This is the Tamron 200-500 review and you’re looking at the biggest lens that Tamron ever made.
Welcome to the land of the big boys.
I bought the Nikon mount
It has an amazing 200-500mm zoom range (300-750mm full frame equivalent when used with a cropped sensor!), which is perfect for bird photography in daylight.
In terms of optical quality, it’s very sharp even wide-open from 200mm to 400mm. At 500mm it gets a bit weaker, but the quality is still acceptable. With the f/6.3 aperture at 500mm, you can hand hold this lens in broad daylight, but it’s best if you use it with a monopod or a good tripod.
All in all this is a very good performing lens for the price. Use it correctly and you will get MUCH more than what you pay for.
Specs • Performance • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Tamron 200-500 Review – Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Tamron SP AF200-500mm F/5-6.3 Di LD (IF)
Focal Length Markings:
200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 450mm and 500mm
Features:
SP – Better build quality compared to standard Tamron lens.
AF – Autofocus. Allows the lens to focus automatically on your subject.
Di – Can be used for both full frame or cropped sensor camera.
LD – Low Dispersion Glass to reduce chromatic aberration at the telephoto end.
IF – Internal Focusing. Lens will not change dimension during autofocus. Front element will not rotate, so you can use a polarizing filter with no problems.
Full Technical Specs (from Tamron’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 10 / 13 |
| Angle of View | 12°-5° |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 2.5m (98.4″) (entire zoom range) |
| Filter Thread | 86mm |
| Weight | 1237g (43.6oz) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | ø3.7 x 8.9in. (ø93.5 x 227.0mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:5 |
| Available for | Canon, Nikon, Sony |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
*Note* Test was performed using a cropped sensor DSLR.
Tamron 200-500 Review – Sharpness
Center sharpness is very good for all focal length, except at 500mm at f/6.3. To counter, shoot at the optimal aperture of f/8.
Border sharpness is also very good at all focal length. At 500mm, the border performance decrease slightly, but it’s not an issue.
See the full sharpness test from this Tamron 200-500 review below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Tamron 200-500 Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/5-6.3 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 200mm | Great | Excellent | Great |
| 300mm | Great | Excellent | Great |
| 400mm | Great | Great | Great |
| 500mm | Great | Great | Great |
Tamron 200-500 Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/5-6.3 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 200mm | Great | Great | Great |
| 300mm | Great | Great | Great |
| 400mm | Great | Great | Great |
| 500mm | Good | Great | Great |
Distortion
This lens virtually has no distortion, which is quite amazing. Look at the distortion grid test below for proof.
Vignetting
Even at the maximum aperture, vignetting is not an issue at any focal length. There is just slight (you won’t even notice it) vignetting at 500mm f/6.3. Stop down to f/8 to counter this problem.
See the vignetting test below to see what I mean.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is very low in the 200-400mm range. At 500mm f/6.3 the chromatic aberration is slightly visible on the borders, but it’s not a a big deal.
Stop down to f/8 or shoot RAW and correct in post processing to eliminate chromatic aberration completely.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/5-6.3 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 200mm | Negligible | Very Low | Very Low |
| 300mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| 400mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| 500mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
Tamron 200-500mm Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Very high quality plastics. Feels very solid and professional. Made in Japan.
Zoom Ring
Solid and no wobbling of the inner lens tube. There is a bit of zoom creep, but Tamron wisely put a zoom lock feature to lock this lens at 200mm to prevent the creep.
Focusing
The focus ring is conveniently placed right next to the camera mount. This will allow you to switch between auto and manual focus easily even at 500mm.
The autofocus speed is fast but a little bit noisy. In low light, the focus tends to hunt especially at 500mm f/6.3. Switch to manual focus in this situation.
Some minor issue: the focus ring rotates in during autofocus, which is a bit inconvenient.
Note to Nikon users: The lens has no internal autofocus motor and relies on the camera’s slotted drive screw. This means that you won’t be able to autofocus using camera without slotted drive screw such as Nikon Nikon D40
Compatibility
You can use this lens for BOTH cropped sensor or full frame sensor DSLR. The lens performs well on both cameras.
Conclusions
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Here’s the quick summary of the Tamron 200-500 review:
I’m very surprised with how well this lens performs both on and off the field. The sharpness is great, backed up with very well distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting control.
Focusing is also fast and accurate, although there’s a slight issue with the rotating focusing ring during autofocus.
On the downside, I really think this lens need a VC. It will certainly helps you when you handhold your camera. Hopefully Tamron will install it in the next version.
For now, just remember to bring your monopod or tripod when shooting with this lens.
For anyone looking for a budget super zoom lens, I’d highly recommend this lens for you.
Below is the summary of my conclusions:
Drawbacks
- No VC (Vibration Compensation)
- Rotating focusing ring during autofocus
- At low light situation at 500mm, autofocus tend to hunt in low light due to the max. f/6.3 aperture. Easily fixed by switching to manual focus.
Positives
- Superb optical quality. Sharp with no optical flaws.
- Relatively lightweight compared to its competitors.
- Fast autofocus.
- Excellent value for money.
Good For
Someone who want an excellent super zoom lens for their money. It’s rock solid, sharp and inexpensive. Bird photography during daytime is a snap.
Not So Good For
Someone who needs fast aperture at the 500mm range (ex. to shoot sports at night, etc.).
What Others Are Saying…
by “Paul Jabukowski”
…this lens is a significant value. Not only in price, but in utility. I had to ask myself if I would really use a lens in this range enough to want to hump it around (yes), if I really needed a fast lens in the 200-500mm range (no), or practically, if I could afford same (no)…
Click here to read the full review
by “Trebor”
I have had this lens for not quite a week. I use it on a D200, and also on a D70S. I have taken pictures of aircraft, surfers, birds and have learned a lot about how to get the most out of this lens. I doubt that it was designed to be hand held, so if you want good pictures, use a tripod…
Click here to read the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Tamron 200-500mm lens from Amazon (best price online):
Just in case B&H doesn’t have it in stock, try Adorama (Canon, Nikon, Sony) or B&H Photo (Canon, Nikon, Sony).
Be sure to also check out the related lens review below:
Hope this Tamron 200-500 review has helped you in your purchasing decision.
This is the Tamron 200-500 review and you’re looking at the biggest lens that Tamron ever made.
Welcome to the land of the big boys.
I …
This is the Tamron 200-500 review and you’re looking at the biggest lens that Tamron ever made.
Welcome to the land of the big boys.
I …
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
Tags: tamron 200-500, tamron 200-500 review, tamron 200-500mm
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