Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Aspherical LD IF Macro (185D, 1999-2002)

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3
Aspherical LD IF Macro
(185D, 1999-2002)

2019.10.18 - Published

2022.08.07 - Re-written, re-uploaded

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3

LD Aspherical IF Macro (185D)

Nomenclature...

LD = Low Dispersion elements

Aspherical = Aspherical elements

IF = Internal Focusing

Macro = Better closeup capability

Model -185D (Black), 285D (Silver)

Produced -1999-2002 (285D=2000)

Mounts - Nikon AF, Canon EF, Minolta A, Pentax AF

Focal Range - 28mm to 300mm

Optical Zoom - 10x

Minimum Focusing - 2.5 meters

Macro - 1.2 meters (28mm), 61cm (100-200mm), 82cm (300mm)

Macro Magnification - 1:3.7

Filter Thread Ø - 72mm

Hood - D4FH Bayonet Hood

Maximum Aperture - f/3.5 (28mm), f/6.3 (300mm)

# Diaphragm Blades - 7

Optical Formula - 15 elements, 14 groups

3 aspherical elements, 2 LD

Made in Japan

HISTORY

1992 - 71D/71A (28-200mm Aspherical)

https://www.tamron.co.jp/data/a2-lens/71a.htm

1996 - 171D (28-200mm LD Aspherical Super)

https://www.tamron.co.jp/data/af-lens/171d.htm

1999 - 185D (28-300mm LD Aspherical Macro)

https://www.tamron.co.jp/data/af-lens/185d.htm

2000-2002 285D

https://www.tamron.co.jp/data/af-lens/285d.htm

2000 - 371D (28-200mm LD Aspherical Super Macro)

2001 - A03 (28-200mm Aspherical XR Macro)

2002 - 2004 A06 (28-300mm LD Aspherical Macro)

https://www.tamron.co.jp/data/af-lens/a06.htm

Photo Album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fwVHKdr6XBqdcoat8

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Impressions

General Consensus From Other Reviews

Before buying this lens, the general consensus was that this was an okay lens and the image quality was 'okay' for a superzoom at the time it was released (1999). Reviews mention it was soft wide open but improves by f/8, and there is a glaucoma softness at 300mm unless stopped to f/8 or f/11.

Construction/Cosmetics

The whole body is plastic except for the metal mount. The plastics used have a shimmery texture. The lens feels like it was well built despite being plastic. This lens is just about as big as my Tamron AF 28-200mm. But I think that one has better optical performance; the 200mm to 300mm range in this lens looks unusable anyway because of the glow/softness.

Handling

It has a very short focus throw to accommodate the AF, which is driven by screw (for Nikon F mount). The zooming is firm but very smooth. It is not jerky so it is also good for shooting videos. The shortest focusing distance at 28mm is only 1.2 meters. The best range for macro is 100mm to 200mm as it can focus as close at 61cm.

Image Quality

There was fungus in the middle group that could not be fixed. I can only give impressions based on this condition. So far, the output appeared okay from 28mm to 200mm at their widest f-stop, but greatly improves stopped down. At 300mm, the images were dreamy soft and glowing unless stopped down to f/16.