Tamron 16-300 'Super Zoom'

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I had the Nikon 28-300mm. Was a decent lens, but lacked on the wide side. This would be a great vacation lens on a DX camera if the IQ is good.
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
What a great time to be in the market for a new lens. Sigma and Tamron are really increasing the pressure on Nikon, Canon, etc to deliver better quality and a great price point.
 

DraganDL

Senior Member
Not expensive at all. But, I guess it's quality will be rather low, especially when zoomed out under the 20mm and above 200mm. And lots of "focus hunting" I'm affraid - even models (18-270mm) with the piezzo-electric controled motor drive have that problem at the telephoto end (zoomed in), because of the biggest aperture value exceeding 5.6, very much disliked by Nikon cameras...
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
ePHOTOzine just posted a review of the lens. The conclusion was very good for an all-in-one lens: "Not only have Tamron delivered a lens that offers a uniquely huge zoom range, but they've managed to make one that performs well, is well specified, and is good value too."
 

Steve B

Senior Member
There is a review in the current Popular Photography magazine (July) as well. Very positive review especially when it came to its macro capabilities.
 

JohnFrench

Senior Member
Anyone here own one yet? I am thinking about it. I have a Nikon 18-300mm old style, but it is HEAVY.

06-29-14 Update: I got one, on the spur of the moment. Took it out the same day, and it did as least as good as my Nikon 18-300, quite a bit better (to me) at some focal lengths. The big thing is the size and weight, much smaller than the Nikon, and much lighter in weight. I generally take photos to post on the internet on an internet blog of the city I grew up in, and a page I have on FB with over 10000 fans, with the subject the same as the blog. But I do like to be able to crop for close detail in some photos, and after working with the photos using the Tamron, I noticed right away they were a bit better that Nikon. Not as dark, sharper throughout the range, and generally I was just happier with the photos. Maybe it is me playing a mind game with myself just wanting a difference.
Overall, at this point I am glad I got the lens, and am happy with the performance of the lens, more so than the Nikon when I bought it.
Now I still have a Tamron 150-500 I need to get out and see how that does, but I have a niggling pain in my right leg, which I have a good idea is a slipped disk in my back. Having had two operations before for this, the symptoms have become familiar. So I am relegated to hopping out of car for a few minutes here and there to grab photos. So using the 150-500 when be on standby for a while.
 
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Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Tamron posted a pretty sales-y video on the 16-300 but it does a nice job of demonstrating the range and versatility.

 

rmlo

New member
I just return the Tamron and got the Nikon. My reasons are:
1. Tamron AF is a bit slower and the VC makes a high pitch noise
2. CA is worst when compare to the Nikon, especially near 300mm
3. in canada, the price between Tamron and Nikon seems less than in the US (Tamron was 679 and Nikon 799)
4. While not yet available, I can expect in camera lens correction profile for the Nikon eventually.
5. I don't really need the extra 2mm on the wide end; and the macro on the two lens are similar (slight advantage to the Tamron)

My experience is the sample of 1 copy of each, so may or may not be a reflection of other copies. Perhaps this might be useful for someone still on the fence.
 

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
I am a big fan of this lens and have posted a lot of pictures here since it arrived last month. That said, it is going back to B & H today for replacement. It developed a hunt and give up problem ala the 150-600 when going AF from max to min or vice-versa. I talked to Tamron this morning and, unlike the 150-600, this is not a known issue and they said to just return it for a new copy, which B & H okay'd without a blink. Now the issue is will I survive the next week?
 
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