Tamron now offers a lightweight, compact, high-image-quality telephoto zoom lens with macro capability of 1:2 that can be used with digital cameras. This lens is a Di type lens using an optical system with improved multi-coating designed to function with digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras. With this 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens, flipping a macro switch in the focal length range of 180mm to 300mm obtains a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 at a minimum focus distance as short as 37.4, enabling close-up shots of flowers, insects, and other objects that normally require the use of a specially designed macro lens. Moreover, this is a zoom lens that casually offers the distant capture and foreshortening effect pleasures of the 300mm ultra-telephoto world.
It's never been easier to capture great action shots than with the Tamron AF 70-300mm macro lens. Delivering superior image quality for both digital SLRs and 35mm film cameras, this flexible lens lets you zoom in extra close when shooting moving subjects, such as athletes on the field or children running or playing. When used with a digital camera, the lens does even better, producing a super-telephoto 35mm equivalent of 465mm--unbeatable in almost any other lens.

Macro Switch
The lens offers an easy-to-use macro switch that lets you alternate between the 180mm and 300mm focal lengths, letting you enjoy true macro photography with a telephoto effect at a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2. The minimum focus distance, meanwhile, is 59 inches from the subject in normal shooting ranges, but when you flip the switch, you can get as close as 37.4 inches. And as an added bonus, the lens boasts a nine-blade circular diaphragm that provides beautiful soft-focus imagery for a professional result. Now you can showcase all your photographic talent with close-up shots of small flowers and insects in parks or in the wild, or any other beautiful small object you discover.

Coatings
Tamron has also adopted various countermeasures against ghosting and flare, common problems in digital photography. The lens employs internal surface coating and new multilayer coating technology to minimize reflections that occur when light enters through the front element, while also reducing image-degrading effects caused by the imagers themselves. The strictest quality control standards were also applied to increase resolution performance and prevent flare due to aberrations, resulting in a telephoto zoom lens ideal for photography with digital SLR cameras. This is one lens you can use with confidence.

• Lens construction: 9 groups and 13 elements
• Diagonal angle of view: 34 to 8 degrees (at 21 to 15 feet)
• Type of zooming: Rotation
• Diaphragm blade number: 9
• Minimum aperture: f/32
• Minimum focus distance: 59 inches in normal setting; 37.4 inches in macro mode
• Macro magnification ratio: 1:2
• Filter diameter: 62mm
• Accessory: Lens hood
• Dimensions: 3 inches in diameter and 4.6 inches long
• Weight: 15.3 ounces

Technical Details

-70-300mm macro lens with f/4-5.6 maximum aperture for digital or 35mm cameras
-Easy-to-use macro switch lets you alternate between 180mm and 300mm focal lengths
-Minimum focus distance of 59 inches from subject (normal) or 37.4 inches (macro)
-9-blade circular diaphragm provides beautiful soft-focus imagery; 62mm filter diameter
-Measures 3 inches in diameter and 4.6 inches long; weighs 15.3 ounces
See more technical details

 "Great Pics from a Budget-Priced Lens" 2010-07-07
By Dion L. Taylor (Ypsilanti, MI)
I've had this for about a week, and I've been very pleasantly surprised by the picture quality. I looked at two other lenses; the Sigma APO version of this, and the Sony 75-300, and the reviews as compared to the Tamron were similar. I thought it was interesting that the most negative review that the Tamron received was about the receipt of a non-working lens, and every other review was 4-5 stars, so I used that as the decider. Also I figured if I was going to spend over $200 for the Sigma APO, I may as well spend a little more and get the Sony version, but my goal was to stay in the $150 range.

My highlights for this lens so far:

- Macro mode works GREAT. I was able to take a shot of a wasp's nest, at 300mm, manual focus, handheld in good daylight, from about 2 feet away and the picture was surprisingly crisp.
- Not as heavy as I expected, only slightly heavier than the 70-210 Minolta that I have.
- It definitely needs good light, but I've had good experiences so far without using a tripod in dimly lit rooms (and using good breathing techniques) and with manual focus.

Irritants:
- The complaint about the macro switch getting stuck can be irritating, it's happened to me twice already. I've been able to free it by moving the focus ring by either manually rotating it or switching from manual to auto on the camera body.
- If using auto-focus, there is definite softness at 300mm, but like I mentioned above, the shots I took using manual have come out pretty good.

So far that's all I have, but I am very pleased with this lens so far. I have no buyer's remorse, and I love pulling it out. I'll try to attach a couple of the macros I was able to take. Enjoy!


 "Everything you NEED for a price you can afford!" 2010-06-29
By MxZAE11
Okay, so you're are paying $150 for a 70-300 lens! Yes, it does have some fairly harsh Chromatic Aberration in ultra bright light, but treat it as a F5.6-11 (instead of the f4-5.6 that it claims it is) and it'll virtually eliminate the issue. Heck, if you use your DSLR in Auto mode (which i don't), It'll most likely never drop low enough to ever be an issue. And as with any long zoom, raise your ISO to 400-800, it'll be worth getting a faster shutter speed. It's a very clear lens for the price, just keep your aperture in check and it wont steer you wrong! Is keeping your Fstop between 5.6-11 worth the HUNDREDS that you save? Of course!!!


 "Love It" 2010-06-29
By Weiser6
Bought this lens to take pictures of my kids while they are on the sports field. Tired of all my pictures being too far away. This lens did the trick. We just got done with a baseball tournament and the pictures were awesome. Autofocus works well for things that aren't moving too quick, but for sports stick with manual focus.Love the lens and would buy again.


 "Awesome bargain zoom lens" 2010-06-14
By Sara Cobb
This lens is lovely, a really cheap zoom for your camera...
People keap saying that sigma has better building quality because the handler is metallic and not plastic, yes... so what ? i m not gonna fight or hit someone with it, i m just gonna use it for my camera...
they also say that it's heavy... WHATEVER!!! these buyers have just the feeling of power when they're able to judge or rate something so they try to be "criticizing", but it's funny sometimes to read that someone is not happy cause of the shipping, or cause his shots are blurry...

one of the reviews gave it 1 star cause his zoom get stack, i dont know about his case, but some users don't read the details about the zoom and the switch to macro (to switch to macro, it has to be between 180 and 300, and to switch back to normal, the focus ring has to be over 0.95m) just follow the golden lines in your lens...

anyway, i m not comparing it to carl zeis lens or other big names, but to the sigma apo 70 300 and the sony 75 300
three of them got 4.5 as min F stop (they all need some light) to have a good sharpness. It has a lot less shadowing and chromatic abberation than the Sigma (wich is $156) but is more closer to the Sigma APO (wich is $209)


 "Sony alpha a230 lens review" 2010-06-12
By Bobby Estrada (SHOW LOW, AZ, US)
I heave seen this lens over and over, i have read reviews on the sigma 70-300 and this one about a million times. all i have to say is i am very happy i chose this lens. While its cheap in price don't let it fool you, its build quality is actually quite nice :) feels sturdy and has a nice weight to it. This is my first lens since purchasing the a230 and i feel i made the right choice now on to the sony 50mm f1.8 :). Don't be scared to try the lens as you can always return it. I have posted a customer picture as well. One of my dog.


Read more Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras

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