TAMRON - 16-300 mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Nikon F Cameras - Black - B016N

Product Information

Sharpness is not at its best here, with edges and corners particular soft and there's noticeable pincushion distortion, though field flatness is well controlled. No problem for the kind of things this feature is likely to be used for, especially when depth of field is so shallow that everything apart from the main subject will probably be out of focus anyway. Flare So if you’re looking for a lens that you can take anywhere with you and will be suitable for almost any conditions you encounter then I can’t go past the Tamron 16–300 mm. The stated focal length of a lens is only technically true at infinity focusing distance. 'Focus breathing' is a reduction in focal length at closer range, as a consequence of the internal focusing (IF) mechanism used to keep the overall length of the lens down. All IF lenses do it to some extent, but superzooms are known to be particularly prone as manufacturers push the limits to reduce bulk. Some users cited slight fall-off at the corners, though. The consensus is that the lens is relatively light and easy to carry around. It is also versatile, and unlike other lenses, doesn’t have an issue vignetting. However, some users took issue with the distortion at wider edges, but what lens doesn’t have the same problem?

aperture blades with a cicular diaphragm (This circular diaphragm stays almost perfectly circular up to two stops down from maximum aperture, f/3.5.)The Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6/3 offers a uniquely huge 18.8x zoom range, performs well, delivers good value for money and has impressive close up focus performance making this an ideal travel zoom lens. There's no such cure for 'focus breathing' - the reduction in focal length at closer focusing distances. All internal focusing lenses do it to some extent, as it delivers good close-up capability without the attendant increase in physical lens length, but Tamron has been unusually greedy here (details in the review). Focus breathing is not often a problem, but if you need maximum focal length at close range, with subjects like small garden birds perhaps, then it canbe. The Final Word

The absolutely huge zoom range offered by this lens, hasn't compromised the size, with it having similar dimension to many 4x or 5x zooms lenses and it weighs only 540g. The low weight and compact size make this lens an ideal candidate as a walkabout lens for those times you may wish to travel light. It feels right at home on the Nikon D7100 body used for testing, and will make a good companion for smaller, more compact DSLR camera bodies as well. High quality plastics with a matte finish have been used for much of the construction of the lens barrel, and it feels reasonably robust as a result. A rubber gasket, located around the metal lens bayonet, will help to prevent the ingress of dust and moisture into the camera body. While there have been a number of occasions when those edges have appeared during this test, with red and cyan too, those occasions were fewer than I had expected. Some fringing appears in the extremes of the frame when the wider focal lengths are used, but at the longest end of the zoom the fringes become wider and creep their destructive way towards the centre of the image. We know that it is the extremes of a zoom that are used the most, and in one that features such reach that length will be used a great deal. I suspect, then, that fringing will have an impact on a disproportionately high number of images shot with this model. One way to reduce the effects of these fringes is to tidy them into narrow bands by using a small aperture, but we have to be careful that we don’t sacrifice resolution for the sake of a purple edge. The balance on the lens is acceptable even when fully extended to 300mm. I attribute this to the relatively slender profile that keeps most of the weight close to the camera and makes this lens very nimble. That being said, you will still definitely know it is attached to your camera. Always practice good camera holding mechanics when using this and other larger lenses in the field for long periods of time. At the 300mm end, the angle of view is 5°20', which is the same as that of a 450mm lens on a 35mm full-frame camera. Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro review – Build and handling

Images: With the lens set at 70mm, I shot this scene across the entire aperture range. You can see how resolution increases to f/11 and then falls off beyond f/16 Stabilization ensures consistent, sharp images in handheld photography while eliminating the need for faster shutter speeds. Autofocus

This is what superzooms are all about - one lens, that goes from wide-angle, through the standard focal length range, and on to a very respectable telephoto. Tamron has even trade-marked the term 'all in one' and its 16-300mm lens leads the class with an 18.8:1 zoom ratio.The overall build quality and finish are impressive. Its zoom and focusing rings have a great feel. The Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD is the World's first 18.8X zoom lens for APS-C sized digital SLR cameras with an impressive 16-300mm zoom range, this gives the equivalent of 24.8mm wide-angle zooming to 465mm. Deeper finger grips on the lens cap– I know, this is an extremely small and neurotic detail. In any case, it seems that Tamron has improved their lens caps with more pinchable clips making them easier to attach and remove from the lens. This feature also reduces the chance of fumbling a cap removal. If you have a smaller camera with a smaller sensor, you’ll need this feature. Frequently Asked Questions

Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro vs Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR vs Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f3.5-6.3G ED VR: Nikon options just have the edge One of the great things I really love about the Tamron 16-300mm is its compact design and size. Even though it has a focal range of 16mm–300 mm, it is incredibly easy to handle and has some great features that its competitors don’t have.To get a good idea of just how compact it is, take a look at this comparison photo below.

Studio Tests

The version of this Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro lens I had to test was fitted for Canon EF-S, so I chose to mount it on an EOS 70D – being perhaps at the upper end of the kind of camera with which we might expect this lens to be used. Extended or contracted, the lens makes a fine mate for the body. The two balance well, and while somewhat heavy for all-day carrying, it is no worse than most enthusiasts are prepared to lumber themselves with.