Last Updated on 12/06/2023 by Chris Gampat
I’ve dragged my feet on writing this lens review for a few reasons. When I originally used it, I didn’t feel like the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 was doing anything majorly different. Sure, they added image stabilization, and it’s the only type of its kind on the market. But at the same time, this is, hands down, one of the most boring Tamron lenses that we’ve ever reviewed. It does everything really well — and we can’t truly find a flaw with it. Considering the low price point, it’s a lens that photographers truly might want to consider. However, there’s nothing that would make me want to reach for this over a bunch of other lenses on the market.
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Table of Contents
The Big Picture
The Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 is a lens that delivers in many different ways. Optically, it’s pretty darn great for anyone who doesn’t want a clinical look overall. Performance-wise, the autofocus is just as snappy as the lenses that Sony makes. It’s also as weather-resistant as a modern lens can really get. Because of its light weight, you’ll be happy carrying it with you everywhere. But the only problem in our mind is that it’s not reaching far enough and cut off with a remaining 20mm on the longer end. With Sigma making a 70-200mm f2.8 at just a bit more expensive than this, I could see people who want more clinical image quality going for the Sigma instead. But they’ll sacrifice on weight, autofocus speed, etc.
Mind you, we haven’t tested the Sigma variant yet. But considering the past few years and how they’ve made lenses, we can make some solid assumptions.
I truly wish Tamron had done more to differentiate this lens from the rest. Despite that, we’re giving it four out of five stars.
Pros
- It’s only around $1,200
- Good image quality, if not a little too sterline
- Far better autofocus than anything we’ve ever tested from Sigma
- Weather resistance
- Easy to update the firmware when needed
- Lightweight
- Swirly bokeh is a big plus
Cons
- Not really a single thing, except that it feels like it’s too short for me to use for serious work consistently.
Gear Used
We tested the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 with the Sony a7r III and the Sony a7 IV along with Profoto B10 lights. The lens and the a7 IV are loaner units. The rest of the gear belongs to the Phoblographer.
Innovations
Where Tamron is innovating here is by containing the tradition of bringing out a lens like this and adding in image stabilization. But seriously, we’re not even sure who would need or want a lens of this type.
Ergonomics
This section was taken from our original preview post.
The Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 lens has a few key updates to it. The biggest one is the addition of a USB port on the side. But ergonomically, otherwise, it’s very similar to the older lens. There’s a zoom ring, a focusing ring, and a switch on the side. Like many of Tamron’s other lenses, it also has the silver ring towards the back.
Build Quality
The Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 is special in that it’s not only very lightweight, but it also boasts Tamron’s weather resistance. Of any brand that supports the Sony E mount, Tamron has the best weather resistance. That’s part of what makes this lens special. However, that’s true for the entire identity of everything that Tamron makes these days. Truly, there isn’t a single complaint here about the build quality of this lens.
Ease of Use
The photographers that we think might go for the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 are the ones that are looking for a 70-200mm f2.8 lens but can’t afford the ones on the market yet. So they’re essentially going for a budget option that doesn’t give them all the reach that they might need. Trust me, the extra 20mm can mean the difference in the same way that a 35mm and a 50mm lens can give you a different effect. However, if a photographer is using this lens with an APS-C camera, they might be very happy with it.
Focusing
Sony’s cameras have pretty solid autofocus in good lighting situations and the best comes when you turn off subject detection. With that said, there’s always been the idea that 3rd party lenses just won’t be able to keep up. But Tamron is partially owned by Sony; so the focusing of a lens like this is incredible because the companies are sharing information with one another. Even in dimly lit situations, the lens was able to acquire focus pretty easily.
What’s more, people who use the Live View setting effect mode on Sony cameras will be happy to know that the focusing performance isn’t majorly affected here regardless of the camera that you’re using.
By all means, it feels like you’re using a budget Sony lens with better build quality and that’s just as fast.
Image Quality
The Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 has image quality that’s pretty incredible. We prefer it to the super clinically clean approach that Sony takes while adding in extra color depth and a bit more pop. We’re not a website that pixel peeps, and so we believe that most photographers will also be very happy with the results. More importantly, your clients will too. Of all the people we photographed, everyone loved their images.
Don’t believe the marketing hype involving MTF charts or anything else. This lens can deliver.
Bokeh
What’s special about the bokeh of this lens is the fact that at certain times, it looks pretty swirly. That’s because it’s not following the super clinical designs that Sony and other brands go for. And anyone who appreciates a bit of hot sauce will find this lens to be just the right amount of spicy. Though it’s also not unheard of to want more. That’s pretty difficult get from a zoom lens though.
Color Rendition
What I really like about the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 is how it renders skin tones across the board. I’m not sure what kind of magic is happening here, but colors otherwise are also fairly saturated where they need to be too.
Lens Character
In terms of all the typical things like chromatic aberration and fringing, we didn’t find any. But some might take offense to the swirly bokeh. Those photographers can reach for a prime lens instead or go for a higher-end lens.
Sharpness
The Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 isn’t as sharp as a Sony lens, and we like that. Camera lenses these days are way too sharp, and if we can do less post-production, then we’re pretty happy overall. If you’re shooting documentary style, you’ll really like what this lens can do. And if you want more sharpness, just use a flash!
Extra Image Samples
From day one, The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, lots of folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the lens can do. So we have a section in our Extra Image Samples area to show edited and unedited photos. From this, you can make a decision for yourself.
Unedited
Edited
Who Should Buy the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2?
The Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2 is for anyone that wants an affordable, lightweight, fast focusing lens and that can’t step up o a 70-200mm f2.8 lens. You can go for Sigma’s, but you’ll surely sacrifice autofocus speed. We haven’t tested Sigma’s yet, but we’re sure that it won’t be able to keep up with the speed that Tamron offers.
Want one? Check it out on Amazon.
Tech Specs
These specifications are taken from the press release. The biggest change is the addition of vibration compensation:
Model | : A065 |
Focal Length | : 70-180mm |
Maximum Aperture | : F2.8 |
Angle of View (diagonal) | : 34°21′-13°42’ (for full-frame mirrorless format) |
Optical Construction | : 20 elements in 15 groups |
Minimum Object Distance | : 0.3m / 11.8in (WIDE), 0.85m / 33.5in (TELE) |
Maximum Magnification Ratio | : 1:2.6 (WIDE) / 1:4.7 (TELE) |
Filter Size | : φ67mm |
Maximum Diameter | : φ83mm |
Length* | : 156.5mm (6.2in) |
Weight | : 855g (30.2oz) |
Aperture Blades** | : 9 (circular diaphragm) |
Minimum Aperture | : F22 |
Standard Accessories | : Flower-shaped hood, Lens caps |
Mount | : Sony E-mount |
* Length is the distance from the front end of the lens to the lens mount face.
** The circular diaphragm stays almost perfectly circular up to two stops down from maximum aperture.
Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice.