Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras by Tamron
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Digital camera reviews of Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Digital camera Review: Great pictures, lots of noise, slow to focus...
Summary: 3 Stars
This lens takes great pictures....BUT... I am just beginning in the world of professional photography. I decided that I could afford this lens over the Canon version when Tamron had a sale. However, I wish I had spend the money to buy the Canon lens for 2 reasons. First, this lens is very noisy compared to the Canon version. (I have used my Grandmother's Canon.) Second, it takes awhile to focus. (The Canon lens is faster.)
Overall, this is a good lens if you are not in a hurry to catch just the right shot and if you don't have to be quiet. This lens will not work for the upcoming wedding I'm shooting, but the average person, not using it for professional purposes would probably be happy with it.
Digital camera Review: Grey Market product from Amazon - Beware!
Summary: 2 Stars
According to my invoice, the item was sold directly by Amazon.com, LLC. However, when I shipped the item in for warranty repair, Tamron informed me the lens did not have a serial number which probably meant it was a grey market product. Because there was no serial number, the warranty was voided.
I don't know where this serial number is supposed to be, but I doubt it fell off. This can only mean Amazon is sourcing this product from a questionable source hoping that there will be no need for repair.
Amazon did however return the item for a full refund. They did not explain how the item could come without a serial number.
I don't know how this happened but it does cause me to be concerned about where they are getting their products and if they are going to be covered by warranty.
Digital camera Review: I wanted a lighter, smaller lens and got it
Summary: 5 Stars
I chose the Canon XTi because the Nikon cameras were too bulky for my hands - I wanted something that let me feel I had a good grip. My first extra lens was the 50mm f/1.4, which I adore, but it obviously didn't replace the kit lens. After doing a ton of research, reading reviews, and checking out lenses at brick and mortar stores, I realized that the Canon lenses in this focal range were just too big for me. The extra weight wouldn't work if I wanted to walk around Disney all day with a camera around my neck. And some of them made the XTi too "front-heavy".
As a dSLR newbie I was worried about buying non-Canon lenses, but I heard so many good things about this Tamron, including a glowing recommendation from the sales guy at Ritz, that I got one. And I love it. I find it fast and light. And in full sunlight, I had no "shaking" issues when fully extended. (I'm sure in less light I'll need a tripod, but that would be the case for any 200mm lens).
My only other note is that this takes a 62mm filter, where the kit lens uses a 58mm. I do plan to use this as my walking around lens for the foreseeable future.
Digital camera Review: It Depends On Your Needs
Summary: 3 Stars
I like carrying this lens for non-critical missions where the range is handy, but it is not Tamron's best work. This is a 'Jack of all Trades' SNAPSHOT lens. If you can only go one lens for now, and want some zoom range, this one does a nice job at wider angles. It can be a little unsatisfying past 70mm where its apertures start demanding very good light on a tripod for best sharpness. Note that f6.3 at 200mm makes this a tough puppy to use for stop-action. In all cases, it is certainly better than Canon's insulting EOS 18-55mm kit lens, which I view as a unit that will train you in what bad glass is all about.
Tamron has what reviews as better options that I DON'T own, in 18-250mm and 28-300mm, the latter available with optical stabilization. Both cost more than this basic 18-200mm lens, for which I would be reluctant to pay anymore than $250 new or $200 used.
For a $550 budget, you can get Tamron's excellent 17-50mm f/2.8 ($440) PLUS a respectable 70-300mm f/4-5.5 telephoto ($140), both with macro capability. I own both and love the combination; the wide-angle copy is SUPERB. Odds are good the usual person will NOT miss the 51-69mm range. A Tamron 17-70mm is available, not rating as high as the 17-50mm. To do the same thing with Canon's nearest consumer equivalents, you'll need upwards of $1000, new, a maybe a banker to help.
Another sweet thing about Tamron is its 6-year USA warranty, which is NOT honored on gray market copies ... beware!!!
Digital camera Review: Just Okay...
Summary: 3 Stars
If you're satisfied with the majority of photos being "just okay", than this lens can offer you that with the flexibility of range at a reasonable price tag. However, while you may be able to leave a few of your other lenses at home, you better pack the tripod if you're aiming for crisp images. With lighting situations other than ideal, it is very difficult to capture great images without the use of your tripod because this lens does not have a built in image stabilization system. While some may not mind the constant use of a tripod, I've noticed that a lot of customers who are purchasing this lens are looking for that simple "walk about" lens that can capture it all. In my opinion, this is not that lens can that be used for the quick candid shots of children at play or a bird taking flight unless you are sitting ready with the tripod set or you're in high light situations where a quick shutter option is available.
I shot side by side with the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens at the same settings and zoom lengths and the quality between the two lenses was night and day, with the canon delivering much greater sharpness due to the image stabilization. While the canon does not offer as wide of a range, it does deliver great images at an even less expensive $200. If you're looking for the next step up from your kit 18-55mm lens & you're on a budget, I'd start with the canon 50 mm prime lens for only about $100 (by far my favorite lens and can capture awesome macro shots) and then look at the canon 55-250mm mentioned above for greater zoom options.