Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
by Tamron
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: TamronModel: Canon AF
Color: black
Product features:
- Since the lens is designed exclusively for digital SLR photography, it provides high image quality in terms of resolution
- It employs a new optical system designed to confine the changing angles of incidences of light rays reaching the imager over the entire image field.
- Peripheral light fall-off is minimized when compared with that of conventional lenses
- Complicated mechanisms are built in the compact body thanks to new mechanical artifices. The lens is a multi-purpose zoom lens,excellent portability
- The Zoom Lock prevents unwanted barrel extension when carrying the lens/camera combination
- Dolica CF9-ND62 62mm 0.9ND 8X Neutral Density Filter
- Dolica CF-C62 62mm CPL Filter
- Dolica CF3-ND62 62mm 0.3ND 2X Neutral Density Filter
- Dolica CF-U62 62mm UV Filter
- AmazonBasics Lens Pen Cleaning System
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Pending arrival of lens -- comments regarding focusing problems
Summary: 3 Stars
(Initial entry 2006.09.12)
I see, in the previous reviewers' comments, many who complain that the lens is slow at focusing, and seeks at longer focal lengths.
May I suggest that these folks first read their camera Owner's Manual, before blaming the lens.
From the (August 2004 printing) Canon 20d Owner's Manual...
Page 68 discusses a "high precision focus" which operates for lenses with apertures of f2.8 or LARGER, and normal precision for apertures of f5.6 or LARGER.
Page 64, in the grey box at the bottom, reads
"""
If an Extender (optional) is attached and the maximum aperture of the lens is f5.6 or SMALLER, AF WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE.
"""
(Emphasis is mine)
Canon is not clear on if that "maximum aperture" is the raw lens value before mounting the extender, or the effective value after taking the extender into account. I suspect it is before -- assuming a 1.4x extender (which typically implies 1stop less light). Canon lenses, to my knowledge, are not available with minimum apertures smaller than f5.6.
This Tamron lens goes half a stop beyond f5.6 (a full stop would be f8.0). As I understand some advertising/reviews, the Canon 20d was one of the first digital SLRs to even be capable of focusing with an aperture as small as f5.6. That the combination of this lens, and a Canon camera, is unable to achieve focus at the longer focal lengths is not a fault of the lens -- it is an inherent limitation of the camera itself which applies to ANY lens whose maximum aperture is smaller than f5.6.
Knowing this, I'd prefer an f2.8-f5.6, but such a lens likely would cost twice as much. Hence this, and the counter direction zoom/focus from Canon standard, are why I've gone middle of the ranking. (I have another Tamron lens which is seemingly superceded by this one -- being just a 28-75mm -- BUT that lens is a fixed f2.8 maximum at all focal lengths; very fast sharp focusing. My Tokina 12-24 if f4.0 at all lengths).
I suggest that those having such focus problems borrow an old Pentax Spotmatic and lens. Or any other camera with a split-screen rangefinder with microprism ring around it -- with depth of field preview/stop-down metering.
Open the lens (f2.8, f2.0) and focus on something... Note how the split image is visible in both halves, and the microprism ring scintillates for out of focus subjects.
Now reset the lens to infinity, stop it down to f5.6 or f8.0, and attempt to refocus on a subject. It is quite likely the split image can not be used -- one half will be solid black while the other is clear. The microprisms may be usable -- at least when you approach focus, but will still be a fine mesh of black triangles and clear. If really bad, you will be focusing from the ground glass screen around the microprism ring.
Now consider that the focus points in an autofocus system are each something like a single pyramid of the microprism ring, and the camera has the same problem with small apertures, it is NOT a surprise that seeking and slow focusing takes place at the long focal length. Even without the black-out effect seen in a manual focus camera at these f-stops, the depth of field is fairly large, making it more difficult to focus. It is quite possible that the DoF at f6.3 and 200mm covers 10ft to infinity.
Addendum (added 2006.09.18): The lens arrived sooner than expected. I've not run it through a stress test yet, but under bright sunlight the first 15 or so test shots have only had one failure to lock focus -- 200mm end, subject was a pink flower at ~4 feet with low-contrast details under the focus points of the 20d, and I was having trouble staying balanced in a low squat, so my own unsteadiness was a major contributor. I do need to experiment with lower light situations (an f-6.3 is NOT a low-light lens -- and definitely not a hand-holder for low-light). Using the Sunny-16 rule, and sensor set at ISO 100, compounded by the 1/mm for handhold limit (and allow for the 1.6x sensor size factor: 200 -> 320), this lens would need:
16 @ 1/100
11 @ 1/200
8 @ 1/400 <---- hand-held in sunlight.
If memories of overcast days and "Kodak Master Photo Guides" serves, a bright overcast starts at f-11. The above becomes:
11 @ 1/100
8 @ 1/200
5.6 @ 1/400 <---- NOT AVAILABLE at 200mm
The f6.3 might just make it into the hand-held range for a bright overcast day, when using ISO 100.
More Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras reviews:
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Description of Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR CamerasAccessories
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