AT FIRST GLANCE
When unpacking the good piece is striking that it comes back with the really very generous 5-year warranty (if you registered the product). In addition, you are really flabbergasted how small, light and compact can be a push with such focal range. RESPECT, Tamron! You did it really well done.
That the sun visor is provided, is also nice apart from the evil Canon but also normal.
The perceived quality of the lens is quite good. Nothing special though. The zoom ring is relatively heavy. I found personally not bad, especially since it effectively prevents lens Creep. Less well has me already since the manual focus ring like. It runs much too steep and too easily. Manual focus does so in any case no fun.
Image Quality
1. Resolution
The resolution of the Tamron 18-270 PZD is much better than I thought. While there are a few places on the Zoom Bar, which look really bad (and, unfortunately, are the very important points). But who prints his pictures not overly large or admired in the 100% view, which should be satisfied in the majority of cases. A pity that the image quality is particularly problematic just with 18mm and 250-270mm (each open). This is a problem especially in telephoto. Because here you can indeed improve the quality by stopping down, but then a real light problem. 270mm (432mm small image) at f8 will finally be held only once quiet. In addition, the dimming of course complicates the crop a subject.
2. Contrast
In this discipline I could not convince the Tamron 18-270 PZD. Of the 5 lenses that I own (of which none has a "L"), it offered by far the worst contrast. As well as the resolution and the contrast is greatly improved by stopping down. Due to the lighting conditions will or you can not always stop down flat.
3. Chromatic aberrations
Unfortunately abound (though less in the center). Fade helps but ....
4. Distortion
I found the distortion total portable. It is in most focal areas quite visible, but in my opinion only annoying in wide angle.
5. Colors
The color rendering suffers somewhat below the moderate contrast. I had partly the impression that the lens stained slightly yellowish.
6. Flares
are not noticed
AUTO FOCUS
The Piezo Drive the Tamron was for me one of the reasons for buying (I thought I could so send my lame 55-250 IS retire). In fact, the focus is very pleasantly quiet and works reliably. Unfortunately, he works not faster than a conventional micromotor. On The Contrary. I believe that as the Canon 18-200 is faster than the test candidate.
IMAGE STABILIZER
Anti Shake works well when Tamron 18-270 and is only a faint sound. The effect is not certain though at 4 f-stops (creates competition but did not), but rather with good. 2
In test shots at home I have also noted that the stabilization really not compatible with tripods. I know that they say about all image stabilizers. But I have the negative effect has never been so clearly seen here.
CONCLUSION
As superzoom the Tamron 18-270 PZD makes a good figure. Weight and dimensions make it a great travel companion, and the focus should be sufficient for the vast majority of holiday photos or photos of parties and family celebrations. The degree of distortion and CAs is in view of the wide focal length still okay. Not good, I find, however, the really weak contrast and the failures in the sharpness with 18 and 270mm at maximum aperture. The light weakness limits the all-round capabilities of the lens, and the silent autofocus would be faster. In addition, I find the price in view of the benefits of competition (and this includes mE also bridge cameras with superzoom) a bit steep. Overall, I would give the NOTE 2 for the Super Zoom.
Not one evaluates the maximum design compromises as an excuse, of course, sees things differently. Since we have a relatively expensive lens that is sharp in any setting is 100%, is light and low contrast, and does not spare his distortions and CAs. It provides a kind of ultrasonic motor, but does not focus quickly. It has an image stabilizer, but still is not due to the weak light intensity for low-light situations. As ENDNOTE therefore would be for me at all sober reflection, not more than a smooth 4 there.
I'm glad I was able to test the lens. If I swear on the next hike back through the constantly changing lenses needed or about the weight of my backpack, I know at least once again, why I'm doing this. The amateur photographers among you, where image quality is important, I advise them to buy this lens.
Who fully sets its priorities on flexibility unlike me, who may like to read my review on the other hand as a 4-star review. After all, who wants to have a superzoom in knowledge of all the necessary trade-offs, which is with the TAMRON 18-270 certainly well advised.
