Tamron 70-300 (A017) review

This is one of the cheapest available 300mm zoom. Many people confuses reviews of SP70-300VCUSD (Model A005) which is costlier and faster autofocus with this one and regret.

Main reason I bought this lens was taking some bird pics, understand and learn to use DSLR (DSLT). Hence getting additional range at minimal cost was clear deciding factor. I selected this lens over a versatile 18-200 for any longer range is an advantage for birding. 

Since I use sony with Inbody SteadyShot lens stabilization was not needed. Combining this lens with a 20mpx A58 I am able to spot birds at quite a distance. (Spotting pics might not be a good photographs since they are cropped too much) 

Sharpness: 

Performance till now is it is sharp in good light condition and satisfactory for my requirement at f/6.3 to f/11 range. Though as mentioned on sites like SLRGear that at 300mm it is softer here are my results for anyone to judge its sharpness.

I suggest you should judge the sharpness only with stand mounted shots while most of these are handheld.  My suggested settings are using F6.3 to F11. 

Autofucus: 

Autofocus is slower as compared sony SAM lens but really did not had much issue adjusting with it (As if I had an option!). In low light my cam hunts for focus it might be camera issue. However the focus accuracy is spot on. Also once focused focus tracking is commendable.

Many might feel that slower AF is a big concern but I was able to click good amount of BIFs with this lens. 

Macro:

Macro mode (mode works between 180 and 300) does not give THE 1:1 macro but is useful (1:2) as it reduces the focus distance. With 180 to 300mm you are at a reasonable distance from the subject also I use it handheld so if it were 1:1 I might not be able to use it this effectively considering even smaller DOF. I could use this mode for smaller object at close distance. Not the REAL macro but result are here for you to evaluate.

I also used this mode for creative shorter distance shots.

Portrait: 

Though 35/50mm are real portrait lens. I like to shoot portrait from this lens at 150~180mm as it creates a better isolation from background. Some portraits from this lens are here. 

Birds & BIFs: 

Last but not the least, THIS was main purpose for having a 300mm. After I got hang of steadying my hands while clicking images started comming out sharp. There are many clicks you can review for this use case.  

Landscape: 

Being longish zoom this is not a very usefull landscape lens. I clicked few while it is mounted. I like to take sunset with this. Also at f11/f16 larger DOF gives good sharpness in the photograph. Being a Zoom is its real limitation for this use case.

If on a tight budget and desperately in need of longer range this lens will not disappoint you. All in all this is a good value for money.

Yes It's a Sony and for these reasons. . !

I find people wondering why not Canon or Nikon and I say: "Yes, its a Sony ! And that is what I wanted"

My use case is mostly bird photography out door usually in good light and stay low budget going forward with additional lenses. So I shortlisted Tamron 70-300 DiLD Macro (A17) and Tamron 200-500 (A08) before buying A58.

I wanted 

1. In body image stabilization (should work on cheap lens hand holding is 80% with birds, it works on prime lenses too)
2. Extra mpx for cropping. (more than 16 or 18 from competition)
3. Faster viewfinder focusing.

Build quality compromise was known.

I got what I paid for hence I am happy.

Some bonus

After using there are some bonus points I could identify and use

1. Focus magnification when using viewfinder.
2. Focus peaking in viewfinder.
3. No need for mirror lockup function.
4. AF tracking which is not very usual in entry level camera.
5. Tethering remote control from PC.

As compared to

Two camera competed in my budget Nikon D3200 and Canon 600D

Canon 600D offer of twin kit 55-250 lens was the real juicy but then I am at
18mpx and 250mm and with A58 I am 20mpx and 300mm.

Nikon D3200 only scored on 24mpx. Adding VR lens would put it out of my  budget. There is again AF motor related issue.

Am I happy ? Check my birds pics in first 15 days.

A58 Back Button Focus . . .

With Sony A58 there are buttons on the back side of camera which can be assigned different functions. AEL button is one which has maximum options.

The two functions that I usually attach to this AEL button is

"Focus" when using Autofocus and

"Focus Magnifier" when using Manual focus. With "Focus Magnifier" I can clearly see where the focus is and am able to get gr8 pics. This one more feature where Electronic View Finder (EVF) scores over Optical View Finder (OVF).

go to:  menu -> settings -> Pg 3 -> func. of AEL button.

Got myself a new camera. . !

It finally boiled down to 4 cameras which fitted my budget (INR 10000) and criteria (with standard AA batteries). But then they needed further comparison to come to conclusive decision.

Here is my tabulation of the technicals :

Model	FujiFilm FinePix S2950	Nikon Coolpix L110	Canon sx130 IS	Olympus SP-610UZ
Battery	AA	AA	AA	AA
Mpx	14	12.2	12	14
Optical zoom	18	15	12	22
Apperture Priority	Aperture Priority	Non Aperture Priority	Aperture Priority	Non Aperture Priority
Stabilization	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Full Manual mode	No	No	Yes	No
Size	Bridge	Compact	Compact	Bridge
Price	9000	10500	10000
	Good Value for Money		My Choice

Since I preferred a compact camera with a full manual controls I selected the Canon-SX-130-IS. However I need to mention that Fujifilm FinePix S2950 is a good value for money. Handling wise canon is much stable and IS (image stabilization) is also working fine.

Watch this blog for the results of this camera. I must say the results are encouraging.