This Tamron superzoom looks good!

E

Evro

Well-known member
Hey guys, I saw this in my search for a general purpose super-zoom: Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD

Image stabilised and with a very quiet Piezo Drive Auto-focus system all selling for around $700 It comes in Nikon or Canon mount (I'm thinking the Nikon would be best because you'd be able to manually control the aperture with any one of those $50 Nikon G-Mount adaptors)
But then if you buy it in a Canon mount you'll be able to use it automatically on the Birger adaptor when it comes out in a few months.

Model B008
TAMron18270II.jpg

DPreview seem to give it a rating similar to what they've given to the equivalent Nikon & Canon super zooms.

Does anyone have any experience with this lens or the older version?
 
Last edited:
Being Image stabilized won't make a difference BTW. If you are gong to spend $700, the older nikon 28-70 is a much better lens and it's 2.8. You will rarely ever use more than a 150mm reach on the Af100 IMHO.
 
I already use the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 (if memory serves me I remember buying mine new @ $2,100 about 8 months ago) what I'm really looking for is a wide-range zoom lens that will mean minimal lens changes for run & gun shooting.

bgundu said:
Being Image stabilized won't make a difference BTW.
Click to expand...
Why is that?
 
Last edited:
I have this lens on my D90...it sticks a bit in the middle of the zoom and the AF isn't super fast, but the image from the video is good (yes...even on a D90) and having all that range available is very nice. That's only from a casual shooting point of view though. I don't know if it would be useful for those doing mostly set up types of shots.
It's great for general walking around shooting video/photos on a DSLR. (just saw you wanted it for run and gun...yeah it's good for that)
 
Last edited:
Evro said:
I already use the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 (if memory serves me I remember buying mine new @ $2,100 about 8 months ago) what I'm really looking for is a wide-range zoom lens that will mean minimal lens changes for run & gun shooting.


Why is that?
Click to expand...

Only the Panasonic lenses with stabilization work on af100 at the moment.
 
@bgundu, oh sure I get that the lens will be fully manual on the AF100. I was looking at the lens with the Birger mount in mind ;)

@pulpfiction007, thanks for that mate! This is exactly the sort of thing I was after, but do you mind telling me, can the focus be changed on the fly when the lens is in AF mode, and what do mean by 'sticks a bit in the middle'?
 
Evro said:
@bgundu, oh sure I get that the lens will be fully manual on the AF100. I was looking at the lens with the Birger mount in mind ;)

@pulpfiction007, thanks for that mate! This is exactly the sort of thing I was after, but do you mind telling me, can the focus be changed on the fly when the lens is in AF mode, and what do mean by 'sticks a bit in the middle'?
Click to expand...

I'll go get the D90...post back in a minute or 2
 
No...it's not an on the fly lens, but the switch on the lens is super quick. The zoom ring gives you more tension in the middle, but some people have said that this is when it's newer, mine is still pretty new.
Also the bokeh is nice and even in video as well.
It's got a nice mid range build quality, but it's kind of a beast! (heavy)
Also...I don't know if the program is still going, but Tamron's rebates come in the mail pretty fast. Mine was for $80.
 
Last edited:
thanks for that pulpfiction007, for $700 it sounds like a better investment for the AF100 than the Lumix 14-140, especially when you consider that you can also use it on any DX or APS-C format DSLR :) Once Birger release a Nikon mount the lens will surely come closer to what we're used to on a traditional fixed lens camcorder.
 
Evro said:
thanks for that pulpfiction007, for $700 it sounds like a better investment for the AF100 than the Lumix 14-140, especially when you consider that you can also use it on any DX or APS-C format DSLR :) Once Birger release a Nikon mount the lens will surely come closer to what we're used to on a traditional fixed lens camcorder.
Click to expand...

For run and gun, the 14-140 actually probably IS the best for the AF100. I owned the GH1 as well and with the 14-140 on it, it's a lot like a conventional video camera. Great AF/OIS/stepless. Yes the apeture is slower than the Tamron and it has less range, but it's made to work very seamlessly with the AF100/GH1/GH2
I like the Tamron, but I would strongly consider the Panny for run and gun shooting!
 
hmm, I have the Lumix 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 and if the 14-140 is anything like it I don't think I'm going to like it.

Is there anyone else who shoots events with an opinion, or am I one of the first few non-indy film-makers with the AF-100?
 
The 14-140 is way more suited for video than the 14-45. Way different lens. The 14-140 is a must for run-and-gun. Make sure you update the firmware on it though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top