Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD review

The Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD keeps things simple (but mostly effective)

Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD
(Image: © Tamron)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Canon and Nikon both make highly acclaimed full-frame compatible 70-200mm f/4 lenses for their DSLRs, which are somewhat more compact, lightweight and ‘affordable’ than the respective own-brand f/2.8 lenses. This Tamron lens gives a little extra at the long end of the zoom range, stretching to 210mm, while maintaining the same constant-aperture f/4 rating. It also has a much more competitive selling price. Performance and image quality are pretty good, making it a sensible buy.

Pros

  • +

    Constant-aperture design

  • +

    Useful zoom range

  • +

    Relatively inexpensive

Cons

  • -

    Fairly basic feature set

  • -

    Modest sharpness levels

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD goes up against own-brand Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM and Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/4G ED VR zooms, which are much pricier to buy. As such, it’s a typically lightweight alternative to a ‘trinity’ f/2.8 telephoto zoom, giving a useful range of telephoto focal lengths with a still reasonably fast aperture rating that remains constant throughout the zoom range.

Specifications

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.