Tamron SP-200 2x Teleconverter Sample Images

Cardinal (cropped)

Tamron 300/2.8 with Tamron SP-200 2x TC @ f/16

Over the Easter holiday, I spent the afternoon over at my aunt and uncle -in-law's home. The weather was simply amazing and they just happen to have an array of bird feeders in the back yard. So I brought over my D600, the Tamron 300mm f/2.8 107B and the SP-200 2x teleconverter. I set up about 50 feet from the bird feeders, beneath the deck umbrella, and set the tripod in such a way so as to allow me to fully lounge, whilst still being able to preview my images through the viewfinder. Throw in a tall sweating glass of iced sweet tea, and we just might have my absolute favorite moment of the spring so far...

I've not done a whole lot of birding, so forgive my ignorance in the matter. These images are more to further demonstrate the quality one can achieve using the Tamron SP-200 and one of Tamron's oldest 300/2.8 lenses, even today. I have done some minor color and exposure adjustments but no sharpening has been added.

Cowbird (cropped)

Tamron 300/2.8 with Tamron SP-200 2x TC @ f/11

Gold Finches

Tamron 300/2.8 with Tamron SP-200 2x TC @ f/16

Above: I realize the composition of this image is strange. It was actually done to demonstrate the off-axis sharpness that can be achieved with the SP-200. Have a close look at both the Finches and the details in the anti-squirrel plate for the bird feeder, located in the bottom left side of the image.

Woodpecker (slight crop)

Tamron 300/2.8 with Tamron SP-200 2x TC @ f/11

Woodpecker (cropped)

Tamron 300/2.8 with Tamron SP-200 2x TC @ f/11

Tamron SP Lenses - Time for Some Results

**I have replaced the title image of this post with an updated, better quality shot. Also, if you have read this post previous to this update, you'll notice 4 lenses in the image and only 3 in the review. That might be because I got a package in the mail today...stay tuned.

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Not too long ago, I was knee-deep in macro lenses hunched over tiny critters and flowers making my way through a hit list of manual focus classics, in an attempt to see first-hand just how well these famed lenses performed. At one point, I owned over 10 macro lenses, 9 of which covered the same focal length. Talk about redundancy. Strangely enough, one of the most talked about manual focus macro lenses, the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.5 (52BB) was not in my possession. I had seen and heard much about Tamron adaptall lenses but for some reason just had not made my way into the Adaptall system.

Only a few months later, I have gone 180°. I own 3 of Tamron's famed SP lenses and must be a few feet from my subject before I can focus (these are some of the big boys). Tamron's Adaptall-2 SP line provides some of the most economical alternatives to premium glass. I will say right out, I am very impressed with the performance of Tamron SP glass.

The Test

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Having posted some initial reviews of these lenses some time back, it is about time to show some results. I put together a simple comparison which essentially demonstrates how these lenses handle under similar conditions. The shots are not framed exactly the same (to compensate for different focal lengths). Nor are the corner crops in the same location. I would just like to show "what these lenses can do".

Basically, I set up a tripod in the yard that did not move throughout the test. I mounted each lens in series and centered the composition on a specific flower. ISO changed with varying shutter speeds to compensate for subject movement so blur would not be an issue (it was a slightly breezy day). At smaller apertures, blur did occur and as a result I have no included those results.

Below are the Key images for each lens:

Tamron SP 180mm f/2.5 LD-IF

Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD

Tamron SP 400mm f/4 LD-IF

The Results

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Wide Open (f/2.5, f/2.8, f/4)

(f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6)

(f/4, f/5.6, f/8)

(f/5.6, f/8, f/11)

As I said, at the later apertures I began seeing blur due to the longer focal lengths and breeze of the day. Consequently I left those results out.

Analysis

As I said, I am quite impressed with the overall performance of these SP lenses. I was a little curious about the CA present in the 400mm wide open. After reading some forums I discovered CA is one of the more prominent issues with Tamron SP lenses and most likely a trade-off in buying non-Nikon or Canon premium lenses. Although I have little experience with longer, professional Nikon lenses, I did get an opportunity to shoot Nikon's older 600mm f/5.6. The results shocked me. While the Nikon did handle CA a little better, the Tamron was right on par in overall sharpness! The contrast in these SP lenses is excellent at all apertures. All the lens hoods are perfectly adequate in handling lens flare. I have also had no issues whatsoever with the Adaptall mounts.

I will add a little more to this in the next couple days. Feel free to share an experience with any of these Tamron SP lenses (or some of the other longer telephoto models not here). It would be great to here more stories!

Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD 107B - An Elusive Adaptall

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For photographers (specifically the lens junkies like myself and probably you since you're reading this), lenses can be like family heirlooms. Surprisingly, they can become vessels of immense sentiment. Like a ship to her captain, lenses are a means to our livelihood. While shooting we make images and memories alike. Although some may feel as though we are merely viewing the world through a preconceived, mass-produced optical perscription. I cannot help but feel as though all sorts of various things combine to form a unique "personality" for many of my optics. My newest find has had me since Day 1.

I randomly decided to check out a website I found some time back while "googling" craiglists that searches ALL craigslists within a specified area. SearchTempest.com. I know, I know, that sort of defeats Craig Newmark's whole concept behind craigslist, "Deal Locally". But sometimes I can't help it. If there is even 1 of what I am looking for, for sale in the world, I want to know where it is! In this instance, I wasn't even looking for what I found. I was actually looking for a Tamron 200f TC (and continue to search). So I type in my search what do I find?:


An exemplary looking sample of Tamron's ellusive, one-year production model 300mm f/2.8, the 107B! Complete with tan leather case and lens cover. Then I saw the price, $400. I couldn't sit still. For a 300mm f/2.8 more than reasonable. For a rare, Tamron rumored to be of awesome capabilities, that's exquisite! SO I e-mailed the gentleman and let him know that I'm just a camera junkie/blogger looking to give the lens a wonderful home. This is where that "personality" begins to form.

The seller's name was Gordon. He is 90 years of age and has decided to let his photographic gear make its way into other photographer's bags. I began a short dialogue with Gordon and he told me the types of imagery he used to make as well as list some of the gear he used. He took great care of his equipment. Gordon agreed he could ship the lens so long as I showed I was good for the money. It was here that a Post Office fiasco ensued, in which they temporarily lost my money in the Registered (Pay more for more accurate, secure handling...yeah right!) and all hope of this transaction actually happening was nearly lost. 12 Days later, the money arrived and Gordon shipped the lens.

It's a marvel of a lens. I can't even begin to describe the excitement I had over unpacking this one. The build is just magnificent. The slightly off-white, glossy enameled finish. Everything is just smooth! Focus, rotating tripod mount, all just awesome. OEM hood with Tamron decals intact. The front element has some very minor abrasion but I don't think that will be much of an issue.

Specifications:

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Manufacturer designation: 107B
Focal length: 300mm
Max. aperture: f/2.8
Min. apertures: f/32
Angle of view: 8º
Elements/Groups: 7/6
Min. focus (from film plane): 118" (3.0 m)
Filter size: front 112mm, rear-tray 43mm
Diameter: 4.6" (117.5mm)
Length at ∞: 7.8" (199mm)
Weight: 4.6 lbs. (2071 g)
Lens hood: Bayonet, #38FH, reversible

NOTE: It seems whoever owned the domain for Adaptall-2.com has let it expire and currently a mirror is running at Adaptall-2.org. The specs are from this site.

Performance

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See HERE for a comparison with a few of the other Tamron SP's.

I have just now begun shooting with this lens and I have to say my initial impression is that I am shocked. I really didn't expect this lens to be this good. It just seemed with older technology and all this would probably be a "good" lens but not amazing. So far, it is slightly soft at f/2.8 but still extremely useable and very sharp. It shows some CA wide open, to be expected. The OOF looks beautiful! In reading, the Adaptall-2 claims the 107B was initially designed without a 43mm filter in place and that the addition of the filter without adjustment to the optical formula means shooting the lens without a filter in place should be a bit sharper. I tried this and so far have found my lens performs optimally with the 43mm filter IN PLACE. Awesome.


Another thing I kept wondering about was since this lens does not have IF (Internal Focus), just how long does it get when focus from nearest to infinity? Well, as you can see above, not far. Honestly, I haven't had an issue with this non-IF design at all so far. It may be a bit of a con but only in the same way MF is now that we have lightning fast AF. The lens focuses smooth and there is absolutely no creep.

Aesthetics/Ergonomics

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As I said above, this truly is an extremely unique lens. The finish is aesthetically awesome. The heft and shape just sings of robustness. I am especially intrigued by the accessories marketed with the lens. Gordon even included the manual (which I will be scanning and putting up soon!) as well as original receipts. Based on some online calculators, suggested MSRP of this lens was around 265000 japanese yen in 1983 which equated to $1093 USD. Gordon's receipt shows he paid $1600 USD from Adorama in 1984. Now, from the calculator, it seems the original suggested retail price equates to a little over $2300 (as of 2009). It would appear the lens cost Gordon more than this even.

This lens has lived a good long life, and still has many, many years left to offer. I am overjoyed at the prospect of getting to use this historic piece of glass! I'll keep posted on specifics of the performance!

Links/Resources

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NEW!! I received the owner's manual with this beautiful lens and have since scanned it into a PDF format.
click HERE to download the User's Manual for the Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 107B

http://adaptall-2.org/lenses/107B.html

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://www2.xitek.com/production/product.php%3Fid%3D1323%26prod_from%3D1&ei=JaA6TIfOC8b4nAejktXiAw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDMQ7gEwBThQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtamron%2B107b%26start%3D80%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official