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Tamron Adaptall-2 (58A/158A) 70-210mm F4-5.6 Review RSS Feed

Tamron Adaptall-2 (58A/158A) 70-210mm F4-5.6

Sharpness 
 6.3
Aberrations 
 6.3
Bokeh 
 7.7
Handling 
 8.7
Value 
 7.3
Reviews Views Date of last review
5 48,000 Fri August 22, 2014
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
80% of reviewers $25.60 7.20
Tamron Adaptall-2 (58A/158A) 70-210mm F4-5.6

Tamron Adaptall-2 (58A/158A) 70-210mm F4-5.6
supersize
Tamron Adaptall-2 (58A/158A) 70-210mm F4-5.6
supersize

Description:
This late adaptall was produced from 1988 and with its plastic sibling the 59A was the cheapest adaptall zoom made.
Superceded by 158A in 1991 - essentially the same, no separate listing.

Lightweight 3x TP with focus+zoom ring
Construction: 13 elements in 9 groups.
Aperture: f4/5.6 - f22, f32/AE
Iris: 6 blades
CFD: 1.1m (= 1:4 macro at 210mm)
Focus: ~ 270deg rotation
Filter: 52mm.
Length: 7.9cm/3.1"
Weight: 340g/12oz
Bayonet hood mount (hood 58FH).

This lens does NOT accept the 01F 2x TC or the 014F 1.4x TC without modification of the rear baffle. Mounting these tc's and then trying to zoom to 70mm will cause the rear group to collide with the tc.

Original user manual here.
Mount Type: Third-party (adapter required)
Price History:



Add Review of Tamron Adaptall-2 (58A/158A) 70-210mm F4-5.6
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Site Supporter

Registered: November, 2012
Location: North Wales
Posts: 2,858
Review Date: August 22, 2014 Recommended | Price: $20.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Size + weight, decent IQ
Cons: slow (210mm), average IQ, flat contrast, measurably varifocal
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 8    Value: 7    Camera Used: Kr, Lumix G1   

One may be inclined to deride the 58A, not because of its plastic nature, but because, with its equally plastic sibling the 28-70mm 59A, these were the cheapest adaptall zooms ever made. Price does usually correlate pretty well with quality. However as the other reviews have remarked this lens has a USP - its remarkably small size and low weight. I have actually had a couple of these pass through my hands, each time I have compared a few pics with primes and other zooms and sold them on, plugging that "travel lens" character. This time I actually worked up to a more considered scrutiny, and you know what? it's not so bad!

First off although it's plastic its mechanics are good, all movements nice and smooth, no slack, but I note tendency of the zoom to creep if held vertically. On my K-r IQ plus points are consistency/trueness of colours; relatively consistent (albeit average) sharpness from wide open; less coma/CA/fringing compared to older adaptall lenses like 103A. For example, the Degannwy Castle info sign is a bit of a litmus test that often shows up purpling and fringing with older lenses. 58A produced pics relatively free of purpling and fringing at all f stops. Contrast noticeably improved from f4 to f11, but was never great however. The cockerel on the spire at 210mm was pretty good, detail on the stone cat at 135mm (cf same pic with 135mm primes here) not to complain about. So far so good. I was not so impressed with distant subjects like boats out in the estuary however. And overall I would say images pretty consistently tended to show an inherent lack of contrast (and I didn't find focusing as clear as more contrasty and faster lenses either). 100% crops, Pentax K-r:

210mm, i. f11; ii.f5.6




135mm, f5.6


100mm f5.6, resized, levels adjusted in faststone.


Any inherent weakness of optics tends to be shown up more readily by the higher crop factor and pixel density of my Lumix G1. And for me the lens was shown up: softness wide open more evident, contrast and colour suffering. Have to careful mind you, how much is that due to the lens and how much to the camera? But real, I think. Also, magnified focus assist on the G1 highlighted this lens is not parfocal, focus varies with zoom. If you try the trick of focusing at 210mm then zooming out, you lose accurate focus. This was clear with both near and far focus. Pic illustrates the approx discrepancy between 210mm and 70mm using the cockerel on the church spire as example.



f8, 100% crop, lumix G1


I tried a few close up flower pics but wasn't impressed. 59A's close focus at 70mm is comfortably better!

So really I'm back to where I started. For best IQ look elsewhere. For a cheap travel lens to chuck in the bag to snap away with, and no great worry if it gets dropped/lost/stolen..., here it is. With a caveat. If you don't already have a PKA mount, you will get better value from the rather similar but slightly larger and heavier Tokina SD 70-210mm, which, in Pentax mount, comes as PKA already. And another price point comparison: it's not difficult to pick up a kit DAL 50-200mm for the price of 58A + PKA mount, and have AF.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: April, 2011
Location: Lost in translation ...
Posts: 18,076
Review Date: November 3, 2012 Recommended | Price: $5.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Lightweight, one touch ...
Cons: Very plastic build ...
Sharpness: 6    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 8    Value: 7   

Bonjour,

I scored a thrift shop copy of this lens recently and just did some initial test shots ... not very impressed overall. The lens is all plastic and feels "cheap" compared to my other all-metal Adapt-alls ... but on the other hand it's a feather-weight compared to the 19AH. My copy has seen some rough treatment as seen by the small impact marks on front element, but then again that could be thrift shop induced damage. I need to test outdoors and will try to post a sample image later. If you can get one cheap like I did, then there's no problem recommending this lens ...
   
Veteran Member

Registered: June, 2012
Location: Boise Idaho
Posts: 466
Review Date: June 22, 2012 Not Recommended | Price: $18.00 | Rating: 6 

 
Pros: Focusing method, compact for a 315mm(apsc equiv)
Cons: 1:4 macro
Sharpness: 6    Aberrations: 4    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 8   

Super cheap. You'll get what you pay for as long as you pay, say, $15.

I found this lens on CL. The word "macro" and "$15" intrigued me. Not a whole lot to lose on with it only being so cheap.
I only say that I wouldn't recommend it because it's IQ isn't fantastic, and there's a bit of CA. However if you're looking for a 210mm macro, then this is a cheap way to get it.

ScottConover, on Flickr
   
Veteran Member

Registered: November, 2008
Location: North Carolina , USA
Posts: 2,271
Review Date: May 2, 2010 Recommended | Price: $10.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Very small and light for a MF lens with it's focal range
Cons: need a PKA adapter

I wound up getting this lens sort of by mistake. I bought it with some other gear for $50.00 to get the PKA adaptor that was attatched to it. When I tried it I was pleasantly surprised. It is tiny for a 70-210mm and very lightwieght. IQ is better than expected and it has macro/close focus abillity too. If I was going to be lugging a camera all day and needed this focal range I would strongly consider this lens a smart choice.
Now please don't mistake my rating this as an 8 to be stricly in regard to image quality. IQ is probably a 7 , size weight low price and build for a plastic lens rate a 9 so overall I'm going to call it an8.
   
Pentaxian
Moderator Emeritus

Registered: May, 2007
Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Posts: 10,643
Review Date: April 1, 2008 Recommended | Price: $75.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Small light AE Adaptall. Macro
Cons: Plastic build. Zoom could be smoother

A very good compact zoom lens. Sharp with good colour. Easy to focus. Average build quality with a fair zoom that could be smoother through the range. It has the AE setting for the Adaptall mount so aperture and shutter info is translated to AF Pentax Film and Digital bodies. Usable macro that is really a close focus setting.
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