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Kit lenses vs all in one lens
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May 4, 2014 07:46:51   #
tor24tor Loc: Caldwell, NJ
 
I have Nikon 18-55mm & 55-200 lenses on my D7000 and am weighing trading in both Nikon lenses for a Tamron 18-270mm all in one zoom. Experience? Thoughts? Opinions?

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May 4, 2014 07:50:27   #
LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY
 
tor24tor wrote:
I have Nikon 18-55mm & 55-200 lenses on my D7000 and am weighing trading in both Nikon lenses for a Tamron 18-270mm all in one zoom. Experience? Thoughts? Opinions?


I am not familiar with either lens, but you should keep in mind that, in general, the wider the zoom span the more likely image quality will suffer at some point. Newer lenses have improved that issue but it still exists with many lenses.

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May 4, 2014 07:53:39   #
The Fonz Loc: Queensland, mate!
 
I don't know about the tamron's build- and image quality (likely fine), but it is a hefty chunk to carry around; i.e. heavier than both of your existing lenses together. The main question will be therefore weight vs. convenience. 90% of the time I have been using the amazingly good 18-55 on my DX camera when I go out. So, buy it by all means, but perhaps keep your 18-55 as a back up; you won't get much for it anyway.

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May 4, 2014 07:58:08   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
tor24tor wrote:
I have Nikon 18-55mm & 55-200 lenses on my D7000 and am weighing trading in both Nikon lenses for a Tamron 18-270mm all in one zoom. Experience? Thoughts? Opinions?

How about the Nikon 18-200mm? Look for comparisons of those two lenses, Nikon vs Tamron. Take a look at what Dxo has to say.

http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Nikon-AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-18-200mm-F35-56G-ED-VR-II-versus-AF-18-270mm-f-3.5-6.3-Di-II-VC-LD-Aspherical-IF-Macro-Nikon-on-Nikon-D7000-versus-AF-S-NIKKOR-55-300mm-f-4.5-5.6G-DX-ED-VR-on-Nikon-D7000___554_0_251_680_324_680

I'm surprised that DxO never tested the popular Nikon 18-200mm lens. As for the Tamron/Nikon comparison, there isn't a lot of difference in the test results, but the Tamron has more at the wide end, 18mm vs 55mm.

Whatever tele you get, I would keep the 18-55mm lens. If you sell it, you won't get a fortune for it, but you might want a smaller lighter lens at some point.

I haven't checked prices, but that's always a big factor.

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May 4, 2014 08:21:51   #
tor24tor Loc: Caldwell, NJ
 
Thanks. Everyone brings up a god point, and it is always difficult giving up a Nikon lens! May have to adjust my thinking and look into a good "walk around" Nikon lens instead.

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May 4, 2014 08:23:37   #
Clarkster Loc: Germansville, PA
 
You may want to try www.dpreview.com to get a good review of both Tamaron and Nikon DX lenses. Confusing in that every zoom lens has its strengths and weaknesses. Even the most expensive.:-)

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May 4, 2014 09:27:55   #
crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida
 
tor24tor wrote:
I have Nikon 18-55mm & 55-200 lenses on my D7000 and am weighing trading in both Nikon lenses for a Tamron 18-270mm all in one zoom. Experience? Thoughts? Opinions?


I use the Tamron almost exclusively on my D7000 and wouldn't go out without it

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May 4, 2014 09:31:01   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
I have an Nikon 18-200 f/3.5 for my D7100. It is great walking-around lens.
tor24tor wrote:
I have Nikon 18-55mm & 55-200 lenses on my D7000 and am weighing trading in both Nikon lenses for a Tamron 18-270mm all in one zoom. Experience? Thoughts? Opinions?

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May 4, 2014 09:34:44   #
Hypno Loc: Miami
 
The Tamron 18-270 covers a lot of distance great walk around, less to carry and no dirty sensor from changing lenses

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May 5, 2014 05:42:06   #
wingnut1956 Loc: chicago
 
I have the same setup..replaced the 2 kit lenses with the tamron 18-270 and love it! Saves a lot of time swapping lenses which is better for the camera (less chance of a mishap or dust getting in the body), and the pics seem fine to me. It's my favorite lens to carry around and it's not all that bulky. I was looking at B&H yesterday and it's got a $100.00 rebate now and you can have it for only $349.00 which which is a great price

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May 5, 2014 05:46:48   #
MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley
 
I have the 18-270 Tammy, and I love it. I wouldn't use any other lens for a walking around lens. I had the 18-135 kit lens when I bought the camera. Sold it on eBay, and it paid for 2/3s of the Tamron.

Money well spent for the Tamron but you ymmv

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May 5, 2014 06:54:18   #
Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK
 
The Fonz wrote:
I don't know about the tamron's build- and image quality (likely fine), but it is a hefty chunk to carry around; i.e. heavier than both of your existing lenses together.


???????

Nikon 18 - 55 mm Dimensions: 8 x 7.3 x 7.3 cm ; 263 g
Nikon 55 - 200mm lens Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm ; 336 g
Total 599 g + extra for filters and lens hoods.

Tamron 18 - 270mm lens Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm ; 449 g

I use the Tamron all the time when out and find it very convienient and useful.

As for quality; my neighbour - a member of several top photographic societies - used the older Tamron 18 - 270 for several years and as well as being successful in selling her pictures, has won many competitions in those societies. She now has the newer version but still keeps to the one lens.

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May 5, 2014 07:04:18   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
tor24tor wrote:
I have Nikon 18-55mm & 55-200 lenses on my D7000 and am weighing trading in both Nikon lenses for a Tamron 18-270mm all in one zoom. Experience? Thoughts? Opinions?


I've used all three. If you don't mind switching lenses, and are ok with 200mm being your max focal length, you will get better results with the kit lenses. At the short end, the Tamron is marginal, with acceptable center and edge sharpness at F8, but not nearly as good at F3.5. At longer focal lengths, center sharpness drop off a bit, and beyond 100mm corners are just not acceptable at any aperture. Performance at 270mm is pretty underwhelming.

In contrast, the kit lenses do a good job, with excellent centers and very good to excellent corners and edges, with the best results at F8. Both are good wide open as well.

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May 5, 2014 07:18:03   #
Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK
 
Gene51 wrote:
I've used all three. If you don't mind switching lenses, and are ok with 200mm being your max focal length, you will get better results with the kit lenses. At the short end, the Tamron is marginal, with acceptable center and edge sharpness at F8, but not nearly as good at F3.5. At longer focal lengths, center sharpness drop off a bit, and beyond 100mm corners are just not acceptable at any aperture. Performance at 270mm is pretty underwhelming.

In contrast, the kit lenses do a good job, with excellent centers and very good to excellent corners and edges, with the best results at F8. Both are good wide open as well.
I've used all three. If you don't mind switching l... (show quote)


If you are a pixel peeper you may consider the Tamron 'marginal' - but Photographic magazine comparison tests on the old 18 - 200 mm showed it to compare very favorably with the Nikon lens - but at almost half the price.

As for the 18 - 270mm I prefer actual picture results rather than lab tests so check out actual pictures at;
http://www.photozone.de/reviews/412-tamron_18270_3563vc_canon?start=2

They can be downloaded and magnified as much as you want so that you can make your own decision on quality.

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May 5, 2014 07:20:39   #
tor24tor Loc: Caldwell, NJ
 
Thanks again, everyone, for your thoughts. I am going to rent the Tamron 18-270 for several days and do a comparison for myself.

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