Thoughts on AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD..

...a lens I hear little about, for the Novemebr trip in South Africa and Botswana I really want to get close tot he wildlife. Does anyone have this lens? Can anyone comment on it?

I will probably take my 350D along purley for the zoom lens, to save changing lenses and to increase zoom.

From most reports, it's quite a good lens optically that is lighter in weight than most of its peers. Build-feel is standard Tamron. And of course, it lacks a ring USM/HSM unit with no FTM function. But optically, reports are generally very high.

I can live without ring USM on alens which will be less used than most. Found the Photozone review, which is very complimentary.

Any examples out there?

How are you going to get that in your hand luggage Neil?

I have a student who just got one. I played with it a bit. He likes it (for the price.) Very light and not too long (until you zoom out to 500.) One issue I had was that the focus ring is next to the camera body so, manual focus was kinda unbalanced. Quality is good, gets very dark with TC's.

Once again, hate to agree with Jojo, but pretty much agree. If you want lowest price for very good level of optics, light weight, and don't need less than 200mm, this lens maybe the way to go.

Photozone.de rates the sharpness better than other supertelephotos such as sigma 50-500 and Canon 100-400. However, these lenses have a bit more range and are more versatile as well.

EOSAddict wrote:
How are you going to get that in your hand luggage Neil?

Looking at the spec it isn't actually that long, weight could be an issue tho with the 5D, 24-105, 350D and a wide lens too.....

i was looking at this len and Canon 100-400 and i bought the canon. Here is the review for Tamron:

http://www.photozone.d​e …mron_200500_563​/index.htm

and here is the review for Canon 100-400:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

after reading the review for Canon 100-400, i'm willing to spend more for the canon. Hope this would help you too.

But the canon is twice the price and I cannot justify it for the use it would get.

Maybe buy a used one and seel it again after the trip?

Here is one for £850 - you'd probably get a similar amount after using it.

http://www.eos-classifieds.com/index.​php?a=2&b=502

Just checked, the Tamron 200-500 is just a whisker under £670 at Warehouse Express.

That looks like a pretty good choice for your needs Neil. One other lens to consider would be the Tokin 80-400 that Condyk recently reviewed IF 400mm would be long enough. The size and weight of this lens would be an asset for your trip.

His review is here:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=206338

Another possiblity, my 12-24 was most impressive for the money...built like a brick too.

I would invest it right the first time instead of buying 3rd party lens then later sell it. Keep in mind canon lens hold their value in resell better than 3rd party lens.

I am selling my Tokina as I am now too shaky to use it for reliable handheld walkaround in the UK, which is what I bought it for. For safari it will be fine as you will be on a beanbag most of the time shooting from a vehicle. Advert here and you can have it for £250 if you post some shots and tell us where you stayed in Botswana. There is aPOTN group heading out there next August/Sept.

For safari you need 300-400mm or over as the best compromise length (range/weight!) Bigma is very good on a beanbag too and cheaper than the Tamron with HSM AF. Good resale.