The Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC Lens:
Tamron’s First Image Stabilized Lens

Street Price: Approximately $600 US

Tamron’s AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens is a do-it-all superzoom lens with Tamron’s new, proprietary “Vibration Compensation” optical image stabilization system. It’s their first lens to include image stabilization. The Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC lens is compatible with 35mm and digital SLRs and is currently available with Canon and Nikon lens mounts.

Introduction
We all want a lens that can do it all. And the 28-300mm range is definitely something to covet - even if 28mm isn’t really wide for those of using APS-C digital SLRs. (See article and announcement for Tamron’s planned AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC MACRO Lens) Regardless, the Tamron 28-300mm XR Di VC lens offers a ton of reach in a very compact package. I was most interested in finding out how Tamron’s new Vibration Compensation (VC) optical image stabilization worked. But I was also curious about whether a $600 28-300mm zoom lens would make me happy. I’m always looking for ways to cut down the weight and bulk of my backpack when I’m skiing, mountain biking, or hiking.

Zoom Range / Angle-Of-View:
28mm	100mm	300mm
(click on photos for larger versions)

Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC Build & Design
There are a bunch of letters at the end of the lens name that need some explanation. They’re there for a reason and they actually mean something. Tamron’s AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens uses most of their best technology. “VC” stands for “Vibration Compensation,” “XR” indicates that the lens uses “Extra Refractive Index Glass”, “LD” stands for “Low Dispersion,” and “Di” means this is one of Tamron’s ” Digitally Integrated” lenses, designed for optimal performance with either DSLRs or 35mm film cameras. And although it’s not a true macro (it doesn’t have 1:1 focusing), the 28-300 VC lens can focus as close as 19.3 inches (0.49m) across the whole zoom range

I tested the Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC lens on a Canon EOS Rebel XSi (450D) and a Canon EOS 40D. The first thing I noticed was how light and compact it is for a 28-300mm lens - especially one that includes an optical image stabilization system. That’s not to say it’s actually small, light, or feels flimsy. In size and weight it’s a bit bigger than the Tamron AF28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di lens and a little smaller than the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. But it’s small compared to my Canon 300mm f/4L and miniature compared to Canon’s monster 28-300 f/3.5-5.6L IS pro lens. Mechanically, it’s very nice, with a solid feel and smooth zoom action. It has a locking switch to keep it from zooming out when it’s pointed down and internal focusing means the front element doesn’t spin, making it friendly to circular polarizers.

Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC lens size comparison. Left to right: Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di, Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC, Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

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