Update: the following shops have the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 VC USD in stock and ready to ship (world-wide availability check at the end of the post):

• B&H ($1,299, click here)
• Adorama ($1,299, click here)
• Amazon US ($1,299, click here)
• Amazon Germany (€1,102,00 click here)
• Amazon France (€1,134.88, click here)

ephotozine just reviewed the eagerly awaited Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 VC USD lens. It’s an interesting lens: it covers a popular zoom range and has a constant 2.8 aperture. It weights 825g (29.1 ox) and has an 82mm filter mount. Closest focusing distance is 0.38m (15.0 in). Having a price tag of $1,299 it’s cheaper than Canon’s equivalent EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, which sells at $1,599 and does not have image stabilization (called vibration compensation in the Tamron galaxy). Build quality is rather good: High quality plastics have been used for much of the lens barrel’s construction and the wide rubberised zoom ring is well enough damped to prevent lens creep. Generally speaking, the performance of this lens is very good. Some excerpts from the review:

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Tamron recently announced the new SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD lens (in stock at B&H for $1,299, click here), and it comes naturally to compare it to Canon’s EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM (around $1,600, click here). Although they have the same focal length, the former comes with image stabilization (called vibration control by Tamron) and costs approx. $300 less. Over at fstoppers they reviewed both lenses for a comparison. Let’s see how they performed after the jump.

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Ok, let’s start with the coincidence. On February 7th Canon announced three new lenses, two primes and a standard zoom lens: 28mm f/2.8 IS USM, 24mm f/2.8 IS USM and the 24-70mm f/2.8 II USM. All three lenses are upgrades from previous versions. So, before dipping in details and specs, let me tell you where the coincidence lies. No idea? Well, on the same day Nikon announces the brand new D800 full-frame DSLR. Still no idea? Ok, I will tell you what I think. These lenses are made i) for full-frame cameras, ii) have improved resolution and iii) are high quality lenses for high quality camera bodies. Still no clues where I am aiming? Did it happen just by chance that Canon announces these lens the same day of Nikon’s D800 presentation? No! I think it allows us to think that an exciting new Canon camera is on the way (ok, not really a new fact). Read the rest of this entry →