Tamron Autofocus 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Other products by Tamron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 5 x 4 inches ; 4.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007WK8NA
• Item model number: Nikon AF
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

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  Camera & Photo > Lenses > SLR Camera Lenses

• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 24, 2005

Product Description

Product Description

The Tamron AF18-200mm high power zoom lens features an entirely new optical design using XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass in an innovative way in order to optimize the overall distribution of optical power throughout the entire zoom range. This design reduces various aberrations to the absolute minimum and achieves remarkable downsizing at the same time. In addition, three hybrid aspherical lens elements and two LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements are used to accomplish effective compensation of on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations, a critical factor to enhance the optical quality in digital photography. As a result, the lens provides outstanding optical quality in a multi-purpose zoom lens. A glare-reducing flower-shaped lens hood is included as a standard accessory. The special hood provides optimum shading of superfluous light rays that enter from the rectangular frame outside the image field. It employs a new optical system designed to confine the changing angles of incidences of light rays reaching the imager within a certain scope over the entire image field from the center to the periphery, by considering the effects of variances due to zooming. Complicated mechanisms are built in the compact body thanks to new mechanical artifices. The lens is a multi-purpose zoom lens, yet excellent portability and ease of use are assured. A number of invisible engineering innovations required to downsize the lens, produce high precision parts and increase durability are incorporated in the new AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can't find the Nikon VR lens, buy this one., September 3, 2006

By	Wayne Kuban "Wayne K." (Goodyear, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're like me, you can't find the Nikon VR lens anywhere unless it's being marked up 50-100% by businesses taking advantage of the shortage (supply & demand, right?).

After 2 months I got tired of waiting for the VR lens and bought this 18-200mm Tamron instead (vacation just days away). I have taken many dozens of walk around photos with this lens attached to my D200 getting a feel for it's capabilities. As a photo hobbyist rather than a real photographer, I produced some very acceptable results (and a few stinkers too).

At higher magnifications it is more susceptible to camera shake than say my 70-300 Sigma lens, and I believe that may be due to the Tamron being a "slower lens" requiring slower shutter speeds to get the same amount of light through it (at high zoom). I can see where the Nikon VR lens would win hands down here since it's faster AND has vibration reduction, BUT - Do not discount this lens as I have managed to, with patience & a steady hand, or a tripod in some cases, produced great results.

The Tamron is not all that noisy, and the auto focus is pretty quick. It does fail to autofocus in certain shady conditions so if you do most of your shooting in moderately dark shade you might run into trouble. It seems to do better with "contrasty" shade rather than dim grayish backgrounds where it really hunts for focus (mine anyway).

I can't seem to get consistent results with the Tamron using a flash indoors. About half of my flash photos are slightly out of focus despite my best efforts at hand holding the camera still. The clear pix are great however. I have yet to take any indoor pix using my SB-600 flash so all of my indoor shots to date are using the pop-up flash. That probably has no bearing on the fuzzy shots I've produced but I thought to mention it.

Overall I recommend this lens as a suitable outdoor walkaround lens. Nearly all of my outdoor shots are nicely sharp with great color and contrast. It's operation is smooth and feels good. For indoor shooting you MAY want to carry a faster lens like a fast, fixed (prime), or even the 18-70mm "kit" Nikon zoom which does significantly better indoors.

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great all around/travel lens, September 29, 2005

By	S. Danczuk (Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This lens is great!! It does everything I need in one small package. I am using it on a Nikon D50 and the pictures it produces are nice and clear. I had read many reviews that said to stay away from all-in-one zoom lenses, but I did not want to carry around two different lenses all the time. I think for the average person who doesn't want to bother with switching lenses this is a great choice. I am very happy with my purchase.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice zoom range, not so great quality, September 17, 2006

By	J. Farrington (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This lens is great for what it is made for, being versatile in its zoom range.

That is about it for this lens. The quality of the images in a 4x6 are also fine, you can't tell the difference between that and the nikons I have, but only when you look at 4x6 prints. However, when you start to blow up the images you can really tell the difference of quality. The images are not sharp at all, and not because of a lack of focus.

If you are interested in this lens for professional photography, I would not recomend it, there is no way I would shoot a wedding or any other event with this lens. But if you want a cheap lens that has a pretty decent zoom range, this is not a bad choice...assuming you don't plan on enlarging your images past 4x6.