Anyone else have a Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD (IF) 60B?

oheuston · Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Posts: 30 Location: Clarksville TN

I was looking for 300mm 2.8 prime and came across the Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD (IF) 60B. After doing some reading and searching on Ebay, I got one. It came in the case, had two different rear filters(and holders) etc. It is missing the strap(could use that, this is a heavy bastard when shooting hand-held) and it is also missing the little palm rest that could be attached to the collar(which I cannot find for sale anywhere). I have to get a different tripod head as the Manfrotto 322RC2 does not work with it(I have other tripods and a monopod to use).

Here a couple of pics that I have taken with it:

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I certainly would like to try one!

A bit rich for my blood though.

Congratulations on your models!
Make the most of them while they still let you take their pictures.
Mine grew up, so they are no longer available.

oheuston · Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Posts: 30 Location: Clarksville TN

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1305 Location: Conwy N Wales

I use this lens a lot, typically with a 014F 1.4x tc. You can see pics I have taken here (use the search function to look for my posts, I use the same u-m on PF).
My example was a fortuitous buy, a rather beat up example that didn't bid up. It's suffered some more since, sliding out of my Lowe sling shot bag onto the ground Sad

, the mount end cap taking most of the force fortunately, optics not affected. But the aperture mechanics were affected and now I am restricted to manual camera mode.
Definitely get yourself some sort of baggage strap with clips that will attach to the square rings on the lens body for carrying. I habitually use a monopod so I just carry the assemblage over my shoulder.
This was the most expensive adaptall made, more expensive even than the scarce 400mm f4 new (not today tho on the s/h market!!), made when large LD elements were technically innovative and pricy..

Some examples (pentax K5, first two heavily cropped):

oheuston · Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Posts: 30 Location: Clarksville TN

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1305 Location: Conwy N Wales

That's a nice nice 60B, with the original square case as well.
Lens + tc fits pretty nicely in my slingshot 100AW. I usually have my camera in the top compartment with a lens like the 50mm f1.7 on. The slingshot has a very convenient loop to park the monopod in, and a wee pocket on the front that just fits my bean bag - never leave home without your bean bag!! Actually I think those merganser shots were using my bb.

Abbazz · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 1098 Location: Jakarta

I do have a 60B, which is a good lens, especially considering its age. I don't like the focusing ring because, like on other internal focusing lenses manufactured by Tamron, it's too stiff and lacks precision.

I also use the 60B with the 200F teleconverter and the results are very good, even wide open.

But it's not the kind of setup you want to carry on a mountain trek.

Cheers!

Abbazz

itsfozzy · Expire: 2021-04-14

Fantastic lens!

#1 Macro!

#2 Shot with the mad extension above

#3 André Greipel, Sony A7 II

#4 Sony A7 II

#5 Olympus E-M1

#6 Olympus E-M1

#7 Olympus E-M1

A few more if you're interested
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125323761@N07/albums/72157648564856803/with/17895493664/

e6filmuser · Joined: 12 Nov 2010 Posts: 582 Location: Reading UK

I have one which I have not used much because of the weight. I remember something about Tamron developing this in response to requests from professionals for a high performance 300mm. It should give best resolution and contrast at f8.

I also have the 400mm. I find that Urban Sling bags, which 7Day Shop.com sold until recently (£4) are perfect for either lens.

The 200F and 140F converters should be used.

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1305 Location: Conwy N Wales

Here's a couple more 60B + 014F shots. Pentax K5, lens resides at around f5.6 with this combo.

While I have other lenses that can compete in terms of IQ, the big advantage of this fast lens is visual focus: brighter focus screen, sharper depth of field.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

The more I see of this lens, the more I want one..... Rolling Eyes

Great pictures from everyone in this topic, just having a great lens doesn't mean great images. You've got to be able to use it!

oheuston · Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Posts: 30 Location: Clarksville TN

oheuston · Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Posts: 30 Location: Clarksville TN

oheuston · Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Posts: 30 Location: Clarksville TN

oheuston · Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Posts: 30 Location: Clarksville TN

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

e6filmuser · Joined: 12 Nov 2010 Posts: 582 Location: Reading UK

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

I've owned a 60B for several years now, and I've gotta say it was worth every penny. There are just some shots you can't get unless you have at least a 300mm f/2.8, and I realized years ago that a 300/2.8 was the price of admission for several different types of photography.

In more recent years, most of my outings with my 60B have been to local airshows and the odd motorcyce race. Even though Houston claims to have a diverse bird population, I've yet to see much of one. I'm envious of all the remarkable bird shots you guys have posted. So anyway, given I don't have any decent bird shots, I'll just have to make do with some from recent airshows and motorcycle races.

itsfozzy · Expire: 2021-04-14

The focus ring is the only thing that is a bit lacking with the lens, the Nikkor in the shot has a far sweeter focus ring, but it's a shame it turns the wrong way... The Nikkor was a lens that I bought and sold as part of my business, but the Tamron was mine. Optically I could not tell them apart and would have been more than happy with either of them. I sold the Tamron after I bought a Canon FD 400/4.5 as this coincided with me going full frame, and the Tamron worked better for birding with an E-M1 than with my Sony. Having a 300/2.8 on a 2x crop worked brilliantly for me as it let me drop 16mp on the subject with a filled frame of an equivalent 600mm and the extra DoF of a 300mm vs 600mm lens made it easy to get birds in flight in focus.

ZoneV · Expire: 2011-12-02

I have one too, but no images to show here.
As many of my lenses I bought it cheap in not so good shape. No extra filter but the UV/ clear glass. No collar, no strap, no case.
I hope to find time for a comparison between this and my FD 300mm/2.8 with fungus, and a Nikkor AF one (with missing back end).

Mike Deep · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 316 Location: Upstate New York

I've largely stopped using mine... It's become apparent there's some sort of problem with the focusing group. When tilting the lens, the focus will shift on its own. Something is sliding back and forth under gravity.

Actually, if anyone knows who might have the knowledge to diagnose or repair the problem, let me know.

bychance · Joined: 24 Apr 2013 Posts: 345 Location: Kent, England

How about this guy
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamron-300mm-f2-8-SP-LD-IF-Lens-Adaptall-Mount-Nikon-F-Canon-EF-MD-OM/173334829360?hash=item285b8f9930:g:cFMAAOSwKQ9Z~z4y

Wink

marcusBMG · Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Posts: 1305 Location: Conwy N Wales

Very fair price IMO if the optical performance is correct. However I can remark that the last 60B I had in my watch list was a much better example with case etc and went for around £350 if I remember right. Would have been well worth a bid if I didn't have one... good ones do regularly bid up nearer 500.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

justtorchit · Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: St. Louis, MO

I have the several of Tamron's adaptall 300/2.8 lenses: the 107B, 60B, and 360B. Optically I'm impressed with all of them. Functionally, I use the 360B most and actually quite often. I have owned a few copies of the 400/4 as well (and still have 1) and I have experiences the stiff focusing ring. One copy, so much so, it went in for repair. Once repaired though, these lenses are capable of very smooth, easy focusing mechanisms. I wonder if the lubricant Tamron originally used just didn't age well? Whatever the case, the copies I have kept have pretty smooth focusing though they are nothing compared to the 360B.

The 360B almost whispers as you manipulate focus with a single finger. It's heavenly. I photographed a storytelling event and I was off to the sides of the stage as well as behind the crowd in a relatively intimate space. I had the 300/2.8 on a monopod mounted to a Fujifilm X-T2 and the metabones speed booster. I love the results. Between the 60B and 360B, I haven't done any detailed comparisons as they may even be the same optical formula with a cosmetic upgrade. Someone here may better know this. But Tamron's 300/2.8s have been stellar for me (especially given the cost as others mentioned). I picked up each of these 300s for sub $500, often with teleconverters, 112mm filters, 43mm filters, etc. Another accessory you might find useful if handholding is the palm grip that Tamron sold with these. Mounts to the tripod socket but gives you a little hand grip.