Product Description

Tamron now offers a lightweight, compact, high-image-quality telephoto zoom lens with macro capability of 1: 2 that can be used with digital cameras. This new lens is a Di type lens using an optical system with improved multi-coating designed to function with digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras.With this 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens, flipping a macro switch in the focal length range of 180mm to 300mm obtains a maximum magnification ratio of 1: 2 at a minimum focus distance as short as 37.4", enabling close-up shots of flowers, insects, and other objects that normally require the use of a specially designed macro lens. Moreover, this is a zoom lens that casually offers the distant capture and foreshortening effect pleasures of the 300mm ultra-telephoto world.

Product Details

• Brand: Tamron
• Model: AF017P-700
• Released on: 2006-03-08
• Dimensions: 4.10" h x 4.10" w x 5.30" l, 1.25 pounds

Features

• 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens
• Minimum focus distance as short as 37.4"

Customer Reviews

not bad for the money
Had read some good things in dpreview (and at least one other digital camera forum) about this lens. It gives my K100D a nice "reach" (up to about 450mm equivalent focal length) and adds a decent macro magnification above 180 mm (270 mm equivalent)... however, it's affordable for a reason: not very sharp at any focal length, adds some color cast to images, has a rotating front lens element and requires some manipulation to get it into and out of macro shooting. Haven't noticed much of a CA problem yet and the contrast is generally good. I've taken a few nice bird photos and people (unposed portraits) shots with this lens; but ususally needs some post-processing (Photoshop Elements) to sharpen up and remove color cast. [But that's true of most of my digital photography, regardless of lens used.] On balance, not a bad compromise for shooters on a budget. I'd like to save up for the Sigma 50-500mm (aka "Bigma") lens. Happy shooting!

Good value in this updated design.
The new Di lenses from Tamron are designed to work well with digital cameras, although those with the Di will work for 35mm as well (Di-II only work with smaller, APS-C chip size digital cameras). This is an improvement on the fine 70-300 LD (Low Dispersion glass) design. The major improvements in this lens are in the coatings, to help reduce any color bias, and minimize reflections. Additionally, lens manufacturers are doing more inside the barrels to reduce reflections.

Like the older LD design, the new lens has a close-up mode (not strictly "macro") position that allows images 1/2 lifesize on the negative. That's about twice the size of most 300mm zooms lacking this feature.

Compared to the current Pentax lineup, this is a real winner. The Tamron includes a lens hood, and has a much longer warranty (6 years vs. 1). The Pentax design is also older, and may not meet the critical demands of the new digital chips.

Lot's of zoom, but make sure you have the room
I bought this lens to go with my Tamron DI 17-35mm lens, and have been impressed by both so far. I was contemplating a 50-200mm lens that had a shorter barrel, but opted for this one instead. It's got 50% more reach to get some great shots. Plus, it has a true macro function, where-as other lenses in this range only mimic macro.