With the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC lens, Tamron has taken the opportunity to add their VC (Vibration Compensation) for Canon and Nikon users, in a package that has an impressively low price. Let's find out if this new lens is up to the mark, despite its modest cost.

Tamron Di II lenses are performance optimized for digital SLR cameras and usable with DSLRs featuring sensors commonly referred to as APS-C, measuring approximately 24mm x 16mm, as well as larger full frame (36mm x 24mm) sensors and 35mm film SLRs.

While there’s certainly an element of truth to this, it overlooks one fundamental advantage – that you can cover a huge range of subjects without having to change lenses between shots. If you’re out on your own, taking your time, this is no big deal.

Tamron has a long record of making superzoom lenses for DSLRs, and this latest 18-200mm behaves very much as we’d expect. The 10x zoom means it’s optically flawed compared with shorter-range options, but a single lens that covers so many photographic opportunities is undeniably useful.

The Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC lens performs very well indeed, especially at the centre and is punching way above its weight in many areas. It has high central sharpness, low CA, low flare and an incredibly low price.

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  Impressive central sharpness, Effective and silent AF, Good VC system, Very low central CA, Good flare resistance, Excellent value for money

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  Lower edge sharpness, CA at edges

This lens is amazing. The 18-200mm goes from a decent wide angle to a telephoto. The autofocus is laser sharp. Bokeh is great, even at 200mm, from f/6.3 to two stops up at f/8.3, perfectly round circles.

I bought this lens (Nikon fit) for vacation use when I don't have the space or inclination to take all my other lenses. For that purpose, it works quite well. Image quality is as you would expect at this price point, fairly soft. It's sharper at the short end than at the long end.

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  Light and Small for an 18-200 Great Price Good vacation lens Seems reasonably well built VR works well

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  Soft image quality, needs a fair bit of work in post to get usable images

Not bad of a lens. A couple of things that I don't like about this lens is that, the auto focus is very slow and not many pictures are that sharp. You'll need to fine tune the focus to get a sharper shot.

Nice lens with cheap price

I had it on my Nikon D50 and it was a real work horse --It would be banged against rocks while I hiked --I felt so bed when it died --as you know Tamron gives you a 6 year warranty but mine was 7 years old so for the price I felt I got my moneys worth I buried it in the desert and had a service for...

I have not had a chance to use this much since receiving it, but it is replacing an older version of the same lense that I have used extensively. The old lense has to be over 12 years old, not sure as bought it second hand from a friend.

I had been looking for lightweight low-priced lens to capture sailing races with my Canon Eos Rebel SL1, a small lightweight DSLR. This lens is great for taking pictures of a whole fleet start (wide angle) and for sailor close ups at mark roundings.

Very pleased for the price

Works well feels solid and on auto is quiet. All in all a very good lens.

This is a really good lens. The zoom motor is super quiet. My old one died and I needed a new one fast for the Atlantic City Air Show. As you can see from the pics, It has good focus and once it locks on it is really sharp.