

Averaging them out gives the red weighted column. The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. Peak performance is achieved at f/11 again, where the resolution across the frame is very good. Again the lens performs acceptably wide open at f/6.3, but really comes into its own when stopped down to f/8. At this focal length, peak resolution is achieved at f/11 where the sharpness in the centre is very good.Īnd finally at 270mm, surprisingly the performance of this optic improves over that at 70mm. Stopping down the lens improves centre sharpness to excellent levels and peak quality across the frame is achieved between f/8 and f/11.Īs is often the case, zooming in causes a slight drop in resolution, but at 70mm the lens performs acceptably wide open and very good resolution is possible in the centre when stopped down a bit. Starting at 18mm, sharpness levels are already approaching very good levels in the centre when shot wide open, and the quality towards the edges is acceptable.
#Tamron objektiv test professional
Although I would never expect this lens to deliver the same quality as say a professional short range zoom or prime lens, it is still quite capable of delivering decently sharp, contrasty images, especially when used at optimum apertures. In terms of optical performance, superzooms such as this are normally a minefield of compromises. Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD: Performance At 1/25sec I found my success rate dropped to around half the time depending on the subject and conditions. In use I found I could get sharp shots at 270mm pretty much all of the time at 1/50sec, which is three stops slower than the usual rule of thumb would recommend. In use it is quick to stabilise the viewfinder image, making composition easier at the equivalent angle of view of a 405mm lens on a 35mm camera. The new Vibration Compensation system employed in this lens is partly responsibly for the compact dimensions of this optic. In better light, focusing is accurate and quick for a lens of this type. In low light the lens may hunt a little when shooting at the longer end of the zoom, probably due to the modest maximum aperture. It is noticeably quicker and quieter than the older 18-270mm lens, which can only be a good thing. The zoom mechanism is smooth throughout the range and offers just enough resistance to prevent zoom creep when pointed downwards although in time the mechanism may loosen.įocusing is pretty snappy, thanks to the new Piezo Drive silent focusing motor. Zooming in to 270mm more than doubles the length of the lens, which extends in two sections. The lens barrel is constructed from high quality plastics, which feel sturdy enough to take a reasonable amount of use and abuse, without adding too much to the weight of the optic. The filter thread does not rotate during focus or zooming, which makes this lens ideal for use with polarising filters and neutral density graduated filters. 62mm filters can be fitted to the front, which is smaller than many other superzooms where you will normally find 67mm or 72mm filters being used. Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD: Handling and featuresĬonsidering the massive range this lens covers, it is surprisingly compact, and at only 450grams, it is lightweight too. Here we'll take a look at whether the extra zoom range and features make the extra expense worthwhile. Focusing on the Sony optic is powered via the screw-driven focusing system in camera, rather than a silent option like on the Tamron.Īs you can see, this new optic from Tamron is amongst the priciest of the superzooms at the moment. Although this lens doesn't have in lens stabilisation, neither does the Sony compatible version of this Tamron lens. Sony users have the DT 18-250mm f/3.5-5.6 AF to choose from, which can be picked up for around £500. The same goes for Nikon's AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VRII, which costs around £560. It may lack the pulling power of the Tamron at the long end, but has the benefit of a slightly brighter maximum aperture. Sigma's closest offering is their 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, which costs around £405 and sports silent focusing and optical stabilisation.Ĭanon's nearest equivalent is their EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, which costs around £400. The older version, which is a bulkier optic lacking silent AF, can still be picked up for around £400. This new version which sports a more compact design, silent autofocus and improved Vibration Compensation currently costs around £645. Tamron's 18-270mm lenses are pretty unique in that they are the only super-zoom lenses currently available covering such a huge range.

Gary Wolstenholme takes a close look at Tamron's latest super-zoom which sports a silent piezo ultrasonic focusing motor and an improved Vibration Compensation system.
