tamron af 70-300mm f4.5.6 di ld macro

fernface

fernface

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Brian
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Hi,

Just bought my first DSLR recently a Nikon D60. I opted for the 18-55mm VR lens. I am a bit disappointed with the latter. I want to fill the viewfinder a bit more (probably sounds daft). Total numpty at this so be kind. Would the tamron 70-300 be ok, i am kind of interested in macro, but also when fishing, which is most of the time would like to shoot at a reasonable distance. Any opinions appreciated. Have to be very aware of cost also (being a poor old pensioner:lol:)

regards Brian
 
Although not a Nikon mount one, but I have one on my Pentax K100D Super. I find it really slow and takes a while to focus. The images are pretty sharp once locked on, but it has nothing on the 70-300VR (Nikon mount for my D300) I know that the Tamron is about a third of the price of the Nikor glass and it will do the job needed, but you must have patience for it. It might sound like the pot calling the kettle black here as I've just stumped up £450 for the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 rather than going for the Nikkor VR version but I can't afford the VR so I'll do with the Tamron until such times as the Nikkor is a bit more affordable.

The Tamron won't have their VR equivelant either so depending on the type of shooting you do that might be worth considering too.
 
For the money I've found the lens to be great. It's not a true macro, and the fact that macro settings start at 180mm can be a bit of a pain sometimes.

Even so, I've been able to get some very sharp images in macro mode.

For £110 you can't go wrong

I was using it on a canon by the way.

Edit: Forgot to mention, the AF isn't great. It can be slow and focus in and out several times before it locks on. It's something i found frustrating, and now just use in manual mode. Still for £110 it's a great buy!
 
Hi - In the budget zoom / macro market the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG Macro always seems to get high praise - Perhaps you should compare it with the Tamron? The better APO version is around £150 (or was before the latest price hikes!)
Paul
 
Thanks for the comments. Have just checked out the Sigma, and it does have reasonable reviews, with my budget i may go that route. Not looking for professional type results, just the best i can get-of course.:)
Thanks again.

Brian
 
Hi,

Try doing a search on Flickr of the different lens/ D60 combination to get an idea of the kind of image you could get. I did this and decided in the end to save and get the 70-300 AF-S VR Nikon as it seems to be the best available (although double the price of the Sigma). It seems that in the end most people end up getting the Nikon and selling the others.

Although this is not the best way of comparing the lenses it will at least give you some idea as to the limits, and depending on what you want out of the lens, may help you decide.

Good luck :thumbs:

Nick
 
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