Decent general purpose lens

[Photo Phool]

When I bought the lens I had issues with a communication error causing lots of missed shots. I took it back to DODD for warranty, even showed them the error but it came back with no problem found. After a second try and no help from DODD I contacted Tamron myself and even though I still had to go through the camera store Tamron did fix it. Turns out Tamron has issue with aperature assy on some of their lenses causing communication errors with Canon cameras.

As for the how the lens performs I like it for outdoor sports, especially cross country as I can be shooting runners from a distance then shoot close up instantly if needed. There is definitely a sweet spot where the pics come out clean but outside of that zone they tend to be soft. When shooting inside I must not be able to find that sweet spot because most of my shots are soft. Also, the low light capability isn't great as I struggle to get good pics without a flash. I agree with lens creep issue, let the camera hang with lens down and lens fully extends. Since I didn't buy the camera as a kit it is my only lens. I am looking for a faster shorter range zoom to use for portraiture shooting and indoor sports.

 

[Mystery member]

• I had issues with a communication error causing lots of missed shots.
• After a second try and no help from DODD I contacted Tamron myself and even though I still had to go through the camera store, Tamron did fix it.
• Turns out Tamron has an issue with aperture assy on some of their lenses causing communication errors with Canon cameras.
• There is definitely a sweet spot where the pics come out clean but outside of that zone they tend to be soft.
• When shooting inside I must not be able to find that sweet spot because most of my shots are soft.
• The low light capability isn't great as I struggle to get good pics without a flash.
• [There is a] lens creep issue, let the camera hang with lens down and lens fully extends.

You really don't have much good to say about this lens!

I am looking for a faster shorter range zoom to use for portraiture shooting and indoor sports.

Have a look at the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, recommended.

 

[mgd43]

I had the Tamron 18-270 VC PZD, but I wasn't happy with it. I replaced it with the new Sigma 18-200 Macro OS HSM. The Sigma is much sharper, so much so that it more than makes up the 70mm difference with cropping.

Tamron recently announced a 16-300 VC. I don't know when it will be released, but it may be worth the wait if one is considering the 18-270.

A lot of people don't like all-in-one lenses, but they are getting better with each generation. I look at my 18-200 not as a replacement for shorted ratio zooms, but as a supplement to them.

 

[OpticsEngineer]

My experience was kind of the opposite. I have an Tamron 18-270 PZD on a Sony and a Nikon. My Sony mount one is pretty good. My Nikon mount one is poor. Also have a Pentax 18-270 which is a reworked Tamron. Also pretty good, a bit better than my Sony mount one.

I also have a Sigma 18-200 on a Pentax K5ii. Also poor.

There is just too much quality variation on these superzooms. All I can say is check them out when you get one and return it right away if it is subpar. (of course that is the problem -- if you don't have a good one to compare to, how do you know if yours is what it should be?)

 

[Lowells]

The Tamron 16-300 lens will be released on May 15,2014 and will cost

$629.00 . For this price , it will a pretty good alternative to the new Nikon

18-300 3.5-6.3 lens which is much lighter than the original lens but will cost

270.00 more than the Tamron

 

[Mystery member]

There is just too much quality variation on these superzooms. All I can say is check them out when you get one and return it right away if it is subpar. (of course that is the problem -- if you don't have a good one to compare to, how do you know if yours is what it should be?)

If "OpticsEngineer" is any guide, I'd imagine that you'd be shooting some resolution charts as soon as the lens arrived. Works for me; I compare any new lens with known good prime lenses, and if the LPPH figures that I derive are comparable to test reports, I'm generally happy.

There's more to it than resolution, of course; I have some favourite scenes that I like to use.