Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 worth?

rmtschanz · 10-07-2009, 08:15 AM

Went perusing around my local camera shop today and stumbled across a Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 lens. It's in good condition, clean glass with just some dust inside it. They're asking $150 for the lens and it does not come with an adapter. I've read that the Adaptall-2 version of this lens is fairly well regarded, but have heard little about this one.

I'm looking at this lens for the 300mm. Right now I have an SMC-F 70-210 f/4-5.6 and want more reach. I'm open to other considerations in the $150-200 price range. I'm also considering the Tamron 70-300mm DI for it's AF, or even considering an external teleconverter with the SMC-F 70-210, such as the Olympus TCON-14B.

Jewelltrail · 10-07-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

rmtschanz Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 worth?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Went perusing around my local camera shop today and stumbled across a Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 lens. It's in good condition, clean glass with just some dust inside it. They're asking $150 for the lens and it does not come with an adapter. I've read that the Adaptall-2 version of this lens is fairly well regarded, but have heard little about this one.

I'm looking at this lens for the 300mm. Right now I have an SMC-F 70-210 f/4-5.6 and want more reach. I'm open to other considerations in the $150-200 price range. I'm also considering the Tamron 70-300mm DI for it's AF, or even considering an external teleconverter with the SMC-F 70-210, such as the Olympus TCON-14B.

I can't commment on this particular lens, though, given the Adaptall's reputation in general, I have to believe it would be, at least, a good lens. As for suggestions, I shoot with this lens: Tamron SP Adaptall-2 60-300mm F/3.8-5.4 Model 23A and am delighted with it. You can see samples in our forum's Adaptall Club if you wish. Your concern is 300mm, and this lens shines there. Wide open there is PFing, but f8 is very, very nice.

Someone here must have some knowledge of the Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 ?

Best of luck.

hinman · 10-07-2009, 11:11 AM

Your lens is not talked in detail in the adaptall-2.com link

Adaptall-2.com

and you see the adaptall 1 lens link in

Tamron Adaptall Series Lenses

and your lens is Tamron 70-350mm F/4.5 Adaptall CJ-735 (1979)

I am with JewelTrail on the safer thought in going after the Tamron SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4 adaptall-2 and you can easily find it under $100 with good condition. While the extra 50mm is a welcome sign, you also need to look at the weight of 1820 g (or 4 lb) and a filter size of 82mm. I can hardly think of hand-holding the lens with the size and weight as depicted in the spec. Tripod is a must for such a heavy lens. I wish you buy it and let us know how it turns out.

There are various other lens that are sure to go lower than your stated $150 cost in the range of 70-210mm, 80-210mm, 75-250mm. You need to search through the link in. I have Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 19AH, Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A and Tamron 75-250mm adaptall-2 104A, which are all listed in the site in both SP and non-SP in adaptall-2 on the left sidebar

Adaptall-2.com

and the adaptall-2 site has brief commentary that I find extremely valuable as a brief guidelines with weight, close up ratio and strength of the lens.

Thanks,
Hin

hinman · 10-07-2009, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by rmtschanz

. I'm also considering the Tamron 70-300mm DI for it's AF, or even considering an external teleconverter with the SMC-F 70-210, such as the Olympus TCON-14B.

I have the notorious purple fringing famous Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro, I love that lens and I paid about $90 for a used copy in Marketplace. It is still the best value lens that I have bought. It is probably one of the lightest zoom that goes into 300mm. Other complain about the PF and most of the complaint are valid. I dealt with the PF/CA in careful shooting avoiding contrast area consciously when appropriate and shoot mostly stopped down to f/8.0 in good lighting. The lens has 1:2 close up in 180mm to 300mm. It serves me in traveling, casual close up, the duck-aholic lens, portraits, candid, tele and the 420mm, 510mm, 600mm with use of TC in 1.4x, 1.7x and 2.0x TC.

Recent duck-aholic and green photos with Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro and Pentax K20D with a 62mm 1A filter.

Thanks,
Hin

Last edited by hinman; 10-09-2009 at 06:59 AM.

rmtschanz · 10-08-2009, 03:12 PM

Thanks for the help hinman and Jewelltrail.

Ironically enough, I went during my lunch hour to another local shop and guess what they had...a used SP 60-300mm w/Box and Case and a New Adaptall KA mount (do they even make these mounts anymore?)! Picked them both up for $110, thought that was a good buy. Visually, the 70-350 is just an impressive looking lens when compared to the 60-300mm. I might still pickup the 70-350 f4.5 to check it out, as the store allows returns on used lenses.

hinman · 10-08-2009, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by rmtschanz

Thanks for the help hinman and Jewelltrail.

Ironically enough, I went during my lunch hour to another local shop and guess what they had...a used SP 60-300mm w/Box and Case and a New Adaptall KA mount (do they even make these mounts anymore?)! Picked them both up for $110, thought that was a good buy. Visually, the 70-350 is just an impressive looking lens when compared to the 60-300mm. I might still pickup the 70-350 f4.5 to check it out, as the store allows returns on used lenses.

By all means, I actually hope that you will attempt to get the 70-350mm f/4.5 and report back as I have curiosity and great interest in learning about the lens. Have you tried to hand-hold the lens alone, its spec says 4 lb or 1820 g, have you thought about using it on a tripod or you have no issues with hand-holding a 4 lb lens. My Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 with hood and a compatible tripod ring weighs close to 4 lb, perhaps 3.5+ pound and I feel the weight especially in portrait position. Weight factor in the ease of use of a lens.

The 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4 will serve you well as JewelTrail and many die-hard fans of Tamron adaptall-2 lens will attest to you. The strength is in its consistent performance across the range, lighter weight, and I heard that its close focus is quite good. You have a steal for that price with a p/k-a adapter. When you are settled with the lens, you may like to look for a 1.4x TC and 2.x TC in adaptall-2 mount as the 2.x TC can serve not only as a tele-converter but double up as an extension tube that may get you your close-focus to go from 1:2 to 1:1 at the expense of losing light and known degradation on IQ. A Tamron 01F 2x TC usually costs around $30, that is something worth an investment for a cheap option for 600mm and 1:1 macro. It is not the best, but for $30, you have little to lose in my books.

Tamron 01F 2x TC

Thanks,
Hin

Stringmike · 10-09-2009, 02:18 PM

You got a smoking deal on the 60-300 and K/A adapter. I've seen the latter alone to go for close to $100 and the 60 -300 is worth $100 to $150.

Some time ago, I was lucky enough to pick up a brand-new in box SP 70-210 f3.5 for under $100 and it is one of my favorite zooms. I've even used it with X1.4 and X1.7 teleconverters with some success. There are still bargains out there.

Mike

rmtschanz · 10-10-2009, 10:43 AM

Thanks stringmike, I guess I was pretty lucky to find the two at the same shop. To put some closure to this thread, I tested the 70-350mm against my 60-300mm. Comments and images are here.

All-in-all, I would say that the Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 lens is not worth $150. Maybe $100 if in good condition. The 60-300mm is an optically superior lens, with the exception of being just a bit slower at the tele-end(5.4 vs. the 70-350's 4.5). In addition, I find the one-touch zoom far, far quicker to zoom and focus in comparison to the 70-350's zoom and focus ring combo.

10-07-2009, 08:15 AM	#1
rmtschanz Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 77	Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 worth? Went perusing around my local camera shop today and stumbled across a Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 lens. It's in good condition, clean glass with just some dust inside it. They're asking $150 for the lens and it does not come with an adapter. I've read that the Adaptall-2 version of this lens is fairly well regarded, but have heard little about this one. I'm looking at this lens for the 300mm. Right now I have an SMC-F 70-210 f/4-5.6 and want more reach. I'm open to other considerations in the $150-200 price range. I'm also considering the Tamron 70-300mm DI for it's AF, or even considering an external teleconverter with the SMC-F 70-210, such as the Olympus TCON-14B.

10-08-2009, 06:34 PM	#6
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	Originally posted by rmtschanz Thanks for the help hinman and Jewelltrail. Ironically enough, I went during my lunch hour to another local shop and guess what they had...a used SP 60-300mm w/Box and Case and a New Adaptall KA mount (do they even make these mounts anymore?)! Picked them both up for $110, thought that was a good buy. Visually, the 70-350 is just an impressive looking lens when compared to the 60-300mm. I might still pickup the 70-350 f4.5 to check it out, as the store allows returns on used lenses. By all means, I actually hope that you will attempt to get the 70-350mm f/4.5 and report back as I have curiosity and great interest in learning about the lens. Have you tried to hand-hold the lens alone, its spec says 4 lb or 1820 g, have you thought about using it on a tripod or you have no issues with hand-holding a 4 lb lens. My Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 with hood and a compatible tripod ring weighs close to 4 lb, perhaps 3.5+ pound and I feel the weight especially in portrait position. Weight factor in the ease of use of a lens. The 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4 will serve you well as JewelTrail and many die-hard fans of Tamron adaptall-2 lens will attest to you. The strength is in its consistent performance across the range, lighter weight, and I heard that its close focus is quite good. You have a steal for that price with a p/k-a adapter. When you are settled with the lens, you may like to look for a 1.4x TC and 2.x TC in adaptall-2 mount as the 2.x TC can serve not only as a tele-converter but double up as an extension tube that may get you your close-focus to go from 1:2 to 1:1 at the expense of losing light and known degradation on IQ. A Tamron 01F 2x TC usually costs around $30, that is something worth an investment for a cheap option for 600mm and 1:1 macro. It is not the best, but for $30, you have little to lose in my books. Tamron 01F 2x TC Thanks, Hin Last edited by hinman; 10-08-2009 at 06:44 PM.

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10-07-2009, 10:22 AM	#2
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: rmtschanz Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 worth? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Went perusing around my local camera shop today and stumbled across a Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 lens. It's in good condition, clean glass with just some dust inside it. They're asking $150 for the lens and it does not come with an adapter. I've read that the Adaptall-2 version of this lens is fairly well regarded, but have heard little about this one. I'm looking at this lens for the 300mm. Right now I have an SMC-F 70-210 f/4-5.6 and want more reach. I'm open to other considerations in the $150-200 price range. I'm also considering the Tamron 70-300mm DI for it's AF, or even considering an external teleconverter with the SMC-F 70-210, such as the Olympus TCON-14B. I can't commment on this particular lens, though, given the Adaptall's reputation in general, I have to believe it would be, at least, a good lens. As for suggestions, I shoot with this lens: Tamron SP Adaptall-2 60-300mm F/3.8-5.4 Model 23A and am delighted with it. You can see samples in our forum's Adaptall Club if you wish. Your concern is 300mm, and this lens shines there. Wide open there is PFing, but f8 is very, very nice. Someone here must have some knowledge of the Tamron Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 ? Best of luck.

10-07-2009, 11:11 AM	#3
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	Your lens is not talked in detail in the adaptall-2.com link Adaptall-2.com and you see the adaptall 1 lens link in Tamron Adaptall Series Lenses and your lens is Tamron 70-350mm F/4.5 Adaptall CJ-735 (1979) I am with JewelTrail on the safer thought in going after the Tamron SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4 adaptall-2 and you can easily find it under $100 with good condition. While the extra 50mm is a welcome sign, you also need to look at the weight of 1820 g (or 4 lb) and a filter size of 82mm. I can hardly think of hand-holding the lens with the size and weight as depicted in the spec. Tripod is a must for such a heavy lens. *I wish you buy it and let us know how it turns out.* There are various other lens that are sure to go lower than your stated $150 cost in the range of 70-210mm, 80-210mm, 75-250mm. You need to search through the link in. I have Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 19AH, Tamron SP 80-200mm f/2.8 adaptall-2 30A and Tamron 75-250mm adaptall-2 104A, which are all listed in the site in both SP and non-SP in adaptall-2 on the left sidebar Adaptall-2.com and the adaptall-2 site has brief commentary that I find extremely valuable as a brief guidelines with weight, close up ratio and strength of the lens. Thanks, Hin

10-07-2009, 11:27 AM	#4
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	Originally posted by rmtschanz . I'm also considering the Tamron 70-300mm DI for it's AF, or even considering an external teleconverter with the SMC-F 70-210, such as the Olympus TCON-14B. I have the notorious purple fringing famous Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro, I love that lens and I paid about $90 for a used copy in Marketplace. It is still the best value lens that I have bought. It is probably one of the lightest zoom that goes into 300mm. Other complain about the PF and most of the complaint are valid. I dealt with the PF/CA in careful shooting avoiding contrast area consciously when appropriate and shoot mostly stopped down to f/8.0 in good lighting. The lens has 1:2 close up in 180mm to 300mm. It serves me in traveling, casual close up, the duck-aholic lens, portraits, candid, tele and the 420mm, 510mm, 600mm with use of TC in 1.4x, 1.7x and 2.0x TC. Recent duck-aholic and green photos with Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro and Pentax K20D with a 62mm 1A filter. Thanks, Hin Last edited by hinman; 10-09-2009 at 06:59 AM.

10-08-2009, 03:12 PM	#5
rmtschanz Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 77 Original Poster	Thanks for the help hinman and Jewelltrail. Ironically enough, I went during my lunch hour to another local shop and guess what they had...a used SP 60-300mm w/Box and Case and a New Adaptall KA mount (do they even make these mounts anymore?)! Picked them both up for $110, thought that was a good buy. Visually, the 70-350 is just an impressive looking lens when compared to the 60-300mm. I might still pickup the 70-350 f4.5 to check it out, as the store allows returns on used lenses.

10-09-2009, 02:18 PM	#7
Stringmike Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 283	You got a smoking deal on the 60-300 and K/A adapter. I've seen the latter alone to go for close to $100 and the 60 -300 is worth $100 to $150. Some time ago, I was lucky enough to pick up a brand-new in box SP 70-210 f3.5 for under $100 and it is one of my favorite zooms. I've even used it with X1.4 and X1.7 teleconverters with some success. There are still bargains out there. Mike

10-10-2009, 10:43 AM	#8
rmtschanz Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 77 Original Poster	Thanks stringmike, I guess I was pretty lucky to find the two at the same shop. To put some closure to this thread, I tested the 70-350mm against my 60-300mm. Comments and images are here. All-in-all, I would say that the Adaptall-1 70-350mm f4.5 lens is not worth $150. Maybe $100 if in good condition. The 60-300mm is an optically superior lens, with the exception of being just a bit slower at the tele-end(5.4 vs. the 70-350's 4.5). In addition, I find the one-touch zoom far, far quicker to zoom and focus in comparison to the 70-350's zoom and focus ring combo.