70-300 mm, Nikon or Tamron
 

I just bought the Nikon D90 and thinking of buying a 70-300 mm lens. I was considering the new Tamron SP 70-300/4-5.6 Di VC USD ($450.00) or the Nikon 70-300 mm VR. ($520.00). Does anyone have any info or personal experience with these lenses? or, do you have a better suggestion?
Thanks

I just bought the tamron, but I haven't received it yet so can't tell you anything first hand.

What I can tell you is that every single review I've read so far seems to have the same opinion: the nikon is sharper up to 200 but the tamron is sharper at >200.

Not speaking from experience but I've heard that the Tamron is equal to the Nikon up to
200mm but the Tamron is better from 200mmm on up to 300mm...

Nothing from Photozone, LensTip or dpreview type sites as yet but there are these...

http://translate.google.com/translat...le%3Dvc70300ni

http://blog.nikonians.org/archives/2...n_sp70300.html

http://www.tamronlensreview.com/tamron70300vcreview

http://www.durys.com/blog/?p=83

http://translate.google.com/translat...8.html&act=url

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Ta...i-VC-USD-14690

http://photo.net/equipment/tamron/70-300di-vc/

http://www.photoreview.com.au/review...-usd-lens.aspx
http://www.eisa.eu/award/41/european...2010-2011.html

There is a member in another forum (who's opinion I respect) who owns and
has used both and prefers the Tamron...

I can't afford to go DSLR untill next year but the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
and the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD are on my short list...

But again I can't speak from experience with either lens so take what I say with
a grain of salt... ;)

Edit:
Also, there is a $50 rebate on the Tamron until 12/31/2010 (USA)... If you buy from Amazon
it brings it to under $400 after rebate... ;)

I don't know how the Tamron would do but I am quite satisfied with my Nikon 70-300 VR. First shot is without pp (270mm). Second is a crop - Lcdr Frank Weisser should be proud! This is with my D90.

There's no objective data on the Tamron yet. I would postpone my purchase until there is some, and I could compare it to the data on the Nikon.

dlpin, wizzard0003, paniolo, TCav, thanks for taking the time to respond and for the advise, greatly appreciated.

Obviously I don't have the same camera model, but I do have experience with a Tamron 70-300mm lens on my D5000. I am very happy with it and it takes very good images. For example:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7918548_n.jpg

MacNite, I'm sure you will make the right decision. I have some links for you to a Blue Angels air show I shot with my Sony A300 and the Tamron 70-300. I like it.


http://forums.steves-digicams.com/tr...-part-3-a.html

http://forums.steves-digicams.com/tr...ola-beach.html

http://forums.steves-digicams.com/tr...-part-two.html

cinderhawkcreative Thanks for taking the time to respond, your shot looks fine to me.

Hogwild You have captured some beautiful shots of the air show! Are all the shots taken with the new Tamron 70-300? Really impressive! Thanks for taking the time to respond. Up till now, all indicators point me to the Tamron lens. Final choice will be made the Thanksgiving week.

I'm sure both lenses are pretty close in performance...

Which ever you decide be sure to post some shots... ;)

BTW, nice images everyone...! :)