- Telezoom lens designed exclusively for Canon Digital SLR cameras with smaller-size imagers
- Nine-blade diaphragm construction for natural out-of-focus effect
- 37.4-inch minimum focusing distance for 3.5x macro capability over entire zoom range
- Low-dispersion lens elements reduces chromatic aberation for sharper images
- Lightwight and compact design weighing a mere 10.4-ounces
Product Description
The Tamron AF55-200mm f4-5.6 Di II Macro LD (Model A15) is a tele-zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with smaller-size image sensors at an affordable price. Di (Digitally integrated)-II lenses are designed for exclusive use on digital cameras with smaller-size imagers. This lens is not designed for use with 35mm film cameras or digital SLR cameras with image sensors larger than 24mm x 16mm. For photographers who bought their digital SLR camera in a kit with a standard zoom lens but are dissatisfied with the telephoto capability of the standard lens, the AF55-200mm f4-5.6 Di II LD Macro offers in a second lens a desirable telephoto range at an affordable price. The tele-zoom from Tamron will allow these photographers to enjoy the telephoto capabilities that yield dynamic images in many photographic situations including sporting events, large wildlife, scenery and portraiture. Popular-type Tele-zoom for Exclusive Use on Digital SLR CamerasThis is a telephoto zoom for exclusive use on digital SLR cameras that covers the focal length range equivalent to 85-310mm when converted to a 35mm format. The lens will allow owners of digital SLRs fitted with standard zoom lenses to enjoy with ease the professional-looking “pulling” and “compression” effects particular to telephoto lenses. Lightweight and Compact Design Thanks to Optical System for Exclusive Use on Digital CamerasSince the optical system is designed for exclusive use on digital cameras, the image circle is smaller, resulting in a compact package measuring 3.3 inches, accepting a 52mm standard filter and weighing a mere 10.4 ounces. Revolutionary Minimum Focus Distance of 37.4 inches for 1:3.5 Macro Capability over the Entire Zoom RangeThe 55-200mm zoom lens realizes an MFD (Minimum Focus Distance) of 37.4 inches over the entire zoom range, the top level of the closest focusing distance among tele-zoom lenses. Since the maxim
Nightingale @ 3:36 pm
I took the Tamron AF 55-200mm out for a test drive along with my (new to me) Cannon digital rebel (300D). I went for a few hours into the wine country of Northern California. The Tamron is a perfect companion if you already have the standard Canon EF-S 18-55 mm lens. The Tamron is 55 to 200mm, so it takes over where the cannon leaves off.
Also, you get better lens performance compared to a lens that “tries to do it all” by going from super wide to long telephoto. Outdoors the camera was able to focus the Tamron quickly and reliably. I am very pleased with the lens.
I’m also pleased because this lens is designed specifically for digital cameras. (Digital cameras are different from film cameras in several respects). For example, a digital camera uses what amounts to a big chip to gather light, the surface of the chip is far more reflective than film. This means bright light can hit the chip and some of it bounce back into the lens. If the rear-end of the lense does not have good coatings, you can get re-reflections *back* to the chip. The light rays hitting the chip also need to be parallel NOT in a “cone”. These are the types of design elements Tamron has paid attention to when designing this lens.
HOWEVER, you cannot use this lens with a film camera, or you will get dark fading (vignetting) around the edges of the photo.
Also, this lens is designed specifically for cameras with a CMOS or CCD chip no larger than 15.5 to 23.2mm (perfect for the Canon 300D) To see how big your chip is, refer to the specifications in your owners manual.
Jan Ulrich @ 6:11 pm
I originally bought this lens in order to have a zoom along with my 18-55mm kit lens for my Rebel Xti. Overall the build quality of this lens is very nice. It comes with a lens hood which is great because Canon usually charges you around $30 extra dollars for a lens hood. The only bad thing about this lens is the autofocus speed. I have often tried to use this lens for sports photography and have really been disappointed. It often takes a while for the lens to focus on hat you want it to. In low light the autofocus is completely unusable. Sometimes at the last second the camera will focus on something else and all I get are some blurry action shots with the background in focus and the event completely blurry. Overall I would recommend this lens for a person that wants to increase their lens capabilities to a mid-range zoom and whose budget is somewhat lower. If you’re really looking for a lens more suited for sports photography you’re not going to find anything at such a low price. But the price you pay an the quality you get is impressive. This was my first experience with Tamron and I will continue to buy their products in the future.
A. Elzahed @ 7:42 pm
I like this lens and it is a very good lens for the price, light weight and precise. Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
L. Perez @ 8:32 pm
I am just a debutant photo amateur but I was looking for a not pricy telephoto zoom mainly for portraits and bumped into this option. Basically all critiques are good, nice image quality, good color rendering the only downside is the slow and noisy AF. It is a real good deal for a beginner on a budget.
pwrplayhockey @ 9:25 pm
I own a Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP, and I’ve had it for 3 1/2 years. I thought it’s time to get a 2nd lens, since I have a 300mm lens for my 35mm Rebel, but not for my Digital Rebel.
I figured I’d give this one a chance, due to the price and features. I think this slightly smaller lens is a better choice, for me, because of the smaller size. And, unlike a 35mm camera, it’s a lot easier to crop digital pictures.
I am pleased with the lens. I believe the picture quality is exactly what I expected or better. I do think it’s a little slow when it’s far out of focus, but it’s quick enough when it’s just a little out of focus. I don’t plan on using the lens everyday, but for the money and features, it’s worth it.