Tamron AF28-105mm f/4-5.6 (IF)

I bought this to use primarily for portraits (formal and informal) of kids and also as a travel lens. I was wanting the SP version, but I found this as a closeout from a camera store on ebay. So, for the money, I thought it was a safe bet. I just got my first set of prints from a formal setting with my son. I was blown away at the sharpness (at portrait focal lengths) of this lens. I also shoot medium format and I have to say, I was hard pressed to tell the difference. They were that good. Skin tones were perfect, wardrobe colors were prefect and focus was tack sharp. Enlargements are just as sharp. I haven't shot anything outdoors and so have not used the lens at wide angle yet. Everything thus far has been in the 60-105mm range (mostly 85-100mm). So far, its the best $50 bucks I've ever spent.

Outstanding sharpnes and color rendition indoors with studio flash.

None yet

Tamron MF SP Lenses, Pentax lenses and Sigma.

Not needed

This is again a true little jewel from Tamron which many users oversee and ignore just because its 3 party. However once you have tried it both on film and digital you will realize its a keeper and it will surprise you more and more,as its big brother the famed (and cheap) 70-300 lens. Its colours its sharpness and distortion are outstanding regarding the price you pay! its a true winner and i often use it for PRO work especially when i travel and combine this with a Canon EOS 100,In short-a dreamteam of photogear.I also use it on front of my beloved Canon D1 and D10 with very good results,but generally put a very good filter in front of it!(a BW cost almost more than the lens itself ,but its worth it) Tamron:!!; Please Put some more LD glass in front and metal barrel and it will revoulutionize the business.

all.as i stated before.its a winner.and its light.almost XXXXX stars!!

very few.

many from canon tamron nikon leica ..and so on so forth

nope ist strong built

I bought this lens in a kit together with a Minolta Dynax 404si. I reckoned for a little extra money I'd like the extra 25mm over the standard 28-80mm on offer. Indeed, the extra mm's have given me lots of fun and pictures that would've been impossible with a mere 80mm. Apart from that, I suppose this lens is very decent for the price (since I didn't directly pay for it, it's difficult to judge) and the weight. And the fairly compact size. It's made me quite a lot of very nice pictures with good colour and contrast, although on closer inspection or magnification (to 8x12"/20x30 cm) the sharpness isn't quite comparable to what I get with my 50mm f1.7 Minolta prime. Well, if I wanted the extra sharpness I'd use that lens; if I wanted a versatile lens that I could use in most situations without having to change, I'd use this one. I've taken it on several holidays as my only lense (doing a lot of walking I really can't be bothered carrying kilo's of equipment around) and I hardly ever needed anything more than this one. Sure, their might have been distortion but I never really noticed let alone cared. The pics look good and that's what matters. On the downside is the slowness (f4-5.6) which causes problems indoors and after sunset, but when I bought it I can't remember any faster lenses being around for similarly reasonable prices or weight. Nowadays, yes, lenses seem to be faster... let's call that evolution. Also the build quality of this lens isn't great. Extended beyond like 80mm, the lens front could be moved by hand for a millimeter or so in every direction, which doesn't feel or look very comfortable. After a while the lens developed a wobble when turning the focusing ring through a certain position; probably a grain of sand having gotten inside. I never bothered having it removed as it didn't interfere with any function. Most annoying however was the fact that when carrying the camera around my neck, the lens always extended itself to 105 mm due to a lack of resistance or a focus lock (hurray for the Tamron's 24-135 focus lock switch!). Then again, for a lens in this price range I wouldn't expect it to break the pavement it falls on. All in all, a good but not great all-round lens, useable in most situations (except low light). However, the build quality does make it a doubtful choice if you come across one second hand.

- cheap(?) - lightweight, compact - very good range (although nowadays 24mm as a start range is taking over)

- slow - lack of resistance in zoom or focus lock - not great in durability (but for the price, what do you expect)

Sigma 28-70 f3.5-4.5 (heavier even though 35 mm less range, and basically as slow) Tamron 24-135 f3.5-5.6 and Minolta 24-105 f3.5-4.5D (haven't used either enough yet to judge) Minolta 28-80 f 3.5-4.5D (lighter, compacter, perhaps slightly better pictures, but lacks the 25mm at the end)

None needed

I bought this lens as a back up. I didn't want to spend a lot of money because I knew I wouldn't be using it very much. I was wrong for photos outside of weddings I find myself using this lens a lot more than expected. It's truely a very good lens especially for the price paid. This is a very sharp lens and the colors are great too. It's focusing speed pretty quick and accurate. Tamrom has always impressed me with good quality lenes.

Sharp and accurate colorful images decently built, resonable price,fast enongh AF

A bit on the noisy side but livable f4-5.6 not bad but should be f3.5-4.5

Tamron 28-200 1st series, Canon 35-105, 28-135 is usm, Tokina 35-105 MF

Not used

A great lens for the price - pictures are sharp, colors are vivid, and the lens is responsive. This is a great match for an entry or mid-level 35mm SLR body. I've paired my Tamron to a Canon Rebel 2000, and the combination works wonderfully. Others have remarked about this lens' excellent sharpness, but I would also like to comment on its excellent color reproduction. Colors are crisp are vivid with no washing out or blending together. Deep reds, blues, purples, and greens all turn out exactly as you want them. This is a great lens for outdoor landscape photography. Lastly, I'd like to comment on this lens' durability. My lens has been in rain, sand, biting color and scorching hot temperatures, and 100 other places that internal focusing lenses should never be. To date, I have had NO problems whatsoever with this lens. It turns just as smoothly and focuses just as quickly as the day I got it. Great stuff! Overall, I'm very pleased with my Tamron, and will definetely consider purchasing another Tamron lens in the future.

Color reproduction, sharpness, value, and durability. Lens doesn't slip under its own weight. It's a nice looking lens, too.

None to speak of