[silkstone]

You'd have thought they'd have to make this lens really huge just to fit the name on it, but actually it seems fairly compact (at 18mm anyway). It is Tamron's latest all-in-one travel lens, following the success of the 18-200 and 18-250. As well as having an even greater zoom range, the new 18-270 (etc, etc) has 'VC' which is not a medal but 'Vibration Compensation'. It is, of course, for APS-C sensors only.

There's a review here...

Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

The ratings in the conclusions seem a little harsh given the nature of the lens and also its high performance in many areas, although the recently introduced Canon 18-200 didn't fare very well on this review site either.

The Tamron 18-270 could well be worth a look for anyone wanting a decent travel lens or to avoid lens-swapping in dusty conditions. I've long been a fan of the 18-200 and this adds even greater range and image stabilisation.

EDIT/ Current price in the UK seems to be about £440.

ANOTHER EDIT/ This reviewer says it's better than the Nikon 18-200 VR, and promises an update...

http://www.photolectic.com/reviews/l...omparison.html