Tamron 18-200mm Lens Sample Shots @ PMA 2005

I visited the Tamron stand today and took a few shots with the new Tamron 18-200mm digital SLR lens that has just been unveiled at PMA 2005 (Tamron AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO to give it its full name - even less appealing than the new 11-22mm lens). I already own the Tamron 28-75mm Di lens, using it on my Canon EOS 10D DSLR for the last 12 months. The Tamron 18-200mm has similar build-quality to the 28-75mm Di lens.

The Tamron 18-200mm lens is equivalent to a focal length of 29-320mm on my Canon 10D. Focusing wasn’t a problem for the lens despite the dim lighting conditions inside the PMA show hall. Price for the new Tamron 18-200mm lens is still to be announced.

I’m not able to provide the full-sized samples, but here are some shots to show you the angle of view that digital SLR users will be able to get. On my 10D, the first shot is equivalent to 29mm and the second to 320mm wide.

Published: Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Reader Comments

1. Can you comment on the type of motor used for focusing and/or the noise level of the focusing system? I have seen no comments in that at all.

   Randy G. at 04:45pm on Sunday, March 13, 2005

2. I'm afraid I only got to test it for about 5 minutes before I had to hand it back Seemed quick to focus and not too noisy, but the PMA show floor was noisy anyway.

   Mark at 09:16pm on Sunday, March 13, 2005

3. Thank you for the fast reply. I asked becasue from all indications this lens would cover most of what I need- 11x range, good macro capabilities, compact size, and affordable.
   
   I took some shots at a funeral/memorial service yesterday (at a friend's request). The shutter/mirror noise of the 20D was enough to cause two or three people to turn around and look at me even though it was out doors. The Tamron 18-200 lens would have allowed me to get a little further away.
   
   I just got the camera, and the only lens I have so far is the 18-55 EF-S. It would be nice to have one lens to cover most situations and this oen looks like a good choice.. I suppose we all shall see very soon! I will need to see a good range of imsges before deciding, though! I didn't spend this much to end up with images that look like they came from a Z3 at full zoom (uchhh!).
   
   Thanks again!

   Randy G. at 09:48pm on Sunday, March 13, 2005

4. Just got spousal approval to purchase the Maxxum 7D, but not done negotiating on the lens. The 18-200 looks like I'd never need to swap lenses again (except maybe for astro-photography, extreme macro, or fish-eye).
   
   B&H;shows $400, but not available yet. Anybody heard when it'll hit the stores, or know of a store that's managed to get them?

   Jim at 05:01pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2005

5. The Tamron 11-18mm that was announced at the same time is in stores now, but it looks like the 18-200mm has a slightly later release date.

   Mark Goldstein at 05:36pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2005

6. As it turned out, I was able to view quite a few sample images from the Tamron 18-200 on the Internet and found them to be unacceptable for my needs. I ended up getting the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX and am quite happy with it. Yes, it it larger and heavier, but in the end, it IS all about the images.

   Randy G. at 05:42pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2005

7. Horrible lens! I purchased one. So soft it appears grossly out of focus. To be fair, the camera store owner said that between 20-30% of the tamron lenses has quality control problems. This may be one of them. I plan on exchanging it for another to see if I got a bad lens. But if not, I can highly recommend NOT buying this lens!

   George at 05:37am on Sunday, April 02, 2006