Lens guru, Gary Wolstenholme tests the Tamron 70-300mm zoom lens. Is it worth the relaively low price or should it be relegated to the bargain bin? Often after purchasing a camera complete with standard kit lens, many will look for a telephoto zoom to extend their reach when photographing distant...

Lightweight; Resolution at shorter focal lengths; Macro feature; Good value for money; Good resistance to ghosting and flare

Slow autofocus; Rotating front element may make it difficult to use a polariser

One of Tamron's Digitally Integrated (Di) lenses, the AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro is designed for use on both full-frame and APS-C-sized cameras. It's available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony fit and, on APS-C bodies, the effective zoom range is 105-450mm or, for Canon cameras, a slightly...

This budget superzoom option boasts close focusing and low-dispersion glass, but what do we think of it overall?

Close-up facility

No image stabilisation

I purchased this as a gift. This is a pretty good entry level tele zoom. Low light performance suffers without a monopod or tripod, and the af is slow sometimes, especially in low light, but pre-focus manually first, not a problem getting sharp images.

Very sharp even wide open

No IS; Plastic mount

I love this lens, yes it is slow in low light conditions but on a daylight it is perfect, sharp and great zoom. Also macro mode is very good.

Durable; Lightweight; Nice Bokeh; Sharp Cheap Macro

Noisy Slow In Low Light; Poor in Low Light

I wanted a longer lens for my Canon, but I knew I wouldn't use it enough to justify buying L-glass or some other high-priced lens. This fit the bill and what arrived was just what I wanted -- a lens that I could pull out to meet a special need, even if it didn't have the optical quality of another...

Easily Interchangeable; Lightweight; Strong Construction

No Image Stabilization

Camera is a quality seller of camera equipment. I have always had great service.

This lens is an incredible bargain.

Consistent Output; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Lightweight; Strong Construction

This lens slid under my radar for a long time. How did I not know about this I have two Canon lens (85mm and a 50mm) both manufactured by Canon. I needed something that I could focus from a greater length and this was it. I ordered a 70-200mm from Canon and it was just too heavy.

I bought the Tamron LD A17 70-300 mm lens for my Sony A-65. I had two good reasons for choosing the Tamron: the price and the warranty. It takes beautiful long-distance shots and macros. I think I received a great deal and will be looking at Tamron for any future lenses.

This is a full frame lens and I'm using it on a crop sensor body. I am very pleased with the image quality. Real life isn't tack sharp why should the images we capture be any different?

Inexpensive

Auto Focus noisy and sluggish