Good contrast, maybe a little cooler then warm in color, precise control, and constructed like Mercedes built a tank. Sharp and sharp enough for those considering it because I don't think a Pro or anyone on an assignment would reading the reviews or considering one. I have captured Eagles in flight hand-held with one.

Heavy, aged, and a few samples out there have noticebale wear causing mount issues just because they are well used and aged.

What a lens! I read some opinions on other forums and discovered my fellow Nikon users have stated that the Nikkor version is "Leagues better". One thing for sure is that the Tamron is "Leagues cheaper". There are no "Leagues" of separation, that's false. My opinion is that Tamron has better contrast, is as sharp, and has less chromatic abberation issues on digital. I prefer it. Maybe they were comparing the F/2 version? (that is a legend, "leagues" better, and cost???) If cost is an issue? It's a no-brainer because in this field of manual focus 300mm f/2.8 extra cost isn't going buy you much more on the paper printed in the end. Play around with multipliers - the Vivitar macro versions for the 90mm for instance are excellent with these. Don't discount any until you have tried two of the same in multipliers?

Look through my similar products used list and understand when I hit the outdoors that my feet touch the ground with the Tamron mounted. Although in good light the Nikkor 400mm F/5.6 is superior.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 300mm F/2.8, Nikkor 300mm F/4 AF, Nikkor 400mm F/5.6 ED IF manual, Komine/Vivitar 400mm F/5.6, Tokina/Vivitar 300mm, Sigma APO 70-300mm Red Ring, Sigma 70-500mm AF.

Compact, well balanced weight, great optics and precise manual focus mechanism .
Works Great with SP 140 1.4X tele-converters. Slightly soft but decent result with 2X teleconverters.
Very 3D look with 2.8 lens vs F4 lens
Well worth the money over F4 lens.

Like all the lens shooting with DSLR,
it does show very slight trace of CA in some extreme contrast lighting conditions but easy fix in post processing.
Adaptall adapters for EOS is expensive. However, other adaptall adapters can be found for under $30 shipped ( Olympus/Nikon/Pentax ) + Olympus/Nikon/Pentax to EOS adapter for under $20 shipped.

I shoot a lot of low light photography and this lens definitely comes in handy.
Very good optics with medium high contast. Bokeh is superb.
I have been using Canon EOS lens for over 10 years.
Since I switched back to manual focus lenses, I start noticed that Canon's lenses is too contrast where it filtered out some of the medium dark color tones.
This is what I found with Nikon lens as well.
I love this lens. Light enough for handheld and it is small enough to fit in my camera bag.

Customer Service

N/A no issues with lens

Similar Products Used:

Pentax 300mm F4
Zeiss 300mm F4
Canon EF 70-300mm IS
Tamron SP 200-500mm LD IF Di

Sharp out in the corners also wide open. Easy focus. Fast.

Hewey and bulky, but not worse than other 2.8/300's

This is a first class pro lens that is tack sharp wide open. I have taken pictures of ppeople outdoor with the Tamron 1.4 multiplier wit a chest support that are that sharp. I also got the 2x multiplier in the package deal I did, and are very pleased.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar Series 1 2.8/70-210

Quality and build

Heavy but most fast super telephotos are.

Purhased 10 yrs ago along with a sticky aperture diaphram took it to Johnsons for service which was carried out while I waited. I have the 1.4x & 2.0x Tamron converters but also use it with Nikon TC16af converter probably the best lens I have ever had the pleasure of using and will never part with it.

Customer Service

Just used once superb 5***** service

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 300 f2.8 AF Nikon 300 f2.8 AF & MF versions

Sharp wide open where you need it, eg. sports where shutter speed is more important than F-stop. No problem with the adaptall mounts.Much cheaper than the nikon/canon/pentax version. Worked it hard with no problems!

No auto-focus!

This is a sharp, pro grade lens in both construction and optical performance.

Customer Service

None needed.