar is made out of metal, I'm assuming. It's a quality tripod colar and feels very well built. Completely able to hold up the lens and camera with no problem.
Now to address the problem that everyone has with this lens, the focus speed. I was worried about this as well when I ordered it, but it's not been a problem. I've seen videos showing this lens and it's focus speed and they always having it trying to find focus with the lens cap on. It just as fast as the Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 at finding it's focus point and is very accurate at finding it. I don't know why people have problems with it unless you're shooting high movement sports such as football or something like that. I'm shooting a Nikon D90 and it not slow with the AF at all.
Tamron has classified it as a macro lens, but it's really a telephoto lens. It will not do macro so do not get it if you're looking for a macro lens.
As for optics, it's very sharp. I shot my girlfriend with it and it's sharp even wide open. I stopped it down and it becomes extremely sharp. It has a great contrast, not any chromatic aberration from what I can tell or very little of it. It just has all around fantastic optics.
As for the look of this lens alone, with the lens hood attached, it looks like a professional lens. It looks like a lens that a paparazzi would carry around with them to shoot the movie stars.
In a nutshell, if you're looking for a lens that has great optics, has a nice professional weight to it, looks like a professional lens, and won't break the bank, I would suggest getting the Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 lens. I bought this and a Zeikos 77mm filter and it came out to around $710. You just cannot beat that when the Canon and Nikon versions of this lens are both around $2,200. If you're on a budget, this would be the lens you would want to get.
Now to address the problem that everyone has with this lens, the focus speed. I was worried about this as well when I ordered it, but it's not been a problem. I've seen videos showing this lens and it's focus speed and they always having it trying to find focus with the lens cap on. It just as fast as the Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 at finding it's focus point and is very accurate at finding it. I don't know why people have problems with it unless you're shooting high movement sports such as football or something like that. I'm shooting a Nikon D90 and it not slow with the AF at all.
Tamron has classified it as a macro lens, but it's really a telephoto lens. It will not do macro so do not get it if you're looking for a macro lens.
As for optics, it's very sharp. I shot my girlfriend with it and it's sharp even wide open. I stopped it down and it becomes extremely sharp. It has a great contrast, not any chromatic aberration from what I can tell or very little of it. It just has all around fantastic optics.
As for the look of this lens alone, with the lens hood attached, it looks like a professional lens. It looks like a lens that a paparazzi would carry around with them to shoot the movie stars.
In a nutshell, if you're looking for a lens that has great optics, has a nice professional weight to it, looks like a professional lens, and won't break the bank, I would suggest getting the Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 lens. I bought this and a Zeikos 77mm filter and it came out to around $710. You just cannot beat that when the Canon and Nikon versions of this lens are both around $2,200. If you're on a budget, this would be the lens you would want to get.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2013
After much searching for a budget alternative to the Nikon 70-200 F2.8 I settled on the Tamron version. Honestly this lens is worth the money, forget all the bad reports. Yes some people may get bad versions of this lens however honestly by far most versions are good extremely good. I am from the Caribbean and a "new photographer" if I could say that and for some of us we cannot afford a $2300 US lens that's $14000+ Trinidad dollars. I probably will get the nikon version later on when I am more established but honestly there is not much about this lens to be unhappy with.
Let's list the good things about this lens-
(i) Sharp, real sharp - I thought my 50 mm 1.8 was sharp boy was I wrong, this lens nails it almost every time on the auto focus at 100% crop there is no softness.
(ii) Color reproduction is fantastic.
(iii) Low light focusing is slow but honestly many good lenses hunt in really low light, I found that half way pressing the shutter releasing and pressing again solves that problem real fast.
(iv) Bokeh is how to say....um just Bokehlicious
(v) Really and truly the focus motor is not that loud as some people make it out to be it is well within acceptable levels your camera shutter will make more noise.
(vi) Image distortion is minimal, if any at all
(viii) ability to work on FX and DX bodies.
Ok the bad -
(i) Not for sports or action, auto focus motor a touch too slow for that.
(ii) No VR. In my case I am lucky that I have real steady hands so a real slow shutter speed is not a problem for me
(iii) The push/pull clutch system for some people it is a bit auk ward but after a while you get use to it and it does not bother you.
So all round a great lens, you can't have everything you want, and if you do, then buy a Nikon lens but I can assure you this lens is honestly the best bang for the buck.
Let's list the good things about this lens-
(i) Sharp, real sharp - I thought my 50 mm 1.8 was sharp boy was I wrong, this lens nails it almost every time on the auto focus at 100% crop there is no softness.
(ii) Color reproduction is fantastic.
(iii) Low light focusing is slow but honestly many good lenses hunt in really low light, I found that half way pressing the shutter releasing and pressing again solves that problem real fast.
(iv) Bokeh is how to say....um just Bokehlicious
(v) Really and truly the focus motor is not that loud as some people make it out to be it is well within acceptable levels your camera shutter will make more noise.
(vi) Image distortion is minimal, if any at all
(viii) ability to work on FX and DX bodies.
Ok the bad -
(i) Not for sports or action, auto focus motor a touch too slow for that.
(ii) No VR. In my case I am lucky that I have real steady hands so a real slow shutter speed is not a problem for me
(iii) The push/pull clutch system for some people it is a bit auk ward but after a while you get use to it and it does not bother you.
So all round a great lens, you can't have everything you want, and if you do, then buy a Nikon lens but I can assure you this lens is honestly the best bang for the buck.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2014
Top reviews from other countries
Les Gregory
Certainly glad I went by positive reviews
Reviewed in Canada on November 19, 2017
Les Gregory
Reviewed in Canada on November 19, 2017
Update
After I registered this lens I got a call a few days later from Tamron saying they couldn’t warranty the lens due to Centre Drone not a authorized dealer. The lens still performs excellent and I am now using on a full frame D750. When I discussed with Tamron Canada they asked what I paid and actually when I described he said it sounded like a refurb and at the price he actually said due to the price ......well I need say no more. It just works well!
Images in this review
Michael Lee
Very good lens
Reviewed in Singapore on February 17, 2021
Michael Lee
Reviewed in Singapore on February 17, 2021
Images in this review
dinesh kanna
Really brilliant optics for the price.
Reviewed in India on July 15, 2016
