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Just posted! Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Macro lens review

Just posted! Our new lens review of Tamron's latest baby, the SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro. In the third of our epic four-part series of telezoom reviews, we take a look through the viewfinder using a lens said to inherit its 'product concept' from Tamron's highly regarded 28-75mm F2.8. So does this young pretender really inherit the same compelling mixture of fine optics at a bargain price, and provide a challenge to the camera manufacturers' own fast telephoto zooms?

Click here for our lens review of the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm D2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro

Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 lenses compared

	Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM	Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm F2.8 G	Sigma 70-200mm 1:2.8 EX DG Apo Macro HSM II	Tamron 70-200mm 1:2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro
Street price	$1700	$1625	$800	$700
Date introduced	August 2001	April 2003	December 2007	February 2008
Maximum format size	35mm full frame	35mm full frame	35mm full frame	35mm full frame
Focal length	70-200mm	70-200mm	70-200mm	70-200mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	112-320mm	105-300mm	105-300mm (1.5x) 112-320mm (1.6x)	105-300mm (1.5x) 112-320mm (1.6x)
Diagonal Angle of view (FF)	34º - 12º	34º - 12º	34º - 12º	34º - 12º
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)	23º - 8º	23º - 8º	23º - 8º	23º - 8º
Maximum aperture	F2.8	F2.8	F2.8	F2.8
Minimum aperture	F32	F22	F22	F32
Lens Construction	• 23 elements/18 groups • 4 UD elements	• 21 elements/15 groups • 5 ED elements	• 18 elements/15 groups • 2 ELD elements • 2 SLD elements	• 19 elements/16 groups • 3LD elements
Number of diaphragm blades	8, rounded	9, rounded	9	9, rounded
Minimum focus	1.4m	1.5m	1m	0.9m
Maximum magnification	0.17x at 200mm	0.16x at 200mm	0.28x at 200mm	0.32x at 200mm
AF motor type	• Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus	• Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus	• Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus	• Micro motor • Manual focus clutch
Focus method	Internal	Internal	Internal	Internal
Zoom method	Internal	Internal	Internal	Internal
Image stabilization	• 3 stops • Dual mode - Normal and panning	• 3 stops • Auto panning detection • Active mode	• None	• None
Filter thread	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	• Front and rear caps • ET-86 Hood • LZ1324 Soft Case	• Front and rear caps • HB-29 Hood • CL-L2 Soft Case	• Front and rear caps • Lens Hood • Soft Case	• Front and rear caps • Lens Hood • Soft Case
Optional accessories
Weight	1570 g (55.4 oz)	1470g (51.8 oz)	1390g (49.0 oz)	1330g (46.9 oz)
Dimensions	86.2 mm diameter x 197 mm length (3.4 x 7.8 in)	87mm diameter x 215mm length (3.4 x 8.5 in)	86.6mm diameter x 184mm length (3.4 x 7.2 in)	89.5mm diameter x 194.3mm length (3.5 x 7.6 in)
Lens Mount	Canon EF only	Nikon F only	Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony	Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony
Other	• Dust and moisture sealing • Supplies distance information for E-TTL II flash metering	• Dust and moisture sealing • Reports focus distance information to camera body • Three AF stop buttons