Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Review India
Before researching this lens, I hadn't ever used a Tamron product so I was a little hesitant, but after a couple weeks of debating with myself, I made the smart decision of going with this lens. There were some reviews of distortion at the wide end, but I've had zero of that so far. I'm highly impressed with the sharpness at 18mm, as well as the amount of detail all the way at 400mm. I cannot say enough how convenient it is not to be changing your lens in the middle of a shoot, hike, etc. I don't want to over-hype this lens, but it may be the only one you'll need, unless you're a professional and need a dozen lenses. Not to mention, the price is an absolute bargain for how many types of photos you can take with this.
I have it paired with a D7200 and a soon to be MB-D15, making the balance perfect, while also looking like a beast. If you're thinking about buying this lens, just go ahead and do it. You WILL NOT be disappointed!I was worried about purchasing an 18-400 lens. Will it be sharp at 18 or even 400. Well to my surprise, for me, it's sharp from 18 and 400 and everywhere in between. I am extremely happy with this lens. The only reason to purchase a 70-200 lens for the f/stop. I really don't need it. This is the perfect lens. I haven't run into one minor problem. While zooming to 400, it gets a little stiff (hard to twist the zoom ring). Other than that, I'm as happy as can be with it.
Excellent travel lens with a unbelievable zoom range from 18mm to 400mm (27mm-600mm on my Nikon D7200 body). I shoot almost everything from sports, wildlife, landscapes etc. I have used this lens for a week now and have shot several thousand images and I have to say that the image quality is excellent. The focus is fast and accurate. The dynamic range matches that of much more expensive lens. This lens is on my Nikon D7200 (crop sensor) and it performs amazingly well. Simply put, in my opinion the Tamron 18-400mm is the best all around lens that I have ever used so far. Well worth the price.
The autofocus has improved, and I can get a lot closer to distant objects (Moon, sunrises, etc). Its macro capability worked well. I use it mainly for macros and landscapes. There is a downside to this all-in-one lens; it's big – both in diameter and length (at least when compared to the 18-270). Its larger dimensions mean more weight. Check its specs. It's not a deal breaker for me, but some won't want it around their neck for very long. Its size and weight may affect a choice of tripod. Fully zoomed means a lot of gravity on the front of a tripod. One may also have to tighten the screws to hold the camera and lens in place.
When in a portrait orientation, the 18-400 slowly turns down on the quick release plate of my tripod. It's movement is very slow and small, but evident on a long exposures. Finger tightening wasn't enough. Landscape orientation is ok. Perhaps with a better tripod, the weight wouldn't cause the problem. I like the lens, but wish it were lighter. Just out of the box, it was sharper and better focusing than the 18-270 when new. I use the Nikon-Tamron combo tripod mounted or for relatively short periods of hand-held work. It's a good performer; but, as a travel lens, you may want to carry it over the shoulder rather than around the neck.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
F-Mount Lens/DX Format
27-600mm (35mm Equivalent)
Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/40
Three LD and Three Aspherical Elements
HLD Autofocus Motor
VC Image Stabilization
Moisture-Resistant Construction
Electromagnetic Diaphragm
Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
Compatible with TAP-in Console
Final Verdict
Zoom pushed to 400mm
All in one travel lens solution
Compact for specification
Well made
Moisture resistant
Reasonable price
Effective VC
Awesome Macro Capability
Few Samples
