I don't have this lens but I have the Tamron 18-270mm f/2.8 DiII for Nikon and I just ordered their 90mm macro, though I haven't gotten it yet. I LOVE the versatility of the 18-270 and think it is just all around a great lens. I started with the Nikon kit 18-55 and 55-200 and just found I never had the lens I wanted on my camera (I have a Nikon D5000).
I'm really happy with the quality of the lens - though I am a beginner and probably don't know exactly what I should be looking for... price-wise the Tamron lenses are a nice alternative to Nikon and they have a great 6 year warranty as well.
I do not like Tamron lenses. I just don't know how else to put it. I have their 18-200 variant a few years ago, used it for 3 days, and then went and bought the Nikkor version. Night and day difference. Then I've used someone's 18-270mm and was disgusted by the quality, or lack there of (not sharp, soft spot in left hand lower corner, horrible chroma, etc). I couldn't figure out how suddenly a batch of photos I was editing had really poor quality, then I remembered I swapped to that person's Tamron lens from one of my Nikkors in the middle of the day for a few shots.
I guess if you've never used anything different and don't exactly know what to look for in poor picture quality, it might not bother you. I use only Nikkor (besides my one Tokina wide angle, and the odd Tamron that gets thrown my direction) and have taken about 60,000 photos in the past few years, so I can see the differences between lenses more easily. I understand everyone has a budget, but sometimes it's worth saving up a bit more... a Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 lens can be found used for around the same price of a new Tamron 70-200mm. The D700 is an amazing machine, seems kinda weird to throw off brand lenses on it in my opinion... WHICH ALL OF THIS IS JUST MY OPINION (before I get a bunch of replies going "but my tamron is great!" in response to me)
@hmgphotos Heidi, Thanks for your opinion. I appreciate it!
I just upgraded to the D700 from a D60 at Christmas
and I only have one lens right now the 50 mm 1.4
I forgot about looking at used lenses!! I will definitely take a look at them.
:)
Never buy Tamron telephoto lenses. They are really not that great. I have the Tamron 24-75mm f/2.8 and it is a great lens. But that's about the best zoom lens they make. Their 70-200mm isn't very sharp, the autofocus is slower than most other telephoto lenses which makes action photography difficult, and they break easily.
I have used the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 and Sigma 80-200mm f/2.8 and I can tell you they are very, very similar. The Sigma is about a thousand dollars less in price, but has about 80-90% the quality of the Nikon. It is fast, silent, and durable. I own the Sigma lens, which was the first telephoto I bought. It has never failed me.
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I'm really happy with the quality of the lens - though I am a beginner and probably don't know exactly what I should be looking for... price-wise the Tamron lenses are a nice alternative to Nikon and they have a great 6 year warranty as well.
Good luck!
I guess if you've never used anything different and don't exactly know what to look for in poor picture quality, it might not bother you. I use only Nikkor (besides my one Tokina wide angle, and the odd Tamron that gets thrown my direction) and have taken about 60,000 photos in the past few years, so I can see the differences between lenses more easily. I understand everyone has a budget, but sometimes it's worth saving up a bit more... a Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 lens can be found used for around the same price of a new Tamron 70-200mm. The D700 is an amazing machine, seems kinda weird to throw off brand lenses on it in my opinion... WHICH ALL OF THIS IS JUST MY OPINION (before I get a bunch of replies going "but my tamron is great!" in response to me)
@hmgphotos Heidi, Thanks for your opinion. I appreciate it!
I just upgraded to the D700 from a D60 at Christmas
and I only have one lens right now the 50 mm 1.4
I forgot about looking at used lenses!! I will definitely take a look at them.
:)
I have used the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 and Sigma 80-200mm f/2.8 and I can tell you they are very, very similar. The Sigma is about a thousand dollars less in price, but has about 80-90% the quality of the Nikon. It is fast, silent, and durable. I own the Sigma lens, which was the first telephoto I bought. It has never failed me.