Tamron 28-200mm for Canon Question

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/14/2008 08:38:05 PM · #1

Dear All,

I am looking for your experiences with the Tamron 28-200mm II lens for Canon.

It is selling pretty cheap on Amazon.

Would you recommend this lens as a telephoto? I just need the images to be reasonably sharp, no great expectations. Also, I expect to use a tripod when in high focal length range.

Thank you in advance!

Message edited by author 2008-11-14 20:38:26.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

11/14/2008 09:03:22 PM · #2

hi Prash,
I don't have any experience with the 28-200 but I did own the 18-200 which I wish I would not of sold. It was a great walk around lens. Since it was 18mm on the wide end it helped give me a wider angle on my 1.6x crop sensor. On the telephoto end it was good and the crop factor made it appear to be 320mm.

I would imagine both are optically similar and there were noticeable softness at wide and telephoto ends; sharper in the middle range. But for the price it was worth it, well worth it.
Here is a picture taken with 18-200mm. I can't remember how far I had zoomed on this shot but if memory serves me correct, it was close to maximum telephoto.

I hope this helps.
Scott

ETA: Here's another with the lens. I know this was taken at full zoom.

Message edited by author 2008-11-14 21:07:11.

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

11/15/2008 02:08:20 AM · #3

Hi, Scott,

Thank you for sharing your experiences. The pictures are great, and I am tempted to get the 18-200 one now:-) I really liked the first picture. The second one is good too.. but I love the contrast in the first one.

Thank you again...

MAK

Leica CL

11/15/2008 06:21:20 AM · #4

I do not own any Tamron lenses but I had a play with the 18-250 <--- I think that is what it was and must say I was very impressed with the output for such a wide range in a single lens, it had a nice contrast and was relatively sharp all round too.

If I was not affected by the terrible sickness of brand snobbery I would have no hesitation using a long zoom from Tamron.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

11/15/2008 09:25:52 AM · #5

I had the 28-300 for my D70s, and though for the most part I liked it, all too often at the outer focal range I just couldn't hold it steady. Granted, I'm old & feeble, but since buying the 18-200 Nikkor VR, I can tell the difference both in image quality and stability.

I highly recommend vibration reduction/image stabilization, and having been an equipment snob, I do recommend lenses from the camera manufacturers.

I'm not saying third party lenses aren't decent, I've had a couple that were decent, but I've never had a beef with an OE lens.

Just my $0.02 US......YMMV.....8>)

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/15/2008 09:37:30 AM · #6

I have the Tamron 28-300 and sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it. It's kind of a hit and miss. This picture is zoomed to 300mm out my living room window across my driveway to a fence

. It has pretty good clarity (even though it's no great picture, lol). Other times, I just can't seem to get any sharpness no matter what I do. But, it could be operator error and not the lens. Mine was a good bargain at $200 used through Adorama, but it is an older model.

11/15/2008 12:21:47 PM · #7

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Thanks Jeb. Less experienced as I am, I still lean towards lenses from camera manufacturers. BUT they are crazy expensive!! :-)

Your input helps, thank you.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/15/2008 12:22:57 PM · #8

Originally posted by Kelli:

I have the Tamron 28-300 and sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it. It's kind of a hit and miss. This picture is zoomed to 300mm out my living room window across my driveway to a fence . It has pretty good clarity (even though it's no great picture, lol). Other times, I just can't seem to get any sharpness no matter what I do. But, it could be operator error and not the lens. Mine was a good bargain at $200 used through Adorama, but it is an older model.

Thanks for sharing the picture, Kelli. I have one question: did you use a tripod to get this one? I am trying to understand how much of the sharpness can be preserved by reducing vibrations at the longer focal lengths.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

11/15/2008 12:24:37 PM · #9

No, I rarely use a tripod (though I should). Almost all my shots are handheld.

11/15/2008 12:24:41 PM · #10

Originally posted by MAK:

Thank you MAK. I think I am leaning towards brand snobbery too, but I still want to be reasonable with the budget and the fact that I am still learning:-)

Thanks.