Tamron 70-300mm VS Nikkor 100-400mm

[alnoormeralli]

Having the access to photograph renown subjects does give you instant credibility in the eyes of the public and potential clients, more so than your own skills as a photographer.

[daviddrake]

I own the 100-400 and found it (with 1.4 TC) a great lens on trip to Alaska and wonderful with birds in NC. My main lens is the the Z 24-120. I got rid of most of my heavy variable 2.8s as I am 75 yo. I use a Z 9 for significant amateur work. I just bought a ZF for travel and fun. I sold my loved travel lens Nikon 28-300 on FTZii as it was slow and showing its age too. So in spite of your review I bought this Tamron 70-300 to pair with my 24-120 for travel. It fits my needs in this time in my photography life. Thanks for your honest review. I have the best of both options with the 100-400 in one kit and the 70-300 in the other. The Nikon Z 28-400 is F8 at 200 and up and simply not where I prefer to be.

[SpeakitVoices]

About shooting football: Sitting down makes better images than standing up. The lower you're able to sit the better the angle. Standing up there's too much pitch in the background while sitting down shows more of the spectators - if there are any. Also when shooting standing up the players in the background are cut in half and close up shots are full of feet with no bodies, while sitting on the ground gives you the most heroic angles regardless if the players are pro or amateurs - and no matter what gear you have.

[thinkinginpictures]

I had this lens for Sony for over a year. This review is pretty spot on. From 100-200mm it can achieve excellent results in the center if you park it at F8. From 200-300 the results are quite good as well but fall short of excellent. Off center is another story.

I sold it because 1) Lack of VR coupled with Sony's IBIS was an exercise in frustration. I had to constantly jack the ISO up. Even the lowly 55-200mm VR G II for Nikon's APSC dslr's has better VR than Sony's sensor stabilization (I've tested them side by side). 2) The MFD on the wide end is a bit lackluster. Not bad on the long end though... and 3) The bokeh was good but nothing more.

For the price however, it's a good lens. Perhaps even an excellent value. I imagine with Nikon's sensor stabilization, Z users will be able to take this lens a bit further. If you're coming from any of the DX lenses including the 70-300mm AF-P (A really cheap and fun lens to use...especially on D7500 and D500)...then yes, at the right apertures it will deliver higher quality images. I've never tried the Nikon 70-300mm AF-P ED lens for full frame...which, oddly enough...does have VR. I do wonder if that still isn't a better combination on the Z cameras with an FTZ adapter...hmm.

All in all, good lens- just be aware of its limitations.

[boostedmaniac]

At 11:25 that’s a tough question Matt. But I would have to say your subject does make a difference. Shooting professional players vs U8 soccer is going to look way more exciting with the pro players assuming the photographer is competent.

[dancejam]

Dear Matt, this has more to do with your question, than this video. You finally wore me down (there were others also responsible here). I purchased a used Nikkor 200mm f2 G VRII in really beautiful shape. The issues you already know (weight and size being the top two), but OMG. So, if your subject is better, does it suddenly make your photography better? YES (and NO). My girlfriend was a film photographer for soccer back in the day. She is very easy on the eyes. While my shots of her, in nice settings, with good light just pop off the page (especially at f2), similar photos with subjects not as engaging just don't move you the same way. Three of my fellow amateur Nikon shooters (wildlife) saw my photos of her with the 200mm f2 and nearly dropped their 105mm f1.4s. You know this, because you own both. The Z9, the 200mm f2, and a wonderful model definitely make it more enjoyable (the eye AF even at a distance was fast and accurate) - and isn't that the point for amateurs?, but it aids in speed of composition (i.e. a model that knows how to pose with direction) and degree of creativity. Will it make you a better photographer? Yes, if you know how to apply your knowledge to the equipment in your hand, or the person in front of the lens.

[GarryM]

Nice fair video Matt, thank you. I agree with you and it’s not really fair to pitch this against 100-400. I’d like to see a comparison against the Nikon 24-200 for the mid range to see if that would be a better choice. I love Tamron lenses as well and used them with my DSLRs but fully native now on the Zs

[handratty]

Really like the colour grading in this video! Noice!

[cadmus]

Good content, some fairly nice photos, but beautiful visuals! All of the outside shots were gorgeously filmed, really great looking video. Well done Ernest! You've definitely got a point with the level of subject, but it makes the engagement and perceived quality higher, not really the actual quality. There's a lot to be said for pro models vs amateurs in getting good shots of them too. As for sports, I find that when shooting little kids with pro gear I get some amazing images because of two things - their enthusiasm, passion and expressions are often amazing, and they fit in the frame better!

[edbritelight]

Thanks for this nice video Matt ❤. The Tamron f-mount 100-400 is in the same price range and would have been a nice comparator. Maybe that could be the focus for a future video…I imagine there are many nikon users thinking of leaving the f-mount world completely and thinking of dumping their f-mount gear for z-mount gear.

[kaminobatto]

I think it's still pretty neat to get an official 3rd party option even with flaws. And I definitely think that an average photo/video with a glamourous subject can overshadow the quality of the shoot, unless the guys behind the camera really don't know what they're doing and the video/photos look unflattering.

[Sportserjeff]

Yes in social media subject determines engagement but sometimes the subject is personal. Glad for your unvarnished review I too love Tamron lenses and am glad Nikon licensed them.

[alanaperture]

Ok. So the important question. What was used to record you? That subject separation @0:57 is insane! Great video Matt. Thanks for the comparison.

[jerryg]

14:18 any $50 manual can do just as well at F8? So I don't need to upgrade from my manual nikkor 80-200mm F/4.5 AI lens then, if I'm only shooting landscapes? I still kinda want autofocus for occasional wildlife shots though. From other youtube video comparison, this tamron is much sharper than F mount 70-300mm

[lukaszklopotek]

I wish you had compared it to Nikkor 70-300 4.5-5.6 E VR ($500 new) which I use on a Z 6 + FTZ2. I wonder how it compares to this Tamron in terms of focus speed.

[Gualdo]

Good video as always Matt. I just wonder how this new Tarmon would compare to the Tamron f mount 100-400 with FTZ. I have this lens and quite happy with it. Like you suggest already in your video, there are f mount alternatives if you don't want to spend 3000 EUR on a Nikon z 100-400.

[remi]

It's absolutely about the subject!
I've many times thought: ok, this photo has won some kind of award. And it's beautiful, sure. But it's the landscape that's great and exciting, not the photo itself. For example a sunny tourist beach in Thailand will be probably regarded as really good, no matter who takes the photo and with what. So yeah... not always, but often it's simply the subject and a bit of luck.

Also, great to see that Nikon is cooperating with 3rd party manufacturers. I'm a Tamron user myself.

[Lonan]

Thank you for the testing. I'll just keep my Z 100-400.

[SwanSycorax]

A very fair review Matt. As I already have both the Z 70-200 f/2.8 and the Z 100-400 this Tampon is not on my shopping list but I do applaud Nikon's decision to support licensed 3rd party lenses from reputable manufacturers. I hope they also bring Sigma on board.

[jilliandreams]

11:49 As an Artist, I can draw with Crayons and I can draw with Copic markers, yes they’re both art and beautiful in their own ways, but having better quality supplies (or gear in this case) makes the experience easier and the results are much higher quality.
Photography is no different. I went from 0 to 100 in terms of my choice in camera body, but that’s because I know that I want to make it easy to create art in this form.

Thank you for this video and question.