Tamron AF 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Tamron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.1 x 4.1 inches ; 13.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EXT5AO
• Item model number: AF031N-700
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

With a 7.1X zoom ratio covering focal lengths from wide to long telephoto on consumer DSLR (APS-C) and full-frame formats, this is an ideal lens for sports action, travel photography, and creative expression. It delivers outstanding image quality over its entire range, down to 0.49m (19.3") (1:4 at 200mm) and it weighs only 354g (12.5oz.).

High-magnification zoom

AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Features

Digitally Integrated (DI) Lenses for Top Imaging Performance
Tamron has made this lightweight, compact high power zoom lens available with the Di optical system with improved multi-coating for digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras, further enhancing its ease of use and popularity.

Extra Refractive Index Glass (XR)

Special glass for better performance and more compact lens designs

Extra Refractive Index (XR) glass can bend light rays at steeper angles, thereby decreasing the physical length of the lens while enhancing imaging performance by minimizing optical aberrations. This has allowed Tamron to develop a line of shorter, smaller-diameter, lighter lenses without sacrificing lens speed, and actually upgrading image quality compared to older designs. XR glass is costlier than conventional glass but it yields enhanced optical power distribution, making possible many of the outstanding and innovative lens designs that bear the XR designation. XR glass, with its superior light-bending power, makes it possible to design a short-barrel lens with the same light-gathering ability (aperture value) as a long-barrel lens—even with a smaller lens diameter. By using this principle Tamron has been able to shorten the length of the entire optical system and produce lighter, more compact lenses of the same speed, and also to provide greater zoom ranges in lenses that are much more convenient to carry by hand.

Internal Focusing (IF) System
Internal focusing provides numerous practical benefits to photographers including a non-rotating front filter ring that facilitates the positioning of polarizing and graduated filters, and more predictable handling because the lens length does not change during focusing. Even more important, Tamron’s Internal Focusing (IF) system provides a much closer minimum focusing distance (MFD) throughout its entire focusing range. In addition, IF improves optical performance by minimizing illumination loss at the corners of the image field, and helps to suppress other aberrations that become more troublesome at different focusing positions.

Aspherical Lens Elements (ASL)

Aspherical Lens Element

Tamron uses several hybrid Aspherical lens elements in many lenses bearing the Aspherical designation. These innovative optics allow us to achieve the ultimate in image quality, and at the same time produce lenses that offer remarkable zoom ranges in extraordinarily compact packages. By perfecting theses cutting-edge advances for series production, Tamron has advanced the state of optical design, and virtually eliminated spherical aberration and image distortion from the high-power-zoom series.Through the effective application of Hybrid Aspherical Technology, one lens element can take the place of multiple elements without compromising performance. This is what allows us to produce remarkably compact long-range lenses that deliver a uniformly high level of image quality at all focal lengths and apertures.

Zoom Lock (ZL)
Another original Tamron mechanical engineering concept is the Zoom Lock (ZL), a simple convenience feature that prevents undesired extension of the lens barrel when carrying the camera/lens unit on a neck strap.

Product Description

U) 28-200MM F3.8-5.6 XR DI F/NIKON

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An exception to Tamron's quality lenses, September 15, 2007

By 

A. V. Areyan (Princeton, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tamron AF 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I was disappointed with this lens and eventually decided to return it. As the title of this brief review states - I hope this lens is the only exception to Tamron's quality lenses.
The cons: 1. Zooming ring is very stiff, so much so that it becomes a real problem; 2. Lack of sharpness, regardless of focusing mode. I shot a few hundred images with this lens and all looked too soft; 3. Most images came out darker or lighter than what you would've expected, regardless of WB or exposure settings. 4. Grainy pictures even in perfect shooting conditions. And lastly there was 0 pop to the images - even a picturesque scene would look dull and flat.
This lens needs to be redesigned from the ground up IMHO.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING, February 24, 2011

By 

Traci M. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tamron AF 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Okay I must admit I am extremely new to photography. I mainly wanted something to photograph the jewelry that i make and the occasional pictures of the pets.. so i bought a D60 (used) along with a brand new nikon 55-200mm lens. Realizing when I first got this lens that it wasnt for up close or "macro pictures" i did a little more research and found out what type of lens i would need. I finally settled for this lens, i mean at a 100 bucks used in like new condition.. i cant complain. But upon ordering i was weary because this lens would not auto focus with my D60, but i thought how hard could it be since i would just use it for my jewelry photos on a tripod.. I LOVE THIS LENS! Its amazing! I can believe how easy it is to use and how fast!! The nikon lens is loud and slow, where as this lens is fast and extremely quite! Some people may disagree, but then again they may be more on the pro level than i am! So if your a beginner.. GET THIS LENS! you may have to manual focus on some models, but hey thats half the fun! :)