DebAnn Loc: Toronto

This is model number B028. Does anyone have this lens? If so, could you please report your findings. Was it a good choice? I'd like to receive feedback from actual users, not stuff people have read on the net. I'm interested in photographing wildlife in Africa.

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

If you are planning a trip to Africa I would spend more money than this for a better lens. Probably a couple of lenses instead of an all-in-one.

The 28-75 A09 is a very nice lens ( have it). The latest 100-400 from Tamron is also well reviewed.

I used to own the Tamron 70-200 and 28-300, latest versions. I sold the 28-300 because the MFA did not work properly with my cameras. The optics were nice but I could only adjust one value from 70-300. Below 70mm the value dropped monotonically by about 7 points to get to 28mm. So it was not as useful to me unless I was using smaller apertures at smaller focal lengths.
The 70-200 was nice but the MFA did not adjust at all. I was lucky that it worked nicely whatever the value was set for. I sold it because for my shooting (Birds typically) I just did not use it as much as I had thought I would.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

DebAnn, there are a lot of UHH member that use this lens and one lady in England has carried it all around the world including the USA and Africa. To my knowledge she only has a kit lens as her other lens. Having a back up lens would be important to me for a trip of that type but I believe an extra body maybe even more important than another lens and of course a lot of memory cards and batteries. If your were to search for "Tamron 18-400mm" you will find a lot of additional feedback.

Greg

I just did the search "Tamron 18-400mm" and got a page full of topics on this lens. Greg

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Greg, you're talking about Sylvia, and she has made many amazing images all around the world using this lens almost exclusively. Many other members have also made exceptional imaged using this lens. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one!

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Thanks Greg. I did do the search and the two posts on an 18-400 lens are from 2017. There is a full page Tamron ad in the Dec 2018 issue of Outdoor Photographer, advertising the B028 version of the 18-400 lens. I assume this is their latest version. This is the specific lens I'm interested in.

MarciaES

I purchased this lens about a year ago for my Nikon 5300 and absolutely love it. I got it because my other telephoto lens (55-300) just didn't pull in the animals I was going to be photographing on an Alaska land/cruise trip that I had used before. I was, and still am, very pleased with it's performance. I also have a Sigma 10-20 for wide angle shots and these are my 2 main lenses I use. Love them both.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Little piece of advise, if going to Africa buy or rent a better lens.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I find this lens is an all around good basic lens On a cropped camera it is equivalent of 600 mm on the long end

Girl with A Canon Loc: Myrtle Beach,SC

Hi DebAnn, I own the Tamron 18-400mm lens it lives on my camera. I have 3 Canon L series lens that now live in my camera bag. I went to Africa a few years back with OAT. For that trip I took two cameras with me my Canon Rebel With then I had the Tamron 16-300mm and as the Canon SX50 had just come out I got that. Two days into the trip I began to leave my Rebel in the camp and only used my SX50. So many others on the safari used long lenses most had only up to 400mm as most were older. They got good shots but my little all in one got so much more then them. For instance I got the birds up close that they just could not zoom in on. We went to see hippos in a lake one day they were far off and I was the only one that could get up close to them with my zoom. You might want to check out the newest version of the SX. Also seeing as I did not have a lens that dust or water could get in I was better off. But what I did learn on that trip was take photos yes but put the camera down and sit there and enjoy the sights. I am attaching my hippo that was floating on its back. I was the only one out of 15 that got this shot close up.

Attached file:
(Download)

wetreed

I have had this lens since July and love it. It’s the most versatile lens ever. If you are not worried about a wide angle capability go with the Tamron 150-600 g2 . You can’t go wrong with either.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Tamron 18-400 mm is one of my favorite lenses, especially for outdoor sports.

Toby

I have some Canon lenses and a few Tamron. I bought this lens about a year or so ago for it's range. It is seldom off of my camera except for when I shoot night sports or a darker gym and need high speed. I am very pleased with it for my use.

azlynn Loc: Arizona

I have this lens and use it as my walk-around lens. A bit heavy, when paired with my camera, but so what? I really like it. A word of caution: when in Africa on safari, beware of changing lenses out in the bush... dust is everywhere, and with static electricity, you can get a lot of dust/grit in your camera if you are not careful. The two camera bodies suggestion is a good one...

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I found the 28 -300 to be much faster focusing.

Carlosu

The lens will do just fine. I used mine. The only issue I found is that the Safari outings are early morning (5:30-6:00) and the afternoon drives end at dusk. Sometimes you run out of light. A faster lense for backup may be useful and it need not have that long a reach. If you are going on a private Safari, you will be so close to the animals that you won’t need that much reach.