Strengths? how about the F2.8 and LD glass?

B&H brand new price is $829. Doesn't really worth paying that much just because the AF is not as fast as USM or HSM lens. I got mine for $420 from some ebay guy. Used, but looks like new.

The lens barrel is not all made of metal. The front part is plastic. Sure, I dont bang my lens against a brick wall, but what would happen if I accidentally drop it?

When you set the lens to AF and you try to put on or unscrew the lens hood, you can hear the tamron coffee grinder in action.

Tripod collar not removable.

Extremely stupid tamron lens cap. What were those guys thinking?

The clear plastic on the distance scale is like a lump that sticks out. Very easily get scratched.

If you are gonna pay $800+ for a new one, you better save some $ and spend $1000+ for a new Canon USM, or spend $400+ for a good used Tamron.

Similar Products Used:

Maxxum 80-200/2.8

Very sharp at all apertures/focal lengths. Very solid. A great lens, especially if you can find a used one at a good price.

Autofocus is probably a bit slower than newer lenses.

Extremely sharp at f2.8 at all focal lengths. Very solid. I use it for photographing figure skating competitions where flash is not allowed and the results are great. It's probably not worth the cost of a new one since the Sigma is a bit cheaper and superior according to most reviews. However, I bought mine used on ebay (it had a small scratch on the front element which doesn't affect picture quality) for a very good price which made it a fantastic deal for me.

Customer Service

Haven't neede it.

Optically superb. Very sturdy build quality, with sturdy tripod foot. Extremely fast autofocus. Fast f2.8 maxximum aperture.

I'd prefer that the front not rotate when focusing. This produces ome difficulty with certain filters.

An outsdtanding lens that I've used professionally to shoot many images that have subsequently been published or sold as fine art prints.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

No previous zooms in this range.

Rivals Canon 70-200/2.8 & Nikon 80-200/2.8 at fraction of cost

no internal focusing

Using primarily as a portrait lens, it produces sharp photos, with pleasing bokah

Customer Service

sturdy, no problems

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 80-200/2.8