Maintaining the high performance of the previous model, Tamron's new 28-300mm zoom lens now features our "Di" design, making it the ideal lens for use with both digital and film cameras. The "Di" design is achieved by applying a new optical design to its coated surfaces, and by further enhancing our already stringent quality control system. Whether you shoot film or digital, the lens provides high image quality for both platforms. When used with APS-C size digital SLR cameras, the lens provides an Angle of view equivalent to approximately 44-465mm, covering the standard to ultra telephoto range with no sacrifice of quality or aperture range.
I am a pro aerial photographer and this lens has been a mainstay of my business. I constantly encounter "Canon snobs" touting the quality of "L" lenses. Under certain curcumstances, they may be a good choice. For example, I would want a metal body on my lens if I was dodging bullets in Afganistan or if I was prone to dropping stuff. The build quality of this lens is great for my use. It is lightweight and simple to use. It delivers a photo quality that people pay to own. I know, I have sold hundreds of photos taken with this lens. I have not done lab tests but I have blown up photos as large as 24X36 for my clients and they are sharp and crisp. I have taken about 10,000 photos with this lens, 85% of which were while hanging out of a helicopter. Recently, I had a problem with the lens and sent it to Tamron. They returning to the original quality, no questions asked, for FREE. This is the value of the 6 year Tamron Warranty. I have used the Canon 28-300 "L" lens. It does not take a significantly better picture at any zoom position(that I can see with my eyes-not lab equipment)and it is HEAVY. Much too heavy to hand hold in a fixed wing or helicopter. If I dropped either lens to the ground, the metal would not help. In either case the lens would be destroyed. I also use the Tamron 95mm prime portrait lens-it delivers fantastic quality. By the way, my Canon 5d Mk2 is not metal! My only complaint is that the lens does not lock the focal length except at the widest position so if you are just walking with your camera on a strap, the lens extends on it's own. This should be addressed with updated versions.
great lens for both closeups & far away, lite weight lens , for when your walking around , or standing aound ,you don't have to carry a bunch of differents lens with you to change out. Really easy to use.i bought the wife a camera with that lens on ,& like it so much I went and bought me the same len.Real fast shipping.
Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 - A Gateway Lens, Saturday, 20 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I bought the Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Ultra Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras knowing that, for the price, it is a gateway lens. It is somewhat unfair to compare it to high-end lenses of the same caliber, really-for the price you can expect a plastic mount, louder operation and who knows what other less-than-superior features, right? I guess the value of such reviews is when a 3rd party lens actually outperforms the real deal.
Anyway, I wanted something with 28-300 range, light weight and an affordable price so I went with the Tamron. The focal length is definitely a Bit shorter than advertised. The AF tends to hunt in dimmer situations. The max focal range is a bit soft, too.
However, for the money -- this lens is worth a look. I LOVE having this kind of focal range without having to switch lenses. I prefer it to my Canon 55-250 when shooting outdoor athletic events. I like the grip, LOVE the hood and prefer center pinch lens caps, too. I'm very careful with my gear and would not store/tote my camera with this lens attached, so I have no worries with the plastic mount--I actually prefer it. I haven't had it long, but I can tell it's probably not fast enough for indoor lower-light situations like live rock music photography, but for just a standard Swiss army knife kind of lens, I've been more than pleased. It's macro ability will exceed your 3rd party expectations, too. Fork out the big bucks if you have top shelf requirements; go get a top shelf lens. This Tamron is a great foray into the 28-300 category with fitting features for the price. I got a little more than I expected and am pleased.
love hate relationship, Thursday, 11 December 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I bought this lens as a good walk-about lens. It certainly does meet that criteria as it is incredibly light and compact (altho it zooms WAY out). It has a great range except I need to go purchase a wide angle - but has generally done well in meeting most needs and I love the telephoto ability. However most of my shots are just not very sharp. I would say it is all the lens except some of them ARE sharp. I finally decided that it just focuses a bit too slow or off in some cases - especially in telephoto action shots. I take a bunch of RAW Burst mode but very few will actually work out. I have been able to take pretty decent photos at inside performances of the performers on stage but I have switched to manual focus. The lens also has unbelievable "creep". I ALWAYS put the lock on it when I carry it around otherwise the lens would be permanently at full telephoto. I haven't done much still photo work with it but if you are aiming downward creep will definitely come into play in that situation as well. I don't have any problems with the build or quality or feel of the lens. I love the light weight and nice range but am not satisfied with many of the resulting photos.
I bought this lens used when upgraded to digital with my Nikon D80. It seemed like an okay lens for the price, with an amazing zoom ability (it's range is VERY useful) but I was disappointed at how slow it focuses. There's no manual focus override when it's in autofocus, unlike my other AF lenses. The focus ring is completely locked when it's on AF. Again, for the price it's good, I wasn't expecting a fixed 2.8 aperture for anything under a thousand. It's also not the sharpest lens either, especially at 300mm. On a good note, the close focusing is very nice.
I'd recommend it to someone who isn't looking going to be shooting sports or wildlife.
tamron lens great for travel, Friday, 21 March 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
3.0
I was looking for a lens that is very compact for travel. This lens is replacing a tamron 28-70 and 70-300 lens. I was very satisfied overall with the quality of the pictures. I have used tamron lenses in the past and have not been disappointed. The price is right for what you get, as compared to the canon lenses. Although there is a noticeable difference in quality between the two, I was not disappointed in the pictures that I took with tamron lens. It was very compact, very portable, saved lots of time from having to change lenses. I was quite surprised with the macro and was impressed that I was able to get pretty close to my subject with pretty good focus. Overall I am pretty satisfied, economical lens with decent zoom range. Worked out great for travel as I had a larger zoom range and was able to leave other lenses home and had more room for other equipment. I would definitley recommend this lens if your looking for this range and economical as compared to other lenses.
I loved this lens at first. However, after only a few times use with my Canon Rebel, it every so often gives me an error signal, causing me to miss important pictures. A friend told me she has had the same experience. Therefore, for the price, it's not so reliable.
You get what you pay for, Monday, 10 December 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
2.0
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
1.0
This lens is not a bad deal considering its price and focal range. HOWEVER, if you are hoping for very sharp photos this is not the lens for you. Furthermore the lens (my sample anyway) had quite a bit of chromatic aberation and color fringing. I could have lived with the lack of sharpness but not the color fringing so back it went.
Once again, another cheap plastic lens from Tamron, including the PLASTIC LENS MOUNT! Save your money and buy the 18-250mm lens for another 100 bucks. You lose a whopping 50mm at the long end, but the optics and build are superior plus a gain on the short end. If you don't want to spend that much then consider the Sigma 28-300mm, unfortunatly the optics are a bit less than the Tamron 28-300mm, but the build quality is definitely superior. Of course this review is NOT for the VC version of this lens which is far superior in build and worth another 200 + dollars in price.
A complete waste of my hard earned pay ., Thursday, 01 November 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
1.0
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
This lens is slow, noisy, and soft. I struggle to find enough light for long focal length shots. The noise of the auto-focus annoys me so much I wonder if the internal parts aren't grinding into pieces. And I've yet to take a photo that's sharp and acceptable - they are all incredibly soft. The focus is so bad I wonder if there might be a problem with the specific combination of my Canon 20D and this lens. I've shot a few hundred pictures with this lens and not one has been worth printing. It's become an expensive paperweight. The 20D's kit lens takes better photos.
Best overall Zoom for the money, Sunday, 12 August 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I am a "Canon" shooter that uses a "Tamron 28-200 & Tamron 28-300" Zoom lenses for "Senic" & "Landscape" images. When I bought a new Canon Elan many years ago, the camera store recommended the "Tamron 28-200" zoom lens as good as and cheaper than a "Canon" lens of which there was no equal at that time. When the 28-300 lens became available, I bought it, no questions asked.
When I bought this lens used I was not expecting much. It's a 28-300 zoom that's relatively slow on the telephoto end but I thought it might an alright lens for backpacking or in situations in which I didn't want to lug my heavy lenses around that cover an equivalent focal length range. This lens is quite remarkable for the price. The image quality is above average although there is some drop in the sharpness along the edges and it occasionally produces soft images. There is also some Chromatic aberration at the long end when shot wide open. Overall, I've been very pleased with this lens. I don't use it quite as much as a I used because of the nature of the work I've been shooting lately so I passed it off to my girlfriend for the time being.
All things considered, this is a very solid lens. If you are looking for top-notch quality, this probably isn't your lens. If you are looking to save your back from lugging around a bag of lenses on a long trip, you might want to consider this lens.
Delivers as promised and better than expected, Monday, 19 March 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I mated this lens to the new Canon XTI and am very pleased. Crisp and clear pictures from the center to the edges. This is the third Tamron lens I've owned and they never dissapoint.
Tamron 28-300 all you need, Thursday, 15 March 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I have been using a Tamron 28-300 on a Canon Rebel for about 5,000 exposures, almost all hand held. An occasional fuzzy shot, but many good enough for excellent 13x19 prints. So good, I am looking for another for my upcoming Canon XTi. d
