Tamron AF 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) A-mount lens review by QuietOC
 QuietOC#33741 date: Dec-26-2016 | |
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| sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.2 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony DT 16-50 F2.8 SSM Sony CZ 16-80 F3.5-4.5 DT Sony DT 16-105 F3.5-5.6 Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Tamron SP 17-50 F2.8 Sony DT 18-55 F3.5-5.6 SAM I/II Sony DT 18-70 F3.5-5.6 Sony DT 18-200 F3.5-6.3 Tamron 28-200 F3.8-5.6 LD Tamron 28-300 F3.5-6.3 XR Minolta AF 35-200 F4.5-5.6 Xi Tokina AF 35-200 F4-5.6 SD Tokina AF 35-200 F4.5-6.7 |
| price paid: | 100 USD (used) |
| positive: | Modest size and weight Great range Decent image quality |
| negative: | Soft corners Reverse focus direction Short focus throw f/6.3 at 150 mm No in-body lens compensation |
| comment: | A new looking copy with the original packaging and paperwork purchased from an individual seller on eBay. The original retail price was around $500. Tamron replaced this lens in 2010 with the 18-270 PZD which has an in-lens AF motor, but Sony is still selling this model with their badge for $650. "Made in Japan" Compared to the earlier 18-200 there is less distortion at the wide end, and much greater reach at the long end. Like the 18-135 it has poor corner performance on the wide end, and even at 35 mm it performs a bit worse than the 18-55 and 18-70 kits lens. By 50 mm it performs better than the kit lenses. Other than some strong vignetting and somewhat soft corners, it performs pretty well at the long end. It is sharper than the Tokina SD 35-200 F4.5-5.6 at 200 mm. The center sharpness is pretty close to the 70-210 F4 and 55-200 lenses. Overall this is a decent replacement for the short kit zooms. The 18-135 is certainly much better in the 35-135 mm range. It has more reach than the xx-200 lenses combined with some capability on the wide end. |
; 24MPrating summary
- total reviews: 36
- sharpness: 4.44
- color: 4.64
- build: 4.33
- distortion: 4.08
- flare control: 4.42
- overall: 4.38