Tamron Glass vs Canon Glass

I'd like to recount a little experiment I did last year which opened a few eyes, including my own.

I was attending the PPSNYS Workshop at Hobart & William Smith college, and looking for the best lens to upgrade to. I had been doing acceptable work using my Canon 10D and 20D fitted with consumer lenses, but wanted to make that step to a "professional" quality lens.

One of the instructors saw me poring over a Canon brochure, and got out his pen and circled two lenses, saying these are the two you need.

OK.

One of my strengths (or failings, depending on your point of view) is never taking advice at face value. I had to test his pronouncement.

At workshops of this kind, are always vendors who will do almost anything to get attendees to take some of their wares home. Such was the case here. Hahn Photographic from Rochester NY had both the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens, selling for around $1,200 (which the instructor had pointed out), and the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS, selling for about $400.

The issue I have is "crispness" of image over the full frame, while maintaining perfect color rendition. I had never been completely satisfied with the images I'd taken, although my clients are delighted. My own worst critic, you know...

I set up a variety of tests in a variety of conditions, high and low light, close-up and distance, portrait settings, etc.

So what did I find?

I could recount the specifics of all of the tests, but the overall result was, I couldn't identify any difference between the lenses. Except for weight. The Canon is very, very heavy compared to the Tamron.

I should add, we're not necessarily testing identical products here. The Canon lens was designed for film cameras, and the Tamron di lens was intended for digital cameras with the smaller sensor. Please take my observations as just that, observations from a consumer of professional quality products.

Now, lest you think I have thrown over Canon lenses, this is NOT the case.

This past November, I photographed a wedding in Northern Virginia, and rented the same Canon lens that I tested against the Tamron. Here is where test results can be misleading, and where i would encourage you to do your own research.

My daughter, who is also my partner, was using the 20D with the Tamron lens, and I was using my new 30D with the Canon L Lens, which I rented from www.lensprotogo.com. I was, frankly, AMAZED at the responsiveness and accuracy of the autofocus on the Canon lens. Fast and as the Brit's say, "spot on".

I want to add a quick note about lensprotogo.com. Paul, who runs the business, is about the most attentive and responsive person I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He specializes in Canon professional quality lenses for rent, and I HEARTILY recommend his business to you if you want to test drive a lens, or use a specialty lens for a project.

Anyway, enough of the commercial.

Here is the bottom line. Both the Canon and Tamron are excellent, versatile lenses that will get you top quality results. The Canon's advantage, becides the quality of the glass, is in the exceptionally responsive autofocus, while the Tamron's advantage is in the lack of weight. Manually focused, I think the Tamron can hold its own against the Canon.

Please don't think I'm a lens pro. NOT the case. I'm a professional photographer who likes to make intelligent decisions.

Visit us at www.paynefamilyphotographers.com. Talk to you soon!