TAMRON - 16-300 mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Nikon F Cameras - Black - B016N

Product Information

The build of the lens seems solid enough, and there’s not too much wobble when the three-part barrel is fully extended. The supplied hood is a little squidgy, but that flexibility may well protect it from breaking when under pressure. That means the maximum aperture, or maximum amount of light that passes through the lens to the sensor, reduces as you zoom in. At 300mm, for example, this lens’s maximum aperture of f/6.3 lets in around 1.5 stops’ less light than at 16mm f/3.5. The maximum aperture ultimately has an impact on the shutter speeds you can use for an accurate exposure, so if you’re planning to shoot sports or wildlife, for example, where long focal lengths and fast shutter speeds are essential, then you’re going to need very good light to use this lens. That said, the 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro does feature Tamron’s lens-based Vibration Compensation (VC) image stabilization technology, which enables the use of slower shutter speeds at the telephoto end of the zoom without images suffering from the effects of camera shake. Getting through the maze of lenses can seem like a fulltime job for the unaccustomed buyer. With hundreds of designs and models, how do you know which model is right for you? Here are a few factors to consider during your search: Image stabilization There's no such cure for 'focus breathing' - the reduction in focal length at closer focusing distances. All internal focusing lenses do it to some extent, as it delivers good close-up capability without the attendant increase in physical lens length, but Tamron has been unusually greedy here (details in the review). Focus breathing is not often a problem, but if you need maximum focal length at close range, with subjects like small garden birds perhaps, then it canbe. The Final Word

The other two switches are to toggle the AF/MF and VC on/off. The AF/MF switch on the side of the lens makes it easy to switch between the two focusing systems. From the start, I should mention that this relates to APS-C format cameras, or DSLR cameras which have smaller sensors than full frame cameras and have a crop factor around the 1.6x mark (in the case of the Canon 7dmkii). For me, the best walk around lens is definitely the Tamron 16–300mm. Why? Let me give you 3 reasons: versatility; design; and price. The Tamron 16-300mm's Versatility Compared to the previous Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD, the focal length range goes up, now spanning 16-300mm (24-450mm equivalent) with the extra width at the wide-angle end probably being the most useful. The 18.8x zoom ratio leads the class. As usual, the term 'macro' doesn't compare to a true macro lens, though the ability to frame a subject only 6cm (2.4 in) across is very handy. Basically, there's nothing much this lens can't have a pretty good go at, when traveling lightona typical day trip, and often beyond. In the DSLR sector, Tamron faces superzoom rivals in every camp, and some of the designs are notably similar. Alphabetically, the Canon EF-S 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 IS looks a little behind the curve these days, though it's a proven good performer. Nikon has a history of occasional cooperation with Tamron and matches the long-end reach with its Nikkor 18-300mm F3.5-6.3G AF-S DX ED VR. The Pentax SMC DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM bears more than a passing resemblance to the superseded Tamron 18-270mm. Not to be outdone, Sigma joins the up-to-300mm superzoom club with its revamped 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM C, and Sony has the DT 18-250mm F3.5-6.3. Angle of view The Tamron 16-300mm is a wide-angle telephoto lens designed for DSLR cameras with the APS-C sensor. It offers premium features like a 35mm focal range of 24-450mm, Vibration Compensation for combating blur, 39cm minimum focus distance, Piezo Drive motor, and more. It comes in different fits for various camera types, including Nikon, Sony, and Canon. ProsPlenty of distortion present, with strong +3.2% barreling at 16mm, transitioning through neutral at 18-20mm, then on to almost equally strong pincushion distortion at longer focal lengths, easing off slightly to around -2% at 200-300mm. This is very noticeable in critical subjects like architecture, but easily corrected in software. Specific optical characteristics Macro The version of this Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro lens I had to test was fitted for Canon EF-S, so I chose to mount it on an EOS 70D – being perhaps at the upper end of the kind of camera with which we might expect this lens to be used. Extended or contracted, the lens makes a fine mate for the body. The two balance well, and while somewhat heavy for all-day carrying, it is no worse than most enthusiasts are prepared to lumber themselves with.

Sell the kit you’re not using to MPB. Trade in for the kit you need to create. Buy used, spend less and get more. Buy. Sell. Trade. Create. The stated focal length of a lens is only technically true at infinity focusing distance. 'Focus breathing' is a reduction in focal length at closer range, as a consequence of the internal focusing (IF) mechanism used to keep the overall length of the lens down. All IF lenses do it to some extent, but superzooms are known to be particularly prone as manufacturers push the limits to reduce bulk. aperture blades with a cicular diaphragm (This circular diaphragm stays almost perfectly circular up to two stops down from maximum aperture, f/3.5.)When I first bought the Tamron 16–300mm I was looking for a lens that I could take with me anywhere and would be suitable in almost any situation.I didn’t have the money to get the best lens in each focal range so I wanted one lens to cover me for everything from wide-angle landscapes through to shooting high action sports from a distance. The Tamron has never let me down. Below I will show you some pictures I have shot with the Tamron to show you its versatility. Image: Shot approximately halfway through the focal range at f/8, this image shows plenty of details in the horses’ hair Not only have Tamron delivered a lens that offers a uniquely huge zoom range, but they've managed to make one that performs well, is well specified, and is good value too. There is no denying that any lens capable of shooting in a wide range of conditions will always be in high demand and verypopular. So called “all-in-one lenses” are most definitely a great way to be flexible in more situations without lugging around a lot of gear. The absolutely huge zoom range offered by this lens, hasn't compromised the size, with it having similar dimension to many 4x or 5x zooms lenses and it weighs only 540g. The low weight and compact size make this lens an ideal candidate as a walkabout lens for those times you may wish to travel light. It feels right at home on the Nikon D7100 body used for testing, and will make a good companion for smaller, more compact DSLR camera bodies as well. High quality plastics with a matte finish have been used for much of the construction of the lens barrel, and it feels reasonably robust as a result. A rubber gasket, located around the metal lens bayonet, will help to prevent the ingress of dust and moisture into the camera body.