[JMitchell]

Hi there,
Was looking to get a lens for my birthday in February, and found this Tamron:
Tamron AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD Macro - warehouseexpress.com
Now I know it's a 'big zoom' lens which seems to be a disputed aspect in dSLR and normal single lens reflex photography, but I pretty much need it for two reasons: I like taking macros, and can never get close enough, and I like taking sports, and my 18-70mm isn't gonna get there.
There seem to be no reviews on here about it, but I've checked out some others, but prefer to have word of mouth kind of opinion. What do you guys think? The only other contender is the Nikkor 70-300 G (not VR, not ED), so if that's better please tell me.

Thanks for the help guys,

JM

[shipwack]

I have this lens. and I love it. This is the lens I've used for my pictures in the macro and nature galleries here. My macro of a butterfly is my best rated ever.

One nice thing about it is that it comes with a lens hood, saving you a few dollars (or pounds).

My only complaint about it is that sometimes the lens is a little difficult to get out of macro mode, but I think that is more due to operator error on my part than a mechanical flaw.

[Dave]

I have owned the Nikon 70-300mm G lens before. It's built to a budget, but does the job. It does give a softer image nearer the 300mm end, but I've experienced the same with the Sigma 70-300 also.

[Dabhand16]

Afraid I can't comment on modern telephoto lenses as I've not bought a telephoto since my 80-210 Tamron about 25 years ago!

[stepheno]

Originally Posted by JMitchell

.......but I pretty much need it for two reasons: I like taking macros, and can never get close enough.....

I'm sorry to be a damper on things but you mention macro. This is not a macro lens, they quote macro capability but I would call it close-up since it only gives a 1:2 ratio. Have a read of this paragraph from WExp website -

Macro Effect of 1:2 in Telephoto Zoom Range
Flipping a macro switch in the focal length range of 180mm to 300mm allows entry into the macro range, for photography as close as 95cm (37.4”) from the subject. In the macro range, one can take advantage of the telephoto effect and a maximum magnification ratio up to 1:2. (In normal shooting ranges, the minimum focus distance is 1.5m.) In addition, since the focal length in the macro range spans from 180mm to 300mm, zooming can also be used to adjust composition.

Focusing distance is just short of a meter

[JMitchell]

Originally Posted by stepheno

I'm sorry to be a damper on things but you mention macro. This is not a macro lens, they quote macro capability but I would call it close-up since it only gives a 1:2 ratio. Have a read of this paragraph from WExp website -

Macro Effect of 1:2 in Telephoto Zoom Range
Flipping a macro switch in the focal length range of 180mm to 300mm allows entry into the macro range, for photography as close as 95cm (37.4”) from the subject. In the macro range, one can take advantage of the telephoto effect and a maximum magnification ratio up to 1:2. (In normal shooting ranges, the minimum focus distance is 1.5m.) In addition, since the focal length in the macro range spans from 180mm to 300mm, zooming can also be used to adjust composition.

Focusing distance is just short of a meter

And your point is....it's not like I will only have this lens, I have an 18-70 as well. I don't mean macro as in being right next to the subject, I mean macro as in capturing close detail from a distance, so more tele-macro I suppose. Does that make more sense?

[daveyuk]

JM
I can't comment on this choice as I've never used a lens from Tamron.

However I would like to bring these two lenses to your attention

Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM.
http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...uct/146/cat/14
With a 2x TC you get a 400mm lens at f5.6 plus you can still use the AF
Sigma 100-300 f4 EX HSM.
http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...uct/148/cat/14

Both lenses are bit on the pricey side but they are very very good, have a read of the reviews.

Hope this helps

[stepheno]

Originally Posted by JMitchell

And your point is....it's not like I will only have this lens, I have an 18-70 as well. I don't mean macro as in being right next to the subject, I mean macro as in capturing close detail from a distance, so more tele-macro I suppose. Does that make more sense?

Sorry J - it's just when someone says Macro I assume they mean Macro as in 1:1. If you mean close-up then the Tamron will probably be fine

[JMitchell]

Originally Posted by daveyuk

JM
I can't comment on this choice as I've never used a lens from Tamron.

However I would like to bring these two lenses to your attention

Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM.
http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...uct/146/cat/14
With a 2x TC you get a 400mm lens at f5.6 plus you can still use the AF
Sigma 100-300 f4 EX HSM.
http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...uct/148/cat/14

Both lenses are bit on the pricey side but they are very very good, have a read of the reviews.

Hope this helps

Thanks for those links, however I fear these are way more expensive than I can afford. I can only really go up to about £200, which I know is not much, but that is why I was asking, what is the best for that price.

Originally Posted by stepheno

Sorry J - it's just when someone says Macro I assume they mean Macro as in 1:1. If you mean close-up then the Tamron will probably be fine

Well 1:1 would be nice, but only if you have about £700 to spare :P .