In summary
The SP 70-210mm f/4.0 Di VC USD is a nice bit of gear that will suit owners of Canon or Nikon ‘full-frame’ DSLR cameras.
Given the crop factors involved, we wouldn’t suggest photographers who use the cropped sensor DSLRs from these manufacturers should buy this lens, although it could be useful occasionally if you have a second, cropped sensor body and extra zoom length is required.
If you’re considering one of the optional teleconverters, which offer 1.4x and 2.0x magnification and provide a maximum zoom range up to 420mm, remember they will reduce the lens speed by 1.4x and 2.0x, respectively. We’d recommend investing in the optional tripod collar if you plan to use the lens on a lighter camera body and for long exposures.
Full review
Announced just over a week before the CP+ show, the Tamron SP 70-210mm f/4.0 Di VC USD is designed primarily for cameras with 36 x 24 mm sensors and is available in mounts to suit Canon and Nikon DSLRs. Featuring a constant f/4 maximum aperture, it can focus down to 95 cm where it provides a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1, the highest in its class. We received the Canon version and tested it on our EOS 5D Mark II camera body.
Side view of the Tamron 70-210mm f/4 VC USD lens without the end caps or lens hood. (Source: Tamron.)
The optical design of this lens is typical of a medium telephoto zoom lens, with 20 elements in 14 groups. Exotic elements are limited to three LD (low dispersion) elements, which address chromatic aberrations while maintaining sharpness throughout the frame. Their positions are shown in the diagram below.
The optical design of the Tamron 70-210mm f/4 VC USD lens showing the positions of the LD elements. (Source: Tamron.)
The lens is built to resist dust and moisture, with seals around all places that could admit contaminants. (The diagram below shows their positions.) Fluorine Coating on the front surface of the lens resists dirt, dust, moisture and fingerprints, making it easy to keep clean.
This diagram shows the positions of the main seals that exclude moisture and dust. (Source: Tamron.)
All focusing and zooming are internal, which means the lens barrel retains the same length, regardless of the focal length setting and focused distance. The internal zoom also minimises changes to the centre of gravity of the lens, making it more stable.
Autofocusing is driven by a ring-type USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) motor, which is fast, quiet and highly accurate. The lens will focus to within 95 cm of subjects, providing a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1, the highest in its class. The constant f/4 maximum aperture ensures attractive bokeh in close-up shots.
Tamron’s Dual MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) system strikes a balance between autofocus tracking and vibration compensation by dedicating one microprocessor to lens system control (including AF), and the other for vibration compensation processing. The proprietary VC system is CIPA rated for four f-stops of shake compensation.
The lens is supplied with front and end caps plus a deep, petal-shaped lens hood that reverses over the lens barrel for storage. An optional tripod mount (Model: A034TM) compatible with Arca-Swiss style quick release plates is available for an RRP of AU$199. However, we could only find a few local re-sellers who stocked it.
Other accessories include the Tamron TAP-in Console which provides a USB connection to a computer for installing firmware updates and customising fine adjustments to autofocusing and VC controls. Two tele converters, designed to match the optics of the 70-210mm f/4 lens, offer 1.4x and 2.0x magnification and extend the zoom range to a maximum of 420mm.
Who’s it For?
The 70-200mm zoom range is one of the most popular choices for photographers looking to extend their camera’s range. With the 70-210mm f/4 lens, Tamron extends that range a little, adding to its coverage without compromising either lens speed or the range of genres the lens can cover.
The shorter end of the zoom range, say 70mm to around 120mm is ideal for portraiture, whereas the longer focal lengths can be used for sports and wildlife photography in some situations. The f/4 maximum aperture can provide flexibility for shooting in low light levels as well as control over depth of field, where the nine-bladed iris diaphragm produces a pleasing bokeh quality.
The constant f/4 maximum aperture and 4-stop stabilisation facilitate hand-held shooting in relatively low light levels. (Source: Tamron.)
Wedding and event photographers could find this lens attractive, particularly since it has been designed for hand-held shooting. The comparatively light weight and robust construction should also appeal to photographers who work extensively in outdoor locations.
This lens is only available with two mounts: Canon EF and Nikon F. Nikon DLSR owners should note that it features an electromagnetic diaphragm system, which has been a standard feature for Canon-mount lenses. This provides more precise diaphragm and aperture control because the diaphragm blades are driven and controlled by a built-in motor through electronic pulse signals. However, it means the lens is only compatible with the following cameras: D5, D4s, D4, D3X, Df, D850, D810, D810A, D800, D800E, D750, D600, D610, D300S, D500, D7500, D7200, D7100, D7000, D5600, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3400, D3300, D3200 and D3100.
Even though this lens can be used on cameras with cropped (APS-C) sensors (some of which are included in the above list), it is best suited to the ‘full-frame’ format. On Canon’s APS-C DSLRs, it would cover a focal length range of 112-336 mm, whereas on a Nikon DSLR, the zoom range would be 105-315mm.
Build and Ergonomics
Tamron doesn’t specify the materials used in the construction of this lens but the optional tripod mount is listed as being ‘made of a light yet robust magnesium alloy’ so we feel the same material may also have been used in the construction of the lens barrel. The mounting plate is very solid chromed metal and it attaches firmly to the camera body.
The outer barrel has a smooth, low-slip black finish that looks quite elegant. The barrel for the Canon lens we received is 176.5 mm long. Fitting the lens hood extends it to 240 mm. The inner surface of the hood is finely ridged to minimise reflections.
The zoom ring is approximately 38 mm wide and starts 15 mm back from the front of the filter ring, which is threaded to accept 67 mm diameter filters. A finely-ridged, rubber-like coating provides a non-slip grip surface.
The trailing edge of the zoom ring carries four focal length settings: 70mm, 100mm, 135mm and 210mm. These are aligned with a white mark, just in front of the embedded distance scale on a fixed, 15 mm wide section of the barrel that separates the zoom and focusing rings. The distance scale is marked in metres and feet from 0.9 metres to infinity.
The focusing ring is 24 mm wide and entirely covered in fine ridging, which is shallower than the ridges on the zoom ring. It turns through almost a half-circle with soft stops at either end.
Behind this section of the barrel is a 25 mm wide area that accommodates the VC on/off and AF/MF sliders, along with a ‘Designed in Japan’ label. (The lens is made in Vietnam.) There’s no zoom lock but it’s not necessary since both focusing and zooming are handled by moving internal elements.
The barrel steps inwards by roughly a millimetre to provide a 20 mm wide mounting for the optional tripod collar before proceeding for a further 24mm to the 5 mm wide metal band that marks the edge of the lens mount. Rubber seals protrude from below this band to keep out moisture and dust.
Performance
Our Imatest tests showed the supplied lens came close to meeting the expected resolution performance for the EOS 5D Mark II body we used for our tests, although only near the centre of the frame. The highest resolution was achieved with the 70mm focal length at f/5.6. Maximum sharpness remained within 1/3 of a stop of this aperture throughout the focal length range.
Diffraction kicked in quite sharply at f/8 and resolution plunged steeply to f/22 (the smallest aperture we tested). Differences between near centre and edge resolution were quite substantial at wide apertures, reducing as the lens was stopped down. The graph below shows the result of our tests.
Lateral chromatic aberration results hovered around the boundary between ‘negligible’ and ‘low’ CA, which is indicates reasonable performance for a lens of this type. We found no signs of coloured fringing along high-contrast edges in shots taken in bright sunlight when the images were enlarged to 100% magnification. In the graph below showing the results of our tests, the red line marks the boundary between ‘negligible’ and ‘low’ CA, while the green line separates ‘low’ and ‘moderate CA.
Autofocusing performance was generally very good, although it depended on having the right the camera setting for the subject and a subject with adequate contrast at the correct distance from the camera. When these coincided, focusing was both fast and accurate. When they didn’t, hunting could occur and the focus could end up on the wrong subject in a scene, particularly with ‘busy’ scenes and close-ups.
To test vignetting and distortion we had to disable the corrections in our EOS 5D II camera and use raw files for assessments. When photographs were taken with the camera’s peripheral illumination correction function disabled, vignetting could be seen at f/4 for all focal lengths. We noticed a gradual increase in corner darkening with increasing focal length, with 210mm showing slightly greater darkening than the 70mm focal length. Vignetting at all focal lengths was largely resolved by f/5.6.
Rectilinear distortion was very low across the zoom range, although very slight barrel distortion could be detected at 70mm. It resolved into slight pincushion distortion at 135mm and 210mm and virtually no distortion at 100mm. Such distortion would be easily corrected with in-camera settings or with editing software. Bokeh at wide apertures was quite smooth and generally attractive, although there was a tendency to produce ‘hard’, and at times outlined, specular highlights. An example is shown below.
210mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/1000 second at f/4. The ‘hard’ highlights are circled in red.
The generous lens hood made it difficult to force this lens to flare unless the sun intruded into the image frame. Backlit shots were rarely flare-affected.
Conclusion
The SP 70-210mm f/4.0 Di VC USD is a nice bit of gear that will suit owners of Canon or Nikon ‘full-frame’ DSLR cameras. Given the crop factors involved, we wouldn’t suggest photographers who use the cropped sensor DSLRs from these manufacturers should buy this lens, although it could be useful occasionally if you have a second, cropped sensor body and extra zoom length is required.
If you’re considering one of the optional teleconverters, which offer 1.4x and 2.0x magnification and provide a maximum zoom range up to 420mm, remember they will reduce the lens speed by 1.4x and 2.0x, respectively. We’d recommend investing in the optional tripod collar if you plan to use the lens on a lighter camera body and for long exposures.
We found the review lens was easy to use hand-held, even though the camera+lens combo was not exactly light in weight. It also made a comfortable companion to the Canon EOS 5D II body and felt well balanced and easy to operate.
Since this lens has only been available for a couple of months it’s unreasonable to expect much price discounting. Nevertheless, if you shop around, you should be able to save up to AU$100 on the local RRP of AU$1299.
The 70-210mm focal length is a new venture for Tamron, which has previously concentrated on making 70-200mm lenses, all of which have been successful. The top model in that line is the SP70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A025), which we reviewed in April 2017. It’s currently selling for around AU$2000 and is a full stop faster than the 70-210mm f/4.0. Two older models (A009 and A001) are still available at lower prices, the first with built-in stabilisation.
The Tamron SP 70-210mm f/4.0 Di VC USD lens is somewhat cheaper than branded lenses from Canon and Nikon with similar zoom ranges. Canon’s EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM is listed at AU$1699 in Canon’s online store but can be had for roughly $100 less. Nikon doesn’t release RRPs but its AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR is selling for a little more. Sigma’s closest equivalent is the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO which is a stop faster for an RRP of AU$1679.
You won’t save anything by buying off-shore because, even though the listed prices may be slightly lower than the local resellers’ prices, by the time you’ve added 10% GST and a shipping cost of between roughly AU$40 and AU$110 (depending on the service you choose), you’ll be paying much the same as the average local price. But you’ll have to wait for up to seven days for delivery and you’ll also miss out on local consumer protection.
SPECS
Picture angle: 34 degrees 21 minutes to 11 degrees 46 minutes (full-frame format)
Minimum aperture: f/32
Lens construction: 20 elements in 14 groups (including 3 LD elements)
Lens mounts: Canon EF and Nikon F
Diaphragm Blades: 9-blade with electronic aperture control (circular aperture)
Focus drive: Ring-type ultrasonic drive motor
Stabilisation: Built-in; 4 stops correction (CIPA)
Minimum focus: 95 cm
Maximum magnification: 0.32x
Filter size: 67 mm
Dimensions (Diameter x L): 76 x 176.5 mm (Canon version); 76 x 174 mm (Nikon version)
Weight: 860 grams (Canon version); 850 grams (Nikon version)
Standard Accessories: Lens front and end caps, lens hood
Distributor: Blonde Robot; blonde-robot.com.au; (03) 9023 9777
TESTS
Based on JPEG files from the Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera.
SAMPLES
Vignetting at 70mm, f/4.
Vignetting at 100mm, f/4.
Vignetting at 135mm, f/4.
Vignetting at 210mm, f/4.
Rectilinear distortion at 70mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 100mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 135mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 210mm.
70mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/7.1.
100mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/7.1.
135mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/7.1.
210mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/6.3.
Close-up at 126mm; ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/4.
126mm; ISO 200, 1/1600 second at f/5.
210mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/5.6.
210mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/5000 second at f/4.
Portrait; 210mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/320 second at f/5.
Portrait; 126mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/5.
210mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/640 second at f/5.
210mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/640 second at f/4.
210mm focal length; ISO 200, 1/250 second at f/4.
130mm focal length; ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/5.6.
210mm focal length; ISO 200, 1/800 second at f/7.1.
135mm focal length; ISO 200, 1/2500 second at f/6.3.
155mm focal length; ISO 200, 1/2000 second at f/4.
210mm focal length; ISO 200, 1/800 second at f/8.
210mm focal length; ISO 200, 1/640 second at f/9.
210mm focal length; ISO 400, 1/500 second at f/5.6.
Strong backlighting; 210mm focal length; ISO 200, 1/800 second at f/4.
Strong backlighting; 130mm; ISO 200, 1/200 second at f/4.
Rating
RRP: AU$1299; US$799
- Build: 8.8
- Handling: 8.8
- Image quality: 8.8
- Versatility: 8.9