Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD

Sdiver2489, You might want to update your 7D firmware and see any difference.

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #12398908
I'm not sure how I feel about this lens...it may be that I'm not use to shooting telephoto...something I haven't done on a slr...well...ever.

I'm finding the aperture frustrating...I'm using ISO400-800 in daylight to freeze action. The VC I'm finding hit and miss. It sometimes jumps a bit causing a ruined shot, it can sometimes be good for 3-4 stops but other times only 1-2 stops. The focus is not as consistent as I hoped, I can shoot off a series of shots and have 3/4 or so in good/perfect focus. My copy is sitting at +4 MA right now which is a good compromise so far on the 70mm and 300mm end. Still trying to get it nailed down.

I mean, I guess for the price its good...and it probably is the best for the price. I guess I just wanted an L for a entry level price . I'll keep practicing with it and see if I improve with it. I recognize that I'm a WA guy, but its nice having a telephoto for isolating subjects.

well, if you never shot a long lens then I suggest you practice and you keep shooting but if you don't see that many good results you might want to check with a friend's camera or a local shop to make sure is the lens not the camera or perhaps even you. It takes a while to learn this stuff and just because you have a DSLR and a good lens doesn't mean you're getting good shots.... that's just about 10% the rest is the photographer which is about 90%.

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #12398908
I'm finding the aperture frustrating...I'm using ISO400-800 in daylight to freeze action.

I certainly understand what you're saying, but given the cost of f/2.8 tele-zooms I'm planning on owning this lens for a while...

enrigonz wrote in post #12399313
well, if you never shot a long lens then I suggest you practice and you keep shooting but if you don't see that many good results you might want to check with a friend's camera or a local shop to make sure is the lens not the camera or perhaps even you. It takes a while to learn this stuff and just because you have a DSLR and a good lens doesn't mean you're getting good shots.... that's just about 10% the rest is the photographer which is about 90%.

You are correct and that's why I'll practice with it. The lens' focus isn't perfect as I said one end is technically a little different than the other but it looks like its close enough. I've really only shot test shots and birds to this point so my only complaint I can really blame on the lens is the VC isn't as good as Canon's. Other than that the lens has done well. It's not quite as sharp as I would like but as another poster said, F2.8 glass isn't the cheapest...especially in telephoto lenses.

It probably doesn't help that the majority of my shots have been trying to shoot those black birds I posted a shot of earlier. I definitely know what I'm doing, its moreso learning the limitations of the lens/situation. Today it would have helped to have a 62mm CPL. I had to throw away many shots because in order to get sufficient detail in the black birds(btw does anyone know what these guys are?) I had to overexpose the background even though I was shooting away from the sun at sunset. A CPL could have tamed the brightness of the background allowing me to maintain color.

I'm not trying to say the lens is bad by any means. Like I said, its more that the lens limits me in aperture and I'm not used to that based on my other lenses. I have to be more aware of shutter speed/subject movement at these focal lengths and that will take some time. I DO get some good shots like these below:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/purduery/571514​7022/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/purduery/571514​7254/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/purduery/571461​4887/

GregoryF wrote in post #12398327
Look's good!

Thanks! I'm a happy camper with this lens, maybe with a crop camera I don't need a 100-400...

300mm @f/8 ISO 800. Late afternoon sun makes the white look a bit gold.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/speedync30/5714​978211/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/speedync30/5715​908302/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/speedync30/5715​561536/

Those are fabulous shots!!

My take on it is....yeah, I'd love to own the second variation of the 70-200mm from Canon, and I was close to pulling the trigger...then, the price went up...and I just could not justify buying it. If I was a pro and making money, that would be a different story, but for beating through the brush and hammering nails, this lens comes at a price and quality that is unbeatable.

I think most people would of paid a couple of hundred more for this lens and still been satisfied.

Like I said before...I had a great copy of the Sigma 70-200 and it was a fabulous lens...but I always thought twice before taking it on a day trip, because of the shear weight of it, therefore, it remained in my bag the majority of the time. It was built like a frikin' tank though.

The nice thing about this lens....because of the weight and price, I don't have to worry about banging it around...or somebody stealing it...so it's on my camera whenever I head out and need the reach.


Value is value, no matter how you look at it. A lot of it depends on how deep your pockets are. I have three daughters in college, so spending extravagantly is not an option. Maybe, when they all graduate, I'll be able to splurge on....unless they all decide to move back home...

having owned the 55-250 and now this, i kinda miss the Canon. The bokeh and color just looks better on the Canon.

callaesthetics wrote in post #12403606
having owned the 55-250 and now this, i kinda miss the Canon. The bokeh and color just looks better on the Canon.

plenty of them are available at the "For Sale" forum under $200.

Took this lens to the zoo late this afternoon,I really pushed it's limits. The first photo is with teleconcerter at Iso 3200 and the Lemur is also at Iso 3200 as I forgot to lower the Iso after taking a shot of a black lemur...still It's not the best ever but not awful either at least I don't think so....

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/56977249@N08/5​716429127/

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

misty66 wrote in post #12404361
Took this lens to the zoo late this afternoon,I really pushed it's limits. The first photo is with teleconcerter at Iso 3200 and the Lemur is also at Iso 3200 as I forgot to lower the Iso after taking a shot of a black lemur...still It's not the best ever but not awful either at least I don't think so....

Which teleconverter did you use? Compatible with a crop camera? Autofocus still works?

Hello speedync, I have a Kenko 1.4X pro 300 (DG), yes autofocus will work only in dimm area's it hunts a little. I have a 5D now so with this lens I don't know if it works on a crop, but when I had my 400D and 70-200 f4 it worked perfect.

misty66 wrote in post #12406811
Hello speedync, I have a Kenko 1.4X pro 300 (DG), yes autofocus will work only in dimm area's it hunts a little. I have a 5D now so with this lens I don't know if it works on a crop, but when I had my 400D and 70-200 f4 it worked perfect.

I have the Kenko 2.0x pro 300 (DG) and the Tammy, and only recently noticed that it will AF on a 60D even fully zoomed out, provided that the outer focus points are used, so I think the 1.4x TC should AF just fine on crop bodies - even with the center focus point.

Thanks for the info misty and ukkisavosta. Much appreciated How much Aperture do you loose with a 1.4X converter?

speedync wrote in post #12411155
Thanks for the info misty and ukkisavosta. Much appreciated How much Aperture do you loose with a 1.4X converter?

you lose one stop