Tamron 70-300 Macro?

Gregor · 12-02-2009, 08:34 PM

I've got my first Dslr on the way. It's the Kx with the 18-55 kit lens. I couldn't quite spring for the 55-300, though I really wanted it. I have a chance to pick up this Tamron 2nd or third hand for $70. I read the reviews here and it sounds decent for the price. Any reason I shouldn't grab it?

Thanks

Stratman · 12-02-2009, 08:43 PM

hmmm, I don't know about the older versions, but I have the LD Di version of that Tamron, and for the price it is very good!

Timtast1c · 12-02-2009, 08:52 PM

I worked soley with this lens (actually a quantaray rebranded tamron) and the kitlens for a solid year and a half. I got some of my best images from that combination...and that means a lot for me since Im shooting with the da* 16-50, da*50-135, and da* 300 now adays.

Gregor · 12-02-2009, 08:56 PM

Ah! Thanks for replying. This is why I come here. From the review list, there was only one version of the 70-300. How do I tell it apart from older versions. And is there any way to tell how good the older ones are?

flockofbirds · 12-02-2009, 09:59 PM

I was in the exact same position as you (though different camera) and I chose the Tamron LD Di Macro, I've never regretted it, for the price it's IQ is very good.

**pacerr** · 12-02-2009, 10:57 PM

Don't overlook the Tamron 75-300 LD. In my experience it's the equivalent of the 70-300 LD Di and it's full frame to boot. Mine has less CA/PF issues than any of the 70-300's I've used.

IMO, there's a good reason Tamron still catalogs this FF lens alongside the APS-C Di version -- it's too good to quit. It's good enough that I keep it around as an economical partner to a Tamron 300/2.8 because it's light enough for travel and cheap enough for risky situations.

H2

darrenleow · 12-02-2009, 11:16 PM

i have the tamron 70-300 Di LD but i passed it along to my brother when he got his own K10D since i already had the DA* 50-135

i later ended up buying a quantaray version off ebay because i missed having that lens with me. it's exactly the same lens as the tamron, though i'm not sure if it's a Di or non-Di version. don't think there's much of a difference anyway. $70 is a bargain for this lens!

some pictures i took with just yesterday. surprisingly, no PF!

darrenleow · 12-02-2009, 11:18 PM

Originally posted by pacerr

Don't overlook the Tamron 75-300 LD. In my experience it's the equivalent of the 70-300 LD Di and it's full frame to boot. Mine has less CA/PF issues than any of the 70-300's I've used.

IMO, there's a good reason Tamron still catalogs this FF lens alongside the APS-C Di version -- it's too good to quit. It's good enough that I keep it around as an economical partner to a Tamron 300/2.8 because it's light enough for travel and cheap enough for risky situations.

H2

i believe the Di lens is a FF lens as well, just with "improved multi-coating designed to function with digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras." i've tried it on a film cam and saw no vignetting, and it has an aperture ring too.

Gregor · 12-02-2009, 11:22 PM

So I found out the one I can get is the 472d model, older lens, 1:3.9 macro. Does this change things a bit? For a similar price, you can get one of the Sigmas from KEH.

**pacerr** · 12-03-2009, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by darrenleow

i believe the Di lens is a FF lens as well,

That's true. Di II lenses are listed as APS-C - only.

H2

Alfisti · 12-03-2009, 11:34 AM

All you need to know is here ......

Zenfolio | Alfisti | Images by Lens

kenyee · 12-03-2009, 12:12 PM

The lens is sharp until about 280mm (edge of either end is usually not sharp for zooms anyways). It also PF/CA's a lot less on K20D/K7/Kx...but when it does, it's not pretty (tradeoff w/ the Sigma is less sharpness); it had a reputation for PF/CA on the K10D because the K10D had a weak AA filter...
For the price, it's a good deal. I'm not sure why the demand has fallen off so much...I guess most people ended up w/ the 55-300...

**skid2964** · 12-03-2009, 01:14 PM

I had a Tamron 70-300mm and sold it to get a Pentax 55-300mm, I missed it, so I bought another one! I love the 55-300, but I still like having the 70-300 for my other camera body.

Marc Sabatella · 12-03-2009, 01:30 PM

I have one of the 70-300's, but never use it sicne getting the DA50-200. The latter is just so much more pleasant to use. It's a *lot* smaller and lighter, it focuses a lot faster, and it's a more useful range - I shoot more in the 50-70 range than in the 200-300 range. And I can always crop an image from the 50-200 to simulate the 300mm field of view, whereas there's no way to make the 70-300 any wider. Image quality wise you'll see endless debate on the topic. I think my 50-200 is better, but not by enough to matter. Others find the 70-300 wins, but by an equally insignificant margin.

As for macro capability on the 70-300, it's pretty weak, I think. I get far better results - sharper, better color & contrast, more magnification - with a $50 Rayox 150 on my 50-200.

wildlifephotog · 12-03-2009, 01:42 PM

I use the 70-300 Di a lot. If care is taken, the macro works great.

180mm, DS, iso 400

12-02-2009, 08:34 PM	#1
Gregor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 161	Tamron 70-300 Macro? I've got my first Dslr on the way. It's the Kx with the 18-55 kit lens. I couldn't quite spring for the 55-300, though I really wanted it. I have a chance to pick up this Tamron 2nd or third hand for $70. I read the reviews here and it sounds decent for the price. Any reason I shouldn't grab it? Thanks

12-03-2009, 01:42 PM	#15
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	I use the 70-300 Di a lot. If care is taken, the macro works great. 180mm, DS, iso 400 Last edited by wildlifephotog; 05-05-2012 at 06:44 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tamron 70-300 as the only macro option...	Igilligan	Post Your Photos!	7	10-25-2008 07:02 AM
Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF MC4 + Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro	hinman	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	07-28-2008 01:25 PM
My New Tamron 70-300 Di Macro	KungPOW	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	13	07-14-2008 07:07 PM
tamron 70-300 macro question	gokenin	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	01-28-2008 06:19 PM

12-02-2009, 08:43 PM	#2
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	hmmm, I don't know about the older versions, but I have the LD Di version of that Tamron, and for the price it is very good!

12-02-2009, 08:52 PM	#3
Timtast1c Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 330	I worked soley with this lens (actually a quantaray rebranded tamron) and the kitlens for a solid year and a half. I got some of my best images from that combination...and that means a lot for me since Im shooting with the da* 16-50, da50-135, and da 300 now adays.

12-02-2009, 08:56 PM	#4
Gregor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 161 Original Poster	Ah! Thanks for replying. This is why I come here. From the review list, there was only one version of the 70-300. How do I tell it apart from older versions. And is there any way to tell how good the older ones are?

12-02-2009, 09:59 PM	#5
flockofbirds Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 178	I was in the exact same position as you (though different camera) and I chose the Tamron LD Di Macro, I've never regretted it, for the price it's IQ is very good.

12-02-2009, 10:57 PM	#6
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	Don't overlook the Tamron 75-300 LD. In my experience it's the equivalent of the 70-300 LD Di and it's full frame to boot. Mine has less CA/PF issues than any of the 70-300's I've used. IMO, there's a good reason Tamron still catalogs this FF lens alongside the APS-C Di version -- it's too good to quit. It's good enough that I keep it around as an economical partner to a Tamron 300/2.8 because it's light enough for travel and cheap enough for risky situations. H2

12-02-2009, 11:16 PM	#7
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	i have the tamron 70-300 Di LD but i passed it along to my brother when he got his own K10D since i already had the DA* 50-135 i later ended up buying a quantaray version off ebay because i missed having that lens with me. it's exactly the same lens as the tamron, though i'm not sure if it's a Di or non-Di version. don't think there's much of a difference anyway. $70 is a bargain for this lens! some pictures i took with just yesterday. surprisingly, no PF!

12-02-2009, 11:18 PM	#8
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by pacerr Don't overlook the Tamron 75-300 LD. In my experience it's the equivalent of the 70-300 LD Di and it's full frame to boot. Mine has less CA/PF issues than any of the 70-300's I've used. IMO, there's a good reason Tamron still catalogs this FF lens alongside the APS-C Di version -- it's too good to quit. It's good enough that I keep it around as an economical partner to a Tamron 300/2.8 because it's light enough for travel and cheap enough for risky situations. H2 i believe the Di lens is a FF lens as well, just with "improved multi-coating designed to function with digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras." i've tried it on a film cam and saw no vignetting, and it has an aperture ring too.

12-02-2009, 11:22 PM	#9
Gregor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 161 Original Poster	So I found out the one I can get is the 472d model, older lens, 1:3.9 macro. Does this change things a bit? For a similar price, you can get one of the Sigmas from KEH.

12-03-2009, 11:30 AM	#10
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by darrenleow i believe the Di lens is a FF lens as well, That's true. Di II lenses are listed as APS-C - only. H2

12-03-2009, 11:34 AM	#11
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	All you need to know is here ...... Zenfolio \| Alfisti \| Images by Lens

12-03-2009, 12:12 PM	#12
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	The lens is sharp until about 280mm (edge of either end is usually not sharp for zooms anyways). It also PF/CA's a lot less on K20D/K7/Kx...but when it does, it's not pretty (tradeoff w/ the Sigma is less sharpness); it had a reputation for PF/CA on the K10D because the K10D had a weak AA filter... For the price, it's a good deal. I'm not sure why the demand has fallen off so much...I guess most people ended up w/ the 55-300...

12-03-2009, 01:14 PM	#13
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614	I had a Tamron 70-300mm and sold it to get a Pentax 55-300mm, I missed it, so I bought another one! I love the 55-300, but I still like having the 70-300 for my other camera body.

12-03-2009, 01:30 PM	#14
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	I have one of the 70-300's, but never use it sicne getting the DA50-200. The latter is just so much more pleasant to use. It's a lot smaller and lighter, it focuses a lot faster, and it's a more useful range - I shoot more in the 50-70 range than in the 200-300 range. And I can always crop an image from the 50-200 to simulate the 300mm field of view, whereas there's no way to make the 70-300 any wider. Image quality wise you'll see endless debate on the topic. I think my 50-200 is better, but not by enough to matter. Others find the 70-300 wins, but by an equally insignificant margin. As for macro capability on the 70-300, it's pretty weak, I think. I get far better results - sharper, better color & contrast, more magnification - with a $50 Rayox 150 on my 50-200.