Reviewed: Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 DI VC USD G2

Verdict: This fab lens fits both Canon and Nikon. It’s impressively sharp and has optical stabilisation. It is a fraction less sharp than the Canon and Nikon equivalents but it is also much cheaper.

Tamron has been around for years, but its recent releases have really impressed us with both image quality and construction. This all-purpose G2 zoom is no exception. Featuring a sturdy design with a huge 23 elements in 17 groups which include both XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) and LD (Low Dispersion) glass, as well as an eBAND coating. This design near-eradicates ghosting, flare and aberration and during testing we didn’t come across any issues at all.

Sharpness is very impressive, even compared to the pricier Nikon and Canon equivalents. Wide open at f/2.8 the centre is pin-sharp, with solid corners. At f/5.6 the entire frame is incredibly sharp and returns excellent results.

Its proprietary VC (Vibration Control) optical stabilisation is included, promising 5 stops of compensation on the G2 version. This works very well, and allows you to hand-hold at slower shutter speeds than otherwise practical. Overall, this is a great lens made sweeter by the pricing.

Pros

Fits Canon and Nikon

Very sharp

Optical stabilisation

Cons

A fraction less sharp than the Canon and Nikon

Want to compare? We've rounded up the best fast-aperture lenses.

Spec

Min aperture: f/22

Max aperture: f/2.8

Elements: 23/17

Filter size: 77mm

Min focusing distance: 95cm

DxH: 88x194mm

Weight: 1500g

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Kirk Schwarz is a tech-addicted photographer with over a decade's experience; Kirk’s used to putting new gear through extreme field testing. He's previously written for Practical Photography.