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Tamron 28-300mm f3.5 - 6.3 LD IF

Tested with a Fuji S2 Pro

Full frame at 28 on the left to 250 on the right - both at full aperture. Neither shows much distortion or vignetting (darkening in the corners) This range in one lens is impressive - and the long shot isn’t quite at the maximum - the EXIF say 253mm.  I’ve used an off center rather than corner crop at 28mm as the actual corners don’t show much information - These tests are from my archive - I now use a different subject.

All crops below are sections of the test images at full size - 100%

centre                             28mm f 3.5                     off centre     

centre                             28mm f 5.6                      off centre

centre                             50mm f 4.2                        corner

centre                            50mm f 5.6                        corner

centre                           250mm f 6.3                        corner

Conclusion

This is a good lens. Performance is very good in the 28-100 range and gradually falls of towards 300 where it’s OK for snapshots or small prints. I think Tamron  judged the compromises in it’s performance about right. Most people will take most of their pictures in the 28-100 range and only very occasionally need the 300, so it’s good where you need it most - but the 300’s there for that one shot when you need it and haven’t brought another lens.  The lens is very well made and a reasonable size and weight - about 420g - for carrying around all day. As the one lens to take on family days out - it’s excellent, but for non full frame DSLR’s check out the Tamron 18-250, which would give a more useful range of focal lengths.

Recommended

Notes

This lens has now been replaced by a Di - Digitally integrated - version which should perform even better with digital bodies.

© David Gold
All text and images copyright David Gold 2006 - 2011
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