DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 AF Di-II VC PZD, any experience with it?

**inownsuipsy** · 06-03-2012, 04:56 PM

Tamron lenses are mid range, "jack of all trade" lenses. On crop sensor cameras they are OK, on full frame I would not advise Tamron glass, due to CA/PF and distortion towards the edge of the glass.

At the end of the day, any lens which tries to cover a large focal range (in this case 18-270) is going to suffer optically. There is a a reason why higher-end lenses typically cover split focal ranges (eg 17-55, 70-200 etc). This ensure a better optical design than is possible when trying to cover the whole focal range with just one lens.

I'm not saying they are bad lenses (I'm a lens snob, and therefore rather biased!). Just don't expect stellar quality from it - especially towards the edges of the frame, and when using it wide open. You'll also struggle with the limitation of F6.3 at 270mm, especially as the lens is not stabilized (although I'm guessing you have in-body stabilization on your Nikon?). It will be tricky to get a sufficient shutter speed unless the light is good, and/or you really jack up the ISO.

Question is, do you need one lens that covers than entire focal range? If not, you might be better looking for a lens which covers 100-300 or similar, as that will have much better optical quality than an ultra zoom lens which also covers wider angle (under 70mm, down to 17mm).

06-03-2012, 04:56 PM	#3
inownsuipsy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 414 Senior Member	Tamron lenses are mid range, "jack of all trade" lenses. On crop sensor cameras they are OK, on full frame I would not advise Tamron glass, due to CA/PF and distortion towards the edge of the glass. At the end of the day, any lens which tries to cover a large focal range (in this case 18-270) is going to suffer optically. There is a a reason why higher-end lenses typically cover split focal ranges (eg 17-55, 70-200 etc). This ensure a better optical design than is possible when trying to cover the whole focal range with just one lens. I'm not saying they are bad lenses (I'm a lens snob, and therefore rather biased!). Just don't expect stellar quality from it - especially towards the edges of the frame, and when using it wide open. You'll also struggle with the limitation of F6.3 at 270mm, especially as the lens is not stabilized (although I'm guessing you have in-body stabilization on your Nikon?). It will be tricky to get a sufficient shutter speed unless the light is good, and/or you really jack up the ISO. Question is, do you need one lens that covers than entire focal range? If not, you might be better looking for a lens which covers 100-300 or similar, as that will have much better optical quality than an ultra zoom lens which also covers wider angle (under 70mm, down to 17mm).
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