Tamron 28-200mm F3.8-5.6 XR Di Asph IF Macro Review
General information
This is a zoom lens manufactured by Tamron and the lens was released 2008.
The lens belongs to the category
superzoom lenses. A superzoom lens gives you a wide zoom range, from a wider field of view (wide angle) to a more narrow field of view (telephoto) and is usually appreciated as an all-in-one travel lens.
The lens has macro-properties but is unable to reproduce things in their real size (otherwise called '1:1'). You should therefor consider taking the term 'macro' with a pinch of salt and if the macro-possibilities you are looking for you should perhaps look at other options.
Product description from Tamron
At launch 2008 Tamron wrote this regarding Tamron 28-200mm F3.8-5.6 XR Di Asph IF Macro:
"Similar in length to a typical 3x DSLR kit lens, the 28-200mm XR Di—at just 3-inches long, offers an amazing 7.1x zoom ratio. Compatible with APS-C and full-frame DSLRs, as well as 35mm film SLRs, this lightweight, compact and versatile lens features XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass for enhanced optical performance. Internal focusing contributes to responsiveness and maintains constant lens barrel length and Macro focusing brings small subjects into view crisply.
Tamron has made this lightweight, compact high power zoom lens available with the Di optical system with improved multi-coating for digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras, further enhancing its ease of use and popularity. "
Compatibility, autofocus and focal length
The lens is available for both Canon and Nikon cameras, but there are two different versions of this lens (one for each brand and mount) so it is important that you ask for and choose the right version when bying the lens.
This lens is constructed to fit all models of Canon and Nikon cameras, regardless of camera model or type of sensor.
Here it is the only Canon version of the lens that has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. The possibility to use autofocus (AF) is available for Nikon cameras but only if the camera itself has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. Some cheaper and budget camera models from Nikon lacks a built-in autofocus motor, and we at Lensora appreciate autofocus, so in the list of compatible cameras we have chosen to display only the cameras that you can get autofocus with.
The lens has a focal length of 28-200 mm. Depending on which camera the lens is used, the experienced and perceived focal length will be different. Please visit the list of compatible cameras below, it will provide the equivalent focal length you get on each camera.
A positive thing is that this lens has a versitale zoom range, where the difference between 'maximum zoomed out' to 'maximum zoomed in' increases the lens versatility since you as a photographer easily can compose your picture without moving yourself physically.
- See compatible cameras and perceived/equivalent focal length
- See a full camera compatibility chart for Tamron 28-200mm F3.8-5.6 XR Di Asph IF Macro
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
- Read more about the autofocus motor and the importance of this part
Lens brightness and image stabilizer
The lens brightness and aperture value is f/3,8-5,6.
This lens is not considered to have a good aperture value and brightness. It is something to consider before you purchase the lens. To compensate for this you might, while photographing in less favorable light conditions, be forced to either use higher ISO settings (which generates more noise in the image), slower shutter speeds (which may give some motion blur) or flash lightning. Read more at the link below what lens brightness means to you as a photographer.
One thing to consider is that the lens has a variable brightness, which means that depending on how much you are zooming the lens will have a different maximum aperture value. At 28 mm the lens brightness is f/3,8 and at 200 mm the brightness is f/5,6. Through the link below you can read more about what this could mean for you as a photographer.
The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds.
- Read more about the aperture and lens brightness
- Read more about changing brightness at different focal lengths
- Read more about how an image stabilizer works
Filter and Lens Hood
The lens has a traditional filter thread on the front and its measuring 62 mm which also the filter you will use must have. If you use for example an UV filter can be a cheap insurance against scratches and dust.
Together with the lens there is a lens hood included but we have unfortunately no further information on model etc so feel free to contact us if you know more.
Things to consider before buying
Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.
- The price (more info)
- An impressive focal range
- Works on all sensor types
- A lens hood is included
- Light weight (354 gr)
- No built-in autofocus motor (the Nikon version)
- No built-in image stabilizer
- Poor aperture value with its f/5,6
- A variable lens brightness at different focal lengths
- The lens is called 'Macro' but can not reproduce at a scale of 1:1
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Tamron 28-200mm F3.8-5.6 XR Di Asph IF Macro.
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
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