ISO 12233 Chart Results for the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens and Some Notes

By popular request, ISO 12233 resolution chart samples for the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens have been added to the site.

While I hope to get a full review of this lens (along with many others) on the site at some point, the ISO chart results tell us a lot about the image quality of a lens. And in this case, the Tamron 70-300 performs very impressively well for it's price point. Corners degrade as the focal length increases and 300mm performance is not so great, but again, this image-stabilized lens is currently selling for less than $400.00 delivered after rebate at B&H.

However, I need to add a possible warning that these results do not tell the complete story in this case. I had to spend a more-than-usual amount of time focus testing this lens - just to confirm what I was seeing. And my initial (still early) determination is that my Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens is very inconsistent in the focus accuracy department. Life is good when it gets focus right, but a sharp lens does not deliver sharp subjects if not focused accurately.

 
I am also getting a lot of requests for a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review. To bring you at least the standardized results from the Sigma 85, I have to date, purchased and returned two of these lenses. The first was consistently front focusing. The second was focusing so inconsistently that I wished for the first one back. Roger at LensRentals.com is having the same problems - he has even posted a warning on his Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens rental page.

Third party lens focus accuracy problems have consumed far more of my time than I care to remember. I'll probably get over it enough to order the third copy of this lens after Christmas. Stay tuned.

 
B&H has just announced free overnight shipping on Canon and Nikon cameras. You can have one in time to use Christmas morning. B&H also notes that today is the last day for standard shipping for delivery in time for Christmas.