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Tamron AF LD Aspherical IF Macro 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Review RSS Feed

Tamron AF LD Aspherical IF Macro 28-300mm F3.5-6.3

Sharpness 
 7.7
Aberrations 
 7.2
Bokeh 
 7.2
Handling 
 8.7
Value 
 8.7
Reviews Views Date of last review
7 60,782 Tue January 24, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $114.71 8.14
Tamron AF LD Aspherical IF Macro 28-300mm F3.5-6.3


Description:
Model: 185DP
Filter Size:72mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.61m at f=200mm
Max Mag. Ratio: 1:3.7 at f=240mm
Aperture: F3.5-6.3
Angle of View: 75-8 (35mm film)
Construction: 15 elements in 13 groups
Length 94.6mm
Diameter: 80.4mm
Weight: 590g
Year introduced:1999
Price History:



Add Review of Tamron AF LD Aspherical IF Macro 28-300mm F3.5-6.3
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Veteran Member

Registered: November, 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,275

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 2, 2011 Recommended | Price: $85.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Versatile, sharp up to 200mm, relatively minor PF
Cons: Zoom is a bit stiff, zoom creep (but there is a zoom lock), IF shortens focal length at closer distances, Soft at 300mm
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 7    Value: 10   

I bought this lens used from another forum member, and I gotta say, the bang-to-buck ratio is quite good on this one. Though many prefer a wider-angle superzoom more in the 18-250 range, this one is preferable for me, because my shooting gravitates more toward the tele end.

This lens is pretty sharp up to 200mm, and while it does soften up a lot at 300mm, stopping it down to f11 sharpens it up a bit. You're much better off sticking to 200mm or lower for the best IQ. At focal lengths of up to 200mm, f8 seems to be the sweet spot. Comparing it with my Tamron SP 60-300mm Model 23A (an exceptionally sharp and well-regarded MF zoom), the 60-300 murders the 28-300 at the long end. Up to about 200mm, the difference is less noticeable. The 28-300 has a bit less PF than the 60-300, so that's one advantage. As long as lighting is adequate (or you have a camera with excellent high-ISO performance, like the K-x) and you stop it down a bit, it's capable of taking sharp, nicely saturated photos with good detail, even when viewed at full resolution.

Build quality on this lens is good, with a metal lens mount. The rear part of the lens housing is a good quality plastic, with the two zoom extensions on the front made of metal. A zoom lock you can switch in only at 28mm takes care of zoom creep. (creep isn't a big deal to me, anyway.) Focus ring is the typical short-throw variety common to AF lenses, and it works smoothly. The zoom ring works well too, but due to the extreme excursion range of the lens when zooming, it's a little stiff in the middle. Holding the lens facing upward while zooming to the long end takes a little effort, as does zooming to the short end while the lens is pointing down. This is due to the weight of the lens parts being moved, and isn't a defect. It's not a big deal, and doesn't detract from the enjoyment of using this lens. There's also a supplied "twist & lock" petal type lens hood supplied with the lens.

Something else to keep in mind with this or any other IF (internal focus) superzoom: Because of the way IF works, the stated maximum focal length (in this case, 300mm) is only 300mm at infinity. The closer you are to your subject, the less magnification you get. According to my tests with this lens vs. a non-IF zoom, at a distance of 10 feet from the subject, this lens is more like a 28-190mm lens, which is a lot less than 300mm. I'm not a fan of IF for this reason, but I don't know of any AF superzooms that aren't IF. So you're kinda stuck.

To sum it up, for a walkaround, daylight-use lens with a little extra range on the long end, this lens does a good job. Sure, it's not as sharp as a good prime or even an excellent zoom with less focal range, but you can't expect it to be. It does however, deliver about as much as you can reasonably ask of any hyperzoom. It's reasonably sharp and detailed through most of the range with good color and contrast. And though the fringe monster rears it's purple head once in awhile, it's less fringy than many zooms. Since I've bought it, I've gotten plenty of great photos with it.

Here's a demo pic I snagged of my sister-in-law with this lens at 128mm.

If ratings of "7" sound lukewarm, consider this: To me, "10" is killer IQ with a superb prime lens. My ratings hover around a "7" with this lens, which I consider excellent for a hyperzoom. I wouldn't expect more from any hyperzoom.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: January, 2011
Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi)
Posts: 586

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 24, 2011 Recommended | Price: $175.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Generous FL, Much cheaper than "digital" all-round, nice color rendering and bokeh
Cons: This lens delivers what it is supposed to do, don't ask for more
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 9   

18-200 or 18-250 is today's standard when it comes to "all-round" lens, but I prefer the 28-300 range because of the "added length" due to 1.5x crop factor, and off course because this lens is cheaper. This lens is only a bit bigger than the 28-200 version, so still compact. Wonderful color rendering and bokeh. Reasonable sharpness in all focal range, small bit of "glow" at the widest aperture, gone when stepped down one click.

Handheld @300mm F8 -Cropped



Handheld @300mm -Cropped +- 100%
F6.7


F8


F11


F16


F22


F45




All in all, this award-winning lens is not a disappointment.
   
Senior Member

Registered: November, 2007
Location: Bay area, CA
Posts: 194

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: April 2, 2008 Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Versatile range. FF glass so corner softness is less relevant in digital camera
Cons: Soft wide open. Soft at 300mm. Very sharp when tuned to optimum f-stop. Not for pixel peeper.

The specification of this lens is impressive: big zoom, relatively good f-stop. It is a very good budget ultrazoom lens at half the price of the new crop of lens.
Sharpness sweet spot is: 28mm: f5.6; 50mm:f6.7; 240mm: f11; 300mm is really a stretch. Given the small f-stop, the focus tend to hunt a lot in low light, so it's best for outdoor pictures. I've been able use it as a decent portrait lens. I would say the quality is on par with Pentax FA-J series but with more versatile range. It can produce very sharp print when tuned to the sweet spot., i would not push it further than that. The lens seem to be suitable for portrait photos at 50 - 180 zoom range, juse set it around f5.6- f8 and you'll get really nice sharp pictures with pleasing bokeh. The 28mm wide angle is no longer that useful with the new digital sensor.
I have compared this against the lengendary sigma 70-200 f2.8. Clearly it's not in the same ball park wide open, but seem to catch up on sharpness at f8 thru f11 at comparable focal range. That makes this lens an exellent value for general use. Plus you get the extra zoom when you need it in a pinch.

Pro: cheap, versatile enough for use. Metal mount construction (for Pentax mount) is solid, making it a good choice (others have rated this lens poorly on Canikon mounts since the plastic contacts tend to get damage)

Con: the 3 barrel zoom set up creep quite abit for this heavy glass, require you to lock in. Extreme ends (300mm wide open) is really soft.
   
New Member

Registered: August, 2019
Posts: 6

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 24, 2023 Recommended | Price: $28.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Build quality, overall sharpness, ease of use
Cons: None yet
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-5 and K-3   

24 Jan 2023 -- I already have lots of good lenses for my dependable, well-used K-3 and a more recent "backup" K-5 in excellent almost-new condition. For years now, my "almost always" walk-around has been an excellent Tamron 18-200 AF macro that has very good performance – I've very seldom been disappointed. The only thing I’ve wondered about is a similar lens with a longer telephoto. So, I didn't really *need* this lens. And I'd read all the reviews from Pentax Forum and just about every other source I could find – most folks said it's nice to have but it has limitations (perhaps even some serious ones). So, it’s not the sharpest tool in the toolbox – according to those who’ve used it.

Then this copy came up on eBay. The vendor photos told me it was in exceptional shape. We agreed on a very good price. Zip-zap – it arrived from Japan yesterday, 100% professionally packed and in pristine condition. With a new circular polarizing filter attached, I've been testing it today through all my usual 6km "field and stream” hike conditions.

I've only used it on my K-5 so far. All functions, including AF, have performed just fine – some occasional “hunting” at 300mm, as expected, but nothing fatal. I have Sigma and Pentax zooms that go to 300mm, so knew that hand-held at 300mm with this Tamron would be close to "pushing" things. But, no problem. I also expected that 28mm on this model would probably not be quite what it might be expected to be. But it seems perfectly fine. Plus, of course the K5 (although a very good-quality piece of kit in all ways) has lower resolution that the K-3 (I'll use it with the K-3 tomorrow).

Anyway, my expectations were not very high. Out on the trail today, I was pleased to feel very comfortable using all features of this lens in all "normal" field-based circumstances. Marks came in at “very good’ for lens “heft”, plus simplicity and overall usability of all controls. I immediately liked this lens. Nothing caused any problem whatsoever. Everything has been designed well here, and works without a hitch. It was also immediately obvious that the K-5 and lens partner seamlessly – so: very high marks for compatibility, efficiency, effectiveness, and ease of use. I noted that the macro, with its built-in limitations (which are not serious), also works very well. No complaints.

HOWEVER – having downloaded about 100 test images from today, I am more than pleasantly surprised with the high quality throughout the full zoom range (using the usual criteria: sharpness, contrast, distortion, flare, etc.). Also, this particular copy seems to have absolutely zero dust. The glass throughout the entire lens system is super-clean. I don’t know if the integrity of the lens itself has anything to do with that (it’s not WR); but, following a careful inspection from top to bottom, my sense is that the build quality is about as good as anyone could expect. And maybe I’m just lucky – with this copy, any evidence of it having been used very much is about nil.

So, starting off with “middling” expectations, I am pleased to report here that I am, so far, very happy with this lens – in every way. It’s not as wide as many of my other shorter zooms, but given its overall build quality, ease of use, how it consistently delivers image sharpness at the extremes, and how well it serves all the way out to 300mm, I suspect this copy will see a lot of use in my usual field photography circumstances. So far, I give this lens a strong recommendation for anyone who hasn’t yet explored what it has to offer.

Additional Comments -- 26 Jan 2023

Just did a 2nd field test using my K-3 with this lens, capturing about 70 images. Outside temp is about +3C with occasional spatters of rain and light snow. As with the first test hike using the K-5 and this lens, everything worked perfectly and testing routines were very pleasant.

With the higher Mpixel of the K-3 I can now see a bit more regarding limits of this lens -- the "sweet spot" analysis of other reviews is more or less confirmed. Overall, though, my commentary (above) based on the first day's field testing with the K-5 remains almost the same. All functions are excellent. At no time during either hike did I encounter any problems, or anything like a major shortcoming. I like this lens a lot -- no buyer's remorse! Weight has been mentioned by others, too -- yes, it is a bit on the "heavy-set" side. Personally, though, I have no objection; in fact, it's good to have the extra mass to keep things stable.

For the next few days, so as to become more familiarized with this lens so that thinking ahead for framing opportunities in a wider set of circumstances becomes 2nd nature, I'll continue to take this lens out into the field mounted on either camera (probably both, for better comparison). I'll provide additional comments as I learn more.

Update -- 28 Jan 2023

3rd field test of this Tamron zoom lens with my "old reliable" Pentax K-3 today. I am very pleased with the AF and resolution of the 300mm (max telephoto) of this lens. See: test image of one of our local bucks, posted to gallery today -- specs:

Pentax K-3 on full auto, ISO=200, f/11, 1/400sec, Tamron 28-300 185D @300mm AF=on, full auto. Crop = 40%.
Lens recently acquired, now undergoing daily outdoor field tests. Intended use: wildlife, birding, scenery.
Temp = -22C, humidity = 67%, winds variable, occasional light snow interspersed with breaks of sunshine.

Cheers to all / BlueLeezard
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 10

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: April 17, 2014 Recommended | Price: $130.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Good walk-around lens. Decent IQ. Good value.
Cons: Soft wide open and at 300mm. On the heavy side.
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 8    Value: 9    Camera Used: K-30   

This lens is exactly what I was looking for (apart from the weight, but this is a minor gripe for me). You can shoot from 28mm to 300mm, which is ideal for travels, outdoors and special occasions.

It's pretty sharp up to about 200mm and softens quite a bit at 300, but stopping it down to F/11 sharpens it up. At focal lengths of up to 200mm, F/9 seems to be the sweetest spot for this copy. It's reasonably sharp and detailed for most of the range with good color and contrast (I like it more than Sigma's).

Build quality is good - with a metal lens mount and metal extension tube. Zoom lock can only be switched at 28mm, but my copy doesn't creep that much anyway. Focus ring is the typical short-throw type, common to hyperzoom AF lenses, but it works ok.

The biggest gripe could be that it hunts in low light situations, but honestly, I wasn't expecting anything stellar in this regard, so I just stick to shooting in good light condition with this one and switch to fast prime lens indoors or in poor light.

All in all, it delivers about as much as you can reasonably ask of any hyperzoom lens. And with that said, I can absolutely recommend this lens if you can find it for a good price.
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2013
Posts: 14
Review Date: October 11, 2019 Recommended | Price: $100.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: big zoom range, only really sharp in the center stopped down
Cons: many CA's + not real sharp at the border, very soft corners
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 4    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 10    Value: 6    Camera Used: k-5 k-200D k-x k-S1 fuji x-T100   

This is a big zoom lens affordable only for sunshine using, high ISOs, and nearly full cosed aperture, in oder to get really sharp photos.

It is not my favorite lens, but useful for voyages for beginners and small photo prints to 13 x 18 cm, after treating with PhSh up to max 20 x 30 cm - suitable only for travel photos or portraits - not so good for landscapes, if you are a bokeh freak, working with wide open apertures,

++ AF react very quickly and correctly.

+ big zoom range

+ nice colors

+ high contrast *** BUT ***

++ only in the center of 28mm high resoltion 85 LP/mm with f 13 (like PENTAX 2.8/28)

+/++ best results stopped down to f 13-19 between 50 and 300 mm. /on close photos CAs nearly totally disappearing, on landscapes not)

+/O good center sharpness from 50 to 135 mm (45-65 LP/mm) at f 8

-/O weak border and edge sharpness (25-35 LP/mm) at f 8

O/- moderate to weak tele sharpness 200 to 300 mm at f 8, must be sharpened extremely by PhSh, in order to get really sharp big pictures.

- /O often visible CA's in the corners and on the borders, especially at 28 mm, wide open

O/ - very soft in the edges (scarcely sharp in corners with APS-C !!!), at 28 mm, too

*** NOT SO GOOD FOR FULL FRAME f.e. K-1 *** - but for micro 4/3 stopped down to f 13- f 19 affordable !

only 7 points because of some weakness (sometimes strong CA's on the borders, soft corners etc.)

RECOMMENDED ONLY FOR BEGINNERS, PORTRAIT SHOOTINGS OR FOR MICRO 4/3 with adapter - otherwise somewhat disappointing between f 4.5 and f 8

(changed review)
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: March, 2017
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 519
Review Date: August 26, 2018 Recommended | Price: $85.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Price, Useful range, Walk around lens, light enough to shoot hand held
Cons: Soft wide open and at at 300. AF hunts on occasion
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 6    Handling: 8    Value: 8    Camera Used: Pentax K-1   

Going in I knew what I was getting with this lens. I've had similar super zooms for my Canon DSLRs and while useful they're not the best lenses around. I wanted a decent lens for my ocasional air travel and concert going where I don't want to be dealing with a lot of lenses. This fit the bill perfectly.

It's not super fast at f/3.5 and even slower at f/5.6 at the other end of the range. But on a K-1 with the IBIS, I felt it was something I could live with. I had a chance to try this out at a Stray Cats concert recently and I had to give thought if I wanted to deal with multiple lenses or just one. I decided this would be a great test of this lens and see if I was going to keep it for it's intended purpose.

I think the images are just fine from this lens, and for the $85.00 I spent on eBay a hell of a deal.

Some Auto focus Micro adjustments, sharpening in post processing and I've got a keeper. It's not a lens I'll use everyday, but will use when when I go on trips and to concerts.

I'll let the images speak for themself.







Add Review of Tamron AF LD Aspherical IF Macro 28-300mm F3.5-6.3



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