Tamron AD2 70-210/3.8-4 46A - another superb budget zoom

[ManualFocus-G]

I've been a fan of the 103A 80-210/3.8-4 for a long time now, as it outperforms many of my other zooms including my modern AF Sigma and Tokina models. The 46A is the sucessor, and although often slated for being a bit plasticky, the lens is lighter and performs very, very well.



My copy had been sitting around unused for 6 months as it has some hazing or fungus in the middle, which cause it to overexpose a bit. Check out these snaps taken at the farm last week though:



100% crop











I needed quite a bit of sharpening for this one, as the little guy kept moving!



Most shots had a minimal (20% or so) amount of unsharp mask applied, and I needed to PP the contrast, shadows and highlights a bit because of the haze/fungus.

These can be picked up for around the £10.00 mark, which I think makes this model a bit of a bargain!

[Attila]

Pretty incredible indeed! Thank you for sharing! I suppose samples are superb your camera and your subject selection shows far better lens than a Tamron lens.

[Nesster]

Nice results - that duckling is SUPER CUTE! and I like the goat too

[andyw]

Yep! Quality images there. I love the goad eating the bolt, good capture

[poilu]

great pics! my favorites are with the goat, she try to unscrew the bolt for freedom and on the previous her eyes says 'save me save me'

[cooltouch]

Dang! Am I correct in thinking that this is not an SP Tamron? I've heard great things about their 70-210s, but have never owned one. I opted for the SP 60-300 f/3.8-5.4 instead, and have been very happy with it -- another lens that can be picked up for cheap, btw. The last one I bought I paid $20 for.

[Karhallarn]

Yeah,

absolutely nice pictures! I've got the 85-210 4.5 Adaptall zoom for my Nikon and I'm very impressed every time I put it onto my D1x. The Macro mode is a killer, the only think which pains a bit is that it's a two touch type! Does yours have a macro mode?

cheers,

Karhallarn

[ManualFocus-G]

Yep, this is the standard Adaptall 2 one! Great performer

It continously focuses into the macro mode I believe

[cooltouch]

It seems like Tamron has done a better job than most other lens makers when it comes to implementing a macro mode on their zooms. I like the idea that it is continuous with yours. Does the zoom indicate what the maximum magnification is?

My 60-300 will get all the way down to 1:1.55, which is almost unheard of for a zoom, but it has a dedicated macro mode that must be engaged. Oh, I see you own one, so you already know that

Hmmm . . . I don't see the 46A listed in your sig. How would you compare its performance to the other short-to-long tele Tamron zooms you have listed in your sig? I don't see how performance could get much better, to be honest, but I'm curious.