Tamron 18-400mm Zoom Lens: Hi Everybody, Has anyone had experience with the new Tamron 18-400 zoom lens yet, if so what do you think of it so far, any good for bif or aircraft...

musthave Loc: Auckland, New Zealand

Hi Everybody, Has anyone had experience with the new Tamron 18-400 zoom lens yet, if so what do you think of it so far,
any good for bif or aircraft especially at full zoom. I am thinking of getting one for my D5300 as it is supposed to be for
aps-c cameras. Is size and weight a problem. I am close to 80y and have shaky hands but I see the ads say it has good
stabilisation. I usually use a monopod to keep the camera steady. Look forward to your input, Thanks Guys & Gals.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

I'm thinking about this lens as well - it is a bit on the hefty side at 24 oz.

musthave Loc: Auckland, New Zealand

Thanks Sue.--Watch this space?

legion3 Loc: Deer Park Long Island

me also

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Same here, but at 69, my problem is severe rheumatoid arthritis.

TonyDeSabato

I'm 69. I have this lens. It is an excellent walking around lens. Very versatile. I take all but specialized pictures with it. I take on all my trips in the U.S. I'm now in Europe with it. I have no problem with the bulk or weight

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

I've also heard all good reports on this lens. Try Googling it. Lots of reports there....Rich

KR Pletzer

I’m 72 and although it is a little heavier than I expected, the weight hasn’t been an issue and the VC is very good. It appears to be well made. Only had it for a couple of weeks, but so far am very pleased. Very good lens for the price.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I am currently in Yellowstone and got this lens for my wife before we left. After over a thousand shots she is well satisfied with the quality and relatively easy carry weight. It's not super sharp, but is quite acceptable. The huge focal length capability is quite valuable for our uses and I would purchase this lens again. This lens is being used on a Nikon D7100. I use a 24-70, 70-200, and 200-500 and have missed more than a few opportunities while I'm changing lenses and she is shooting uninterrupted.

chairdr

musthave wrote:

Hi Everybody, Has anyone had experience with the new Tamron 18-400 zoom lens yet, if so what do you think of it so far,
any good for bif or aircraft especially at full zoom. I am thinking of getting one for my D5300 as it is supposed to be for
aps-c cameras. Is size and weight a problem. I am close to 80y and have shaky hands but I see the ads say it has good
stabilisation. I usually use a monopod to keep the camera steady. Look forward to your input, Thanks Guys & Gals.

I'll be 69 in a month and I have this lens. It is a really nice lens! A bit stiff in the beginning when zooming in & out, but after snapping a couple hundred clicks has loosened up slightly. Just needed to be broken in a little, always smooth and precise. Good not having to change lens and good photos, but I'm easy to impress!

The only negative I have found is when you are shooting indoors with a flash mounted on the camera and zoomed in on something for detail, the long barrel might produce a shadow. So best to mount the flash on a stand. If you just change zoom/distance combos you can overcome the stand setup.

I bought it the second day it was available, if I had it to do over again, I would have bought it on the first!

whitewolfowner

It's a super long range zoom; how good to you actually expect it to be?

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

whitewolfowner wrote:

It's a super long range zoom; how good to you actually expect it to be?

Very helpful!

musthave Loc: Auckland, New Zealand

Wow! Thanks for all the info, from what you say it sounds like a worth while investment. I expect it to be as good as as my Tamron 70-300mm lens (which has been excellent for me) but with more range at both ends. Looked at all the google reports and as usual they vary, thats why I have come to you guys-straight from the owners mouth so to speak, very interesting feedback, keep it coming please and I might be persuaded to fork out some of my hard saved pension. Maybe sell the 70-300 for extra cash towards it. Does anybody think the 18-400 is as sharp as the 70-300. Tamron of course, ahem! By the way I'm pretty easy to impress too! Interesting what you have to say DaveO about your wife shooting uninterrupted while you fiddle changing lenses.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

musthave wrote:

Hi Everybody, Has anyone had experience with the new Tamron 18-400 zoom lens yet, if so what do you think of it so far,
any good for bif or aircraft especially at full zoom. I am thinking of getting one for my D5300 as it is supposed to be for
aps-c cameras. Is size and weight a problem. I am close to 80y and have shaky hands but I see the ads say it has good
stabilisation. I usually use a monopod to keep the camera steady. Look forward to your input, Thanks Guys & Gals.

Yes the size and weight may pose a problem at 400mm, as this lens is very, very small and light, so it is probably hard to hold still, heavier lenses are a lot easier to hold still (up to a point)! I would not expect too much in behalf of IQ though ( guess not much of a lens for BIF)!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

musthave wrote:

Wow! Thanks for all the info, from what you say it... (show quote)

I would think that anyone contemplating an 18-400 is looking for a versatile walk around lens and not necessarily macro or BIF. This lens is a very good for what it is and that includes handling for BIF. If you're not concerned with losing the 18-70 range, than go for a 70-300 and skip the extra 100mm on the long end...not really a valid comparison. I listed the lenses I use on a wildlife trip, but my wife prefers the convenience of the 18-400 and the sacrifice in clarity is not a major consideration. At some point I post some pics, but right now it's time to go shooting! Traveling 2300 miles to use the computer is not advisable!