Tamron SP AF200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD (IF)
Review Date : Thu, 14 May 2009
Author : Jon Tarrant
What digital camera reviews the Tamron SP AF200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD (IF) lens...
The Tamron SP AF200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD (IF) superzoom is well-balanced. The satin-black exterior blends with the same finish on an attached camera body and the lens markings are clear and readable in either white or gold. The zoom ring is farthest from the camera and has an impressively broad, comfortable grip: the manual-focusing ring is tiny by comparison but is still a very usable size.
The Tamron SP AF200-500mm’s AF operation is brisk but not overwhelmingly speedy. Manual focusing is surprisingly easy and comfortable when used in combination with the 1Ds because the base of the camera is roughly level with the bottom of the superzoom’s tripod platform: so the camera can be supported on the heel of the left hand and the lens steadied via its tripod platform using the base of the first and second fingers. This leaves the thumb and third-finger free to rotate the focusing ring, which responds smoothly and easily. The zoom ring, which requires much more effort, moves through about 180° versus about 60° for focusing. The rotational directions match Canon’s for focusing (clockwise to get closer, seen from behind the camera) but not for zooming, which is a slight disappointment.
As well as a very long, reversible, cylindrical lens hood there is a rotating collar that allows filters to be adjusted when the hood is in place. This is a nice touch but it makes fitting of the lens hood a bit more fiddly so I’d be inclined to detach the collar unless it were definitely needed. The tripod platform is also removable, but without it the lens is much harder to handle.
Optically, the Tamron SP AF200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD (IF) superzoom is impressive. It performs least well at 200mm and at f/32 for all focal lengths but these are the least critical areas in such a lens. Tamron has done well to achieve so much at such an affordable level.
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Latest comments
July 26 10:10
Joan Thirlaway
I bought this lens secondhand (£500) and it was money well spent. Unlike other long lenses this one is light enough to take shots hand held in an emergency. I've been delighted with the results and even wide open at the 500mm end pictures are sharp and crisp with loads of feather detail. I'm using it on a Nikon D300 and it's fast becoming one of my favourite lenses for bird shots.
May 04 12:52
MikeP
I would second Joan's comments. My situation is quite simelar: I bought a 200-500 second hand for £400 & have used it on a Nikon D90 & D300s, mainly for birds/wildlife. Overall I think this is a great lens for the money. Image quality is excellent; handling & build quality is good; and a zoom lens is much easier to use than prime. I would recommend. Notes: Alternatives: Before buying I tried a Sigma 150-500 and decided to get the Tamron because image quality is better and the Sigma is also larger & about 40% heavier. (Tamron 1.25 kg, Sigma 1.75 kg.) You could consider a 300 f/4 prime, plus teleconverters, if you can afford it. Focus Speed: Because of the screw drive, AF is not the fastest in the world, but faster on a D300s than on a D90 (i.e. bigger camera usually has more powerful "screw drive" focussing motor). AF is more noisy than a SWM/USM type motor, but I don't find this a problem. If you have not used such a long-reach lens before then prepare to put in some practice: although this lens can be hand held, you really want to plan your tripod/support setup. I have a Benbo base, with a fairly large Kood ball head with friction adjustment. (A poor person's gimbal head.) I still keep a Nikkor 70-300 VR (0.75 kg) for hand-held fast-focussing requirements. Build quality: is fine and I've used the lens in light rain with no water ingress. However, my lens has some dust on the internal elements - presumably sucked in as the lens extends. However, I cannot see any effect on my images. Tamron UK will do servicing: service@intro2020.co.uk & they responded promptly to my email. This is NOT a big aperure lens & NOT a low-light lens.
November 22 17:18
R vasquez
does anyone know how this lens would work on a Sony A55
January 09 19:30
Alec
Hi there, could anyone give some advice on a lense i should get for wildlife photography - a wide range from birds to mammals etc. I have a 1000 pound budget for both camera and lens and have set my sights on canon eos 600d (around 450 on ebay and some other sites). Has anyone got any recommendations - this one looks good above. Otherwise I have been advised to get the canon 70-300mm IS USM lens.