Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) with Built-In AF Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Tamron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 4 inches ; 12 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001955P8W
• Item model number: A09NII
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #93 in Camera & Photo > Lenses > Camera Lenses
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This ground-breaking high-speed mid-range zoom is prized by pros and serious shooters for its fast F/2.8 constant aperture, evenness of illumination, and its outstanding imaging performance, and by all photographers for its compact size and reasonable weight that make it feel like an ordinary standard zoom. These admirable characteristics have been achieved by the use of special XR and LD glass, the efficient use of aspherical elements, and non-rotating internal-focus (IF) design. This remarkable zoom lens also focuses down to 0.33m (13”) (1:3.9 magnification) at all focal lengths for satisfying close-up performance and is compatible with APS-C and full-frame-format SLRs. Not surprisingly it is widely acclaimed as a classic.

Worlds smallest & lightest lens

The most compact and lightest in the history of fast zoom lenses. Thanks to the revolutionary downsizing "XR" technology employed by Tamron in the development of high-power zoom lenses such as the 28-200mm and 28-300mm, the dramatic compactness that makes this lens the world's smallest and lightest is achieved. Its compactness makes it look and feel like an ordinary standard zoom lens, yet the versatility that a fast constant maximum aperture offers will definitely reshape your photographic horizons.

SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di Features

Digitally Integrated (DI) Lenses for the Best Imaging Performance
Di (Digitally Integrated Design) is a Tamron designation that applies to lenses that have been optimized for digital capture using advanced multi-coating techniques and optical designs that assure excellent image quality across the entire picture field. Because of these characteristics, Di lenses provide outstanding performance on cameras with full-frame and APS-C format sensors as well as on 35mm film.

Low Dispersion (LD) Glass for Greater Lens Sharpness

Low Dispersion (LD) glass reduces chromatic aberration

Low dispersion (LD) glass elements in a lens help reduce chromatic aberration; the tendency of light of different colors to come to different points of focus at the image plane. Chromatic aberration reduces the sharpness of an image, but glass with an extremely lowdispersion index, has less of a tendency to separate (defract) a ray of light into a rainbow of colors. This characteristic allows the lens designer to effectively compensate for chromatic aberration at the center of the field (on axis), a particular problem at long focal lengths (the telephoto end of the zoom range), and for lateral chromatic aberration (towards the edges of the field) that often occurs at short focal lengths (the wide-angle end of the zoom range.)

Super Performance (SP) for Discriminating Shooters
Tamron SP (Super Performance) series is a line of ultra-high-performance lenses designed and manufactured to the exacting specifications demanded by professionals and others who require the highest possible image quality. In creating SP lenses Tamron’s optical designers put their foremost priority on achieving superior performance parameters—they are all designed to a higher standard with little regard for cost constraints. As a result, Tamron lenses bearing the SP designation feature impressive and innovative designs that have established an enviable reputation for excellence among those knowledgeable photographers that demand the very best.

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

Now realized thanks to XR technology, Tamron brings you this light and small fast zoom. Unlike typical fast zooms, it weighs only 510g (18oz.), with filter size of 67mm and overall length of 92mm (3.6"). The optical performance is outstanding with the employment of an optical system using two XR elements, three LD elements, and four aspherical elements. In addition, the lens features the  “Di” (Digitally Integrated Design) optical system to meet the performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect walk-around lens, my new favorite, September 2, 2008

By 

Dave H - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) with Built-In AF Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

It's been about 2 months that I've had this lens and it almost never leaves my camera. I'm came to buying this lens after being lured in by the ever-so-attractive constant f/2.8 aperture. It was a contest between this lens and the Nikon 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 VR and now, I know I've made the right choice.

First and foremost, the constant f/2.8 is what makes this lens worth every penny. I don't know how I ever got along with my old 18-55 kit lens. Here's a little breakdown of the good and bad of this lens:

THE GOOD:
- Constant f/2.8 aperture (*angelic singing*)
- Extremely sharp even wide open at f/2.8 (although I'd recommend f/4 for maximum sharpness)
- Zoomed in at 75mm and wide open at f/2.8, this lens makes beautiful portraits with nice bokeh.
- On a purely subjective scale, bokeh is pretty awesome, 8 out of 10.
- Focusing is relatively fast and very accurate (about as fast as the 18-55mm kit lens, which is almost always good enough)
- Zoom action is well damped although I would've appreciated a very slightly shorter throw between 28 and 75mm.
- Autofocus/Manual focus switch conveniently located on the side of the lens.
- Internal autofocus motor! (Works on my D40x, will work on D40 and D60 also)
- Close focus ability enables shots with a closer perspective.
- Metal mount is always a good thing to see.
- Looks pretty awesome on the camera :)

THE BAD
- For travel and other things, 28mm will not satisfy some, buy a wide angle (and telephoto if you need it) to go with this lens.
- External focus ring moves during autofocusing (keep your hands away!)
- Focusing is noisy (much noisier than my AF-S Nikkors and HSM Sigmas)
- In manual focus-mode, the focus ring is a tad loose
- Lens hood doesn't seem to work too well, doens't look that great either, in my opinion.
- Rear lens cap sucks, throw it away and buy a Nikon one.

OVERALL
I'd rate this thing 4.5 stars if I could, but I gave it 4 so as not to give the impression of a fault-less lens.

This lens has a great deal of good points and very few bad ones. Most of the bad I attribute to the construction of the lens: somewhat solid, but not. It's a little loose inside since it zooms and is made mostly of plastic. Optically though, the lens is amazing, especially for the price. For me, it's created amazing portrait work, some cool close-up (see the "PS" section at the end) shots, and many others. Until you build up the money and arm strength to buy and haul around the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 go with this lens. You cannot pass this up for the price, it's capable of so many things, and all for about 400 bucks.

PS
Tamron may call this "Macro" but it's not really macro, it's more of a close focus (I have the Nikkor 60mm Micro, and this is not it). However, the close-focus can be really useful and can add some creative shots to your collection. However, do not confuse this lens with a real macro lens, it can't focus as close and can't reproduce 1:1.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Lens! Great with D300! One of my favorites!, June 10, 2008

By 

JBM "JBM" (Stillwater, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) with Built-In AF Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I purchased this lens to use for the majority of my shooting on my D300. I have one of the latest copies with the built-in motor. I'm amazed at its focusing capabilities with the D300 - fast and quiet. Images are sharp as a tack and the blurred background is perfect at 2.8. You can easily see the three LD glass elements at work!

I enjoy this range (28-75) for everyday shooting and portraits. Also, the macro capabilities of this lens makes it a fun one to keep on the camera. I sold a more expensive new Tokina lens and this thing blows it away in sharpness and color contrast. I was a little curious of Tamron's build quality, but this SP lens is very good quality, especially for the money. Low light and indoor photos on the D300 have been great with this lens!

I can't say enough about this lens. You get a lot for the small price of this lens...buy it, if this is the range your looking for. It fits perfect in the gap of my other lenses: Sigma 10-20 & Nikon 70-300VR. GREAT GLASS!!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Price/Performance Value, July 14, 2009

By 

V. K. Balasubramanian "Nikon D700 Rocks!" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) with Built-In AF Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF) with Built-In AF Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

I bought this lens for my Nikon D700. This is a full frame lens. The max aperture 2.8 is available on all focal lengths. Tested this at various focal length/aperture/shutter combos under different light conditions.

Here are my observations:

Pros:

1. Awesome value (price/performance). Nikon and Sigma equivalent costs more (nikon way too much).
2. Decent walk-around lens covering key focal lengths of mid range zoom
3. 2.8 aperture available at all focal lengths
4. Relatively fast and quick to focus
5. Great DOF (min aperture 32)
6. Pleasing blokeh effect (shallow DOF)
7. Usable sharp picture at 2.8. Stop down to 4.0 and you can get realy sharp pictures
8. Surprisingly decent close-up performance at various focal lengths (including 28mm). I was able to shoot a 2" x 2" object at 28mm at a distance of about 6-8". This was taken under room light conditions with flash from nikon d700. The pictures were sharp, and usable. (Will post pics later)
9. Less weight compared to other lenses in this class
10. Price, Price, Price !!

Cons

1. Sometimes hunts for focus. This could be my camera setting (I have set focus priority for shutter release. I have to change this setting and try it out)
2. Nikon and Sigma will be better built lenses compared to this (obviously you pay a premium for that built)
3. AF can be perceived as noisy by professional and hard core photographers. I am an average joe. It did not bother me as I was paying more attention to the picture quality. May not be suitable to take pics in a quite setting without drawing some attention to yourself.

I would highly recommend this lens for anyone who is looking for decent zoom with excellent picture quality and on a budget.

I returned Nikon 50m 1.8D lens Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras because I was not satisfied with picture sharpness at wide aperture. I needed to stop down to 2.8 or 4.0 in that lens to get reasonably sharp pics. This lens gives me good sharp pictures at f/2.8 50mm. So I traded that lens for this, so that I can also get some basic zoom for about 250$ more. I am not a professional photographer and do not want to start a religious war between prime lens and zoom lens. Obviously prime lenses are better. For an average customer who wants to take pictures around house, kids birthdays, soccer games etc. this lens is a good bargain.

Also, I bought this elsewhere for about 120$ cheaper than here. You may want to shop around to save some $$$.

Good Luck !