Tamron Zoom Telephoto AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

This budget superzoom option boasts close focusing and low-dispersion glass, but what do we think of it overall?

• +

  Close-up facility

• -

  No image stabilisation

Lens guru, Gary Wolstenholme tests the Tamron 70-300mm zoom lens. Is it worth the relaively low price or should it be relegated to the bargain bin? Often after purchasing a camera complete with standard kit lens, many will look for a telephoto zoom to extend their reach when photographing distant...

• +

  Lightweight, Resolution at shorter focal lengths, Macro feature, Good value for money, Good resistance to ghosting and flare

• -

  Slow autofocus, Rotating front element may make it difficult to use a polariser

One of Tamron's Digitally Integrated (Di) lenses, the AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro is designed for use on both full-frame and APS-C-sized cameras. It's available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony fit and, on APS-C bodies, the effective zoom range is 105-450mm or, for Canon cameras, a slightly...

A telephoto lens covering the popular 70-300mm range with Low Dispersion glass and a built-in 1:2 Macro feature.

• +

  Lightweight, Resolution at shorter focal lengths, Macro feature, Good value for money, Good resistance to ghosting and flare

• -

  Slow autofocus, Rotating front element may make it difficult to use a polariser

Regarding its extremely low price tag you can't really expect a stellar performance from the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Di macro but from a value perspective it is fairly amazing what it can give you. The resolution is very good till 200mm. At 300mm there's a drop in quality especially at f/5.6.

This lens does everything I want it to do at a reasonable price. Its macro feature is easy to understand and use despite some complaints I have seen in other reviews. It has decent bokeh and although the autofocus is a slower than my Nikon lenses it is not a handicap 99% of the time.

Camera is a quality seller of camera equipment. I have always had great service. <br /><br />This lens is an incredible bargain.

• +

  Consistent Output, Fast / accurate auto-focus, Lightweight, Strong Construction

• -

  NONE

I bought Tamron over Nikon due to the price and the bonus of the Macro functionality. Only negative point...sometimes the lens seems to hunt and be slow in focusing compared to my Nikon 55-200. I use it mostly for wildlife and macro. The Tamron lens has worked out well and I am very happy with it.

*using it on a Nikon (D40) Summed most of it up in the pros and cons. I love it, and yeah, any beginners I'm sure would be fine except the note I put below (regarding VR) but I think most people should be fine.

• +

  Zoom. The 300mm get's right in your face every time! Highly recommend it if tossing up between a 200mm and a 300mm, Simplicity (I looked at many reviews before purchasing this lens and alot of people complained of difficulty in using it, but I found this to be extremely easy, other than the macro...

• -

  Can be a bit soft on the macro. Only noticeable if blown up, but yeah, can be a bit., The AF. I know it is often mentioned, but it really is quite laggy. I don't mind and often will do a whole shoot on MF, you just have to be prepared to at times.