Tamron 28-300 3.5-6.3 VC
Ultimate Macro Test

review

Introduction

Why do I call this the 'ultimate macro test'? This is because this test involve an custom made 60mm extender which allows some non-macro lens to achieve true 1:1 macro.

Why do I make this review? This is because I have seen some complaints about the Tamron's 28-300 VC is NOT TRUE 300MM, because of its non-conventional design in order to focus at 0.49m. I have been considering getting this lens, discouraged by the insufficient informations provided by most other Tamron VC reviews out there, I decided to buy this lens from ebay and do the test myself (if unsatisfied I will just sell it).

For the benefit of those people who have not heard of Tamron being NOT TRUE 300mm, take a look at the spec of Tamron 28-300VC and Sigma 70-300 Macro: Tamron can produce 1:3 at minimun focus distance of 0.49m, however Sigma produces 1:2 at minimun focus distance of 0.95m, funny huh?

This is the first time I do a lens review, but I hope this review can prove useful to you!

Comparism: Tamron 28-300 VC(left), Sigma 70-300(center), My DIY extension tube with wire contacts(left)

Fully extended: Tamron 28-300 VC(left), Sigma 70-300(center), My DIY extension tube with wire contacts(left)

My ultimate DIY 60mm extension tube, special thanks to Steven from Camera Hospital (singapore) who donated me the parts. Unseen from the black tape, is comprehensive secure wire connection which allow lens attached of about 1kg, have not try anything heavier than that. As seen from the picture, the mount is modified to allow Canon EF-S mount.

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Test NO.1
Tamron VS Sigma at 70mm
Focus at objects 2 meters away

Focusing at 2 meters, it is obvious that Tamron's focusing moving mechanism will result in wider angle of view than usual. While Sigma 70-300, one of the best valued tele photo, which focus mechanism involve the whole lens element moving away from the sensor, is supposed to be 'true 70mm'.

Please note that the brightness of the pictures is caused by the natural light I used from window, it was cloudy when I took the shots with Tamron therefore they appears darker. I'm not sure of my Sigma is a 'soft copy', but the sharpness of Tamron impresses me.

Tamron, at this point, reduced aperture to F5.0 from F3.5 at 28mm, while Sigma can go up to F4.0 at 70mm.

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Test NO.2
Tamron VS Sigma at 200mm
Focus at objects 2 meters away

At 200mm, the difference is more prominent. Focusing at 2m, Tamron 200mm is shorter than Sigma 200mm.

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Test NO.3
Tamron VS Sigma at 300mm
Focus at objects 2 meters away

Tamron's 300mm is about the same as Sigma at 200mm, which is very frustrating to know.

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Test NO.4
Tamron VS Sigma
Focus at object 1 meter away

Focusing at 1m away, Tamron hardly show any difference between 200mm to 300mm.

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Test NO.5
Tamron VS Sigma
Focus at objects 8 meters away

At 8m, Tamron 300mm is finally true 300mm comparing to Sigma 70-300. However, I have yet to find out at which distance will Tamron's *damn* focus mechanism affect.

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Test NO.6
Tamron VS Sigma
WITH 60mm Extension Tube
Focus at object about 16cm away

For the benefit of those people who doesn't know how an extension tube works, it is basically extend the distance between the lens and the body, and for some physics in how light converge via lens (my physics sucks even though I'm engineering major, somebody please explain), you can focus at a much shorter distance than the lens' design, resulting in bigger magnification.

Since previous test results show that Tamron's focusing mechanism SUCKS BIG TIME, for consistency I set both lens to focus at infinity. As expected, both lens is able to focus at 0.16m at 100mm focal length, producing the same magnification.

Here's one thing that I really like about Tamron's VC, is that it works with extension tube:

VC is impressive, even though its a bit noisy.

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Test NO.7
Tamron with tube VS Sigma w/o tube
Focus at object about 1m away

Left: Sigma without extension tube, max macro
Right: Tamron with extension tube, at same distance

At the same distance away from the object, Tamron with extension tube can't beat Sigma, something to do with the lens design. Sad.

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Test NO.8
1:1 Macro Test with 60mm tube
Sigma 105mm Macro
Tamron 28-300 Macro w tube
Sigma 70-300 Macro w tube

All 3 images above are taken at the same distance away from a ruler. Both Tamron 28-300 and Sigma 70-300 can produce, at least close to, 1:1 magnification. However, Tamron 28-300 still has allowance to go closer, to go beyond 1:1 magnification. As for Sigma, this is the best it can do.

For your information, my custom build extension tube with the Sigma 105 dedicated macro can produce 2:1 macro :) However the depth of view will be so short that you can hardly use wide aperture.

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Conclusion

-15/09/2008-

The Tamron 28-300 lens has a very useful range with VC, however I will NOT consider it as a macro lens, the magnification is disappointing.

Focusing speed is fast, but not very accurate at low light.

F5.6 from 100mm to 200mm sucks big time, Sigma 70-300 is 100mm F4 and 200mm F5 for your info.

It is very sharp compares to other high-zoom lens

My advice is:

If you want Tele-photo:
---Get Tamron VC or other 300mm lens

If you want 'almost macro':
---Get the cheap macro like Sigma 70-300 or Tamron VC with tube

If you want true macro:
---Get a dedicated macro lens, or buy Kenko/Uniplus extension tube, or build your own tube!

I hope this review can prove useful for your lens choosing quest. As an amature photographer myself I understand the painful process researching each lens to suit your needs. As for me, I was too frustrated that I can't find a macro test with Tamron VC that I decided to buy it just to test it.

I bought this lens partially because I want to make a review on it, this review comes with a price! I would really appreciate if you would like to donate me to cover some of the cost. Your name will be mention (unless you want to stay anonymous)!

Paypal acc- raydream_ework@yahoo.com

Name: Witono Halim

Or simply e-mail me for my address! By the way I stay in Asia.

When I built this 60mm DIY extension tube earlier this year (2008), I have always wanted to try it out with other lenses and see if they are compatible. This is the list of compatible lens:

Canon EF 50 1.8 - More than 1:1
Canon EF 85 1.8 - Not very effective
Canon EF-S 17-85 IS - sweet macro with IS
Canon EF-S 18-55 - Compatible
Canon 70-200L F4 IS - Tried my friend's, compatible with IS
Sigma 70-300 macro - Almost 1:1
Sigma 105 macro - 2:1
Tamron 28-300 VC macro - Almost 1:1

List of not compatible lens:

Canon EF-S 17-55 - might work with 10mm extension
Sigma 10-20 - WHO THE HELL WANTS TO MACRO WITH WIDE ANGLE LENS?! Haha just for fun
Tokina 10-17 fisheye - WHO THE HELL WANTS TO MACRO WITH FISHEY?!

If you would like to donate me more lens to do more test I will be more than happy to review it!

A little about myself:

Name: Witono Halim

Affiliated to Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan and Singapore

Almost forgottened homepage: www.geocities.com/witono_halim

Some flickr photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/witono (some pictures taken with my DIY extension tube)

Donate me at Paypal e-mail raydream_ework@yahoo.com

Or feel free to drop me comments and suggestion on this review!