| Latest Review Posted | Tamron Adaptall-2 SP LD IF - 360B 300mm F2.8
I have mixed feelings about this lens. I bought mine new in the late 90's and it was as sharp as I had hoped, or could have expected for the low price I paid for it. IQ was very satisfying with just the prime lens, however the supposedly matched 2X TC cut the IQ dramatically and introduced considerable CA.
All that said, this other wise nice lens was absolutely ruined by the horrible adaptall-II mount (no less than 4 were tried). The mount had so much sloppiness in it the exposure could vary by more than a stop! In today's digital world, or using print film that might not be a deal breaker, but at the time I was earning a good portion of my income from photography and my customers demanded transparencies. Give or take a stop of light unfortunately didn't cut it.
I ended up trading it (at full value - kudos to my dealer) for the AF version (yes, it was available). The AF version has it's issues (with the AF) but seeing as it has a fixed mount, the exposure is right on.
I just have to comment on the folk that berate 300/2.8 lenses for being heavy. As far as 300/2.8 lenses go, the Tamron models are pretty close to being featherweights. The thing is, weight is a reality with a well built lens of this class. If you buy a Hummer, you don't complain that it's bigger and heavier than your Honda Civic - right? I'd advise folks to do their research so that hings like this don't come as surprises. Certain lenses are inherently big and heavy because they have to be. Down r... |
