The new Nikon 70-200mm VRII is the sharpest out of anything out there. Just saw some samples comparing it with the VR version, the VRII is by far better. It's hard to believe but true. I'd wait and get the VRII. Lenses are a long time investment.

quite possibly....b/c that was my second tamron 70-200 that had that problem

I haven't had soft focus/ inconsistent focus issues with mine. I've never tried focusing in liveview, kore (I'd do it now but I've lent it to my sister for a few weeks). Sorry I'm not more help. Maybe tamron has some quality control issues?

korethegenius - out of this three lenses Tamron has the best IQ performance, Sigma is the fastest and Nikon is somewhere between. As I had the Sigma I strongly not recommend this lens to anybody, not that I have something against sigma, but this special lens never suited me good (actually I've sold it after 3-4 months) , it was quite fast but was way to soft for me.

Ok well i have had some problems w/ my tamron which i bought online and returned, like w/ soft focus, inconsistant focusing and liveview focusing so.... i really liked to optical quality but did not find it reliable. i was considering to buy one in store that seemed to work fine when i tried it out.
Jonnyapple: did you notice anything like that???

I was just joking with you, alpha.

Kore, I took the tamron to an air show in June and put some of the pictures up for my family. I'm pretty sure they're all take with the tamron. You can see them here and, if you really want to pixel peep they're full size here.

jonnyapple said:
Alpha, you don't like Nikon, do you?

???

What? Of course I like Nikon!

Alpha, you don't like Nikon, do you?

I own the tamron and I love that lens. I posted a review here if you want to take a look. Slrgear's tests showed it was sharper than the nikkor 80-200 or even than the 70-200 VR (you can read their conclusions under alternatives at the bottom of their review). It is sharp, sharp, sharp! I borrowed an 80-200 2.8 before buying the tamron so that I could compare them and it was noticeably sharper wide open and they were indistinguishable at f/4 and smaller apertures. The tamron loses in the AF speed, though. I wish they had just put a screw on it since their motor is slow. I use it for portraits and don't have problems with the AF, but if you're using it for sports or wildlife you might have trouble with focus tracking so I wouldn't get it. My cousin owns the sigma and complains about it so I never even considered it.

korethegenius.....first welcome to NR. If you don't have the Cash to splurge on the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR or VR II then I would get the Sigma. Its a better lense,takes very nice pictures, and is in your price range.

I had one I rented to compare to my Nikkor 70-200....and it performed very well, Not however as nice as my Nikkor which I bought the second I took them back to the shop. If I had a choice and was you, and if your not in a hurry, Save your money and buy the new Nikkor 70-200 VR II when it comes out this month....you can't beat this lense, which they have just improved, it takes Amazing pictures, and will last you for years and years. Stay with Nikkor lenses, even if you have to wait a bit, its worth it I think.

Check this review out, it compares them all. http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08071701sigma70200review.asp

Welcome to the forum korethegenius!

I would expect the Nikon to have the best glass of them all, but it's not AFS. It should be fast, just not as fast as the Sigma. And noisier.

Does the Sigma or the Tamron have VR?

As for other options, I don't think there are any other lenses in the same price-range.

Personally I'd take a Nikkor over a 3rd party lens anyday.

I'm trying to buy a new 2.8 around the 70-200 range that's below or aorund $1000 for my d90. Currently my choices include the Sigma 70-200 2.8, the Tamron 70-200 2.8, and the Nikon 80-200 2.8. I've heard that the optics on the tamron's pretty good compared to the sigma but the sigma faster b/c of the ultrasonic motor. I couldn't find any reviews on the nikon. I plan to shoot some semi-macro shots as well as action shots such as horseback riding and karate. Can i have some suggestions as to which one to buy to suit my needs as well as suggestions to other lenses i can have as an option? Thanks...