Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Ultra Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Model A061E)

I bought this lens initially to replace and older Tamron 28-300mm film lens that I had been using on my Sony Digital SLR. The film lens was my best and favorite all around lens. The configuration of the newer lens was the same, so I decided to step up to the digital model. This lens is FABULOUS. This newer model is much shorter and lighter than the older model, and the focusing is fast and accurate. I loved it so much that I bought a second one for my other digital SLR. Now my husband and I shoot the same lens on both of our cameras. The macro feature is a definite plus. Being able to get in close for product shots, etc. is a real bonus in a lens. We love Tamron lenses and especially this 28-300mm for all around range and versatility.

This is a good all purpose lens. The 28 - 300 mm zoom equates to approximately 42 - 450 mm on most DSLR's. There are almost always tradeoffs in anything you buy and this is very true with lenses. This lens provides a wide zoom range, has a minimum length of 3.3" and weighs about 1 lb. It is not very fast with a maximum aperture of F 3.5 at 28 mm and 6.3 at 300mm but when used with a Pentax K10D the automatic focus works well under most lighting conditions. I use it primarily for nature photography. It has produced good images in most situations. Although it focuses to 1.6 feet throughout the zoom range, to provide a 2.9 magnification ratio at 300 mm, the short depth of field results in disappointing close-up shots. Overall I am pleased with the Tamron AF28-300 and would recommend it to anyone that wants one lightweight lens to cover a wide zoom range.

I had been looking for a wide range lens so I didn't have to change lens all the time and this one does the trick. I'm using it on my Nikon D200 and it works beautifully. The only thing I don't get from this lens that lenses specifically for the camera give me is all the lens and camera shooting details on each picture. I get a lot of them but not all because this isn't a "computer" lens. Since I don't really care about all those details, I'm fine with this but if you need or want all that information then this lens might not be for you. The only other downside I might have to this lens is it doesn't focus quite as fast as a regular Nikon lens does and by that I mean nanoseconds difference so for 99.9% of all shooting its just perfectly fine.

For the $, the lens is a good value. It has a great range, but with most DSLRs, the 1.6 crop factor means that while it is a great telephoto lens (up to 480mm equiv.), and it lacks in the wide angle department (45mm equiv.). My chief complaint is its lack of sharpness at anything over 28mm. Definitely not a fast lens; I shoot at 400-1600 ISO way more than I thought I would. If you only want one lens, and don't mind a bit of extra weight, this is not a bad compromise.

Auto focus didn't work with my Nikon D3200. It should have. Otherwise, it was great.

This lens is slow, noisy, and soft. I struggle to find enough light for long focal length shots. The noise of the auto-focus annoys me so much I wonder if the internal parts aren't grinding into pieces. And I've yet to take a photo that's sharp and acceptable - they are all incredibly soft. The focus is so bad I wonder if there might be a problem with the specific combination of my Canon 20D and this lens. I've shot a few hundred pictures with this lens and not one has been worth printing. It's become an expensive paperweight. The 20D's kit lens takes better photos.

This lens has the right amount of basic wide angle, 28mm to 300mm zoom telephoto and has a moderate weight making it ideal for me while traveling. I shoot with a Sony Alpha 900 and this lens/camera body combo is a medium weight setup. I find when traveling I seldom need wider than 28 mm and the 300 mm other end of the spectrum brings in far details. Since the lens has a good zoom range, I usually never have to change lenses to get the shots I come across while somewhere special. The lens is crisp enough to keep everything in focus.

I have to say after using this lens for a month that I'm glad I ended up with it. I wanted a lens that would give me a range of options, and that is what this lens has...I can use it for macro or for wider views. I have a prime 50mm lens for portrait purposes, but I wanted something that could be used as a walkabout. The quality of the photos is good...(although in dimmer light, I do up the ISO on my D300, which is okay as the D300 does fine with higher ISO). There is a bit of search for focus on the longer end of the lens...If you are shooting birds, that can be annoying, plus it makes a noise...but over all...I can work with it. I do recommend this lens for someone who wants a deal (price wise), but good quality.