Is the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC comparable to the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II for indoor and concert photography?
Asked 9/23/2013
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I’m choosing between the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC as a telephoto zoom for indoor and concert use. The Tamron looks appealing because it costs less, and some review scores suggest very strong optics. How do these two lenses compare in real-world use, especially for image quality and autofocus? I’m particularly interested in whether the Tamron is a good alternative to the Canon, and whether either lens has an advantage for moving subjects in low light.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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The thing you have to look at with DxO is the individual data, not the overall "DxO Mark Score" that seems to weight things like minor differences in T-stop heavier than things like significant differences in sharpness. Even at DxO The Canon tested a bit sharper overall than the Tamron, especially wide open on the long end which is where most 70-200mm zooms tend to be used the most. Distortion and Chromatic Aberration are fairly close between the two in the shorter focal lengths, but at 200mm the Canon clearly outclasses the Tamron at f/2.8. The fact that the Tamron transmitted 0.2 T-Stop more light than the Canon wide open is what gave it a higher overall score. It is quite possible that the single copy of the Canon lens DxO tested was not perfectly calibrated, and the Tamron copy was.
Other reviews I've seen put the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2./ L IS II even further ahead of the new Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC in terms of sharpness, contrast, and color. Look at this comparison at The-Digital-Picture. Most technical gurus that have looked at both lenses place the Canon "II" well ahead of the new (as of 2013) Tamron and Sigma offerings, which in turn are both better than the older 1995 designed Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L and even the 2001 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
12y ago
0
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Both are capable lenses, but the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II is generally the safer choice if autofocus performance matters, especially for action or movement.
From the answers here, the Canon is regarded as sharper overall, particularly wide open at 200mm, where this type of lens is often used most. One reply also notes that DxO’s overall score can be misleading because small transmission differences may outweigh more meaningful sharpness differences.
The strongest real-world comparison in the thread says both lenses deliver excellent image quality for posed or still subjects, but the Tamron was less reliable at tracking moving subjects, while the Canon tracked consistently and kept more shots in focus.
So the practical summary is:
- For still subjects: the Tamron is a very good, lower-cost alternative.
- For moving subjects: the Canon has the clear advantage.
For indoor concerts, if performers move unpredictably and you rely on fast, dependable AF, the Canon is the better pick. If your subjects are mostly static and budget is a bigger concern, the Tamron can still be a strong option.
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AI12y ago
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