LBA: Old Tamron 28-200mm f3.8-5.6

[smarter]

Today I won an Ebay auction for a Tamron 28-200 lens. It was cheap,I paid € 53,- (= approx. $ 75).

I have seen a lot of versions of this lens and I understand this model is available since 1993 or so.

Does anyone know what type this is and how old? Is it any good?

It looks exactly like this one, It's the larger, 72mm filter tread instead of the newer smaller size.

 

[GPGeneralPhoto]

There are at least two versions that look like the picture. I believe the better one will have LD printed on the lens body near the f stop ring. LD=Low Dispersion glass.
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I'm thankful to still be able to * .

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[F828John]

I have an adaptall version of this lens. Its adequate for a lens with this range. Not sure how old it is as I bought it used myself a couple of years ago.
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K100D, K20D, Promaster 7500 Flash, Tamron 70-200 2.8, Sigman 24-60, + some nice older manual glass.

 

[smarter]

I took some time to upload the Ebay pictures. So this is the actual lens I bought:







Does anyone know the exact version and year of this model?

 

[steephill]

Tamron also made this for Pentax from 1996-2004. Description here:- http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/lenses/zooms/short/FA28-200f3.8-5.6.html

Some comments on the Pentax version here http://stans-photography.info/
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Steve

http://www.pbase.com/steephill

 

[KentG]

I can't tell because my work gateways block some image types.
There were 3 versions of this lens:

Version 1 was the first Tamron and the only Pentax version. Had an optional front macro lens.

Version 2 was the Super version, Tamron only better than the 1st one. Was also slightly macro and could use the Ver. 1 front lens for better macro ratio.

Version 3 was Xi Aspherical Macro version. Supposed to best but I never used one.

Kent Gittings

 

[andy amos]

I have the manula focus adaptall version. Actually forgot about it until your post as my version was soft to very soft in terms of sharpness. Actually, I had problems recognising when it was in focus to be honest!
I recall the Pentax version wasn't very well rated either.
Hope yours proves mine was a dudd!!

 

[smarter]

I Got the lens this week. The seller was right: absolute mint condition!

Unfortunately I have been working all days this week. And this season it means it's dark by the time I come home.

I took some pics with my Fuji F30 of the lens on my K-x:





I took some random test pics around the house with the Tamron 28-200. So far it seems like a nice sharp lens across the entire zoom range. AF speed is very fast when subject is far away enough. This is the only real issue with this type of lens: You need a lot of distance (approx. 2-3 feet) to focus fast and nail the picture.

So far the results are promising for an old general purpose lens like this, I will post some pictures soon.