The fast standard zoom with a 35mm equivalent of around 24-70mm is generally considered one of the most versatile lenses. There are photographers who say that they can shoot a whole wedding with that one lens. You may want to know that there's one lens that can cover an even wider range of shots: the Tamron 28-105 f/2.8, the only lens of its kind to cover the entire range of 28mm to 105mm at a constant 2.8 aperture.
The SP AF Tamron 28-105 f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF is a full frame lens available in Canon, Nikon, and adaptall mounts. Note: the adaptall mount has limited functions (for example, it is only manual focus). The Tamron 28-105 has been discontinued for a while now. It originally sold for around $849 in 1997. These days it's available used anywhere from around $250 to $650.
This lens replaced the Tamron 35-105 2.8. There were two versions of the Tamron 28-105. The earlier version had "Tamron" written around the zoom ring. The latter version has a zoom ring with ribs instead of Tamron written on it. The lens I have is the latter version.
Specifications at a glance:
- filter size: 82mm
- 15 elements in 13 groups (Source: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=242)
- minimum length (without the hood): ~5 inches
- maximum length (without the hood): ~7 inches
- weight: 880 grams
- minimum focal distance: varies from 0.44 meters (1.44 ft.) to 0.50 meters (1.64 ft.) depending on the focal length
- minimum aperture: f/22
- number of aperture blades: 9. At f/2.8, the aperture looks perfectly round.
This lens is larger than the usual standard zoom, which is expected given that it is a full frame lens that covers such a wide zoom range and has a wide aperture. Its body is wider than even the
Nikkor 28-70 2.8D I used to have. It uses an 82mm filter size. When extended to its maximum focal length, it is about 7 inches long without the hood, longer than even a
Sigma 50-150 2.8 (which is around 5.5 inches) and just an inch shorter than a Nikon 70-200 VR II. I don't like to put it next to my Tokina 10-17 because it gives the latter nightmares.
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The 28-105 when extended. An easy target for male enhancement jokes. |
The lens body is plastic but appears reasonably well constructed. I don't find any parts that are wiggly or anything but smooth. Even though it's plastic, it's heavier than your average lens, only slightly lighter than the
all-metal Nikkor 24-70 2.8G. However, I wouldn't say it's too heavy given its zoom range and aperture.
Features:
- The Tamron 28-105 has an anti-slip torque mechanism to prevent lens creep. Without the anti-slip in use, the lens will extend under its own weight while I'm walking around (though not from simply being on a tripod). To engage the anti-slip mode, you simply pull the zoom ring toward the camera body (see the shot above with the lens extended - the anti-slip mode label is shown just above the zoom ring). Once the anti-slip mode is engaged, the zoom becomes harder to rotate, thus preventing zoom creep.
- Internal focus. Stationary filter ring regardless of focusing action.
- Low dispersion glass to reduce chromatic aberration.
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Aperture ring. This is useful for changing the aperture on the fly when taking videos, or when using the lens with an older [film] camera.
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aperture ring |
Since there isn't a lot of technical information about this lens, I've decided to review it in a little more detail by comparing it to the king of the hill for Nikon, the 24-70 2.8G. I'm not implying that the Tamron 28-105 2.8 is a substitute for the 24-70. They have too many differences such as price and zoom range, but the 24-70 sample is intended as the "control" insofar as it's the best lens I have at the most similar zoom range.
I did three comparisons:
- the complete frame to show vignetting, distortion, and image quality at normal viewing sizes;
- 100% crop from the center
- 100% crop from closer to the border (though not literally the extreme corner)
I used manual flash on a light stand and shot at sync speed. I refocused the camera each time I adjusted the focal length. In the case of the Tamron at 35mm and 50mm, I used manual focusing with live view for perfect focusing (my first set at those focal lengths were not correctly focused). The Nikkor 24-70 hasn't had micro-focus adjustment yet.
TEST 1:
Here is a slideshow comparing the Tamron 28-105 to the Nikon. If you prefer, you can click on the link to
the web album instead. First, you'll see the Tamron shot, then the Nikon shot. You'll see a comparison at f/2.8, then 4.0 then 5.6, at the following focal lengths: 105mm, 85mm, 70mm, 50mm, 35mm, 28mm and 24mm. For 105mm and 85mm, only the Tamron is shown. For 24mm, only the Nikon is shown.
Great review! Very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteFrom now on, I am really considering this lens for my wedding photography with the D3. Normally use a kit with 20-35/2.8, 50/1.4 and 70-200/2.8 or even a 35-70/2.8. But most of the shots would be in the range of an 28-105 and with f/2.8 to 4.5. Well, and there are three copies at Ebay for sale, each under 400 Euro. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Arne. I think the Tamron 28-105 has unbeatable versatility for events. The biggest issues for me are the chromatic aberration and softness at 2.8 at wider focal lengths. As long as those are ok for you then yes i think it would be useful. As for the price I have seen it for US$300 on US ebay. Not sure if they will ship to Europe.
DeleteBest regards,
Mic
Hi Mic, yes the softness seems to be a problem, especially at 50mm f/2.8, where i do many couples with background blur. But actually, I love to make such shots at f 2.0 with the 50mm/1.4, which will alway be in my bag. Group shots have to be with f/4.0 or less anyway due to DOF, and subject isolation at the long end would be superior to the lighter Nikkor 28-105 or the more expensive 24-120/4.0 VR. The D3 has usable ISO 3200, and I don't hesitate using a flash with bounce card. The price is tempting and almost saves the money for a used D700, compared to the Nikkor 24-70/2.8 alone ;-)
Deletehi there!! great review !!
ReplyDeleteis there any way to convert the lens from nikon to canon without losing the af ?
thanks allot !!
Hi Erez. I don't think you can convert a Nikon lens to Canon while still retaining AF. However, I believe Tamron made this lens with a Canon mount as well.
DeleteBest regards,
Mic
Lots of info ...thanks for doing all the hard work. I thought the Bokeh in your test shots were a bit noisy?
ReplyDeleteThanks. I think the bokeh is about average. Yes, there is outlining at certain distances, and for certain types of subjects like pinpoints of light or thin tree branches.
DeleteBest regards,
Mic