Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Review
General information
This is a zoom lens manufactured by Tamron and the lens was released 2010.
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.
Product description from Tamron
At launch 2010 Tamron wrote this regarding Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD:
"Tamron´s next generation 18-270mm, the world’s lightest, smallest 15x zoom optimized for use on APS-C- DSLRs, continues the pursuit of the ideal all-in one zoom lens. Combining prior award-winning achievements with new engineering breakthroughs yielded the remarkable 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD (Piezo Drive). Special piezoelectric technology now delivers faster, quieter precision autofocusing. Tamron´s exclusive tri-axial VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization, featuring three pairs of driving coils and low-function ball bearings placed around the VC optical group, combats camera shake-related image blur. It´s Tamron VC that allows handheld shooting at as many as four shutter speeds slower than otherwise possible with a dramatically stable viewfinder experience. Compactness and light weight are preserved, thanks in part to the VC mechanism´s newly-developed moving coil mechanism.
Defining compositional freedom the 18-270mm Di-II VC´s incredible 15x zoom range provides a 35mm picture angle equivalency of 28mm to 419mm, with image fidelity assured by advanced optical design featuring LD glass and aspherical optics, working in concert to render crisp, colorful and faithful images.
A 24% reduction in length and 18% reduction in weight
Tamron introduces a new mega travel zoom with a focal range of 18-270mm. Tamron still holds the world record in the focal length range for SLR lenses1. The lens features a newly developed piezo ultrasonic motor, which ensures a silent, precise and extraordinary fast autofocus. Furthermore the unique ( VC) vibration technology was improved to allow for a more compact design. The lens convinces with its high level of usability, featuring a focal length range which covers just about every photographic situation. Its compactness and light-weight construction make it the ideal travel companion. The lens not only covers everything from wide-angle for landscape to tele for close-up photography, but also offers light-macro capability at a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3,8 throughout the focal length range, to magnify the small things in life. "
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 designed and meant for Canon and Nikon cameras with a smaller sensor (often referred to as 'APS-C') which means that the lens does not fit all camera models. By clicking on the link below you can make sure that the lens works with your camera model and you should do an additional check with your local dealer as well, before you buy the lens just to be sure.
The ability to use autofocus is available for all cameras.
The lens has a focal length of 18-270 mm. Since the lens is designed to be used on a camera with smaller sensor ('APS-C') the focal length will be equivalent to 29-432 mm if you have a Canon camera or 27-405 mm if you have a Niko 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 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
Lens brightness and image stabilizer
The lens brightness and aperture value is f/3,5-6,3.
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 18 mm the lens brightness is f/3,5 and at 270 mm the brightness is f/6,3. Through the link below you can read more about what this could mean for you as a photographer.
Inside the lens there is an image stabilizer, which helps to fend off possible movements and tremors. This is very positive and can be of great help in situations and conditions where the light is inadequate and not enough for decent 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.
If you buy this lens it will come with a lens hood, whose model name is "DA18".
Images of Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.
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.
- A versatile lens for those who own their first DSLR camera
- Has a built-in image stabilizer
- An impressive focal range
- Has a built-in autofocus motor
- A lens hood is included
- Light weight (450 gr)
- Works only on cameras with APS-C sensor
- Poor aperture value with its f/6,3
- A variable lens brightness at different focal lengths
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD.
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
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