Tamron 28 - 300 Opinions

[SteveGriffin]

I have a Nikon 18 -200 VR and get 'reasonable' results from it. I would like a lens with a bit 'longer reach' a guy at the local camera club has recommended the Tamron 28-300 Image Stabalised Lens. Does anyone here have any comments?

[Glen]

Love to hear yours when you get it I truly would be surprised if it exceeded your results with the 18-200, an almost 11 times zoom ratio is a lot to ask of any lens. How about a s/h Nikon AF300 f4? Or if funds allow the AFS version allows a TC later. The AF version can be had very cheaply second hand and is an excellent lens for low money in that range.

[zafra52]

Steve, check these:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=247&sort=7&cat=43&page=2

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=183&sort=7&cat=37&page=2

I suspect the VC or OS will have some effect on the final image.

[Pa]

hello steve, i have the 300mm f4 glen spoke of i used it today with a tamron 1.7 teleconverter. i'll post a couple of photos for you to look at.

[Marvin]

I have the non is/os version of this lens. I thought it was pretty good when I first got my D70 but once I got to learn a bit more I have become less and less satisfied with it. The pictures are OK but a bit soft and with a bit of CA. It is also very noisy and hunts a lot for AF. It is now on the camera that I lend to my friends (who aren't fussy) and my 9 year old uses.

[SteveGriffin]

Hmmm,
I am starting to build a picture here which is a little more in keeping with my expectations. The guy at the club claims that it is as sharp as the blessed 90 which I found somewhat hard to believe. I think that my hopes of a single walkaround lens have been dashed yet again.

[Glen]

Can you score me some of what this guy is taking? If he thinks an 11 x zoom will be within a bulls roar of a highly regarded macro prime......

[Pa]

i think maybe the bigma 50-500 with x10 zoom would have to a better option but three times as pricey

[SteveGriffin]

Can you score me some of what this guy is taking? If he thinks an 11 x zoom will be within a bulls roar of a highly regarded macro prime......

He does actually shoot some very good images BUT I was / am very sceptical about this particular recommendation.

I am off to Greenland in a few weeks and am after something a bit 'longer' than 200 - for the bear shots. Weight is VERY critical for this trip - 15kg of personal gear for a 2 week expedition otherwise I would be taking the 70-200 VR and a TC.

Maybe I will have to forget the bear pix

[Glen]

Steve, understand your problem, I really think at this point in time that is very hard to acheive