Tamron A20 AF28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO

[mybearbrick]

Is the Tamron A20 AF28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO lens, Tamron's answer to walkabout lens with Vibration Compensation (VR to Nikon, IS to Canon and OS to Sigma)?

QUICK SPECS
Focal Length 28 - 300mm
Maximum Aperture F / 3.5 - 6.3
Lens Construction 18 elements 13 groups
Minimum Focus Distance 0.49m (19.3”)
Max.Mag.Ratio 1 : 3 (at f = 300mm, MFD : 0.49m)
Filter Size 67mm
Weight 555g (19.6oz.)
Diaphragm Blades 9
Minimum Aperture F / 22 ~ F / 40 (28mm ~ 300mm)
Standard Accessory Flower-shaped hood
Compatible Mount Canon**, Nikon

From what I gather,

This lens being Di meant that it will support full frame (non-APS-C) giving 28-300mm and also APS-C giving 43-465mm on DSLR.
The new "VC" (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron's answer to Nikon's "VR", Canon's "IS" or Sigma's "OS", though there is no mention to how many stops advantage it gives.
It uses a 67mm filter size which is the same as my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.
It is lighter than the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS.
Tamron gives 3 years warranty in Sg.
Highest mag. ratio 1:3 compared to the Nikon and Sigma 18-200mm VR/OS.
"VC" does not work with EOS1Ds and probably some EOS films.

Click here to read more!
Tamron A20 AF28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO

This is definitely a very interesting lens as a walkabout lens. Versatile and good for future plans to upgrade to full-frame. Will the VC be as good as the VR or IS? We will have to wait and see (Canon mount released in Oct 2007, but Nikon mount Spring 2008)! I sure can't wait to try it on a Nikon, when Nikon users are spoilt between the 18-200mm OS/VR walkabout lenses.

[Culés]

HI,

Would really like to know if this lens (canon mount) is already available in the shops in SG and if so around what price. I did check the lens pricelist and it doesnt list this one.

Thanks

Originally Posted by mybearbrick Is the Tamron A20 AF28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO lens, Tamron's answer to walkabout lens with Vibration Compensation (VR to Nikon, IS to Canon and OS to Sigma)? QUICK SPECS Focal Length 28 - 300mm Maximum Aperture F / 3.5 - 6.3 Lens Construction 18 elements 13 groups Minimum Focus Distance 0.49m (19.3”) Max.Mag.Ratio 1 : 3 (at f = 300mm, MFD : 0.49m) Filter Size 67mm Weight 555g (19.6oz.) Diaphragm Blades 9 Minimum Aperture F / 22 ~ F / 40 (28mm ~ 300mm) Standard Accessory Flower-shaped hood Compatible Mount Canon**, Nikon From what I gather, This lens being Di meant that it will support full frame (non-APS-C) giving 28-300mm and also APS-C giving 43-465mm on DSLR. The new "VC" (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron's answer to Nikon's "VR", Canon's "IS" or Sigma's "OS", though there is no mention to how many stops advantage it gives. It uses a 67mm filter size which is the same as my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. It is lighter than the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS. Tamron gives 3 years warranty in Sg. Highest mag. ratio 1:3 compared to the Nikon and Sigma 18-200mm VR/OS. "VC" does not work with EOS1Ds and probably some EOS films. Click here to read more! Tamron A20 AF28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO This is definitely a very interesting lens as a walkabout lens. Versatile and good for future plans to upgrade to full-frame. Will the VC be as good as the VR or IS? We will have to wait and see (Canon mount released in Oct 2007, but Nikon mount Spring 2008)! I sure can't wait to try it on a Nikon, when Nikon users are spoilt between the 18-200mm OS/VR walkabout lenses.

[mybearbrick]

REVIEWED REVIEWED REVIEWED!
TAMRON A20 (Canon mount) gets reviewed (quick and dirty) with tons of sample pictures!
Share with all anticipating this lens.
(Apologize for review is in Chinese only)

Review 1:
Out-of-box review with 100% crop images that looks reasonably sharp with text at 300mm
http://forum.canonfans.biz/viewthrea...e=1&sid=eiV80t

Review 2:
With Canon 5D, the Tamron A20 is taken to the streets for trial at all focal lengths and also night shots and panning. The images are all incredibly SHARP and I would say 'HAIR-SPLITTING' SHARP for the cat shots!
http://forum.canonfans.biz/viewthrea...B8%80%E9%8F%A1

Review 3:
Another review by kent106 who posted Review 2, he takes Tamron A20 to shoot some automobiles and the workshop. More pictures to show off the sharpness and another 'HAIR-SPLITTING' SHARP shot of the wig on a mannequin.
http://forum.canonfans.biz/viewthrea...B8%80%E9%8F%A1


Conclusion:
Do not underestimate this full-frame capable walkabout lens with VC (or some call IS or VR or OS)! IMHO, it is damn SHARP and the VC seems to work pretty well with the low-light shots taken by kent106! I have the popular Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and is still impressed and loving it. I must say Tamron will/has not disappointed me with the new Tamron A20 AF28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO. Qith Tithes Marketing giving their usual 3-years warranty on Tamron lens, I do not have to worry about the VC failing after a year!
I AM SOLD!!
I am so looking forward to score this lens and I say the money is there already, the only problem is when since I am a Nikon user (2008 release).

[scandisk]

Amazon/Adorama selling ard US$580/US$600....so its probably ard the S$800+ region once it hit the stores here...

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-28-300m...5607380&sr=8-1

http://www.adorama.com/TM28300VCNKA....300&item_no=16

[KangS]

Looks like a very impressive lens for outdoor applications ! I'm suitably impressed !

Indoor seems alright, just the focussing speed in low light might be a question though ?

[mybearbrick]

Another POWER REVIEW with FULL RESOLUTION (4,368 x 2,912) samples from Canon 5D,
by WATCH (Japanese website, Japanese language only)

Review at DC WATCH



My take on the samples provided on DC WATCH:

You must check out the Orang Utan picture shot at 300mm 1/15s f/7.1 ISO 200.

You must check out the night shot of a ferris wheel & Yokohama waterfront shot at 28mm 15s f/14 showed sharpness in all areas of the shot!

This shot of the two flowers shot at 100mm 1/5s f/10 shows a sharpness for all petals.

White flower shot at 300mm 1/30s f/8 showed little CA.

MACRO shot of a locust shot at 300mm 1/5s f/7.1 challenges the MACRO capability of this lens with some softness at full resolution but when resized to 70%, it looks sharp.
same conclusion applies to another MACRO shot of a flower shot at 300mm 1/15s f/6.3. I believe these MACRO shots are shot when mounted on a tripod.

On the down side,
this lens exhibits severely pronouced barrel distortion at 28mm.

[mybearbrick]

Originally Posted by scandisk Amazon/Adorama selling ard US$580/US$600....so its probably ard the S$800+ region once it hit the stores here... http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-28-300m...5607380&sr=8-1 http://www.adorama.com/TM28300VCNKA....300&item_no=16

Thanks for the price estimate.
I see that Nikon mount (though not released yet), is more expensive at US$700 (~S$1050)!
If I would compare this to the popular Nikon 18-200mm VR as a walkabout lens, the price is rather close and can get a used piece at that estimated retail price.
Any Nikon users would like share their take on this?

[shiruikage]

Originally Posted by mybearbrick Thanks for the price estimate. I see that Nikon mount (though not released yet), is more expensive at US$700 (~S$1050)! If I would compare this to the popular Nikon 18-200mm VR as a walkabout lens, the price is rather close and can get a used piece at that estimated retail price. Any Nikon users would like share their take on this?

Umm...is there an equivalent Canon 18-200mm IS walkabout lens? i'm asking coz i cant seem to find it.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by shiruikage Umm...is there an equivalent Canon 18-200mm IS walkabout lens? i'm asking coz i cant seem to find it.

There isn't.

[asterixsg]

posted this query yesterday too, but got lost because of the database crash.

never mind, ask again

Wanted to check if any of you has bought this lens in Singapore or used it ? There's no substitute to one of the CS'ers testing it out first hand

And anyone knows how much its retailing in Singapore (approx prices will do) ? I intend calling up Cathay later. Will update this thread.

Cheers

[asterixsg]

This lens not available in Cathay. Not yet.

[swishbrade]

I tried the prototype at the Tamron booth during an Imaging show at Suntec or something like that about a month or 2 back. Couldnt really tell on the sharpness definitively as I could only judge from the camera LCD. But the VC was very impressive. With indoor exhibition hall light, 300mm looked sharp even though I handheld the shot. VC works even while you are looking through the view finder.

[kenfong]

Anyone know if the lens is available in Singapore yet and what's the price? Thks alot.

[kenfong]

Any user reviews when the lens is mounted on EOS40D?

[mattroxy]

Originally Posted by kenfong Anyone know if the lens is available in Singapore yet and what's the price? Thks alot.

Went to Cathay Peninsular yesterday and saw this lens for canon mount and I was quoted at $1000

Is it the best price in the market or anyone here saw it somewhere else

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

Originally Posted by mattroxy Went to Cathay Peninsular yesterday and saw this lens for canon mount and I was quoted at $1000 Is it the best price in the market or anyone here saw it somewhere else

do an equote. you should get an indication of the lowest price cathay and alan photo are willing to give. from experience, the equotes tend to give an accurate sense of what the lowest price in sg is

[mace1980]

Bought a copy from TK at $920. Used it at the airshow yesterday. Very sharp.... L-lens in disguise, minus the built and focusing speed.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by mace1980 Bought a copy from TK at $920. Used it at the airshow yesterday. Very sharp.... L-lens in disguise, minus the built and focusing speed.

Wow. For real? That could be promising.

[mybearbrick]

Originally Posted by mace1980 Bought a copy from TK at $920. Used it at the airshow yesterday. Very sharp.... L-lens in disguise, minus the built and focusing speed.

thats cool!
look forward u to sharing some pics of this quality glass.

[mace1980]

How about this few? Not sure abt your standards, but sharp enough for me.