What does it all mean??

[jrwillden]

Can anyone let me know what I've just bought...

I purchased this lens yesterday off the internet: Tamron AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 LD Aspherical (IF) Super.

I don't know what I did. I heard this was a good lens somewhere but did I make a wrong choice for a beginner? I don't know if it's fast or slow. I don't even know what LD Aspherical (IF) Super means.

I thought I also saw somewhere it is a macro or has a macro function. But with that aperture? See! I don't know ANYTHING about this equipment or how to even use the words in the right context. Oh what have I done?!!

Can anyone tell me what this lens is all about?

 

[JerryPH]

First advice:
- Don`t be buying things when you know nothing about it!

Second advice:
- No its not a fast lens.

Third advice:
- Is it a good lens? In brighter conditions, perhaps... but its still not a very sharp lens.

This is a general usage lens for average use. It has a nice amount of zoom but it won`t be very sharp nor be very good indoors or in places where light is limited.

Did I mention to not do things like spending your money until you educate yourself at least on WHAT it is your are spending your money on?

 

[jrwillden]

Yes, I realize how foolish I am. I'm an impulse buyer. I really was hoping I made a good choice. BUT I did want it to take pictures indoors and to be sharp so it seems I have wasted a chunck of change. Perhaps I will find use for it in the future when I am more experienced. Thank you for the input.

 

[davebmck]

There are many places you can go on the internet to read reviews on lenses. Here is one example: http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/index.php

 

[jrwillden]

Thank you for that site. I can't seem to find this specific lens...perhaps it's older..anyway, I found a review for a similar one that says it is useless in low light conditions. Soooo....

Would having a flash (not the built in one) make a difference in low light, or indoors?

 

[Alfred D.]

Would having a flash (not the built in one) make a difference in low light, or indoors?

Yes that would make a difference: it would improve the amount of light your lens catches. But whether you like that difference remains to be seen. It would not improve the optical characteristics of that lens: it wouldn't get any sharper, or less flare, or less chromatic abberration (a.k.a. purple fringeing)...

 

[Joves]

Well I have the Tamron 28-300mm and, dont have any problems with. Indorrs you can also bump up your ISO for indoors. Best thing to do is set your camera on a tripod and, shoot a pic of the same thing at diffrent f-ratios. There will be a point where the lens will be its sharpest. The only gripe I have with the Tamron is it is slow on focusing but, otherwise it is a great lens.

 

[Alfred D.]

bump up your ISO for indoors. Best thing to do is set your camera on a tripod and, shoot a pic of the same thing at diffrent f-ratios. There will be a point where the lens will be its sharpest.

With 99% of lenses that point – the 'sweet spot' – is about 2 to 3 stops closed down from its widest aperture. So also in that respect it is advisable to have as fast as possible glass if you want any chance at meaningful control of the DoF.

 

[davebmck]

I wouldn't worry too much about low light situations. As Joves stated, you can always us a tripod in those situations. When you are reviewing lenses, it is more important to look at features that you have no control over like sharpness, barrel distortion, auto-focus capablilties, etc.

As for the 28-200, you own it now, so go out and shoot with it. Find out what you like about it and what you don't like about it. Even if it is a poor lens, use it for a learning experience.

 

[jrwillden]

With 99% of lenses that point – the 'sweet spot' – is about 2 to 3 stops closed down from its widest aperture. So also in that respect it is advisable to have as fast as possible glass if you want any chance at meaningful control of the DoF.

So what does the f/3.8-5.6 mean on this particular lens? Does that mean 3.8 is its widest apeture?

 

[nynfortoo]

So what does the f/3.8-5.6 mean on this particular lens? Does that mean 3.8 is its widest apeture?

3.8 is the largest aperture at the wide end, yes. Your lens can't maintain 3.8 as you zoom, though, so it is 5.6 at the zoom end.

 

[(Ghastly) Krueger]

You can always try to resell it and buy something else.

 

[ovjamaica]

Just out of curiosity, why did you buy the lens when you didn't know anything about it? Did you just want a longer telephoto lens?

 

[Crosby]

Don't worry about it. Most people when they start out don't really know what they are getting until they use it.

Slow down on the impulse buying, right after I offer you some exercise equipment...
My lenses are cheap and not very good but I am still learning and until I get to a point where my lenses hold me back and then I'll buy a new one, until then, I'm saving for it.

 

[Alfred D.]

3.8 is the largest aperture at the wide end, yes. Your lens can't maintain 3.8 as you zoom, though, so it is 5.6 at the zoom end.

So, consequently, at the wide angle end the sweet spot would be between F/6 and F/8.0, and at the tele end it would be between F/11.0 and F/16.0.....