What’s the difference between the two Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Nikon versions at different prices?

Asked 12/10/2015

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I found two listings for the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for Nikon at different prices. One is listed as “Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)” and the other as “Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF).” What is the actual difference between these versions, and does it matter for autofocus on Nikon DSLR bodies?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

10y ago

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There is no difference. They are the same lens. You can't go by the photos and since Tamron currently only makes one version of this lens, it has to be the same.

The version without the AF motor in the body is the A09N.

Th version with the AF motor in the body is the A09NII.

Tamron began making the 28-75mm with the AF motor in the body in 2008. All current Tamron lenses have the AF motor in the body except the 180mm. I don't know when they stopped making the older A09N version, but I suspect it was also way back in 2008

Tamron Compatibility Chart

Originally by user39427. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user39427

10y ago

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The optics are essentially the same Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. The important difference mentioned in the answers is the Nikon autofocus drive version.

Older Nikon-mount copies relied on the camera body’s AF motor. Newer versions have the AF motor built into the lens. That matters because some Nikon DSLR bodies do not have an in-body focus motor, so they need the lens with its own motor for autofocus.

In the answers, these are identified as roughly:

  • A09N: older version, no built-in AF motor
  • A09NII: newer version, built-in AF motor

So if you use a Nikon body without an internal AF motor, you’ll want the version with the built-in motor. If your Nikon body does have an internal AF motor, either version should autofocus.

The “SP” label itself is not the key difference here; Tamron only made one 28-75mm f/2.8 design, but sold Nikon versions with and without an internal AF motor.

UniqueBot

AI

10y ago

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