 |   Publisher : Tamron Company : Tamron List Price: Our Price: $949.00 You Save: $1050.95 (53%) Used Price : $611.99 |
Features
- 200-500mm zoom lens with f/5-6.3 maximum aperture for Nikon digital SLR cameras
- 2 low-dispersion (LD) glass elements reduces chromatic aberration for sharp, clear images
- Close focusing distance of up to 8.2 feet; detachable magnesium alloy tripod mount
- Filter effect control lets you rotate filter with hood attached; 12- to 5-degree angle of view
- Measures 3.7 inches in diameter and 8.9 inches long; weighs 43.6 ounces
Product Description
L9) 200-500MM F5-6.3 DI F/NIKONSimilarProduct
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- Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for D200, D300, D700 and D80 Digital SLR Cameras, Part 25334
- Tiffen 86CCP 86Cmm Circular Polarizer Filter
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Customer reviews
I'm betting that this lens gets better with time... 
by .. Paul L. Jakubowski (Grand Island, NE USA)
I got this lens in the same set of purchases when I moved up from a Nikon D80 to a D300. So naturally, I tried it out on both before I sold the D80. Four stars on the D80; five on the D300. What CA I saw on the D80 images disappeared on the images from the D300 - the D300 automatically corrected the CA. This is why I say I think it will "improve" with age - the bodies will continually get better, and compensate for minor flaws.
But in its own right, this lens is a significant value. Not only in price, but in utility. I had to ask myself if I would really use a lens in this range enough to want to hump it around (yes), if I really needed a fast lens in the 200-500mm range (no), or practically, if I could afford same (no). I decided I didn't want to deal with the weight and bulk of a multi-thousand-dollar fast pro lens, and I certainly had better places to put my already out-of-control photography spending in relation to what would be my least used lens.
Since I wanted this lens primarily for cruise side trips (whales, bears, bridges, foilage, etc) which usually take place during the middle of the day with lots of light, convenience/cost was much more important than sophistication. I didn't need low light capability for sunrise/sunset landscapes, or to be sure to capture that one rare bird that only ventures out in the evening twilight. Further, portability was important. So, even though it's still the biggest space hog in the backpack along with four other lenses, all of which I use more than this one, the weight/bulk/cost to functionality ratio of this lens is still very acceptable to me. One other thing - it comes with a high quality, very usable, padded case of its own if you don't have a dedicated photo backpack.
Advice? Use it on at least a monopod. Even though it's light enough to be shot handheld, the images are highly dependent on good support.
One small negative. I've not found software yet which will automatically correct its barrel/pincushion distortion at various focal lengths. Neither PTLens nor DXO have it in their databases, and I've not seen the compensation factors published for Photoshop. While I am good enough to plug in factors that somebody smarter than me has figured out, I am not good enough to figure out those factors myself. So if any readers here ever find them/figure them out, could you share?
Hard to Beat For The Price by .. M. Barrera (Houston, Texas)
I have had this lens for almost a year and normally don't write reviews but the person who gave it four stars claims the pictures were great and focus fast and everyone agreed but gave it four stars? The lens deserves five stars for the price and flexibility. It does seem to work better on my 20d then on my 1Ds, the pictures are sharp and focus is fast for a zoom lens. Ihave all but two lens that are not Canon L lens, this one and the Sigma 150 macro and they are both fantastic lens. The lens is heavy.
Great lens at any price. by .. Trebor (San Diego)
I have had this lens for not quite a week. I use it on a D200, and also on a D70S. I have taken pictures of aircraft, surfers, birds and have learned a lot about how to get the most out of this lens. I doubt that it was designed to be hand held, so if you want good pictures, use a tripod. I don't even think a monopod is adequate unless you have no other choice, like shooting a sporting event. It's a fairly bulky lens.
I use a relatively slow shutter speed, like 1/500 of a second. This is not a very fast lens. Faster shutter speeds result in reduced image detail. When I am focusing on an object that is fairly bright, even at extreme telephoto (500mm) I am getting very good image detail. But if the object that I am focusing on is dark, then the image detail will be marginal. The sensor in digital cameras requires lots of light.
I have a VR 18-200 mm Nikon lens, and my images are as clear with the Tamron zoom lens, as they are with the Nikon VR lens.
With these two lenses, I can cover the 18-500mm range, with respectable results. It's a bargain.
Does Well... by .. juanital (NE OH)
I took a jump into this lens by research and faith... Bought it mostly for further reach of birds, I'm not disappointed. It took some use to handheld which got some decent shots and even better on a tripod...I'm pretty happy with it. As in comparing with the brand name competitors, I have no idea but I know cost was a factor...think its well worth it!
Very good lens for the money by .. D. Bowers (Salt Lake City, Utah)
I've had this lens for only four days but I've put it through some hard tests and it passed. My tests consisted of resolution charts and in field shots. The lens I compared the Tamron to was a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRI.
First the resolution chart test. Wide open the Nikon did not fare well, the Tamron was the clear winner. Shutting down Nikon to f5.6 it was a tie. This test was only a 200mm. I then shut down the Nikon to f8 and used this as the bench mark to compare the Tamron throughout its zoom range. At 300mm I could see very little difference. At 400mm the same conclusion. I, at one time, owned a Nikon 80-400mm VR and so pulled up the old test shots I made with it two years ago. At 300mm and 400mm the Tamron was better in contrast and sharpness. At 500mm the Tamron remained sharp from center to corner.
Now for the field test. I took both lenses to the park with a big pond. The seagulls, ducks and pigeons in flight made some very good moving targets. First I tested the Nikon 70-200mm, and out of 25 shots got 10 clear shots. Some think that because a lens has VR you can get a good shot of a moving target, wrong. It makes very little difference in this case. Next the Tamron, out of 21 I got a total of 6 clear shots. I think this is due to the slower focus of the lens.
The static test was another story. The Tamron matched Nikon in every way. Bokeh was where the Tamron shined compared to the Nikon. The Nikon has a harsh double image in out of focus areas whereas the Tamron more of a soft look. I'm not saying the Tamron was the best I ever seen but better than Nikon.
All and all I concider the Tamron to be a very good lens. With a little work and better technique it can give you some very good photos. Its light, has a very good zoom range, and cost very little compared to the other big lenses. One more word of advise, buy a good mono pod and use it. I don't care what lens lens you use its good to have a good solid platform to shot from.
I know some will say I'm wrong about the Nikon, so email me, and I'll show you the test charts comparing the Nikon with the Tamron.
PS. Unlike one other review, I did track a squirrel and got some darn good pictures of the little rascal.
It is close to a month since I bought this lens. I have tracked fast moving model airplanes and birds in flight. No problems. If you can manage without VR this lens is a killer deal.