Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD
£699/$799
Tamron’s latest FX tele goes one better – or in this case, 10mm better – than Nikon’s rival 70-200mm f/4 G ED VR, though this won’t make an obvious difference during real-world shooting. The one-upmanship continues with the lens’s physical stats. At 174mm long with a 76mm max diameter, it’s certainly compact by FX constant-aperture tele standards, but the Nikon is only 4.5mm longer and 2mm wider. The two lenses tie on weight, at a very reasonable 850g. But Tamron has a much more appreciable advantage when it comes to price, as it’s around just half the cost of the Nikon.
It’s not as if Tamron has skimped on the internals, though. A 20-element, 14-group optical path incorporates three LD (Low Dispersion) elements to help banish axial and transverse chromatic aberrations. Tamron claims its USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) ring-type autofocus motor will deliver outstanding responsiveness and precision, with a pro-style internal focussing mechanism that enables the front element to maintain a fixed position. Full-time manual focus override is also present, as is Vibration Compensation that delivers a CIPA-rated 4-stop shutter speed advantage. Just don’t expect the sport-orientated VC modes present in fancier Tamrons.
As is becoming the norm in Nikon’s E-suffixed lenses, this latest Tamron also features an electromagnetic diaphragm for more consistent exposure accuracy during burst shooting. The aperture diaphragm itself is a rounded 9-blade design, which should deliver some attractive bokeh. Combine this with the class-leading 1:3.1 magnification ratio and 0.95m minimum object distance and you’ve got a handy tool for some telemacro photography.
Adverse weather shouldn’t pose a problem, as the lens has a moistureresistant construction, along with a fluorine coating on the front element to repel water, dirt and oily fingerprints. And if that extra 10mm at the tele end can’t quite cut it, the lens is also compatible with Tamron’s 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters.
First impressions_
There’s nothing like a good bargain, but while this new Tamron is a real tempter next to pricey Nikon competition, Tamron’s own 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di can be had for less, while Sigma’s APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM isn’t much more. If you’d rather have lightness over a larger aperture, Tamron’s latest lens could strike a compelling balance.