It takes very sharp, very clear pictures, much like the other Tamrons on which I shoot. The price is arguably one of the lowest for a high-quality lens. The AF is reasonably quick and does a good job holding if you have a moving subject and have to adjust. The manual focus is very smooth and can be adjusted quickly from the wide to the telephoto extremes.

Like many people noted, the AF does tend to hunt sometimes. In practice, I've only found that it's a problem at the severe end (250mm+) when conditions are less than perfect - i.e. when you're shooting a lot of movement, esp. sports and such. And the "fuzzing out" problems you've heard about can be compensated for by using a tripod/monopod or using a faster shutter speed - you might need a flash, but it can be done, even at the extreme end.

It's a great lens for the money; very versatile and easy to handle, even for the beginner. It'll give you great pictures as long as you learn how to use it and understand how to compensate for the unbalanced weight of your camera (i.e. use a support of some kind). Definitely one to pick up, whether you're just starting out and need a big zoom or have experience and need a versatile lens.

Customer Service

Never needed, though I hear it's very good.

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 100-300, Promaster 28-200

I like everything about this lense. Photo quality is much higher than I expected after reading many of the other reviews here.

None

For the price, you're not going to top this lense. I use it with a Pentax ZX-30 and am still amazed at the quality of shots I get for the money invested. I'd recommend this lense to anyone who'd listen!

Similar Products Used:

None

I love this lens it is very crisp.
very good image quality.

slow focusing

it is a great lens

Similar Products Used:

None

Light
70-300 range
Build is good(not like a tank, but firm and smooth)

Macro is at 1:4

I bought this for a very low price in Singapre, Sim Lim Square. I use this to complement my Minolta 505si Super(XTsi in the US) package which comes with a standard 28-85mm. I have just began shooting with my 2nd roll of film and I have not develope the 1st roll yet so cannot tell about sharpness. I cannot wait to see how the LD lens performs. Mechanically, this is a good smooth zoom which is light enough for you to take along with other wide-angles. Focus speed is average but I am happy with it considering the price. It does succeed in focusing for most of the time at dusk. Never a problem in good lighting condition. If you are concerned about weight and built quality and price, you should consider this zoom. It does not mean, its sharpness is not remarkable, but I am waiting to develope my film to see it myself.

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 70-210 f3.5-4.5 APO macro
Tamron 70-300 (new version)

Price, construction, optics and the AMAZING DEAL I GOT (see below)

F4 max. aperature, not built for heavy duty work.

Canoga Cameras has a deal on this lens that's almost too good to be true. $179 for the lens (before the mfr's $20 rebate) plus a free Tamron AF1.4x teleconverter. I've now got a 28-105 that doubles as a 35-150, and a 70-300 that doubles as a 100-420! Say what you want about the quality of the lens, but at this price you can't lose. Images are very sharp, great for shooting friends and family. AF is good even at the 300mm end in sunlight (it definitely hunts in low light situations). The focus ring gearing is a bit palpable under your fingers, but the zoom is very smooth. As with any tele zoom, take your monopod or tripod with you for sharp images. Get one!

Customer Service

Haven't needed it on either of my Tamron lenses

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 70-300 ED
Tamron 70-300 (58mm, non-LD, non-macro)

Low Cost
Low Weight

Build Quality

I feel this lens is a good buy for the money. I was a little disapointed in the build quality of the lens, but can live with it.
Images seem to be fairly sharp across the board.
Using Canon D30 & Elan 7e bodies.
Other lenses owned include:
Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 28x135mm 3.5-5.6 USM IS
Sigma 17x35mm 2.8-4

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Canon 75x300
Canon 100x300
Quantaray 100x300
Quantaray 70x300

-Takes BEAUTIFUL pictures
-Long lens, yet compacts small enough to fit into camera bag
-Cheap price!

-None that I can think of!

The Macro feature is AWESOME! You can only use it from 180-300, though. There is a little switch on the lens. I was able to zoom in on a finch, and I took some awesome macro pictures of flowers. It also came in handy at my brother's graduation--I zoomed right in on him in the crowd. It is so much better than a standard lens (I have a Canon Rebel 2000 with the 28-80 EF II lens) for taking close-up shots and you want the background blurred--beautiful macro feature--I can't say enough about it! Buy it!!!

Customer Service

-First I tried to order it from DiscoveryCameras.com, and they were awful! They hung up on me when I called (and I called 3 times)--when I tried to cancel my order, they kept trying to sell me other products! DO NOT buy from them.

Similar Products Used:

None

It is a very compact camera for such a long zoom. It has a very nice macro feature that allows it to go down to a 1:2 scale.

The autofocus is noisy and takes a long time a 300mm.

I got it for a great price at Canoga Cameras and I even got a free 1.4 telconverter with it. I recommend it to anyone buying there first long zoom lens. I've taken my best pictures with this lens and I won't buy a new lens for a long time

Customer Service

a six year customer warranty.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 35-80mm

* The price
* 1:2 Macro
* Compacts to small size considering it's zoom capability
* Quality construction
* Low weight

* Can be slow to focus at 300mm, especially in low light, but this not abnormal

This lens is a great buy! It's currently selling for about $200 and if you buy it soon, you also get a free 1.4 teleconverter, plus a $20 rebate. When you're all done (after tax or shipping), you spend less that $200 for a great lens and the teleconverter, which can be used on any lens.

The optics on this lens are wonderful, especially for the price. I was skeptical in the beginning and wondered if all these other reviews were accurate. They sure are!

You can spend quite a bit more money, but why would you when you can get this lens? It has helped me take some great pictures and has saved me money. What more can you ask for in a lens?

Customer Service

* Haven't tried it yet (haven't needed it)

Similar Products Used:

* Canon 35 - 80mm

Zoom Range
1:2 macro!!!
decent quality

kinda slow but at this price i can live with it

THis is a great lens and i have read it is the exact same model as the Nikon 70-300 which says a lot, it is a great buy and i got an awesome used one for $120 on ebay. Can be bought new for less than $200.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

older MF lenses