2 more things to note about the tamron is that... When put in to manual focus at 70mm it acts like a macro lens and it has a 67mm thread so if you have the other tamron lenses they all can share the same filters.
Alright guys today we got the worlds best sports camera being paired up with the newest and possibly greatest sports and portraiture lens...lets take pictures of my wife lol
Evaluation of the Tamron is spot on - good but not great. I'll hang onto it for now. Hoping Sigma comes in with the best value 70-200 similar in performance to the 24-70 Art. Amazing value.
The Tamron's small size really makes it a different class, normally 70-200 size makes it a very deliberate choice to carry, its for a particular role. The Tamron is a bit more EDC, It will go in a backpack on a City break, hike or family BBQ, unless you are a pro event photographer then the new GM is a must purchase otherwise Tamron's 20mm compromise is a good one.
Thank you Thank you for this excellent comparison! Since the new version Sony won't be available until December, I snagged the Tamron. One comparison you forgot to make is the minimum focusing distance and magnification ratio. The Tamron wins with a 1:2 magnification.
📸🌎❤️ True, painfully well…I’m glad you mentioned this spoiler so I could confirm it in this excellent review. My question is how this new lens performs against the best portrait options. I’m also wondering if my Nikon Df would appreciate me buying the new Sony A7iv:)
I love you guys. I love your reviews. I love your hard work. I have purchased merchandise from you. I have purchased your courses. I will never stop watching you. I understand that you need to do sponsored content. I understand that you need to make a living for all of your hard work. I'm just saying that it would be nice every now and then to have a video that is not also an advertisement. They feel a little forced sometimes and there are just so many of them. Much love.
"Despite my incredible speed." Best line of the whole video. Haha. BTW, as a novice photographer who is planning to start selling some of my mountain photos on the side, I have to thank you guys for the value you bring to people like myself. It's awesome to be able to get such expert breakdowns of just about anything photography at the click of a mouse right here on UA-cam. Thank you to you guys and your team!
Great review …Yup Im sticking to just the newer Sony GM lenses… Can’t wait for the new Sony 100mm If it comes out… can’t wait for an updated 85mm GM as well… Not sure if I do a lot of fast action… but for weddings and family photos… it’s nice that with the new 70-200mm II most candid photos will be in focus… cheers!!!! Good leg work and moves …your just about ready to break some ankles!!!!
I’m sure the new Sony is the superior option, but I shoot sports with the Tamron on a regular basis and I’ve not found anything close to a 50% hit rate. More like 90+ for me. Maybe I just have a phenomenal copy.
Tamron does pretty well in image quality, for its price point -- However after a couple of years I started to notice the fading paint on its body, and loosening lens rings when you are hanging it with camera strap, at daily use. I can't even switch and mount it as easily because the white mark for mounting and focal length numbers faded away all together. You can't find where the mount mark is, and you can't tell what focal length you are at since they were a layer of light paint that melts away really easily when handled with bare hands. Also, when mounted on a camera and being carried around, the protruding lens starts to get annoying since the lens does change length when change focal length, and when gravity defeats the lens, it protrudes itself out. You have to be aware of these before you buy it. Other than these, I am satisfied with the rest of its performance.
Useful review. (I have the Tamron.) But it would be much more useful - for landscape shooters such as me - if you did stopped-down testing of sharpness rather than wide open. Yes, wide open accentuates the differences, but landscape users are rarely shooting wide open at f2.8 and far more in the f8-f11 or smaller range, and differences often disappear as you stop down.
When stepping down all the small differences there was will dissapear. Any modern lens will be sharp at 5.6-8. There is no point comparing them, people pay big money for wide open performance, not stepping down performance.
@@oscarshen6855 If there are no appreciable differences in image quality at smaller apertures, then that would be useful information to provide for those of us typically shooting at smaller apertures. That's really all I'm saying. For those shooting wildlife or sports, the differences wide open are, of course, very relevant. All I'm saying is they should complete the picture for landscape photographers and let us know when (whether) the differences evaporate. If you're saying that all modern lenses have the same IQ across the field once stopped down to 5.6-8 then I would a) not entirely agree, and b) even if it were true, it would still be useful for landscape photographers to hear that when the review is conducting lens comparisons.
Weird, as my results with the mk1 vs mk2 In real world applications puts them neck and neck in every aspect but weight and a very slight AF to the mk2. Where the mk1 REALLY shines is the used market. Excellent condition mk1’s can be found for sub $1,700, where the used market on the mk2 is almost nonexistent and around $2,300 when it is found in super great shape. I shoot on an A7RIII and shoot weddings, mitzvahs, sports tournaments and cars for anyone wondering.
First of all this is the best comparison review I've seen so far, so well done guys! I own sony A7Rii and I think its very clear for me to buy the tamron since its light weight, portable and doesn't compromise on image quality. I know It doesn't have the OSS like the sony but it seems to be doing a very good job without it. I think tamron made this lens for camera body with ibis, and they were very precise with the focal length. It almost feels like they knew the limitation of an ibis to avoid blurry photo. So overall Tamron did a fantastic job and filled that gap in the market!
This was a superb test...so detailed. I am in the market for a short telephoto lens and to me Tamron was the winner given the performance for the price. For the price of a new 70-200 Sony I can get the 70-180 Tamron and the 150-500 Tamron. Thanks again for this video.
In terms of sports, it just depends. One of my many talents shooting horse shows, so while I anticipate a jump and use spot focus, the Tamron performs amazing. Change your AF to responsive. There’s been times where timing for a jump is short, and touch focus is disabled, but I still get a beautiful clean image from AF-C. I noticed if I try to use this lens at full length under 1/500 SS it tends to be blurry. Definitely do not recommend shooting lower than that on this lens. Tamron has been overall very good to me and I love using this lens. I recommend it! The cost of the Sony was not justified IMO for what you get. But I am patiently waiting for the Sigma version for E mount.
Excellent review! I've watched several times. I use the Tamron. I love it. And I use the manual close focusing at 70mm. It stays in my bag. The one disappointment is lateral CA around a full moon shot at 180mm in crop mode on my a7Riv. Your review explains this as you also elicited CA on high contrast edges. I have owned the 4/70-200 G and the 4.5-5.6/100-400 GM but I rarely had those lenses in my bag when needed, just too large and heavy. Now when I need greater reach than the Tamron gives in crop mode on the 61mp sensor, I use a Sony RX10iv, and that camera is a gem which is easily hand held out to the equivalent of 600mm and has excellent AF tracking and optics. Shooting f/4 at 600mm equivalence is rarified territory.
180 vs 200 was not a big difference in my opinion. For the price point Tamron is my choice. Then save the money and upgrade the body when you can or when a new one comes out.
@@TonyAndChelsea Have you seen Jordan run though? His athletic abilities are best described as "thoroughly likeable, but exceptionally clumsy panda bear". Whenever they do an af tracking test on DP review I fear that this is finally the time he'll stumble and hurt himself (sorry Jordan :D)
Good review! As to comparisons, I too would like to see how the new lens stacks up with teleconverters against the 100-400 in terms of optical quality in addition to the comparisons between other systems lenses. I really appreciate your efforts! Please keep it up!
The perfect comparison video for what I wanted to know. I wish I could enjoy the savings, but sports shooting is a priority. Thank you for the insights and thorough evaluation of the exact question I was looking to get answered.
I have the Tamron and Sony original and love them both. However I would like to see how the A9 compares with the autofocus between the old and new Sony as we know the A1 is superb. It will be interesting to see how long we have to wait to get production samples in Scotland. Thanks guys.
If everyone sells their old Sony gear at KEH, it will bring down the prices, which will make it cheaper for everybody to buy Sony gear at KEH. We can make it happen people, it's simple economics!
I'm torn in between choosing from the proven 135mm F1.8 GM and now this 70-200GM II. I'll be using it primarily more for car photography stills and my daughter's soccer games. I know the versatility is going to be better for sports photography with the 70-200 but I wonder how the sharpness compares to the 135mm GM
Eric, the 135mm F1.8 is sharper than the 70-200mm f2.8 zoom under many circumstances. But, it won't give you the reach you need for sports photography. If you were doing portraits and general photography, the 135mm would be grand, but for sports, not so much.
Am not very good at framing and tracking fast moving objects. So 135mm GM is perfect for my hobby on a7Riv where I could always crop in post. I’ve rent GM II but am not so impressed on the sharpness - i guess passed 180mm all zoom lens gonna suffered a bit on color fringing
Hi Tony & Chelsea! Question: When we buy an streaming photography course form your website, can I watch it as many times as I want or there is a limit? Thanks in advance
They're not software capped. They simply don't have the motors that are fast enough to move at 30fps, just like many Sony lenses aren't 30fps when on the 30fps systems. The E-mount system is open source, but that doesn't mean that all manufacturers make gear that can support the full capabilities of a camera.
@@setaside2 My company does the press relationship management with Sony’s digital imaging team, so I’ve been in every press briefing for every product for two years, multiple briefings per product. And this runs counter to what I’ve heard Sony *actually* say in their press briefings. There are 21 Sony (ff) lenses capable of 30fps on the a1. There are four that support 20fps. There are 12 that are only 15fps. Even if it were accurate that a voice coil is as fast as a linear motor in practical lens application (it’s not) the speed with which a lens focuses isn’t simply motor speed. It’s also the ability of the lens to communicate with the camera’s AF system to drive it. Sonys cameras communicate with Sony’s lenses and their lenses that can do 30fps maximize both motor speed and commutations speed. To use a phrase from the automotive industry, they’re “tuned for speed.” The E-mount is an open standard, which allows other companies to make lenses for the system, but those manufacturers don’t have insight into the architecture of the AF system in the camera, which is key in getting the 30fps performance. FPS is rated at 30/20/15 depending on the capabilities of the lens motor system as those are the maximum possible rates for the combination of motor and communications. That’s why older Sony lenses are among those at 15fps, when they were made 30fps wasn’t a thing yet. One of the benefits of being Sony is that their lens and body development work together so they can reach a technology that enables a performance threshold at the same time. Newer Sony lenses can reach 30fps because they were designed knowing the Alpha 1 was coming. Tamron and Sigma do not have that insight. This is also why you can turn any lens to manual focus and get 30fps out of it on the Alpha 1. The FPS is a function of the mechanical, computational and communications capabilities of the body and lens.
Man, lens prices are off the charts now. I remember when I got the Canon 70-200/2.8 and it cost $1499 canadian brand new. Now the RF and this Sony cost about $4000.
Yeah, agreed. $2,000 US was the standard price for 70-200 f2.8 pro lenses when we started pro photography, and THAT felt like an impossible investment. I don't know how new professionals get started nowadays.
@@richrollin4867 true, majority of photographers are lower middle class due to sometimes a lack of better career choice and making way less money compared to, say, an entry level analyst working in Silicon Valley. The target of this lens is for wealthy enthusiasts but using professional photographers (UA-camrs especially) as marketing tools to promote the product.
The Tamron is "not good for sports"? Chelsie would you please define sports? There are many types of sports and shooting styles. I don't go out and start blasting off and I do a lot of sports/fitness photography, in AF-S. How fast and accurate is the Tamron in AF-S will I be disappointed?
Both of my tamrons have sticky lens hoods and my 70-180 had a zoom guide internal BREAK when trying to take the hood off in the field on a cold day. Tamron said I dropped it, but I did not. Searching online, this is a common problem. I am getting the lense replaced by tamron for $500 and then will trade up to a sony.
Another great breakdown and test. Thanks again for the effort and information. 😀 I went from Nikon (47 yrs) last camera-D850, to SONY (2 yrs) last camera-a7RIV, to Canon EOS R5 (1.5 years). 👍 Staying with Canon R5 but hate that on-off button placement!! Sold all my old kit to KEH. Ok prices but, of course, you're paid less than some open market prices but in return you receive convenience and sale security.
Are you certain that your headshot test was conducted at the minimum focus distance at the longest end of each lens? Someone in these comments correctly pointed out that the Tamron offers the best magnification of the three, albeit at 70mm. *But* when testing this in their video, Chris from DPreview also shows the magnification at 180mm and in that scene it looks like the Tamron should definitely be capable of filling the frame with a face at the longest end. Somehow your findings don't seem to match, which is odd.
The Tamron's price along with its size and weight makes it a great lens, but Its a shame that it isn't a 70/200 or even something more unique like a 70/210 f2.8 ,,,, the new Sony seems really good. but that price sure isn't for everyone. one thing I wanted to see was a better blur comparison. not just bokeh balls. and in your future 70/200 comparison video I don't see the need to put in the Fuji apsc lens. when everything else is full frame. and they are not really competing. when I heard the new Sony was allot lighter I was hoping it was also smaller.
I once purchased a Metabones adapter from KEH but it didn't work. it fit my camera but mechanically it didn't work. I was able to send it back and and get a refund, no problems. But I asked KEH if they checked if the equipment worked when they sent it out to the customer and they said NO. They would only inspect it for blemishes when the equipment was received to them but not test if it worked. So despite what Tony & Chelsea have said here, my upsetting experience (I was so looking forward to having this!) was otherwise.
Hi 👋 thank you heaps for the Comparison... I have the Sony A1 as Camera and actually the Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM Mark I ... I shoot Aviation and Birds, mainly Airshows ... is the Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM Mark II worth the Upgrade ? Please
I have the tamron 70-180... it is decent, but that sony gm being lighter might change my mind... i want to see the difference between the Gm 135, the 100-400 (teleconverter on the 70-200) and the new 70-200... street and travel/wild life as well as long exposure timelapse city scapes...
@kulmmii @kulmmii i dont have the preproduction lense like they do so i asked the question. You can compare anything.(i know you mean quality of primes ve zooms, but not everyone shoots wide open at 1.2, 1.4, and 1.8 all the time, and not everyone believes in zooming with feet because the background changes) *not always compression but other factors as well. Not everyone is the same with events vs everyday street and landscape/architecture shooting from a distance. I asked because i like the wierd quirks of certain lenses and if they can do more tests to uncover more before i make a decision to buy this or a longer telephoto...bokeh isnt everything but it is a perk.
I'm sorry but I've done image comparisons in my studio under controlled flash, the tamron was CLEARLY sub par in image quality. When zoomed in it was terrible.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with my version of the V1 Sony 70-200…it’s super sharp, never misses focus and with proper technique does great with backlighting…so I will not be upgrading
But there’s like 5 other UA-camrs saying how much it sucks everyday. 🤦🏻♂️I just bought mine a month ago…feel a little hosed but it’s a great lens. Not as sharp as my primes but has a beautiful rendering to it. Color looks great
@@YakAlmighty I’m just worried about shortage. Like the it’s still impossible to get the 50 without waiting a month or paying 800 over retail on eBay. It’s funny they make it sound so easy to trade in but they don’t mention no one will have this thing in stock for 2 years 🤦🏻♂️
I bought the Sony 70-200 f2.8 in 2017 to use with the A6500. I shot a lot of night HS football under terrible lighting conditions and got great results.Just about all shots were in focus. Is it possible that the version one lens gives good results with older Sonys and the new lens is optimized for the A1?
You either had a terrible copy; or my copy is a unicorn… as none of the issues mentioned about the v1 are present in my copy. It never misses focus and is super sharp.
I have the "old" 70-200GM, but now it's my least used len, really should sell it, been prob 18mth since I've last used it and haven't used it since I got the 135GM. I just carry the 24, 50 & 135 GM's in my PD 10Lt Sling. It unlikely I will upgrade as I've found it size is too big now, now I have 9 sony lenses (7 being GM's). I really hoped Sony would of gone the Canon route and made it more compact & the barrel extendable. I hope Sony upgrades the 100-400GM to 100-500 in the next few years, that be a lense that I'll be interested in so I can sell my 200-600G. I have the 24-70GM I don't use it much so I'm not too bother when Sony upgrades that as I tend to reduce its texture in post processing my portrait photos for the smoother skin look.
You peeps still shuffle along pretty fast for oldies 😁 , only jokin , good comparison ...... thank you. I'd probably go with the G master 2 as i do more outdoor shots and I'm stickler for sharpness. Cheers.
I am waiting for your review of new Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8. It is very exciting for the innovation of this focal length with aperture starting from f2.0. It's quite heavy so I want to see Chelsea's thinking for this point. My wife seems to be very interested in this lens for her street photography. I hope to see your review on UA-cam soon.
Hi Tony, Chelsea; A question occurred to me that I'm not sure you ever addressed... With mirrorless now the dominant force, and to my observation only now are new designs becoming available taking advantage of shorter flange distances along with optical advances and manufacturing, is it practical to buy that one "killer" lens and expect the lens to perform well (in it's own right) on systems with higher megapixels, or to keep up with new systems in other ways. In other words, at one point you could buy a high end optic and expect it to perform very well (perhaps even hold or increase value) over 10-20 years building your lens collection over time. Is the notion of buying big and holding any longer a practical strategy? Considering the dramatic advancement of the new Sony 70-200, I need to question the basic strategy. Any thoughts?
I would expect a 5-6 year life out of a lens like this if you like to have the latest and greatest. I don't expect the mount to change, but they'll probably get smaller, sharper, crisper, faster.
Robert, unless you're shooting test patterns for a living, the new Sony 70-200mm f2.8 should be good enough until it stops working and it can't be fixed.
Really fascinating to see the differences between these 3. We've owned the mark 1 sony 70-200 for a couple of years and the weight is a really big downside. Had the gm ii been out already we definitely would have got bought that instead. Travelling with gm is a real headache!
Its great to see you guys with new gear hands on and your testing was very interesting. In your tests I think the new sony won based on the actual test rather than what the manufacturer said was better. I do realize that the A1 is a factor here but its professional grade lens so its a good pairing. :-)
I may have mistunderstood some older (not long ago though) video, where you mentioned that you do not review gear sent to you by manufacturers... or not? Have you changed your policy?
I think it is a bit biased to give 0 points for the tamron at the focal length test. It never tried to be a 200 mm.. The odd difference between GM I and II on the other hand deserves different points.
@@peterdekeles. i do agree. I am stopping myself from almost 1.5 year not to buy tamron and wait for new Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 but I think sigma wants to check our nerves now 😑 Sigma has annouced it almost 2 years ago and its still in production (and inbetween got so many unnecessory releases like 45mm 65mm and who knows how many more) but sony came out of no where with Mark II already 🤷🏽♂️
First time watching comparison video from you guys, very comprehensive, but the score is a little confusing, too much 0 or extremely low points for smaller difference, like for the price, maybe 10 4 3, for the focal length, maybe 8 9 10 will be more reasonable... Other wise, maybe a 3 point system will be better, like 3,1,0 and 1, 2, 3
Well...Sar just say that there's no Sigma 70200 on the roadmap!!...so..I'm thinking on going GMii,...but I have so bad luck that I bet a week after Tamron will announce a 70-180 G2...
What the audience really want's to know is which of these two mirrorless lenses is the better: Sony 70-200 GM II vs Canon RF 70-200. But you knew that this was a great test right?
I'm debating between that Tamron and the Sigma 85mm dg dn at the moment to photograph my 6 month old more as he grows up. I'm doing it right now on a 50mm sigma. Any thoughts what focal length is the best to take photos from little kids?
Great video man. It's a great idea with the diffusion. I shoot video mostly documentaries and I actually do have the time to put up a light stand with a diffusion filter most of the time. I will fore sure try to figure out the best and most agile solution, as I'm on my own most of the times. What do you do in windy situations? Any ideas ? I mean sandbags are heavy .. :/ Cheers from Denmark
2 more things to note about the tamron is that...
When put in to manual focus at 70mm it acts like a macro lens and it has a 67mm thread so if you have the other tamron lenses they all can share the same filters.
I have so many 67mm filters :-). Getting my Tamron today . Bought it without realizing the macro bonus.
It is fantastic to see you two still going strong after all these years!
For me, it is the Tamron, thank you.
"we are on location now" - says Tony in his garden LOL
Traveled about 7 feet.. we are on to you Tony!!!
Alright guys today we got the worlds best sports camera being paired up with the newest and possibly greatest sports and portraiture lens...lets take pictures of my wife lol
@@YakAlmighty man, filter is not a big deal in glasses lo
Evaluation of the Tamron is spot on - good but not great. I'll hang onto it for now. Hoping Sigma comes in with the best value 70-200 similar in performance to the 24-70 Art. Amazing value.
The Tamron's small size really makes it a different class, normally 70-200 size makes it a very deliberate choice to carry, its for a particular role. The Tamron is a bit more EDC, It will go in a backpack on a City break, hike or family BBQ, unless you are a pro event photographer then the new GM is a must purchase otherwise Tamron's 20mm compromise is a good one.
You can be a pro and still use the tamron.
@@charruaporelmundo I dont think so, other pros would make fun of you. ;-)
@@charruaporelmundo exactly
@@logtothebase2 I’m at that age where what other think about me is …. Irrelevant.
@@charruaporelmundo Likewise. take care.
Thank you Thank you for this excellent comparison! Since the new version Sony won't be available until December, I snagged the Tamron. One comparison you forgot to make is the minimum focusing distance and magnification ratio. The Tamron wins with a 1:2 magnification.
Wow, the Tamron holds up very well!
📸🌎❤️ True, painfully well…I’m glad you mentioned this spoiler so I could confirm it in this excellent review. My question is how this new lens performs against the best portrait options.
I’m also wondering if my Nikon Df would appreciate me buying the new Sony A7iv:)
I love you guys. I love your reviews. I love your hard work. I have purchased merchandise from you. I have purchased your courses. I will never stop watching you. I understand that you need to do sponsored content. I understand that you need to make a living for all of your hard work. I'm just saying that it would be nice every now and then to have a video that is not also an advertisement. They feel a little forced sometimes and there are just so many of them. Much love.
"Despite my incredible speed." Best line of the whole video. Haha. BTW, as a novice photographer who is planning to start selling some of my mountain photos on the side, I have to thank you guys for the value you bring to people like myself. It's awesome to be able to get such expert breakdowns of just about anything photography at the click of a mouse right here on UA-cam. Thank you to you guys and your team!
Tony & Chelsea KEH
Clearly we need a Tony vs Jordan speed test 😀
Great review …Yup Im sticking to just the newer Sony GM lenses… Can’t wait for the new Sony 100mm If it comes out… can’t wait for an updated 85mm GM as well… Not sure if I do a lot of fast action… but for weddings and family photos… it’s nice that with the new 70-200mm II most candid photos will be in focus… cheers!!!! Good leg work and moves …your just about ready to break some ankles!!!!
I’m sure the new Sony is the superior option, but I shoot sports with the Tamron on a regular basis and I’ve not found anything close to a 50% hit rate. More like 90+ for me. Maybe I just have a phenomenal copy.
I tried it and I got LESS than 50 percent hit rate when the subject is coming at you.
I can't remember from the "missing" ads, where should I sell my sony stuff again?
He said KFC
Tamron does pretty well in image quality, for its price point -- However after a couple of years I started to notice the fading paint on its body, and loosening lens rings when you are hanging it with camera strap, at daily use. I can't even switch and mount it as easily because the white mark for mounting and focal length numbers faded away all together. You can't find where the mount mark is, and you can't tell what focal length you are at since they were a layer of light paint that melts away really easily when handled with bare hands. Also, when mounted on a camera and being carried around, the protruding lens starts to get annoying since the lens does change length when change focal length, and when gravity defeats the lens, it protrudes itself out. You have to be aware of these before you buy it. Other than these, I am satisfied with the rest of its performance.
Useful review. (I have the Tamron.) But it would be much more useful - for landscape shooters such as me - if you did stopped-down testing of sharpness rather than wide open. Yes, wide open accentuates the differences, but landscape users are rarely shooting wide open at f2.8 and far more in the f8-f11 or smaller range, and differences often disappear as you stop down.
When stepping down all the small differences there was will dissapear. Any modern lens will be sharp at 5.6-8. There is no point comparing them, people pay big money for wide open performance, not stepping down performance.
@@oscarshen6855 If there are no appreciable differences in image quality at smaller apertures, then that would be useful information to provide for those of us typically shooting at smaller apertures. That's really all I'm saying. For those shooting wildlife or sports, the differences wide open are, of course, very relevant. All I'm saying is they should complete the picture for landscape photographers and let us know when (whether) the differences evaporate. If you're saying that all modern lenses have the same IQ across the field once stopped down to 5.6-8 then I would a) not entirely agree, and b) even if it were true, it would still be useful for landscape photographers to hear that when the review is conducting lens comparisons.
you should buy an f4 lens. probably 100-400 sigma or the smaller tamron
@@goddesseddog 🙂 I already have the Sony 100-400 GM f4.5-5.6. I don't have a particularly good reason to replace it.
And portrait shooters like me who will shoot at 2.8 don't care about corner sharpness.
Weird, as my results with the mk1 vs mk2 In real world applications puts them neck and neck in every aspect but weight and a very slight AF to the mk2. Where the mk1 REALLY shines is the used market. Excellent condition mk1’s can be found for sub $1,700, where the used market on the mk2 is almost nonexistent and around $2,300 when it is found in super great shape. I shoot on an A7RIII and shoot weddings, mitzvahs, sports tournaments and cars for anyone wondering.
Not a Sony user, but I appreciate the comparisons. Throwing a Tamron in there is pretty cool too. Thanks!
First of all this is the best comparison review I've seen so far, so well done guys!
I own sony A7Rii and I think its very clear for me to buy the tamron since its light weight, portable and doesn't compromise on image quality. I know It doesn't have the OSS like the sony but it seems to be doing a very good job without it. I think tamron made this lens for camera body with ibis, and they were very precise with the focal length. It almost feels like they knew the limitation of an ibis to avoid blurry photo.
So overall Tamron did a fantastic job and filled that gap in the market!
This was a superb test...so detailed. I am in the market for a short telephoto lens and to me Tamron was the winner given the performance for the price.
For the price of a new 70-200 Sony I can get the 70-180 Tamron and the 150-500 Tamron.
Thanks again for this video.
In terms of sports, it just depends. One of my many talents shooting horse shows, so while I anticipate a jump and use spot focus, the Tamron performs amazing. Change your AF to responsive. There’s been times where timing for a jump is short, and touch focus is disabled, but I still get a beautiful clean image from AF-C. I noticed if I try to use this lens at full length under 1/500 SS it tends to be blurry. Definitely do not recommend shooting lower than that on this lens.
Tamron has been overall very good to me and I love using this lens. I recommend it! The cost of the Sony was not justified IMO for what you get. But I am patiently waiting for the Sigma version for E mount.
Excellent review! I've watched several times.
I use the Tamron. I love it. And I use the manual close focusing at 70mm. It stays in my bag.
The one disappointment is lateral CA around a full moon shot at 180mm in crop mode on my a7Riv. Your review explains this as you also elicited CA on high contrast edges.
I have owned the 4/70-200 G and the 4.5-5.6/100-400 GM but I rarely had those lenses in my bag when needed, just too large and heavy. Now when I need greater reach than the Tamron gives in crop mode on the 61mp sensor, I use a Sony RX10iv, and that camera is a gem which is easily hand held out to the equivalent of 600mm and has excellent AF tracking and optics. Shooting f/4 at 600mm equivalence is rarified territory.
Now we need the sigma 70-200 2.8 ART for FE
180 vs 200 was not a big difference in my opinion. For the price point Tamron is my choice. Then save the money and upgrade the body when you can or when a new one comes out.
Agreed 👍
I want to see a race between Tony and Jordan.
Unfair. Jordan is like 6’7”. Also my athletic abilities are best described as, “Played trombone in marching band.”
@@TonyAndChelsea 😂😂
@@TonyAndChelsea Have you seen Jordan run though? His athletic abilities are best described as "thoroughly likeable, but exceptionally clumsy panda bear". Whenever they do an af tracking test on DP review I fear that this is finally the time he'll stumble and hurt himself (sorry Jordan :D)
🤣🤣🤣
@@TonyAndChelsea Hi! Is the the tamron works with sony 1.4 teleconverter? Thanks in advance!
Good review! As to comparisons, I too would like to see how the new lens stacks up with teleconverters against the 100-400 in terms of optical quality in addition to the comparisons between other systems lenses.
I really appreciate your efforts! Please keep it up!
Gerald undone has this test in his video.
The perfect comparison video for what I wanted to know. I wish I could enjoy the savings, but sports shooting is a priority. Thank you for the insights and thorough evaluation of the exact question I was looking to get answered.
Would have loved to see the new Tamron 35-150 2-2.8 compared to these lenses
Oooou yeah… thinking of pairing that with my new a7 iv
The Tamron is great on 33mp’s and below, but is a dust magnet! GMIi for me, it’s a solid investment on my A7RV’s sensor
I have the Tamron and Sony original and love them both. However I would like to see how the A9 compares with the autofocus between the old and new Sony as we know the A1 is superb. It will be interesting to see how long we have to wait to get production samples in Scotland. Thanks guys.
Fantastic lens!!!
now there's the tamron 70-180 g2
Comparison against the Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 is the main one I’d like to see.
that's like comparing hammers to drills
Cool advert for KEH.
Thank you for the review. I am also interested in how the image stabilisation is for shooting handheld video.
The compatibility with the tele-converters and (assumed) compatibility with the A1 30 FPS make this seem like a must have.
The best comparison I've ever seen. Just what I wanted to appreciate Thank you!
After watching this video, I feel like everyone should sell their old Sony at KEH!
Really? What in the world made you think of KEH? (sarcasm emoji)
If everyone sells their old Sony gear at KEH, it will bring down the prices, which will make it cheaper for everybody to buy Sony gear at KEH. We can make it happen people, it's simple economics!
Never heard of KEH
I'm torn in between choosing from the proven 135mm F1.8 GM and now this 70-200GM II. I'll be using it primarily more for car photography stills and my daughter's soccer games. I know the versatility is going to be better for sports photography with the 70-200 but I wonder how the sharpness compares to the 135mm GM
I believe if using a7, difficult to notice the difference in sharpness. 135mm is noticably sharper than 70-180mm tamron on much smaller pixels in a7r
I own the 135 gm nothing compares to it. In a class of its own.
Eric, the 135mm F1.8 is sharper than the 70-200mm f2.8 zoom under many circumstances. But, it won't give you the reach you need for sports photography. If you were doing portraits and general photography, the 135mm would be grand, but for sports, not so much.
Am not very good at framing and tracking fast moving objects. So 135mm GM is perfect for my hobby on a7Riv where I could always crop in post. I’ve rent GM II but am not so impressed on the sharpness - i guess passed 180mm all zoom lens gonna suffered a bit on color fringing
Great review. I'd love to see you repeat your teleconverter tests with the A1 and this 70-200. ie. 70-200 cropped 2x vs 70-200 with 2x teleconverter.
With tele converter Jared Polin already has a review
Hi Tony & Chelsea! Question: When we buy an streaming photography course form your website, can I watch it as many times as I want or there is a limit? Thanks in advance
It’s unlimited. Enjoy!
Idk why but “bokeh balls” is hilarious 😂
Third party lenses are all software-caped at 15 fps, it's officially written in the A9, A9II and A1's manual. Nice test :)
They're not software capped. They simply don't have the motors that are fast enough to move at 30fps, just like many Sony lenses aren't 30fps when on the 30fps systems. The E-mount system is open source, but that doesn't mean that all manufacturers make gear that can support the full capabilities of a camera.
Source please?
@@setaside2
My company does the press relationship management with Sony’s digital imaging team, so I’ve been in every press briefing for every product for two years, multiple briefings per product. And this runs counter to what I’ve heard Sony *actually* say in their press briefings.
There are 21 Sony (ff) lenses capable of 30fps on the a1. There are four that support 20fps. There are 12 that are only 15fps.
Even if it were accurate that a voice coil is as fast as a linear motor in practical lens application (it’s not) the speed with which a lens focuses isn’t simply motor speed. It’s also the ability of the lens to communicate with the camera’s AF system to drive it.
Sonys cameras communicate with Sony’s lenses and their lenses that can do 30fps maximize both motor speed and commutations speed. To use a phrase from the automotive industry, they’re “tuned for speed.”
The E-mount is an open standard, which allows other companies to make lenses for the system, but those manufacturers don’t have insight into the architecture of the AF system in the camera, which is key in getting the 30fps performance.
FPS is rated at 30/20/15 depending on the capabilities of the lens motor system as those are the maximum possible rates for the combination of motor and communications. That’s why older Sony lenses are among those at 15fps, when they were made 30fps wasn’t a thing yet. One of the benefits of being Sony is that their lens and body development work together so they can reach a technology that enables a performance threshold at the same time. Newer Sony lenses can reach 30fps because they were designed knowing the Alpha 1 was coming. Tamron and Sigma do not have that insight.
This is also why you can turn any lens to manual focus and get 30fps out of it on the Alpha 1. The FPS is a function of the mechanical, computational and communications capabilities of the body and lens.
@@GK-mt6qx A9 and A9 II manual xD
Man, lens prices are off the charts now. I remember when I got the Canon 70-200/2.8 and it cost $1499 canadian brand new. Now the RF and this Sony cost about $4000.
Yeah, agreed. $2,000 US was the standard price for 70-200 f2.8 pro lenses when we started pro photography, and THAT felt like an impossible investment. I don't know how new professionals get started nowadays.
@@TonyAndChelsea Didn't your first category on price answer that question?
@@richrollin4867 true, majority of photographers are lower middle class due to sometimes a lack of better career choice and making way less money compared to, say, an entry level analyst working in Silicon Valley. The target of this lens is for wealthy enthusiasts but using professional photographers (UA-camrs especially) as marketing tools to promote the product.
Inflation and devaluation of currency has been more apparent in the last 2 years unfortunately.
@@richrollin4867 exactly
The Tamron is "not good for sports"? Chelsie would you please define sports? There are many types of sports and shooting styles. I don't go out and start blasting off and I do a lot of sports/fitness photography, in AF-S. How fast and accurate is the Tamron in AF-S will I be disappointed?
Both of my tamrons have sticky lens hoods and my 70-180 had a zoom guide internal BREAK when trying to take the hood off in the field on a cold day. Tamron said I dropped it, but I did not. Searching online, this is a common problem. I am getting the lense replaced by tamron for $500 and then will trade up to a sony.
All I got from this video was to shop at KEH…I get it’s sponsored video, but hoooly
Another great breakdown and test. Thanks again for the effort and information. 😀 I went from Nikon (47 yrs) last camera-D850, to SONY (2 yrs) last camera-a7RIV, to Canon EOS R5 (1.5 years). 👍 Staying with Canon R5 but hate that on-off button placement!! Sold all my old kit to KEH. Ok prices but, of course, you're paid less than some open market prices but in return you receive convenience and sale security.
Wow😮
Where is the a7 IV Video? Already removed? Miss that Baby a1, haha
It's already there
Thank you for this valuable comparison. Happy to share it!
Are you certain that your headshot test was conducted at the minimum focus distance at the longest end of each lens? Someone in these comments correctly pointed out that the Tamron offers the best magnification of the three, albeit at 70mm. *But* when testing this in their video, Chris from DPreview also shows the magnification at 180mm and in that scene it looks like the Tamron should definitely be capable of filling the frame with a face at the longest end. Somehow your findings don't seem to match, which is odd.
One can always move a little closer or farther away.
The Tamron's price along with its size and weight makes it a great lens, but Its a shame that it isn't a 70/200 or even something more unique like a 70/210 f2.8 ,,,, the new Sony seems really good. but that price sure isn't for everyone. one thing I wanted to see was a better blur comparison. not just bokeh balls. and in your future 70/200 comparison video I don't see the need to put in the Fuji apsc lens. when everything else is full frame. and they are not really competing. when I heard the new Sony was allot lighter I was hoping it was also smaller.
Have any rumors!! Will sigma release new lens70-200 f2.8 for e-mount this year or next year, 😍
Ok, you convinced me, I'm keeping my Tamron 😂
I once purchased a Metabones adapter from KEH but it didn't work. it fit my camera but mechanically it didn't work. I was able to send it back and and get a refund, no problems. But I asked KEH if they checked if the equipment worked when they sent it out to the customer and they said NO. They would only inspect it for blemishes when the equipment was received to them but not test if it worked. So despite what Tony & Chelsea have said here, my upsetting experience (I was so looking forward to having this!) was otherwise.
I like canon`s 70-200....good to know the Sony is decent.. will try the tamron
Hi 👋 thank you heaps for the Comparison... I have the Sony A1 as Camera and actually the Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM Mark I ... I shoot Aviation and Birds, mainly Airshows ... is the Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM Mark II worth the Upgrade ? Please
I have the tamron 70-180... it is decent, but that sony gm being lighter might change my mind... i want to see the difference between the Gm 135, the 100-400 (teleconverter on the 70-200) and the new 70-200... street and travel/wild life as well as long exposure timelapse city scapes...
@kulmmii @kulmmii i dont have the preproduction lense like they do so i asked the question. You can compare anything.(i know you mean quality of primes ve zooms, but not everyone shoots wide open at 1.2, 1.4, and 1.8 all the time, and not everyone believes in zooming with feet because the background changes) *not always compression but other factors as well.
Not everyone is the same with events vs everyday street and landscape/architecture shooting from a distance. I asked because i like the wierd quirks of certain lenses and if they can do more tests to uncover more before i make a decision to buy this or a longer telephoto...bokeh isnt everything but it is a perk.
I'm sorry but I've done image comparisons in my studio under controlled flash, the tamron was CLEARLY sub par in image quality. When zoomed in it was terrible.
Great review. You can’t beat Tamron lenses for the money.
I used keh to sell my gear because of you two. And I had a way better experience than on offer up
Hello Tony and Chelsea, could you please do a comparison between gm 70-200 with TC and gm 100-400?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with my version of the V1 Sony 70-200…it’s super sharp, never misses focus and with proper technique does great with backlighting…so I will not be upgrading
But there’s like 5 other UA-camrs saying how much it sucks everyday. 🤦🏻♂️I just bought mine a month ago…feel a little hosed but it’s a great lens. Not as sharp as my primes but has a beautiful rendering to it. Color looks great
@@Mattrossphoto I would see if you can return that tbh
@@YakAlmighty I’m just worried about shortage. Like the it’s still impossible to get the 50 without waiting a month or paying 800 over retail on eBay. It’s funny they make it sound so easy to trade in but they don’t mention no one will have this thing in stock for 2 years 🤦🏻♂️
Is it worth $800 more?
I bought the Sony 70-200 f2.8 in 2017 to use with the A6500. I shot a lot of night HS football under terrible lighting conditions and got great results.Just about all shots were in focus. Is it possible that the version one lens gives good results with older Sonys and the new lens is optimized for the A1?
The a1 shoots at 30 fps compared to around 10 on older bodies. It's orders of magnitude more hard to focus at 30 fps than at 10 fps.
My dilemma is 135 GM vs the II...Thinking about trading the 135 with the lighter weight it might make sense.
You either had a terrible copy; or my copy is a unicorn… as none of the issues mentioned about the v1 are present in my copy. It never misses focus and is super sharp.
I have the "old" 70-200GM, but now it's my least used len, really should sell it, been prob 18mth since I've last used it and haven't used it since I got the 135GM. I just carry the 24, 50 & 135 GM's in my PD 10Lt Sling. It unlikely I will upgrade as I've found it size is too big now, now I have 9 sony lenses (7 being GM's). I really hoped Sony would of gone the Canon route and made it more compact & the barrel extendable. I hope Sony upgrades the 100-400GM to 100-500 in the next few years, that be a lense that I'll be interested in so I can sell my 200-600G. I have the 24-70GM I don't use it much so I'm not too bother when Sony upgrades that as I tend to reduce its texture in post processing my portrait photos for the smoother skin look.
Available at Best Buy for pre order now!
The look on her face when he said “I am the superior athlete” 😂😂😂
Slightly concerning that the new versions VR isn’t working well. Given the price
I have the GM I, I am wondering if it is worth selling and upgrade. I barely use it but I enjoy it when I do.
yes
Comparison that I was looking for! You guys at spot on!!
The OSS review doesn't sound right. What was the OSS mode set to in your tests?
You peeps still shuffle along pretty fast for oldies 😁 , only jokin , good comparison ...... thank you.
I'd probably go with the G master 2 as i do more outdoor shots and I'm stickler for sharpness.
Cheers.
This video could not have been better timed. I was planning on getting the GM lens this month.
Remember folks (for those in the US at least): Black Friday is now less than a month away. Might wanna wait and see...
@@Tinfoilnation they're not gonna discount a brand new lens on BF..
I am waiting for your review of new Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8. It is very exciting for the innovation of this focal length with aperture starting from f2.0. It's quite heavy so I want to see Chelsea's thinking for this point. My wife seems to be very interested in this lens for her street photography. I hope to see your review on UA-cam soon.
Do you think the most popular FE 24-70mm F/2.8 GM may get some new focusing system and lightness also or maybe even a f/1.8?
Hi Tony, Chelsea; A question occurred to me that I'm not sure you ever addressed...
With mirrorless now the dominant force, and to my observation only now are new designs becoming available taking advantage of shorter flange distances along with optical advances and manufacturing, is it practical to buy that one "killer" lens and expect the lens to perform well (in it's own right) on systems with higher megapixels, or to keep up with new systems in other ways. In other words, at one point you could buy a high end optic and expect it to perform very well (perhaps even hold or increase value) over 10-20 years building your lens collection over time.
Is the notion of buying big and holding any longer a practical strategy? Considering the dramatic advancement of the new Sony 70-200, I need to question the basic strategy.
Any thoughts?
I would expect a 5-6 year life out of a lens like this if you like to have the latest and greatest. I don't expect the mount to change, but they'll probably get smaller, sharper, crisper, faster.
Robert, unless you're shooting test patterns for a living, the new Sony 70-200mm f2.8 should be good enough until it stops working and it can't be fixed.
Really fascinating to see the differences between these 3. We've owned the mark 1 sony 70-200 for a couple of years and the weight is a really big downside. Had the gm ii been out already we definitely would have got bought that instead. Travelling with gm is a real headache!
Thanks a lot for the video. I'm wedding photographer, so Tamron is far enough! Thanks!
Hey , what happened to the Sony a 4 video. Was watching and it vanished
Its great to see you guys with new gear hands on and your testing was very interesting. In your tests I think the new sony won based on the actual test rather than what the manufacturer said was better. I do realize that the A1 is a factor here but its professional grade lens so its a good pairing. :-)
why you don’t remove the tripod mount on the lens? less weight without it
I hope you have no problems. All my support
I may have mistunderstood some older (not long ago though) video, where you mentioned that you do not review gear sent to you by manufacturers... or not? Have you changed your policy?
We don't accept free money or gear from manufacturers but yeah we get loaners and review them. It's the only way to publish timely reviews.
Nice one you two!! Thanks for the comparison!
Though I have not had this lens in my hands .....as you say I would suspect a firmware update may improve the stabilization
“Despite my incredible speed” man he fast 😂😂
Bro should I get a Tamron 28 200 or 70 180 for best image quality?
The bigger the zoom range, the lower the image quality.
How is the New Sony a7IV??
I think it is a bit biased to give 0 points for the tamron at the focal length test. It never tried to be a 200 mm.. The odd difference between GM I and II on the other hand deserves different points.
Great review as always 👍🏼
But my primary question is, when so long expected Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is coming to this world 😓
My question exactly. I suspect it will come out the day after I buy the Tamron
@@peterdekeles. i do agree. I am stopping myself from almost 1.5 year not to buy tamron and wait for new Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 but I think sigma wants to check our nerves now 😑
Sigma has annouced it almost 2 years ago and its still in production (and inbetween got so many unnecessory releases like 45mm 65mm and who knows how many more) but sony came out of no where with Mark II already 🤷🏽♂️
@@fnaticmedia yeah that's a joke already
@kulmmii Agreed. I'm not a professional so I can't really justify the $2,800 usd price. Wouldn't mind getting less performance for less money
@@peterdekeles. +1 to that
First time watching comparison video from you guys, very comprehensive, but the score is a little confusing, too much 0 or extremely low points for smaller difference, like for the price, maybe 10 4 3, for the focal length, maybe 8 9 10 will be more reasonable... Other wise, maybe a 3 point system will be better, like 3,1,0 and 1, 2, 3
Well...Sar just say that there's no Sigma 70200 on the roadmap!!...so..I'm thinking on going GMii,...but I have so bad luck that I bet a week after Tamron will announce a 70-180 G2...
What the audience really want's to know is which of these two mirrorless lenses is the better: Sony 70-200 GM II vs Canon RF 70-200. But you knew that this was a great test right?
I'm debating between that Tamron and the Sigma 85mm dg dn at the moment to photograph my 6 month old more as he grows up. I'm doing it right now on a 50mm sigma. Any thoughts what focal length is the best to take photos from little kids?
Great video man. It's a great idea with the diffusion. I shoot video mostly documentaries and I actually do have the time to put up a light stand with a diffusion filter most of the time. I will fore sure try to figure out the best and most agile solution, as I'm on my own most of the times. What do you do in windy situations? Any ideas ? I mean sandbags are heavy .. :/
Cheers from Denmark
Unfortunately, me and a few others have found that the Tamron 70-180 struggles to focus in low-light.
Can you compare the new Tamron 35-150 to the new Sony 70-200