Tamron AF XR Di Aspherical Macro [IF] 28 mm - 200 mm F/3.8-5.6 Lens For Pentax

I pruchased this lens to fill the gap between two of my Canon lenses, and it has quickly became my favorite lens. It has consistantly produced very sharp, crisp photos, with great color. It is now the one that stays on my camera all the time now. It is equivalent to a 34.8-121mm in 35mm, so the range of it is pretty decent for most photos. I have used it to shoot my daughter's softball games, portraits (strictly amateur and just take them of my family), historic sites I have visited, and so on. It has done everything I have asked of it without fail in the short time I have owned it.
The focus on it is fast, sharp and quiet (maybe not quiet as the Canon lens, but it definately is not loud in any sense of the word). It has never failed to focus using auto focus. And, if you want to manual focus for something just flip the switch to maual, and away you go. There is a lock to prevent lens creep on it while carrying it, but I have never had to use it, and don't expect to.
It is awesome in low light situations, where a flash is just not feasible. I recently visited a museum with everything under glass, and took all photos with no flash, and they came out awesome, with the majority of them being done using the camera's auto settings. Not once did I have to change lenses, where as before I was back and forth between the others that I have.
I would highly recommen this lens to anyone who is looking for one in this range, or as an upgrade to a kit lens. It has done everything I have asked so far, and well above my expectations. I have no doubt you will be as happy with it as I am.
If I had one complaint about this lens it would be for a little longer zoom. Say, maybe out to 135, or something around there. But then again that may affect the quality of the photos, which right now are perfect, or atleast for what I want.
In my opinion the money spent on this lens was money well spent. If I had to do over again I will purchase this lens again, and not think twice about it.

I have enjoyed using tamaron lenses in the past and this one is no exeption. Just as I have come to expect the optics are wonderful and the motor is very quiet. I picked this one so that I could have a lens for use at local sporting events to avoid lens changes since I have one camera. It allows for a wider angle when I need to shoot close and I can still zoom for longer shots when needed.

The only real cons I have found with this lens is weight and aperture. The weight is beleive is due to the range of the lens focal length. These lenses were made when film was still dominant and are some of the earlier lenses from Tamaron but will work with most of the digital Canon cameras as well. The aperture I have found will work well for general all around shooting.

If you need a good all lens this is it.

Pros:
·Nice focal range coverage
·Decent sharpness
·Decent Contrast
·AF locks well in good light
·Price
·Nice lightweight build
·Supplied with a hood
·Long warranty
·Decent close-up abilities and IQ
·Petal hood type

Cons:
·Suffers from some CA/PF
·Focus can hunt in lower light
·AF could be faster
·Color reproduction is a bit off, but nothing that harms the use of the lens
·Build quality seems a bit on the lower end, but still decently built
·Lens creeps out when held down

Overall it is a hard lens to beat for the money if you can work around its shortcomings. Not much out there in this focal range within the same price point that can compete. You can not expect top end results from an all-in-one type focal length lens like this, now some of the newer ones are far better and Tamron definitely corrected the shortcomings of this model. If you are an amateur looking for some reach and a nice all around walking lens that you do not have to change much and will be shooting in good light(daylight) then this lens will suit your needs. Professionals, unless strictly looking for a lightweight carry around for daytime work and such, you should be OK as well.

This lens is better than you would expect. Decent build quality certainly better than a nikon amateur zoom lens like the 18-70 or 18-55. Sharp in the center even at 2.8. I never used it on full frame. Produces images with excellent dreamy bokeh. I never shot it on full frame. For reasons I don't understand it does occasionally miss focus but good technique reduces this possibility. As far as I am concerned any nikon non AF-S lens has this problem anyway. Perfect focal length for for shooting people. You need this lens if you are shooting a wedding on a budget. There is no substitute for a 2.8 lens. Buy and sell it used it will cost you nothing. Supierior to the 18-200 in brightness and possibly sharpness at these lenghts.
Worst problem is nasty moustache distortion at wide end but this would not be used as a wide lens. Best feature is very decent macro performance and small size. Also I like the zoom lock feature for walking. I rate as excellent taking into account price and size. Nikon prime lenses are brighter and sharper in these focal lenghts but don't have macro or zoom. A nikon 2.8 17-55 or 24-70 are monsters in size and weight in comparison. Perfect walk around lens that does not stick out like pro 2.8 nikon. Oh yes it kind of needs a hood as it does flare quite easily. Don't even think of using stup up rings (67 to 77) as it will flare.
To give you an idea of my taste I think the 18-70 sucks. The 18-200 has unacceptable distortion. The 18-55 is not that sharp as rockwell says. The 17-55 2.8 is Awesome from 24-55. The 105 micro is perfect. The 50 1.8 is super sharp and does not ghost like the 1.4. The 12-24 sucks wider than 18 and the tokina 2.8 11-16 is incredible on a d300. The 70-300VR is the best amateur zoom nikon makes. www.robwouds.com

For years I had been a film photographer, hellbent on converting to digital, (back when digital had just started to make it's way into mainstream society). To make matters worse, I refused to shoot with "auto-everything" cameras. From my SLR, (Pentax K-1000), to my TLR Portrait Camera, (Mamiya C-330 120). It had to be manual focus or nothing at all. Here I am, a twentieth century guy playing around with twenty-first century technology. I bought this lens on e-bay and began messing around with it. The pictures that came out were great. Crystal clear in both macro, and long shots. I was able to read a license plat off a vehicle a half block away zoomed in, (200mm) and count the pollen on the pistle of one of my wife's giant daffodill's in her gardom on macro (28mm). Great lens! and if you can find one to bid on for your DSLR, I strongly recommend it.