Tamron announced yet another new-generation lens for both Nikon F and Canon EF mounts, the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2. The new professional-grade lens sports an impressive optical design, with a total of 17 elements in 12 groups, four of which are aspherical elements, two have extra refractive and three have low dispersion properties. Just like the recent “G2” series lenses from Tamron, the SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 comes with eBAND and BBAR coatings to reduce ghosting and flare, and fluorine coating has been applied to the front element to protect the lens against dust, dirt and smearing. Sporting an advanced image stabilization system, the lens is capable of reducing camera shake by up to 5 stops. Lastly, the lens is weather sealed and is compatible with optional TAP-in Console for fine-tuning the focusing properties of the lens and updating lens firmware. All this technology available at a very appealing price point of $1,199, making the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 even cheaper than the recently introduced Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art. This is a very exciting release and I am looking forward to testing and reviewing the lens later this year, as soon as it becomes available.
While the lens is pretty heavy at nearly 900 grams and pretty large in size with an 82mm front filter thread, let’s not forget that this is a professional-grade lens aimed to compete directly with the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E VR and Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lenses. Tamron truly put everything it got into this lens and it really shows – optically, the lens looks superb when looking at the MTF data. At 24mm, the lens shows superb contrast and sharpness in the center of the frame, with gradual weaker performance towards the edges of the frame. It suffers from very little astigmatism at the widest aperture and I expect its performance to look excellent when stopped down to f/4 and smaller:
As you zoom in towards 70mm, the sharpness of the lens drops slightly in the center of the frame, but the edges look far better when compared to 24mm:
There is a noticeable curve towards the edges of the frame, indicating some field curvature at the longest end. I personally don’t see a problem with this, since field curvature can be drastically reduced when stopped down. And considering that this lens is mostly targeted towards landscape and architecture photographers, that should not be a problem.
Looking at the MTF curves of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art, the performance of the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 looks a little more consistent, although both have their strengths and weaknesses. As for Nikon’s 24-70mm f/2.8E VR, it definitely looks inferior compared to both the Sigma and the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses based purely on the MTF charts. However, let’s not forget that these are emulated numbers based on the wide open performance. None of the MTF charts provide any information for the stopped down performance at apertures like f/5.6, where the performance truly matters. For this reason, it is impossible to say which lens is going to truly deliver, not until we get our hands on all three and do detailed evaluations in a lab environment with multiple samples. And that’s what I am personally looking forward to – as soon as all three become available, I am planning to test the lenses and provide early test data for the upcoming reviews.
It is very exciting to see third party manufacturers like Tamron releasing excellent lenses at competitive prices. Along with the recently announced Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 and the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8, we now have Tamron’s “trinity” of lenses that can compete with Nikon’s kit at a much more affordable price point…
To see more details about the lens, check out the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 page of our lens database.
Hey Nasim, I’m sure I speak for many when I write that we’d greatly appreciate your full review on this lens; I’ve come to rely on your guidance before making new purchases, and I always buy through your affiliate links. Thank you in advance for your time!
these lenses have been available for quite a while now, are we going to see a review anytime soon? Same question regarding the tamron 70-200 g2. I would like to see comparisons against their counterparts. All lenses used on the same camera so we can actually see the real difference. you guys use too many different cameras which makes it impossible to take results seriously unless compared in the same review using the same camera.
The lens is available all over :) hoping to see your review on it so i can decide if I should buy it or not. All of your proffesional reviewshas been amazing so far!! Thanks and looking forward for this highly anticipated review soon :))
Nasim, I am soooo looking forward to your review of this lens whenever you get your hands on one, it would be my final push, as I did own the previous one, but was fortunate enough to have the Nikon 24-70 non VR and the Tammy at the same time, AND only kept the Nikon as it was stronger at the 70mm end, I think that may not be an issue this time around, also my hands are not as steady, and my kids move faster, so 5 stops will be a god send!!!!
PS hurry and get one!!!
Regards
Danny
Hi there! I currently have the old 24-70mm sigma and I am not very happy with the performance (e.g., autofocus, sharpness). I am looking to purchase a new 24-70mm lens and I was wondering if you could compare all existing 24-70mm lenses once this one is released? I am specifically interested in Nikon vs. Sigma Art vs. Tamron.
Thanks,
Lindsay
I think it is the same “trick” they did with the latest version of their 90mm macro lens. Same lens, just a bit nicer outside and compatible with the tap console. If you have the current version probably no need to upgrade. I look forward to the test results of the new Sigma (the price of the new Nikon is just too ridiculous overpriced).
Thanks Nasim.
It will be interesting to see if they have addressed the weak points of the original lens, such as the distracting bokeh. I am looking forward to your review also, along with a review against Nikon and Sigma offerings.
As a dance photographer I’ve never really been able to consider 3rd party lenses as AF speed could never compete with Nikon’s own lenses. But I’m hoping this or the Sigma might be different as my version of the non-VR 24-70mm from Nikon has always left me dissatisfied. Do I have any reason to think they might compete or is it just not going to happen?
I have the previous version of this lens and was very happy with it’s sharpness but focus shift can be a problem after 50mm and the rubber on the barrel came loose, had it replaced recently. Now looking for a replacement and await your comparison of the new 24-70mm lenses of the Sigma, Tamron & Nikon. Would be a very interesting comparison to direct me in the right direction for my next purchase.
Hi Nasim,
I have read that this lens is optically identical to the last version. If that’s true, according to the Camera Labs test on the last gen Tamron 24-70, it trailed both the Nikon and Sigma version. Can you verify that the 2 lenses are optically identical? Looking forward to your true tests compared to the New Sigma and Nikon.