Tamron A061 AF28-300MM XR Di Telephoto Lens 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.
1 Maybe I'm Asking Too Much
For the $, the lens is a good value. It has a great range, but with most DSLRs, the 1.6 crop factor means that while it is a great telephoto lens (up to 480mm equiv.), and it lacks in the wide angle department (45mm equiv.). My chief complaint is its lack of sharpness at anything over 28mm. Definitely not a fast lens; I shoot at 400-1600 ISO way more than I thought I would. If you only want one lens, and don't mind a bit of extra weight, this is not a bad compromise.
2 You won't need a backpack for this one!
Just recently I got my first DSLR (Digital Rebel) and I needed a lens to go with it. I heard that there were 3 28-300mm lenses on the market, one made by Canon, one made by Sigma, and one made by Tamron. The Canon lens was WAY to expensive. The Sigma lens I also heard had trouble communicating with some of the Canon EOS systems. That left the Tamron. First of all, it's got an enormous focal range, which makes it great for sports. Second, the focusing is incredibly fast in good lighting, though I've had some problems with it indoors. Third, it has great image quality. Forget what people say about it having "less sharpness". It works fine. Also, the macro is incredible. Through the full focal range it has, if I can remeber correctly, a minimum focusing distance of 16 inches. I would, however, recommend getting a fast indoor lens with it, such as the Sigma 28-50mm f2.8.
3 Great quality, terrific value
(Note: Tamron also makes this lens available for Nikon and Pentax digital SLRs, for the same price. In fact I have the Nikon version since I own a D70, but I thought my experience with this lens could help Canon d-SLR users as well. Please don't flame me!)
This new digital SLR-friendly zoom lens from Tamron is a great way to acquire a high-quality zoom lens for a fraction of the cost if you bought from the camera maker (e.g., Canon). Tamron claims this is world's "smallest and lightest" zoom lens for the focal range. I have no idea if that's true. It's small and lightweight indeed. To my eyes it's an all-plastic lens, but this made-in-Japan lens looks and feels solid. It has all the bells and whistles of a modern lens: XR, LD, asperical, plus macro capability. In real world shooting I'm very happy with the result, and I really don't think buying an official Canon lens would make much of a difference. Two things to keep in mind is, 1) as long as you buy a namebrand lens (Tamron, Sigma, and maybe Vivitar) you are getting a good deal, and 2) the marginal increase in lens quality (perceived or real) from the camera maker is extremely unlikely to improve pictures by any discernible amount. Give Ansel Adams a disposable camera and he would still take better pics than you and me, period. As long as you have a high quality, capable lens like this Tamron, you are armed with all the gear you need to NOT miss a great picture opportunity. The only ingredient nobody can sell, is your creativity. (Unfortunately the latter is what I lack and try to improve. For now, at least the Tamron is giving me the right tool.)
For the Digital Rebel, the 1.6 "magnification" factor (or crop factor) means the effective focal length of this Tamron is about 45-480mm in 35mm equivalent. Whoa!
In short, this is a really top-quality lens that any Digital Rebel enthusiast should consider. It's a lot bang for the buck, and it's even made in Japan unlike many Canon official lenses which are made in sweatshops in Southeast Asia.
4 Nice all-around lens for Digital Rebel
I love taking photos, but I hate carrying lots of equipment when photography is not the focus of my journey, so I looked to find a lens that was light, inexpensive, a useful focal range and decent sharpness given all of the above. I believe the Tamron fits the bill.
Although this lens will not win any points with 'L'-series purists, I found it to be a very useful - and lightweight - lens. Sure, it's slow... Sure - it has a plastic mount... Sure - it's not as sharp as a lot of lenses with smaller zoom ranges and bigger price tags... But for most people who aren't looking for poster-sized enlargements, a lens that won't break your shoulder or your bank account like the Tamron is a good fit. I have used this lens for a few weeks now, and have compared the results to the excellent Tamron 28-75 2.8 XR Di, the Canon 50mm 1.8 (the 'plastic fantastic'), and the kit lens. It does lack the tack-sharpness of the 50mm and the 28-75, but it is still very acceptable. The reach is what will 'wow' you about the lens. Outdoors in decent light you can really pull your subject up close. In a photo taken from the 6th story of a beach hotel, I was able to clearly read a standard beach umbrella-rental sign that was approx. 500 yards away.
Indoors, this lens is just too slow to be useful at full zoom, but does reasonably well between 28-100mm with built-in flash (just be sure to remove the lens hood or it will shadow the lower part of the frame) and even better with an external flash (I use the EX550).
The focus is quick and quiet in decent lighting, but it will hunt in darker scenes.
In short, if you want a lens that offers reasonable sharpness, an incredible focal range, lightness and compactness at an attractive price, then consider this lens. You may find, as I did, that it will let you take that long lens with you instead of leaving your gear behind... I would much rather have a picture that may not be 'as sharp' than the one I did not take because I left the two pound lens behind.
