Lens Opinion: I was wondering if anyone has used the Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras ... I Have a Nikon D3000. I shoot for fun but have...

Opal Loc: Southwest Michigan

I was wondering if anyone has used the Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras ... I Have a Nikon D3000. I shoot for fun but have also been helping a few people out with Senior Pictures and the occasional low budget wedding .. I typically do not charge I just like to do it and hey I can help someone who can't afford a "real professional" ... Anyway I am looking for something that is affordable so I am not having to switch my lens so much ... What are your thoughts??

I was also looking at the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM for Nikon

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Some "real professionals" might oppose your approach.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Opal wrote:

I was wondering if anyone has used the Tamron AF 1... (show quote)

for a casual lens the tamron 18-270 is fine. if you want to improve your portrait (wedding senior pics) try the Nikon micro 60mm instead of the 18-250 macro, much better lens for the camera you are using.

Opal Loc: Southwest Michigan

Kmgw9v wrote:

Some "real professionals" might oppose your approach.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. A friends daughter had zero budget for a wedding photographer so doing her photos was my gift so her grandmother could enjoy the wedding instead of take the pictures. Another friend of the family is getting married and I agreed to do her wedding for free because her wedding money was used to bury her brother last year. My kids have friends that are low income and if I didn't do them for free they would not have had senior pictures at all ... I did not mean to offend anyone by my post. I just know my limitations and don't want to take credit for being a professional when I have a long way to go before earning that title.

Opal Loc: Southwest Michigan

orrie smith wrote:

for a casual lens the tamron 18-270 is fine. if you want to improve your portrait (wedding senior pics) try the Nikon micro 60mm instead of the 18-250 macro, much better lens for the camera you are using.

Thank you I will check it out :-)

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Opal wrote:

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. A friends... (show quote)

what he means is there are some people on this thread that think their opinion is the only opinion and anyone not agreeing with them are idiots. please ignore the negative opinions given and keep up the great work. it is a way to help others and gain experience at the same time. good job and great attitude.

Kevin.M Loc: Forked River, NJ

Opal wrote:

I was wondering if anyone has used the Tamron AF 1... (show quote)

Both lenses you mention, from what I read, are not that good in low light. If you can stretch your budget, I would look at the Nikon 16-80mm lens, also you can try the 35mm prime, I've used that lens on my D7100 and the results are great, the only draw back is it isn't a zoom lens, you have to zoom with your feet. Rather than spend money on a lens that won't give you great results, try out some lenses by renting before you buy.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Opal wrote:

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. A friends... (show quote)

I am not a pro, and am not offended. I also understand your reasons for shooting the weddings that you reference.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I commend your generosity Opal! :D

Opal Loc: Southwest Michigan

Kevin.M wrote:

Both lenses you mention, from what I read, are not that good in low light. If you can stretch your budget, I would look at the Nikon 16-80mm lens, also you can try the 35mm prime, I've used that lens on my D7100 and the results are great, the only draw back is it isn't a zoom lens, you have to zoom with your feet. Rather than spend money on a lens that won't give you great results, try out some lenses by renting before you buy.

That one is a little out of my budget ... However I will keep my eye open for a used one .... Another person mentioned renting a lens ... I need to check out the shop the next city over ... All the camera shops in my city went out of business :-(

Opal Loc: Southwest Michigan

I want to thank everyone for the suggestions and encouragement.. I will take a look at the other options and think I will pass on my original find :-)

Don L G

I have shot a number of low budget weddings and I have found that the 16-85DX Nikon to be grate on my D300s.

A little help other people from time to time is a good thing.

Good luck and keep shooting.

Don

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Opal wrote:

I was wondering if anyone has used the Tamron AF 1... (show quote)

The Nikon 18-200 is ok, but not exceptional - the others you are considering aren't even close. I would also pass on the Nikon 18-300 - it is not as good as the 18-200 - that is if you really need a 10:1 zoom.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Opal wrote:

I was wondering if anyone has used the Tamron AF 1... (show quote)

I had the Canon EF version of the Tamron 18-270 lens back when I was using a Canon Rebel. After a period of time using it, I went back to the two-lens solution I'd been using before I got that lens, and I did not get a comparable lens when I switched to Pentax. I found that in most cases I knew before I ever took my camera out of the bag which lens range I'd be using (18-55 or 70-300 in this case), so I didn't really gain anything by having the super-zoom lens. On the other hand, the super-zoom lens was more weight to lug around, and lenses like that always involve extra compromises - smaller widest aperture, poorer off-center sharpness, etc.

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

I have both the Sigma 18-250 and the NIkon 18-200. In my opinion the Sigma is heavy and the adjustment to change the lens focal length works the opposite of Nikon lenses. I don't know about the Tamron but you could check for the weight of each before buying either at the manufacturers site of B&H lists the specifications for each lens. I am assuming Adorama and other sites do as well.

I use the Nikon 18-200 with my D300s frequently although I have a 24-70 f 2.8 and a 70-200 f 2.8. Some people think the lenses in question have problems in low light. This is true but you could change your iso which would help.