Question 1

Is the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro a good lens?

Accepted Answer

Yes — for the money, it delivers sharp images with a fast f/2.8 constant aperture and a genuine 0.95m minimum focus distance that most telephoto zooms don't offer. The 9-blade aperture produces smooth, rounded bokeh. The main trade-off compared to stabilised alternatives is the absence of image stabilisation, so you'll want a steady hand or a fast enough shutter speed in low light.

Question 2

Does the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 have image stabilisation?

Accepted Answer

No — this specific model (the SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro, model A001) does not have image stabilisation. If optical stabilisation is a must-have for your shooting style, look at the Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD, which adds Tamron's VC (Vibration Compensation) system. That said, the constant f/2.8 aperture already helps you maintain faster shutter speeds, which compensates partially in many situations.

Question 3

What is the difference between f/2.8 and f/4 for a 70-200mm lens?

Accepted Answer

An f/2.8 aperture lets in twice as much light as f/4, which translates to one full stop — enough to cut your shutter speed in half in the same conditions. That matters a lot in indoor sports halls, dimly lit wedding venues, or golden-hour wildlife shoots. The f/2.8 also produces shallower depth of field, giving stronger background blur in portraits. The trade-off is that f/2.8 lenses are heavier and typically more expensive; this Tamron at 1150g is a practical middle ground.

Question 4

Why consider Tamron over Sigma for a 70-200mm f/2.8?

Accepted Answer

Both brands make capable third-party alternatives to first-party 70-200mm lenses. The Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro has a standout feature that most 70-200mm lenses skip: a 0.95m minimum focus distance with macro capability, making it more versatile for close-up work. The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG EX OS HSM is another strong option with optical stabilisation, so if macro reach matters more to you, the Tamron wins; if you need stabilisation, Sigma's version is worth comparing.

Question 5

What Canon EF cameras work with this lens?

Accepted Answer

This lens fits any Canon EF mount body — that covers virtually every Canon DSLR ever made, from entry-level Rebels to full-frame bodies. On a full-frame Canon, you get the full 70–200mm field of view. On an APS-C Canon DSLR (crop factor 1.6×), the effective focal range becomes approximately 112–320mm, making it an even longer reach for wildlife and sports. The lens communicates autofocus data electronically with the body, so AF works natively without any adapters.

Question 6

Is the autofocus on the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD reliable?

Accepted Answer

AF performance is generally solid for portraits and slower-moving subjects. Some users have reported that AF consistency can dip at the 200mm end when tracking fast, erratic motion — if shooting fast action is your primary use case, it's worth testing a copy carefully. For weddings, portraits, and moderate-paced sports, most shooters find the AF perfectly usable. Keeping the lens firmware updated (via a compatible Tamron TAP-in Console) can help if your copy shows any hunting behaviour.

Question 7

Is it worth buying a used Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — this lens was built for professional use and its all-metal construction holds up well over time. Buying second-hand gets you the f/2.8 constant aperture and macro capability at a fraction of new prices. On Camera-tweedehands.nl, every used lens is professionally inspected and individually photographed before listing, and comes with a minimum of 12 months warranty. Check the filter thread (77mm) for any signs of impact damage when reviewing the listing photos, as that's the most common wear point on telephoto zooms.

Question 8

What filter size does the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD use?

Accepted Answer

The filter thread is 77mm — a standard size shared by many professional telephoto and wide-angle lenses from Canon, Nikon, and others. That means if you already own 77mm circular polarisers or ND filters for another lens, they'll fit directly on this Tamron without any step-up ring. The front element uses internal focusing (IF), so the front element does not rotate during focus — your polariser stays properly oriented.

Mount	Canon EF
Focal range	Standard, Macro
Prime / Zoom	Zoom
Focal length (min)	70 mm
Focal length (max)	200 mm
Max. aperture	f/2.8
Stabilisation
Weight (Grams)	1150
Year of release	2008
Auto Focus

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Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro - Canon EF

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About the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro - Canon EF

Key Specifications

Who is the Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro for?

Buying a used Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro

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