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Tamron SP 35-210mm F/3.5-4.2 Model 26A: This particular SP
lens is a splendid all-in-one moderate wide angle to long telephoto zoom to
keep on your camera for all purpose photography, especially while vacationing
or when you don't want to carry around several other lenses. Its average in
weight, fairly compact, yet offers better than average optical performance and
even has macro at the 35mm position down to 1:3.8! Macro performance is
somewhat better than average as well since Tamron chose to move both the zoom
and master elements when entering macro mode, rather than merely allowing the
front focus elements to extend forward. This lens features a superb optical
design coupled with extremely tight machining tolerances within the
zooming mechanism. This obviously added to the manufacturing costs. Maintaining
precise optical alignment is critical for good optical performance within this
or similar wide angle to long telephoto zooms. This lens is an excellent choice
for vacations since it covers a broad zoom range and can capture just about any
photographic event. For travel, the only other lenses which you would want to
take with you is an ultra wide angle lens such as Tamron's SP 17mm F/3.5 or
Tamron's 24mm F/2.5 Adaptall-2, and of course your 50mm normal lens for indoor
low light situations.
This lens provides better optical performance compared to Tokina's
very popular AT-X 35-200 F/3.5-4.5 zoom lens. Although the Tokina lens was
slightly more compact and weighed less, you can definitely discern the
differences in the machining tolerances between the two lenses when zooming and
focusing. Both lenses exhibit zoom creep when the lens it tilted either up or
down, but it takes far more tilt (75 degrees from the horizontal with the
Tamron versus 45 degrees with the Tokina) before zoom creep with the Tamron
becomes an issue. In a nutshell, the less expensive Tokina lens offered decent
performance for the average photographer while the more expensive Tamron lens
(with tighter machining tolerances combined with a superior optical design) had
better optical performance which met the higher expectations of discerning
photographers.
Lens Specifications:
| Lens Model |
26A |
| Focal Length |
35 — 210mm |
| Aperture Range |
f/3.5~4.2 — 22, AE |
| Angle of View |
64°~11° |
Optical
Construction
(Groups / Elements) |
12 / 16 |
Min. Focus from Film
Plane
(normal mode) |
63" (1.6m) |
Min. Focus from Film
Plane
(macro mode) |
11.8" (0.3m) in macro mode at
f=35mm |
| Macro Mag. Ratio [w/2X
Converter] |
1:3.8 [1:1.9] |
| Filter Size |
67mm |
| Diameter |
2.8" (73mm) |
Length at
[w/Nikon mount] |
4.8" (121.2mm)
[5.0" (125.7mm)] |
| Weight |
30.9 oz. (875g) |
| Lens Hood |
Bayonet type #45FH (optional extra). |
| Accessory |
Accepts SP 2X tele-converter #01F. |
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