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Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF MACRO vs Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II

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Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD

Telephoto Zoom | Nikon F (FX)

Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF MACRO
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Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II

Telephoto Zoom | Nikon F (FX)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD vs Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD and Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II, two Telephoto Zoom lenses from Tamron and Nikon. Both lenses have the same focal length and max apertures of 70-200mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.8 so they are very comparable in this regard.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD Key Specs

  • 70-200mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 1330g.
  • Diameter: 90mm
  • Length: 194mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.95m
  • Max Magnification:0.32x

Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II Key Specs

  • 70-200mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 1540g.
  • Diameter: 87mm
  • Length: 209mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1.4m

What type of photography are the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD and Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD and the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II
Bird/WildlifeGoodGood
SportsGoodGood
PortraitAverageAverage
TravelFairFair
StreetFairFair
WeddingAverageAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingPoorPoor
LandscapeAverageAverage

Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD was replaced by Tamron SP 70-200mm F2.8 Di VC USD Nikon F FX. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Tamron SP 70-200mm F2.8 Di VC USD Nikon F FX vs Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD
Tamron SP 70-200mm F2.8 Di VC USD Nikon F FX vs Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II is the longer of the two lenses at 209mm. The Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD with a length of 194mm is 15mm shorter. On the other hand, the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD has a larger diameter of 90mm compared to Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II's 87mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD weighs 1330g, which means it is 210g (13%) lighter than the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II which has a weight of 1540g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G Lens Nikon 70-300mm f4-5.6G
117mm
74mm 425g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR Lens Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR
171mm
91mm 1340g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR Lens Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR
144mm
80mm 745g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 VC
258mm
106mm 1951g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Lens Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
268mm
108mm 2300g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
544mm
157mm 5880g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
290mm
121mm 2860g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG
122mm
77mm 550g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD and Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II has the same Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.

Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD is also available in Canon EF , Sony Alpha and Pentax KAF mounts.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 70-200mm and the fastest aperture of F2.8.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF MACRO over Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II

Weight 1330g vs 1540g 210g lighter
Length 194mm vs 209mm 15mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.95m vs 1.4m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.32x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II over Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF MACRO

Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Diameter 87mm vs 90mm 3mm smaller in diameter
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust

Common Strengths of Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF MACRO and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Internal Zoom Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during zooming
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 LD vs Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Nikon
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Nikon F (FX) Nikon F (FX)
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-200mm 70-200mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (internal) Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock - -
Zoom Ratio 2.9X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F32.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 19 21
Optical Groups 16 16
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.95m 1.4m
Max Magnification 0.32X unknown
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual No Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 1330g 1540g
Diameter 90mm 87mm
Length 194mm 209mm
Materials Plastic and metal barrel, metal mount Magnesium alloy barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No Yes
Filter Thread 77mm 77mm
Filter Notes Does not rotate on focus -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown HB-48
Tripod Collar Yes Yes
Optional Accessories - -
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