Tamron Adaptall-2 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4 SP Macro Zoom (Model 23A, 1983-2000)

Tamron Adaptall-2 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4
SP Macro Zoom (Model 23A, 1983-2000)

2016.10.19 - Published

2022.08.06 - Rewritten, re-uploaded photos

Tamron Adaptall-2

60-300mm f/3.8-5.4

SP Macro Zoom

Nomenclature...

SP = Superior Performance

BBAR = Broad Band Anti-Reflective

MC = Multi Coated lens elements

Model - 23A

Years Produced - 1983-2000

Minimum Focusing - 1.9 meters

Macro - 30cm at 60mm (1:1.55)

Focus Throw - 360 degrees

Zoom Type - One-touch (aka 'push-pull zoom')

Filter Thread Ø - 62 mm

Hood - #48FH Bayonet Hood

Aperture Run - f/3.8 - f/32

Maximum Aperture - f/3.8 (60mm), f/5.4 (300mm)

# Diaphragm Blades - 8

Optical Formula - 15 elements, 11 groups

Coating - BBAR MC

Made in Japan

Product Page

http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/23A.html

Owner's Manual
http://forum.mflenses.com/tamron-sp-60-300mm-f-3-8-5-4-model-23a-owners-manual-t32885.html

Photo Album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7eqGFJNEzsNs3pAk9

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Impressions

Back in mid-2016, I was lucky to find a lot of lenses in Minolta/Sony A-mount that sold for next to nothing for the whole set -- a Minolta a7700i film camera, Kenko filters, Minolta AF zoom lenses, Sigma 50/2.8 macro lens (Minolta AF mount), and this Tamron 60-300mm (Minolta AF adapter). My camera at the time was a Nikon D5200 so the only one I could use was this Tamron lens.

Boy, was I lucky! This lens was in mint new condition, complete with its original hood, front/rear caps, and genuine Adaptall adapter (Minolta/Sony A-mount). I took this Tamron 60-300mm lens out on several occasions and it was especially nice for shooting the sunset in Manila Bay. It wasn't bad for shooting low light night scenes too.

Build/Handling

The lens is made of metal with the exception of the aperture ring. It weighs much heavier than my Nikon D5200 DSLR. The lens has no zoom creep which is common among 'push-pull' zooms. The focusing and zooming are combined into a single ring for fast reflex shooting to nail the subject. While the focusing has a little bit of resistance than what is comfortable, the zooming takes a little bit more muscle, but at least you are sure not to accidentally zoom out while holding the lens. Unfortunately, there is no built-in tripod mount collar, considering how heavy it is. It was meant for handheld shooting and could be very wearisome to shoot for a long time.

Macro

The minimum focusing distance of this lens is 1.9 meters. You can access macro by pulling the zoom ring to 60mm, and then with some strenuous force, twist with extraordinary force to engage macro mode. Once in Macro Mode, you focus by push-pull action, not by rotating the focus ring. It takes alot of muscle to get to macro. The macro feature of this lens, while it produces excellent output, was so much trouble to operate. I'd rather get myself a dedicated macro lens instead.

Comparison of Tamron vs. dedicated Macro Lens

Having owned three Nikkor macro lenses in the past (Micro-Nikkor-P 55mm f/3.5, Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 AI, Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 AI-s) -- how would the macro of this Tamron lens compare? 1) First, macro at 60mm means that the widest opening is f/3.8, whereas the Nikkor has f/3.5; 2) Both the Nikkor and Tamron were sharp wide open, and even sharper stopped to f/8, but I find that the Tamron seems to have better contrast and overall sharper; 3) Those three Nikkor lenses only go to 1:2, while the Tamron goes down to 1:1.55 magnification; and lastly, 4) Operation-wise, I think the macro lens was way more convenient to use, especially when mounting to a tripod.

Adaptability

Tamron's 'Adaptall' is a system of lenses that have swappable mounts. The concept is that instead of buying multiple of the same lens for different camera systems you own, why not just use one lens and swap the mounts using an Adaptall adapter.

The popularity of the Adaptall is such that Tamron produced these lenses from 1973 until 2006. What made the system popular (aside from the quality of lenses at bargain prices) is that the mounts were very easy to swap. Just attach and twist clockwise and it locks in place. The process isn't fiddly or complicated.

The Adaptall system still lives to this day because plenty of genuine adapters exist, particularly Nikon F mount (if you own a DSLR). There are even manufacturers today that make copycat adapters (only that these do not support auto diaphragm or meter coupling) at even cheaper prices. This is why it's still very accessible and popular today.

Image Quality

SP stands for 'Superior Performance', Tamron's top-of-the-line lenses. If you see any of those old Tamron lenses with the SP badge on it, you know you're gonna get the best quality possible. The lens is sharp wide open and at any focal length. I could say that it's like shooting with prime lenses! The sharpness, colors and contrast are also as good if not better than modern 18-55mm kit lenses. It has excellent flare control and colors are always rich. It deserves nothing but praise for its excellent image quality. The only thing this lens cannot do is shoot in low light since its maximum opening is only f/3.8 at 60mm and f/5.4 at 300mm.

Conclusion

I have sold this lens six years ago (2016) and have since always admired the image quality, the powerful 5x optical zoom range, excellent image quality, and its macro lens capability. But damn, it's heavy! I might just end up not bringing that lens outdoor at all. I am more willing to forgo the macro feature and instead opt for a modern 55-200mm tele-zoom that is made of plastic and much lighter.