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View Full Version : Tamron 28-300mm lens **picture now added**

onikami
15-03-2009, 10:23
Hi,

I am interested in getting this lens. Does anyone have any opinion on it?

Is it a good lens to get for the Sony Alpha camera?
puddleduck
15-03-2009, 10:25
I thought the new version with VC was suprisingly good.

No idea if the older version is any good (or if a VC version is even available for you, as you guys get in-body SSS)
onikami
15-03-2009, 10:28
There are two versions? The one available just says its a Tamron 28-300mm lens worth about £200 brand new.
puddleduck
15-03-2009, 10:37
There are two versions? The one available just says its a Tamron 28-300mm lens worth about £200 brand new.

There is two version for Canon and Nikon owners with VC and one without.

Your best bet would be to look at Tamron's website, I've no idea about versions for Sony.
Nod
15-03-2009, 10:42
I had one a few years ago - made the mistake of trading in a pair of kit lenses from a film kit against it.

For convenience, it was great - no need to wonder if I had the right lens on, it covered a lot of bases BUT... the distortion at both ends was very noticeable (OK, that can be corrected in PP but takes time and effort - and I was using film so not as easy) and it was as sharp as a spoon anywhere over 250mm. As soon as I also got a DSLR, I found I was using the 28-300 for almost nothing but missed the reach so bought a 70-300VR to partner the kit 18-70 (Nikon).

If you only ever want prints up to 7 x 5 or web use and aren't bothered by the distortions then go for it, if you want bigger prints and straight lines near the edges, think again. (The chap I flogged mine to is [AFAIK] still happy with it on his D50)
mrgubby
15-03-2009, 10:46
I bought one (non-VC) for use with my 300D & still use it with my 30D/50D. It's not the fastest lens around but it gives very good results if you treat it well :)
onikami
15-03-2009, 10:55
the guy wants £65 for it and I'm thinking I should go for it. But I prefer my pics to be at A4 size and thus this lens might not be a good idea.

He says he will give me the lens model tomorrow, but claims its a standard aperature lens.
Nod
15-03-2009, 11:03
TBH, as long as the lens is in good nick, £65 is worth a punt! You should be able to get that much (or even more) for it if you trade it in at a dealer against something better. (Mifsuds have a 2nd hand one listed for £149 and as a rough rule of thumb pay about 1/2 that as trade in)
mrgubby
15-03-2009, 11:09
I've printed at A3 from my shots , if the lens is in good condition then £65 is a bargain :)


Full Frame

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brian.pitblado/example/full.jpg


100% Crop

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/brian.pitblado/example/crop.jpg
onikami
15-03-2009, 11:14
Cheers guys

Great pics Mr Gubby.

I think the price is £65 as he claims he dropped it once and the "Filter and end of lens took a beating but works absolutely fine with no change at all to photo quality".

I might just go for it.!
Nod
15-03-2009, 17:42
Dropped? Maybe offer him a fiver for it. It's not the most robust of lenses and may have internal damage that isn't visible (shifted glass, jumped focus/zoom threads, jarred iris blades).
onikami
15-03-2009, 20:16
Dropped? Maybe offer him a fiver for it. It's not the most robust of lenses and may have internal damage that isn't visible (shifted glass, jumped focus/zoom threads, jarred iris blades).

Didn't think about that. He said he will send a pic of it tomorrow. So I'll post it here. But not sure I will go for it on the basis of what you have said.
onikami
16-03-2009, 12:27
OK. He sent a pic and here it is:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v93/onikami/LENS.jpg
MrAngry2
16-03-2009, 13:02
Surely that filter will be a pain to get off :lol:
HoppyUK
16-03-2009, 13:03
That lens is scrap.
onikami
16-03-2009, 13:24
I'm going to email him and tell him I'm no longer interested. Not paying £65 for that.
Nod
16-03-2009, 13:33
Not even the fiver! (Unless you want to take it to pieces to see what a lens in pieces looks like)

Tweaked that pic to get some detail into the shadows and I can see that the front part of the lens casing (where the filter screws in) is distorted. I would be VERY surprised if the filter glass had survived too - and broken shards of glass can do an awful lot of damage to a front element.
onikami
16-03-2009, 13:52
OK. Just emailed him back to say I have been advised to turn this down. Thats the end of that! Thanks guys.
dazzajl
16-03-2009, 13:57
A sad end but keep looking. :thumbs:
arclight
16-03-2009, 15:34
Bloody cheek offering something like that for sale.

Dropped it ? From a roof by the look of it.
onikami
16-03-2009, 17:42
And I thought I found a bargain.

The search continues for an all in one lens....:D
mrgubby
16-03-2009, 18:42
£65 is cheap if you wanted to take a chance and the guy was honest enough to show the damage :shrug:

I wish all internet sellers could all be that honest :thumbs:
onikami
16-03-2009, 19:07
You think so, Gubby? You could be right.............
HoppyUK
17-03-2009, 00:49
And I thought I found a bargain.

The search continues for an all in one lens....:D

If it's any consolation, 28mm is too long at the wide end for an all in one lens. 18-200mm is the one to look out for.
onikami
17-03-2009, 04:42
If it's any consolation, 28mm is too long at the wide end for an all in one lens. 18-200mm is the one to look out for.

I'm after the sony 18-250 lens, but that is waaaaay too expensive. Was hoping this would have been second best.
Nod
17-03-2009, 13:22
IIRC, the Sigma 18-200 is the one to go for but not sure if they do it in Sony fit.
onikami
17-03-2009, 20:13
According to these guys here:

http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/sony-18-250mm-f35-63-review?page=1%2C3

the Sony one is ace and gets a 9 out of 10.
onikami
19-03-2009, 19:12
OK. I bought the lens from the guy in the end for £55. Here is a pic I took today at lunch just testing it out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v93/onikami/DSC00711.jpg