Tamron 18-400mm Lens Trial (Page 2): It looks as if it’s getting its job done. :sm24:...

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

docshark wrote:

Over the Thanksgiving vacation we went to Texas to visit the son and grandkids. I wanted to give my new Tamron lens a try. I was hoping for more than the very limited amount of dragonflies to shoot. Anyway, here are a few shots with the new lens. I think I'm going to like it. It will be a great travel and all-around lens. Most of these shots are right out of the camera.
-Doc

It looks as if it’s getting its job done.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

Hi doc! Nice pictures! I hope you enjoy your lens. I am shopping for a zoom in that range myself.

Thanks Mark. I know I'm not going to get the IQ of my Canon 300 L prime but it was a lot easier to take on vacation and the zoom is quite different from moving the camera. Like everything new here's a learning curve to get what you consider good quality shots.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

DOOK wrote:

Good ones, Doc--well shot. I think Tamron's on a winner with this one--it is selling well & the feedback is all good. It focuses pretty close, so it should be good on dragons?

Thanks so much Earl. I did a lot of research on this one and as you said it was all coming back as being a good lens. One factor I considered was the fact that nobody could keep the Canon model in stock. I started looking back in June and finally got one in November and the gentleman said it was the last they had in stock. Yes I like the focus well as the zoom and I never use auto focus.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

fourg1b2006 wrote:

Nice variety of subjects...well done. Good luck with your new lens.

Thank you Marty. I wanted to show the zoom feature and what it could do and a variety of closer subjects since I shoot 90% dragons. I like it already. When I learn some of these enhancement features everyone uses they may be even better.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

divergeorge wrote:

Loved the bugs and the lady!

I love them too George! They turned out pretty good for a first try. I love your underwater shots. I dove for many years and could never get the shots that you do.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

angler wrote:

Good set Doc and it looks like you've bought a very good lens.

I like it Jim but as you know there's a lot to learn with new equipment. I like the zoom feature. Usually I just move in as close as i need to when shooting dragonflies but sometimes I need to get closer with a prime lens and I scare them away. Thanks for looking and your comment. Much appreciated.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Mike Fos wrote:

Very good pictures. One thing. The sign says no animal contact is allowed with the water. Do the local deer or raccoons read signs?

I doubt it Mike but the people who live along the Green Belt used to train their duck dogs in there and I guess they felt the warning was a better-safe-than-sorry posting. Thanks for looking, and for the nice comment. Much appreciated.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

jaymatt wrote:

It looks as if it’s getting its job done.

I like it so far John. I haven't really had the time to give it a good run yet. As soon as things warm up I'll give it another try. Thanks for looking.
-Doc

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

In my considerations of upgrading my long lens (the ancient and rather challenging Canon 100-300mm L), I was certainly considering a prime lens. But like you say that means that 'zoom' is a matter of moving. I felt that on occassions that would be limiting. What if i had to step off a cliff, or stand in poison ivy. Moving changes the angle of view, and so on. So I am looking at zooms.
For your lens, reviews can of course provide insite into good settings for best use. Here is one: https://www.dpreview.com/samples/9152094990/gallery-impressions-tamron-18-400-f3-5-6-3
And here is one with some data: https://www.ephotozine.com/article/tamron-18-400mm-f-3-5-6-3-di-ii-vc-hld-review-31259
Looks like the lens will be sharpest near the center, and the best aperture for sharpness changes with focal length. At 200 - 400 mm, the sharpest apertures are f/11 and f/16. But of course you will want to go with faster shutter speeds at longer focal length.

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

docshark wrote:

Over the Thanksgiving vacation we went to Texas to visit the son and grandkids. I wanted to give my new Tamron lens a try. I was hoping for more than the very limited amount of dragonflies to shoot. Anyway, here are a few shots with the new lens. I think I'm going to like it. It will be a great travel and all-around lens. Most of these shots are right out of the camera.
-Doc

Doc these photos seem to be a little soft and from what I understand is that all photos taken with a censer camera such as the 80D needs PP. That's the nature of a censer. I hope you bon't mind but I took your butterfly photo and did a less then 30 second PP in PSE14 here you can see the difference and how sharp the lens really is.... Rich

Your photo
Your photo...

(Download)

PP in PSE 14
PP in PSE 14...

(Download)

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

In my considerations of upgrading my long lens (th... (show quote)

Thanks for the info Mark. I really have to work with this lens to really make it do what others can do with it.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

RWCRNC wrote:

Thanks for the thumb up Rebecca.
-Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

bigwolf40 wrote:

Doc these photos seem to be a little soft and from what I understand is that all photos taken with a censer camera such as the 80D needs PP. That's the nature of a censer. I hope you bon't mind but I took your butterfly photo and did a less then 30 second PP in PSE14 here you can see the difference and how sharp the lens really is.... Rich

Thanks Rich. I like what you have done with this shot. I really need how to work on my photos.
-Doc

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Both you and the Tamron are working well Doc, very good downloads.