Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras Description:
The new AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO is a high power zoom lens for exclusive use with digital (APS-C size) SLR cameras that inherits the product concept of the existing AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR zoom lens. Even two years after its introduction, the current AF28-300mm is still a much loved and highly evaluated by photographers around the world as a representative model of high power zoom lenses. With the market influx of digital SLR cameras in recent years, the use of high power zoom lenses has become increasingly popular since high power zooms provide the convenience of handling many photographic scenes and the capability of shooting ultra telephoto shots without changing lenses. The popularity of this focal length led Tamron to initiate the development of new zoom lenses to further meet the needs of digital SLR photographers. The result is the successful development of a new zoom lens exclusively for use on digital SLR cameras. The wide to ultra tele focal range of this lens will allow digital SLR camera owners to enjoy digital photography with comfort and convenience. Dedicated for Digital SLR CamerasBy incorporating an optical design for exclusive use with digital (APS-C) SLR cameras, this high power zoom lens provides the focal length equivalent to Tamron’s 28-300mm (when converted to a 35mm format). Therefore, you can meet almost all photographic opportunities with this single zoom lens without changing lenses. When paired with the SP AF11-18mm zoom lens, simultaneously introduced by Tamron at Photokina, you can enjoy thoroughly digital SLR photography with the combined focal length coverage of 17-300mm.Optical System Uses Special Glass and is Optimized for Digital SLR Characteristics in order to Enhance Optical Quality in a Compact DesignThe new AF18-200mm high power zoom lens from Tamron features an entirely new optical design using XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass in an innovative way in order to optimize the…
- Brand: Tamron
- Model: Pentax AF
- Dimensions: 9.00″ h x 9.00″ w x 9.00″ l,
Features
- Lenses are designed for exclusive use on digital cameras with smaller-size imagers
- Not designed for conventional cameras and digital cameras with image sensors larger than 24mm x 16mm
- Concept of our high-power zoom lens
- For exclusive use with digital SLRs
- Most compact 11.1X zoom lens made for digital SLR cameras
Customer Reviews:
Good image quality, good value, excellent versatility
Before purchasing my Pentax K100D, I had for years used all three models in the Canon Powershot S-series of “superzoom” fixed-lens cameras (S1, S2 and S3). I like my Pentax digital SLR a lot, but after I purchased it (and sold my Canon) I really missed the Canon’s versatility. I have recovered most of that versatility with this Tamron 18-200 DiII lens, which is good at the wide angle end, good in the middle and pretty good at telephoto as well (I like to shoot birds) and which even provides some macro capability. This is now my default all-purpose lens. It’s not the best choice for low-light shooting, but if the light’s decent or you can use a flash, this is a good lens, takes good photos, and is a very good value. To do noticeably better than this, you will have to pay a lot more and probably give up the versatility, too.
I give the lens a rating of 4 stars rather than 5 simply because, by nature, this is a bit of a compromise lens. If you don’t need the versatility - if for example you don’t really need focal lengths over 70mm - then you can get a lens with slightly superior image quality for the same price or even less (perhaps much less if you buy used). The Pentax 50-200 may be slightly sharper in the telephoto range. My Sigma 28-70 F2.8 is faster in its range (the Tamron’s max aperture is 3.5). And while it’s fine for my needs, this lens deserves to be called macro only in a generous sense. But as a total package, it’s hard to beat.
Tamron 18-200 for Pentax
I’m happy with it. Worth the price. It’s compact and lightweight. Can do portraits at 18mm and zoom over birds and distant subjects. It is also reasonably good for macro photos - tried it in some butterflies and small insects.
Problems: Needs a lot of light. Cannot control aperture manually in the lens (most people may not care about that).
Great Lens
This is a great lens and I am extremely pleased with the results I am getting. Sharpness and clarity are on par with the more expenses lenses made for the high end cameras(I compared mine with a Nikon D80 18-200mm).
I bought it because it is such a hassel to carry a lot of lenses. Changing lens carries the risk of getting dirt and lint inside the camera body. If tiny particles get on the mirror, they will show up in the pic and have to be removed with a computer. Even though I have a Pentax K10D, I simply did not want to take that risk. The lens hood is a bit cumbersome to put on, bit I solved that with a rubber collapsable hood. I don’t think that problem should take away a star.
Another great feature about this lens, when using manual focus, it flashes little red “dots” when you go past the correct focus point. After discovering that feature, most of my shooting is done manually, except for fast action stuff and moving objects. Macro and scenery are all manual now.Pentax K10D 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Shake Reduction and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
Amazon.com Product Description
Designed for exclusive use on Pentax digital SLR cameras with smaller-size imagers, this Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II aspherical macro zoom lens is ideal for a host of situations. The high-power zoom lens–which offers an equivalent focal length of 28-300mm in 35mm format–adds versatility to your lens menu, zooming from a true wide perspective to an ultra tele zoom, all in an amazingly easy-to-use design. As a result, the lens is ideal for everything from landscape shots to sports and wildlife photography. The lens also incorporates several of Tamron’s proprietary core technologies, including aspherical elements that minimize chromatic aberration, a multiple cam mechanism, and an integrated focus cam design. The technologies combine to create the world’s lightest, most compact 11.1x digital zoom lens. Other features include an angle of view of 75 to 7 degrees, a minimum focusing distance of 17.7 inches, and a 62mm filter diameter. All Tamron lenses carry a six-year warranty.
Note: The Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II zoom lens is not designed for conventional cameras or digital cameras with image sensors larger than 24mm x 16mm.
Specifications
- Focal length: 18-200mm
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5-6.3
- Lens construction: 15 elements in 13 groups
- Angle of view: 75 to 7 degrees
- Type of zooming: Rotation
- Diaphragm blades: 7
- Minimum aperture: f/22
- Minimum focusing distance: 17.7 inches
- Macro magnification ratio: 1:3.7 (at f=200mm)
- Filter size: 62mm
- Corresponding mounts: Pentax
- Lens hood: Yes, flower shaped
- Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter and 3.3 inches long
- Weight: 14 ounces
- Warranty: 6 years