New Tamron 18-270

Just bought this today and only took a few pics with it and already love it. The guy at our local upscale camera shop told me he rated the Tamron above the Canon. It cost a pretty penny, but I think it'll be worth it. More than likely I will not be keeping the Quantaray 70-300. Just don't see a use for it. Bad purchase on my part. I'll post a few of my photos within the next few days.

but the distortion must be insane...
I was told your lens max focal length shouldn't be anymore then 4 times the min

Congrats on the purchase.

Yes, there is distortion but still better controlled than most other super zooms.

Not sure I understand the "distortion" comments?

the classic definition of distortion is a tall building on the left or right side of your picture is shaped like a banana.

This recent thread had a good example, look at the picture about 2/3 down the first page:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=678018

Typically barrel distortion on the wide end, pincushion distortion on the telephoto end.

A good prime will typically have a negligible amount of distortion. A combination of a zoom's quality and focal range affect its distortion. A cheap crappy zoom will have a lot, or even a good quality zoom that covers a huge range (and 18-270 is the biggest range ever in a lens, to my knowledge) will have some.

laydros wrote in post #7734126
the classic definition of distortion is a tall building on the left or right side of your picture is shaped like a banana.

This recent thread had a good example, look at the picture about 2/3 down the first page:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=678018

Typically barrel distortion on the wide end, pincushion distortion on the telephoto end.

A good prime will typically have a negligible amount of distortion. A combination of a zoom's quality and focal range affect its distortion. A cheap crappy zoom will have a lot, or even a good quality zoom that covers a huge range (and 18-270 is the biggest range ever in a lens, to my knowledge) will have some.

Thanks for that explanation. I'm thinking that if I were a professional taking photos for sale, I'd be very concerned of even a little distortion.

In my case I am simply going to take casual everyday shots of birds and wildlife and scenery. And might on occasion even get a shot of my wife

I'm just hoping I didn't waste a lot of $$$ on this lens. It was not cheap by any means. But, if I am disappointed I guess I can always sell it.

I own the 18-270. Normally I dont usually pick up on the distortion. If it really interferes with an image, there is barrel distortion correction software somewhere.

tawcat wrote in post #7736207
Thanks for that explanation. I'm thinking that if I were a professional taking photos for sale, I'd be very concerned of even a little distortion.

In my case I am simply going to take casual everyday shots of birds and wildlife and scenery. And might on occasion even get a shot of my wife

I'm just hoping I didn't waste a lot of $$$ on this lens. It was not cheap by any means. But, if I am disappointed I guess I can always sell it.

I really doubt you will have any problems with it. I think as long as you have good light or flash, you will be completely happy with that lens. The only reason I didn't jump on one is because I shoot so much in low light.

I gave a new copy of this lens a quick workout this weekend. It performed very well considering the massive range it offers.

My only issue is a lock-up of my body when I took the lens off and put my normal walk around lens back on. But to be fair, I think I touched one of the lenses to the body at an angle so I may have shorted the pins on the body with the mounting ring on the lens...

Jon.