Features Features
Build &
handlingBuild &
handling
Performance Performance
Value Value4
Overall
4OverallAF
shortest focal length of
18mm has become a
standard in DX format
superzooms, but this
Tamron bucks the trend. Shaving
off a couple of millimetres gives an
‘effective’ wide-angle focal of 24mm in
full-frame terms, compared with the
27mm of other superzooms. There’s
no holding back at the long end either,
with an effective 450mm max zoom.
Handling is more refined than with
any of the other Sigma and Tamrons
on test. Unusually for an ultrasonic
motor-based lens, the focus ring
doesn’t rotate during AF and enables
full-time manual override. Optical
highlights include LD (Low Dispersion),
XR (eXtra Refractive) and ASL (Hybrid
Aspherical) elements, along
with advanced multi-coatings.
Performance
The extra zoom comes with some
compromises. Centre-sharpness
drops off through the zoom range and
corner-sharpness is uninspiring at all
focal lengths. Barrel distortion is
noticeable at 16mm, and lateral
chromatic aberrations are quite
severe at both ends of the zoom range.
ollowing on from the
Tamron 16-300mm, which
offered an extra-wide
viewing angle, Tamron’s
latest superzoom goes extra-long
instead. Stretching to 400mm, it beats
every other DX format superzoom on
the market for telephoto reach.
Aiming to keep the size down
and the quality up, the optical design
includes two moulded glass aspherical
elements and one hybrid aspherical,
along with three low-dispersion
elements. Autofocus is driven by an
HLD (High/Low toque-modulated
Drive) motor, which is quick and quiet.
But, as with the Tamron 18-200mm
and both Sigmas on test, the focus ring
rotates during autofocus and there’s
no full-time manual override. Build
quality is good and the construction
features weather-seals, including
one on the metal mounting plate.Performance
It’s a big ask to deliver good sharpness
at 400mm from such a relatively
compact lens, but the Tamron does
well. Centre-sharpness is good at the
shortest 18mm setting too, although
it’s mediocre in the central range.Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-
6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro
£499/$629
There’s no beating this lens for girth
Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-
6.3 Di II VC HLD
£649/$649
The ruler for telephoto reach
N-Photo verdict N-Photo verdict
Handling is particularly
good and the boost in
wide-angle potential
can be useful for
many situations.
This Tamron is a pretty
good buy if extra-long
telephoto reach is at
the top of your
superzoom wish list.Sharpness
Centre-sharpness is
disappointing around 100mm
and 300mm, and edge-
sharpness is poor throughout.Fringing
Lateral chromatic aberrations
can unfortunately be very
noticeable at both ends of
the zoom range.Distortion
The widest viewing angle
of any lens in the group
comes with the most severe
barrel distortion.Sharpness
Centre-sharpness is worse
than average in the mid-zoom
sector and corner-sharpness
is a little disappointing.Fringing
It’s well-controlled at short
to medium zoom range
settings but very noticeable
at the long end.Distortion
Distortions are impressively
low here, especially
considering the lens’s
supersized zoom range.SUPERZOOMS