Tamron has an excellent range of telephoto zoom lenses at affordable prices, and the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD is a solid choice. This multi-zoom telephoto lens offers a good set of features, a versatile focal distance, and consistent image quality. It is also part of the Tamron SP range, which means it benefits from enhanced optics and lens design.
Main Features
There are various Tamron telephoto lenses out there to choose from. The Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD sits in the middle, as it offers a good balance of affordability and quality. The following are the basic specs of this telephoto lens:
- Weight: 765g
- Max Length: 142.7mm
- Viewing Angle: 34-8
- Maximum Aperture: f/4
- Minimum Aperture: f/32
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Lens Hood: Yes
- Closest focusing distance: 1.5m
- Maximum magnification: 1:4
- Filter diameter: 62mm
At 765g it is okay in terms of portability. It is certainly not the lightest of lenses, but you should still be able to carry it comfortably. Also, we like that it comes standard with a lens hood, as this can help reduce light distortions and unwanted glare on your photos.
The Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD is available for Canon, Nikon, and Sony. The only downside is that the Sony model does not have Vibration Compensation, which is quite a big selling point of this lens for handheld use.
This lens is also a Di model, which means it can be used for APS-C, full-frame, and 35mm SLR cameras. It is therefore compatible with a large range of Canon, Sony, and Nikon models.
Design
This super-telephoto lens has a good design and benefits from the improved features of the Tamron Super Performance range. The exterior features two large, textured grips that make the lens easy to hold. These are helpful as you transition through the focal distances.
Also, the lens features a small viewing screen that shows the current focusing distance. There is a useful switch to quickly change between AF and MF. The manual focusing feature is accurate and smooth to operate as there is a manual focus ring that you can simply twist to adjust the focusing.
As stated above, the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD is not the lightest of lenses and it is relatively bulky. However, you should still be able to use it comfortably handheld. You could, however, benefit from using a tripod when zoomed-in at the maximum 300mm focal distance in order to improve stability.
This lens also benefits from Tamron’s Vibration Compensation, which is their image stabilization technology. It corrects for up to four stops of camera shake when using the lens handheld and it is a valuable feature when using the lens at super-telephoto distances.
Performance
If you want consistent image quality and a lens that allows you to easily take telephoto shots, the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD is a good choice. Its Vibration Compensation technology combined with the USD focusing motor make this lens a pleasure to use.
It also has an advanced lens element construction that features an array of special elements. It features extra-low dispersion elements that provide greater control over chromatic aberration. These features combine with LD (Low Dispersion) elements to provide superior image contrast, depth of color, and fine detail throughout the different focal distances.
The lens elements also feature BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coating. This special coating improves light transmission but also helps reduce unwanted reflections, ghosting, and flares. Essentially, the various lens elements and coatings combine to provide consistent, high-quality images regardless of the focal distance.
We also like the USD Ultra Silent Drive for autofocusing. This is one of the most advanced focusing systems Tamron offers. It provides quiet autofocusing but is still fast and accurate. This is important when shooting wildlife and moving subjects.
Finally, this lens also has a solid aperture range. At 70mm you can shoot at a maximum aperture of f/4, while at 300mm it still provides a decent aperture of f/5.6. This provides good control over depth of field and means that you can still create excellent bokeh effects for your backgrounds.
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD vs Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Some people are cautious when buying telephoto third-party lenses. There is often a misconception that they offer inferior quality to official manufacturer lenses. Let’s look, then, at how the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD compares to the similar Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. We’ll compare some basic specs to get a general idea.
| Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD | Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 765g | 630g |
| Autofocusing | USD Motor | USM Motor |
| Closest Focusing Distance | 1.5m | 1.5m |
From the basic comparison, there is not a lot of variability. Both lenses have effective image stabilization for handheld use. Also, both lenses feature an advanced autofocusing motor for quick and accurate focusing. The Tamron 70-300mm has the USD silent motor, while the Canon 70-300mm has the USM silent motor.
These two telephoto lenses also feature identical aperture ranges for their respective focal distances. One of the minor differences is that the Canon lens is considerably lighter, and this does make a difference for portability.
Aside from that, there isn’t much of a difference between these lenses. The Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD offers comparative features for a slightly cheaper price than its Canon alternative.
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Is a Solid Third-Party Choice
The Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD is a quality lens and an excellent third-party option. It offers solid and reliable telephoto performance for a relatively budget price. You can comfortably use this lens for telephoto and super-telephoto photography and benefit from the features like Vibration Compensation and the USD autofocusing motor.
The lens construction and special lens elements also help provide consistent image quality in a variety of photography situations. For telephoto photography, this third-party Tamron lens is right up there with official manufacturer lenses.
