Tammy 18-400 mm
- Thread starter harleridr
- Start date
Chris@sabor
Senior Member
Several reviewer on Youtube thought it was pretty great. If I could only have one lens, this might be it...
@Marilynne has one, hopefully she will be along to comment.
If you're talking to me. Yes, I still use it as my walkabout lens. Fits nicely in my camera bag on my bicycle.
Here are some recent shots.
Maybe you can rent one and compare the two lenses.
wildshots
Senior Member
GAAAK..
I should have quoted instead of reply. Sorry. Thank you for the very prompt reply and the sample photos. Your shots look good. I will be researching farther and reading more reviews.Thanks again
Sam
Guess I should have read the whole thread since I was the only one that responded to the OP.GAAAK..
Thanks again
Sam
Peter7100
Senior Member
I can only add I was extremely disappointed with the copy I once owned and couldn't wait to get rid of it
wildshots
Senior Member
Thank your Peter7100, I've read several reviews with the same feeling. I'm now looking at the 16-300mm.I can only add I was extremely disappointed with the copy I once owned and couldn't wait to get rid of it
In general the zooms that go from wide angle to telephoto are never going to be super sharp, and are likely to be more prone to things like chromatic aberration, lens flare, etc. That said, they are great for convenience and are way better than zoom lenses from 20-30 years ago.
wildshots
Senior Member
Thanks Woodyg3, and I agree. I do have a couple of Tamron zoom lenses but I always question the image quality. I have mostly Nikkor lenses but would love to try more Tamron and at least one Sigma lens. I've never had anything from Sigma.
Peter7100
Senior Member
If you want to try a Sigma, I can recommend their 150-600c
wildshots
Senior Member
Awww darn. Thanks Peter, I already have the Tamron 150-600. Can't justify two lenses of the same range.If you want to try a Sigma, I can recommend their 150-600c
Sam
wildshots
Senior Member
Ran across a used Tamron 16-300mm. Seller listed as in 'very good' condition. Bought it. Opened the box, it's looks new. There is not a scratch or scuff on it anywhere. Not fair to the lens but I mounted it on my ancient D5100. Caught a day with decent light and took some test photos. I'm pleased with the results and looking forward to testing the lens on my D7100, D7200 and D500. Below are a few samples.
Birdseye Speedwell. The blossom is smaller than your thumbnail.
Tufted Titmouse. Caught him as he was leaving a perch.
Dead Nettle. The blossoms are tiny.
Northern Short Tailed Shrew, in motion. Lured him out with doggy kibble.
A wide shot looking down the New River Gorge. The National River addition to the Natn'l Park System starts at my driveway.
Birdseye Speedwell. The blossom is smaller than your thumbnail.
Tufted Titmouse. Caught him as he was leaving a perch.
Dead Nettle. The blossoms are tiny.
Northern Short Tailed Shrew, in motion. Lured him out with doggy kibble.
A wide shot looking down the New River Gorge. The National River addition to the Natn'l Park System starts at my driveway.
wildshots
Senior Member
I'm back. Sometimes you just gotta find someone to tell stuff to. Ran across a 'damaged' 'parts only' Tamron 18-400 online. Description said that zoom was stuck. I took a quick trip to Youtube, found a disassembly/assembly video and decided to chance it. I messaged the seller, a camera shop in New Jersey. I asked if there was damage consistent with the lens being dropped. The seller promptly replied that there was no visible damage to the lens. I ordered, he/she shipped. It came in the mail today. The lens appears new, unused. I cranked the zoom, it zoomed. There is a stiff spot out around 300mm but nothing I'm not used to with both Tamron and Nikon lenses. I attached the lens to an old D7100, walked out into the back yard and took a few shots. The lens functions perfectly, zoom, focus, vibration and the lock. I processed a few shots, they looked good. I did the EXIF to verify that the focal length was out to the full 400mm. It is. Only guess I have is that a really advanced photographer just didn't like the stiff spot and returned it. The lens came to me in the original box with all the paperwork, both caps and the lens shade. There is a 'defective' sticker on the side of the box and 'damaged, zoom stuck' note written with a Sharpie. I think someone just didn't know or didn't care to test the lens. I can't find anything wrong with it. Unless I do, I'm very happy with the lens for $270. Decent light today, I will be giving it a workout.
bluzman
Senior Member
You got a great deal at $270. I owned the Tamron 18-400mm for a while. While doing research before I bought it, I noted that just about every reviewer mentioned a sticky spot somewhere around 300mm zoom. It's an excellent general purpose lens but its modest VR (2.5 stops as I recall) left me wanting. I traded it for a used AF-P FX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR. YMMV