Tamron SP AF300mm F/2.8 LD (IF) Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

moggy
( Intermediate)

Review Date
April 22, 2006

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
3 votes

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid: $750.00 from antwerp

Summary:

first impressions; neat compact extremely rugged design
af ring turns fast enough on nikon f100 and f90
manual focussing is a bit loose; dampening might be better
good balance on minimum f100 camera, with F4 near perfect
pic quality is near nikon older 300mm f2.8 (i tested/tried 3 tamron samples)
NOT comparable with nikon 300mm f4, the nikon is just about unbeatable
very,very slight corner softness @ f2,8

Strengths:

extremely rugged
very very good value for money, no need to buy nikon

Weaknesses:

no lenshood (except with reverse attached lens shade)
SOME AF LENSES NEED CPU CHIP UPDATE FOR PROPER AF ACTION ON CERTAIN NIKON CAMERA'S

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 400 f4
nikon ais 300 f2.8
nikon ais 300 f2 (yes THE f 2.0)
nikon af 300 f4

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Rating
Reviewed by: don ferrario
(Expert)

Review Date
March 13, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 4

Model Reviewed:
SP AF300mm F/2.8 LD (IF) Nikon AF

Summary:

Superb optics. 1/2 the weight of similar Nikon offerings. 1/2 the price (or less) of Nikon. Mechanically built very strong. A keeper. This lens works quite well with the new Tamron/Kenko (same thing) PRO teleconverters. Yes, the autofocus is slowed with the 2x version, but still acceptable. Optical match is excellent.

Strengths:

Optical performance is outstanding. Every bit the equal of Nikon 300 2.8's. Noticeably better than my Nikon 300/4AF lens.

Weaknesses:

Wish the focus ring were wider. Lens cap design is poor, although similar to other lenses of this type.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 300/2.8 AF-I, Nikon 300/2.8 AF-S,
Nikon 300/4 AF.

Customer Service:

Note this lens, as currently sold, will not autofocus with Nikon F100 body. Works fine with other Nikon models.

Tamron advises a new ROM chip should be available by 4/1/2000, which will correct the compatibility problem on the F100.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Jed Wee
(Professional)

Review Date
November 16, 1999

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 3 of 4

Model Reviewed:
SP AF300mm F/2.8 LD (IF) Nikon AF

Summary:

This is a decent lens to get if you don't have to earn your living shooting sport. If that's the case, invest in an AF-S version from Nikon. AF with the F5 and N90s is very respectable indeed, but if you ever intend to stick a TC onto the lens, then AF performance becomes unsatisfactory, and it is here that the mated TC-Es are far better with an AF-S lens.

Strengths:

There's no getting away from the fact that it's an f2.8 optic. Focuses quickly, has a nifty focus ring cover (because it does turn when focusing). Sharp as long as not mated to a TC.

Weaknesses:

Drop in filter is huge... also the lens "cap" doesn't go on until you reverse mount the lens hood, which makes the lens fat and unwieldy to transport.

Similar Products Used:

Tokina 300/2.8 -- Tamron has faster AF.
Nikkor 300/2.8 AIS

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Rating
Reviewed by: Wayne McGillivray
(Intermediate)

Review Date
October 8, 1999

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
4 votes

Review 4 of 4

Model Reviewed:
SP AF300mm F/2.8 LD (IF) Nikon AF

Summary:

I appreciate the lens, but I use a tripod or a monopod when I shoot. The focus is so easy that I can shoot whenever there is a picture. Sometimes I use a doubler (2x) early in the season.

Strengths:

I got crisp clean pictures with it.

Weaknesses:

No problems.

Similar Products Used:

None

Customer Service:

None

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