[Mary]

Newbie here.



I purchased the Tamron 70-300mm VC lens recently. Been reading various reviews on the lens, as my original plan was to buy the Nikon 70-300mm VR and the camera guy said Tamron was better. I see many people discuss problems with under exposuring. When someone says that their Tamron lens underexposes, are they testing with another lens and comparing to see what f-stop was used? If I take a photo that's metered correctly (shooting in M mode), do I assume it's underexposed if the histogram comes out dark? I don't have a Nikon 70-300 lens to compare. Is there something I can use to test? Do I follow the 'chart' that shows what aperture should be per the various focal lengths, i.e.: f/4 70 to 103mm, f4.5 104 to 160mm, f/5 161 to 217mm, and f/5.6 218 to 300mm?



Panning mode: Does the Nikkor 70-300mm VR lens have panning mode? I know the Tamron doesn't.



In taking a bunch of photos these last few days, I'm finding that I'm not using the lens from the 200 to 300 range. Would the Nikon 70-300mm be a better choice? I ask becuse I've read that the Nikon is better from 70 to 200mm and the Tamron better from 200 to 300.



Thank you in advance for your comments.



Mary

[Guest]

[quote name='Mary' timestamp='1300821535' post='7026']In taking a bunch of photos these last few days, I'm finding that I'm not using the lens from the 200 to 300 range. Would the Nikon 70-300mm be a better choice? I ask becuse I've read that the Nikon is better from 70 to 200mm and the Tamron better from 200 to 300.[/quote]



If you don´t use the 200-300mm range at all the Nikon 55-200mm VR would be a good choice for a Nikon APS-C cam. Else, basically all 70-300mm lenses are pretty good up to 200mm, the performance differences you may see in this zoom range are hardly critical.

[Rainer]

[quote name='Mary' timestamp='1300821535' post='7026']

Panning mode: Does the Nikkor 70-300mm VR lens have panning mode? I know the Tamron doesn't.

[/quote]



If I remember correct, the Tamron detects panning automatically, and behaves

accordingly. So no special switch setting is needed for it.

[Mary]

[quote name='Sammy' timestamp='1300870980' post='7038']

If you don´t use the 200-300mm range at all the Nikon 55-200mm VR would be a good choice for a Nikon APS-C cam. Else, basically all 70-300mm lenses are pretty good up to 200mm, the performance differences you may see in this zoom range are hardly critical.

[/quote]



Thank you for replying. I would use the 200-300mm range at some point, just not the majority of the time I shoot. If both the Tamron and Nikon 70-300 are equal as far as IQ goes throughout the range of the lens (and I believe they are the same weight), I could go with the less expensive Tamron or Pay $100 more for the Nikon. Are there any compatibility issues with the Tamron on a Nikon camera (D7000)?

[Mary]

[quote name='Rainer' timestamp='1300875901' post='7039']

If I remember correct, the Tamron detects panning automatically, and behaves

accordingly. So no special switch setting is needed for it.

[/quote]





Thank you!

[IanCD]

[quote name='Mary' timestamp='1300891713' post='7047']

If both the Tamron and Nikon 70-300 are equal as far as IQ goes throughout the range of the lens (and I believe they are the same weight), I could go with the less expensive Tamron or Pay $100 more for the Nikon. Are there any compatibility issues with the Tamron on a Nikon camera (D7000)?

[/quote]

Hi Mary,

Re compatability, I don't think so...



A while back I was wondering if I'd made a mistake choosing the Tamron over the Nikon when I bought a D7000 at the end of December. Markus, Klaus and Brightcolours reassured me on that - see page 4 of [url="http://forum.photozone.de/index.php?/topic/355-tamron-70-300-vc-exposure-issues/page__pid__6371__st__60#entry6371"]this thread[/url] (which also discusses panning)



This (below) from Markus was particularly helpful, given that Markus was testing / using it on a D7000



[quote name='IanCD' timestamp='1297205228' post='5979']

Does that rating make it lower IQ than the Nikon (Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR)?

Ooops..? Maybe I made a mistake (6 weeks ago..!) getting the Tamron over the Nikon? <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' />

Ian

[/quote]

[quote name='mst' timestamp='1297248966' post='5992']

No, you didn't. Both have slight advantages over the other one in some regards, but in summary, they are very close. With a slight advantage for the Tamron.



Maybe it eases your mind to know that I'm seriously considering to keep the Tamron for myself. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



-- Markus

[/quote]



There have been a few threads here that have compared the Tamron and Nikon 70-300s which might be useful to search for & look at.



The review which Martin linked to (in quote below) might be useful for the comparison images - even if it is written in Czech!



[quote name='Martin_MM' timestamp='1300402559' post='6917'] Here is the comparison of Nikon 70-300 vs. Tamron 70-300. Nikon 28-300 has been added too in the longer ends of its range. Everything was shot from a tripod, without VR/VC of course. http://www.makofoto.cz/nikon/objektivy/Tamron_70_300VC/Tamron_70_300VC.htm It is in Czech, however, you may get a picture concerning the sharpness. Just to help you with 2 important words for translation: "Střed" = centre "Okraj" = edge. [/quote]

Enjoy!

Ian

[Steinar1]

Mary, there is no compatability isue. The Tamron is slightly better. I use it on a D700 with great results. But both are good and you can't go wrong either way. Save your money for something really important <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[koulang]

Seem like Tamron is very good choice, but Lenstip.com reviews that this lens is worse than Nikon at long end and better than Canon.

[Guest]

I have tried Tamron in the store on D700 - looks great. You cannot make mistake with either - Nikon is also very good.

[Brightcolours]

[quote name='Koulang' timestamp='1301566693' post='7246']

Seem like Tamron is very good choice, but Lenstip.com reviews that this lens is worse than Nikon at long end and better than Canon.

[/quote]

Which just shows you can't just trust a single source.