Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

Good for everyday shots and great for vacations because you cont have to change lenses for different shots.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

This lens has a remarkable range. My major complaint thus far is that the zoom is pretty sticky. It seems to catch around 100mm or so and requires more pressure than should be necessary to continue to zoom in or out. If you need a smoothly zooming lens, this is not the one for you.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I use this lens for an all purpose lens. I find it very useful in not having to go back and forth between other lenses. Very clear and sharp. Seems a bit heavy at first- but you get used to it and its well worth it and I would not go back. I would buy again and recommend others to buy it!

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I just recently purchased this lens and use it for sports photography, macro photography, and everyday life photography. I love not having to change lenses, it has a great range.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

After a few years of professional photography and carrying very heavy gears, I've left that life behind and decided to just buy a prosumer digital SLR with just one lens.

I've researched the many ultra zoom lens and decided on three. The Tamron 18-270mm VC (not PZD due to the rebate on the non PZD version), the Sigma 18-250mm and the Canon 18-200mm. Since I love to zoom, I decided to get the Tamron 18-270mm with the most zoom. This lens really does the work of my 16-35mm f/2.8L, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS without all the weight!

After a few trips, here are my thoughts on it:

Strengths:
- On bright light, focus is very fast and precise.
- Although not a macro lens, I was able to get many close up pictures with it.
- Although it is a little bit large and heavier than I would like, it is no where as heavy as my collection of zom "L" lenses. If weight is a problem for ou, I suggest going with the PZD version.
- The Vibration Compensation really works. I got some great pictures in low light that I would not be able to without it.
- Although made of plastic, it feels solid and durable. I would not drop it though.
- I find the bokeh pleasing on my close up shots.

Weaknesses:
- Pictures are a little bit soft. They just don't compare with the sharpness of my Canon professional lenses. *But* they are not bad. The 4x6 prints looked great. I can't tell the quality from my professional prints if I print 4x6 only.
- The focusing motor is a little bit noisy. Just think of a high-pitch buzzing bee whenever it tries to focus.
- It has a hard time focusing in low light. Sometimes you have to help it by switching to manual focus and then refocus with automatic focus. In 5% of my pictures, I have to switch fully to manual to focus at all.
- Zooming is not very smooth. At around the 70mm mark, you really have to apply some pressure to get it to go beyond that zoom range. I guessed over time, it should soften up. As a note, there is no lens creep when the lens is face down, but as the lens loosen up over time, lens creep is going to happen. Luckily, there is a switch to lock it at 18mm wide.

As a side note, I find it difficult to smoothly zoom during video recording. This is true of all SLR lens that I use, but because of the stiffness of the zoom mechanism, it is more pronounced in this lens. As the lens loosen over time, this problem will slowly get reduced.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

Have only had this lens a short period of time, but absolutely love it. Will more than likely use it as my primary lens.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I owned Tamron 18-200mm that doesn't have an image stabilization, and I loved it. After almost a year I decided to upgrade to Tamron 18-270mm, mostly for image stabilization. I take a lot of pictures in low light conditions and Tamron 18-270mm proves that image stabilization does really help in those situations. Only cons for me are that lens in a little heavy and it does creep, but I don't mind that at all. I enjoy taking sharp and crips pictures anywhere I go in any condition. The bokeh this lens can create is beyond amazing! For me this is a perfect lens!

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

New photographer just trying to figure every thing out on the lens. Was told by my brother in law to get this len, because it is what he using in his photo business [...]

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

The lens is very usable in nearly all situations, poorly lit areas being the exception. But for general use, especially outdoors, it's ideal. One lens for aost any focal length. And the picture quality is the same as the Canon 18-200mm lens it's replacing.

No down sides so far. It's not so loose as to creep when pointed down, which the Canon has started to do.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

Bought this as a all purpose lens. It works great through out the whole focal range. But does have a little lens creep when pointed down

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

dont have to carry a bunch of lens while on vacation

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

What I like most is the fact that I only
have to travel with 1 lense as agains 2 that came with the camera ...and the pictures are
excelent..

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I tend to research a lot but have also come to realize that there is no perfect lens and that many of the "Lab/Bench" test/reviews are looking for optimal characteristics. Would a "pro" select this lens for potential sales - perhaps not. However, I think the quality of this lens, for the convenience of 18-270, is remarkable. Just returned from Holland & Italy where the 18 was critical for church interiors and the 270 for long distance shots. I came home with some wonderful, bright and sharp photos with which I am very pleased. As a most convenient "travel" lens I would clearly recommend trying this.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I bought this lens to be used as a good walking around, all around lens. It covers a wide range, and limits the lens changes that are required. It is lightweight IMO for such large focal length. Did not see lens creep as I have seen in other reports, as the lens is a little tight to turn for changing focal lengths. I don't know if this is a change due to the initial comments. I don't much care for the location of the VC on/off switch, as it easily gets moved to off when being placed in the camera bag. Photos have been in good focus, I have not seen any over the top chromatic aberration, and generally the lens performs well. I have noticed some slight slowness in the autofocus in lower light conditions. Overall I am pleased with the lens.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I was owning this for few days and returned it.
As of to me, Image quality is good.
But the lens did not give me the comfort as i felt in Canon lens.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I bought this specifically as a travel lens instead of taking my 12-24 Tokina, my Canon 28-70 2.8L, and my Canon 70-200 2.8L IS. Build quality, weight, ease of use and reliability are all good. Its not an "L" series lens so don't expect it to be, but the pictures come out great! It seems to stay on my camera more then the other 3 lenses combined. LOVE the focal range!

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I use this for landscape/nature/garden photos. I've owned it for 7 months.Given the excellent reviews of this lens, and the enthusiastic hard sell of the clerk at my local camera shop, I've tried to like this lens, I'll agree that under absolutely perfect conditions pictures are sharp, clear, and colors are very nice. In any circumstances in which lighting isn't perfect I'm sorry to say that I am very disappointed with this lens, and with the clerk who pushed it so hard as an excellent lens and excellent value. I've found it to be neither.I don't bother to consider using this lens for macro shots anymore. It isn't worth the effort and doesn't come close in quality of result to my Canon Macro.The VR has little, if any, noticeable effect when using even the midrange zoom. Even on a stable tripod images are poorly focused. Lens creep developed quickly and is the worst I've ever seen in a supposedly high quality lens. The AF is indecisive, innaccurate and slow...to the point of being useless. The cheap Canon kit lens that came with my body had a faster and more accurate AF than the Tamron.The problem with AF wouldn't be so bad except for this--after just 6 months of use (with meticulous care and protection of the lens at all times) the manual focus ring just stopped being functional. One day it simply refused to turn and does so only with effort. It "ratchets" and is stiff and clearly broken. This has given, in fact, it does so every time I try to focus, the impression of being a very poorly made and cheaply produced product. After the vigorous sales pitch I received, and after reading many positive reviews, I experience a sinking feeling of disappointment every time I use this lens. [$] represents quite an investment for me and I can't help feeling that it's money wasted for a cheap and inferior product.Given the high praise of many other reviewers I'm willing to accept that I, perhaps, have a rare "lemon." My experience certainly does not seem to reflect the general response to this lens. Even so, the impression this lens has made on me is one that leads me to not even consider recommending this lens to anyone; nor will I even consider purchasing any other Tamron product. The old saying is "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." Whether this is a "lemon" and not truly reflective of Tamron's quality or not I simply cannot and will not invest my money in another Tamron product. I'm in the market this year to upgrade my camera and purchase up to three high quality lenses. I will be restricting my purchases to Canon lenses and find that I cannot seriously consider anything by Tamron.I wanted very much to be impressed and pleased with this lens. I regret to say that I am not.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

How does one take pictures at a church picnic with a recent knee replacement ballancing on a cane? I took 250 pictures telephoto and close up with the Tamaron 18-270 lens. Little kids running,jumping etc. Teens playing freezby and basketball. Close ups of adults and kids. the stabilization system compensated for my disability. I did find the telephoto adjustment a bit stiff. The pictures were well received. Boffo Tamaron

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

I have only had the lens a few weeks and still learning the capabilities. I used this lens at a family gathering and I was amazed at the flexibility of this lens. I am very pleased with this purchase.

Comments about Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro Lens:

Good for all day shoots when changing lenses is too much of a hassle. I own an array of Canon "L" lenses and pro-grade cameras, but for lightweight, "fun" shooting, I prefer a Digital Rebel with an all-in-one lens, and this one certainly fits the bill. Not an "L" lens by any means, but the image quality and function of the lens is still quite good. For hiking, kayaking or other outdoor activities, this allows me to get the shot that lots of times would have been missed if I had had to change lenses first. Overall I am quite pleased.