Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC B018

Great quality and value. I've used Tamron lenses for years with zero complaints. The quality rivals my Nikor lenses in every category, except price. The 18-200 lens is a light weight, versatile tool that any photographer would welcome into his quiver. Wide angle team shots and up close solo performance shots are easily accomplished with this lens. Great value!

Perfect SLR lens for me I am using this 18-200mm lens with a Nikon D3100 camera. This camera uses a smaller sensor size than a full-size SLR. This means that all "mm" specifications have to be multiplied by 1.5. That makes this lens a 27-300mm wide-angle to zoom eqeuivalent, which I like, because I prefer to have more zoom than more wide angle -- and 27mm wide angle is already enough. 300mm is the equivalent of a 6x zoom lens. The lens is reasonably compact at 3.5 inches long. Wen not extended, it is the size of my hand wrapped around it, so a comfortable size. When zoomed all the way, the lens extends by another 3 inches. The aperture is small (f3.5 for wide angle and f6.3 for maximum zoom), but that is to be expected with this low of a price. Since zoom photos are always taken outdoors, this is not too much of a problem. The filter ring size is 62mm, but it comes with a sun shade which also help keep fingers off the glass. The lens works exactly as you would expect: manual zoom control, auto or manual focus. In addition, the anti-vibration can be turned off, which you want off at slow shutter speeds. There is a lock that keeps the lens from extended by accident, such as when you carry the camera hanging down. Read full review

Not very strong telephoto, good mid range Don't make the mistake I did in thinking this was gonna let me take good images of far away objects. It just is not very strong. It also is very limited on the other end, you can't get good shots very close up. The middle range is nice and sharp.