Question for Tamron 18-400 owners: Hi group, I've not gotten an answer via Google so I turn to those of you with this lens. The spec's on-line show a "minimum focus distance of a...

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi group,
I've not gotten an answer via Google so I turn to those of you with this lens. The spec's on-line show a "minimum focus distance of a little bit less than 18 inches. What I can't find is if that "minimum distance" is the same throughout the complete zoom range or only on the 18mm end? By comparison, my Nikkor 28-200 has an 18" near focus distance throughout the complete zoom range.

Also for you 18-400 owners: What are your thoughts regarding this lens? Sharpness? Focus? Etc.? Thanks in advance for your comments. Take care & ...

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Al Beatty wrote:

Hi group, br I've not gotten an answer via Google ... (show quote)

Its throughout the zoom range Al.
I don't personally use crop sensor lenses at all but I have several customers that have bought this lens and absolutely love it. One recently returned from Africa and it was the only lens he used on his D500 body.

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

Hi Al,

I have this lens and use it on my Canon 7D ii. I absolutely love it. Some say it is not as sharp at 400, but I don't see that. I would highly recommend it.

SparkyNYC Loc: NYC & Coconut Creek,Fl

Just some shots to show clarity
Fooling around at my cousins glass studio in CA.
A firefly in a Fl reserve an hour before sunset.
I keep trying to change to prime lenses,but I keep on going back to my Tamron.
The more I use it,the more that i love it.
I hear the beach calling me this afternoon.

My cousins glass studio-18mm
My cousins glass studio-18mm...

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better background-29mm
better background-29mm...

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Firefly in Fl-400mm
Firefly in Fl-400mm...

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mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Here are my thoughts on the lens https://www.photobee1blog.com/2018/04/my-view-of-the-tamron-18-400-mm-lens-for-apc-cameras/

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

SparkyNYC wrote:

Just some shots to show clarity
Fooling around at my cousins glass studio in CA.
A firefly in a Fl reserve an hour before sunset.
I keep trying to change to prime lenses,but I keep on going back to my Tamron.
The more I use it,the more that i love it.
I hear the beach calling me this afternoon.

You do realize that none of your images are sharp, correct? The middle one is the sharpest of the three, but even it is a bit soft. The insect is very soft. Superzoom lenses can be fun and very useful and are great for walk around purposes, but the downside is one must accept the compromises to image quality, especially sharpness.

Since you used glass sculpture for your example, I thought I would do the same. This image was taken through a thick glass museum case with a Sigma 18-35 mm lens at 23mm. The aperture was f/2.8, the shutter speed 1/40, and the ISO 640.

For me, good sharpness is important. Earlier on I used superzoom lenses like many others, but soon realized that the compromises and negatives outweighed the very real positives and now I only use primes and small focal range zooms. Having said that, for a superzoom lens, the Tamron 18-400 seems to be the pick of the litter and is the one I would get if I was so inclined.

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Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi group,
Carter, thanks for answering my question about the focus range and a very big thank you to all who have offered their comments on this lens. I think I'll get the Tamron 18-400 to keep on my D7200 as a grab & run camera. In so doing I can move my favorite lens back to my D750 from where I stole it. I hate switching lenses back and forth on camera(s) and the Tamron can get the 28-200 back to its D750 home. Take care & ...

Piman-jimc

The 18-400 has become the only lens in my bag with my D7000. I occasionally do close up work, but most of my photos are of competitive swimming, travel, and family shots where I need a variety of focal lengths. I am very pleased with the lens. The first pic I'm including was taken at about 350-400mm from mid bleachers at the pool with relatively poor lighting, at 1/400th. The second, was of my grandson's graduation. It was taken at near 400mm from mid bleachers, from the opposite end of the Wichita State University Koch basketball arena [full court length], also at 1/400th.
Jim C.

Papaofnine Loc: Green Bay, WI

I believe you'll really enjoy the Tamron 18-400. I use it on my Canon 80D. It's obviously not as sharp as primes or short, high priced zooms, but very acceptable if you're not a pixel-peeper, or shooting for professional resolution pics. I'm not in those categories, so I really enjoy the versatility of the Tamron 18-400.
Just a suggestion...
When I first got my Tamron last year, the focus was not spot on in some areas of focal focal lengths. Due to the lens having 8 basic focal lengths from 18mm to 400mm, I decided not to try to micro-adjust the lens myself. I sent my camera and lens into Tamron for them to micro-adjust focus (my only cost was sending them in). It's now spot on. I highly recommend your doing this...sure glad I did.
Best to you...hope you enjoy the Tamron as much as I do!

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

My thanks again to everyone for their comments and suggestions. It looks like a Tamron 18-400 is in my future! Take care & ...

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

SparkyNYC wrote:

Just some shots to show clarity
Fooling around at my cousins glass studio in CA.
A firefly in a Fl reserve an hour before sunset.
I keep trying to change to prime lenses,but I keep on going back to my Tamron.
The more I use it,the more that i love it.
I hear the beach calling me this afternoon.

I've been debating whether I'm going to buy this lens for a long time. I think you've just persuaded me to grab it. Thanks.

Poppa

It is the only lens I use except for my Tamron 150 to 600 and basic wide angle lens and well worth the $ for me.

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

I also went to Africa and only took my Tamaron 18-400. I works great, probably not as good as a prime, but for my purposes it was fine. Perhaps some pros have a couple of comments?

ceallachain Loc: Cape May, NJ

Recently purchased for river trip in Europe. Only lens I needed. Sometimes going from a zoom to closeup there was a focusing issue but I adjusted to that. Great lens.

Al Beatty wrote:

Hi group, br I've not gotten an answer via Google ... (show quote)

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Chiming in here - I took three lenses on a recent trip to Scotland and used the Tamron almost exclusively. It got quite a workout in all types of conditions, including night shots and performed very well. It will be the only lens to go on the next trip and will save quite a bit of weight in my bag!