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Capturing Cebu’s Sinulog Festival through the Lens–
The Subic Bay Photography Society (SBPS) group organizers Cleo Roda Nodado and Roy Van Morales were lucky enough to try out the new Tamron AF70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro lens at the recent Sinulog Festival in Cebu.
With around 1,700 registered photographers who signed in for the photo contest, it was the first time for Roy and Cleo to attend the Sinulog festivities – without any idea what to expect and where photographers should position themselves to capture those picture-perfect shots of religious fervor and merriment.
“We know for a fact that a long lens with good opening is needed particularly in shooting an important event like Sinulog,” said Morales. “Our first day of testing the Tamron lens was during the pre-pageant of the Sinulog Queen inside the SM mall. Photographers were crowding the stage area and the lighting condition was not favorable for photographers. Multi-hued lights were simultaneously illuminating the place.”
“Finding a good vantage point is necessary for getting a good shot,” shared Nodado. “Others even brought in step ladders and their assistants. The lens worked perfectly; the AF is quite fast and accurate. There was a little hunting but it’s normal even with branded lenses especially in low lighting. Together with our Nikon D200, D80, and SB00 flash units, we were able to capture great images.”
On the final night of the Sinulog Queen held at the Cebu Sports Complex, the lighting was poor and it was raining all throughout the event. “The lens just didn’t perform to our expectations but it did pretty well,” disclosed Morales. “The AF was accurate even with the bad weather.”
The street parade, where participants showcased their ingenuity and charm with their colorful and splendid costumes, was the final day of shooting. According to Morales, despite the weather condition (with sporadic rains), the lens performed well as expected.
Verdict:
Of course, for one to achieve the best performance for any lens, one must know how to operate their SLR. With the right settings, Tamron lenses can perform better.
The nearest competitor of the Tamron AF70-200mm f/2.8 is the Sigma version. In terms of performance (AF and accuracy), Tamron is a better choice. The price is almost the same for both brands.
