Tamron 18-400mm Tips: Hello Hoggers, I recently purchased a Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD All-In-One lens. It's coupled to a Nikon D 5300. I would like some input from...

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

Hello Hoggers,
I recently purchased a Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD All-In-One lens. It's coupled to a Nikon D 5300. I would like some input from owners/users of this lens, such as Tips & Tricks, sweet spots for various zoom ranges, or general usage comments.
BTW, I found it on eBay, in Mint condition with box & documents for half of retail @ BPH or Adorama, so I couldn't pass it up.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

My lens stayed on my D5300 for nine months, including being the only lens I needed for a two-week trip to Ireland in 2018. I don’t have any comments about sweet spots. I think it’s a little stiff zooming, but I am used to that by now. I’ve used it less lately because I am doing come macro stuff, but had it back on for the hummingbirds two weeks ago. I am glad I got it.

MURRAY BASS

I am a photo journalist in NJ The 18-400 Tamron lens attached to my Canon 90D makes my job easy Rather than lugging 2 bodies and a bunch of lens, I have simplified the process There is nothing I cannot shoot. The only mild problem that I have learned to overcome is a stiffness when adjusting the zoom

wetreed

If you can stop down a little it improves the image quality.

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

Starman441 wrote:

Hello Hoggers,
I recently purchased a Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD All-In-One lens. It's coupled to a Nikon D 5300. I would like some input from owners/users of this lens, such as Tips & Tricks, sweet spots for various zoom ranges, or general usage comments.
BTW, I found it on eBay, in Mint condition with box & documents for half of retail @ BPH or Adorama, so I couldn't pass it up.

Like what others said, a little stiff when zooming. If I may add, a little bit heavy. No big deal unless you have some physical issues such as arthritic hands. Once you get used to it, you don't mind. Other than the above minor negatives, great picture quality and an all-around lens.
.

Tamron 18-400mm @ 40 mm
Tamron 18-400mm @ 40 mm...

(Download)

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

newsguygeorge wrote:

My lens stayed on my D5300 for nine months, including being the only lens I needed for a two-week trip to Ireland in 2018. I don’t have any comments about sweet spots. I think it’s a little stiff zooming, but I am used to that by now. I’ve used it less lately because I am doing come macro stuff, but had it back on for the hummingbirds two weeks ago. I am glad I got it.

Thanks George. I'll U/L some pics to my PC from this lens tonight and go from there. The zoom is stiff, for sure, but not as 'sketchy' as the Sigma 18-300 that I had. I returned the Sigma for overall performance issues. I like the Tamron much better for functionality.

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

Sunnely wrote:

Like what others said, a little stiff when zooming. If I may add, a little bit heavy. No big deal unless you have some physical issues such as arthritic hands. Once you get used to it, you don't mind. Other than the above minor negatives, great picture quality and an all-around lens.
.

Hi Sunnely,
Thanks for your comments. BTW, nice photo. So far, the Tamron seems much better overall than the Sigma 18-300 that I had. It's definitely heavy, but I'll get used to it. Minor trade off for the optical reach.

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

wetreed wrote:

If you can stop down a little it improves the image quality.

Hi Wetreed,
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give that a try. I'm going to experiment with it some more, & then check results.

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

MURRAY BASS wrote:

I am a photo journalist in NJ The 18-400 Tamron lens attached to my Canon 90D makes my job easy Rather than lugging 2 bodies and a bunch of lens, I have simplified the process There is nothing I cannot shoot. The only mild problem that I have learned to overcome is a stiffness when adjusting the zoom

Hi Murray,
Thanks for the encouraging info. I look forward to getting out in the wild to see what it will do.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Sunnely wrote:

Like what others said, a little stiff when zooming. If I may add, a little bit heavy. No big deal unless you have some physical issues such as arthritic hands. Once you get used to it, you don't mind. Other than the above minor negatives, great picture quality and an all-around lens.
.

Very nice shot.

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

Micro adjust the focus would be my 1st tip

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

Starman441 wrote:

Hi Sunnely,
Thanks for your comments. BTW, nice photo. So far, the Tamron seems much better overall than the Sigma 18-300 that I had. It's definitely heavy, but I'll get used to it. Minor trade off for the optical reach.

You're welcome, Starman. I'm sure you'll enjoy your Tamron. The extra reach is definitely a big plus for most outdoor shooting.

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

Architect1776 wrote:

Very nice shot.

Thanks much.

A couple of sweeps with LR seem to help.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

newsguygeorge wrote:

My lens stayed on my D5300 for nine months, including being the only lens I needed for a two-week trip to Ireland in 2018. I don’t have any comments about sweet spots. I think it’s a little stiff zooming, but I am used to that by now. I’ve used it less lately because I am doing come macro stuff, but had it back on for the hummingbirds two weeks ago. I am glad I got it.

I'm going to Ireland next June for my own 2-week trip. Did you have any problems with taking interior pics? I'm thinking of renting one (or an a99ii with a ff version of a similar lens). Was SUPPOSED to go to Spain and Portugal 6 days form now :(

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

NormanTheGr8 wrote:

Micro adjust the focus would be my 1st tip

Hi Norman,
Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately micro adjust is not available on my Nikon D5300. I will try the Tamron "Tap in" module in the near future. So far, my shots with this lens have been pretty sharp.