Best Tamron Lens For Canon Cameras
All photography enthusiasts must be aware of the soaring cost of high-end lenses. If so, you must be looking for an alternative to expensive lenses. With that in mind, I wanted to make an in-depth analysis of budget-friendly lenses. That's why I have come up with this amazing lens brand named Tamron.
Tamron lenses are affordable third-party lenses that allow telephotos, wide-angles, fast zooms etc. They come in different sizes and suit all price ranges. Tamron lenses are equivalent to other branded lenses as they have unique features and excellent image quality.
If you're having a Canon DSLR and want to use it with an affordable Tamron lens, here I've picked up Tamron lenses from all categories to suit your different purposes, including lens type, price, and features. So, what are you waiting for?, have a look at the below-mentioned Best Tamron lens for Canon list and make your purchase soon
LIST OF BEST TAMRON LENS FOR CANON
8 BEST TAMRON LENS FOR CANON
1. TAMRON 18-400MM F/3.5-6.3 DI-II VC HLD - BEST TAMRON SUPER ZOOM LENS FOR CANON
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FEATURES:
New to photography and want only a single that you can use for all purposes? Well, this super-zoom lens could be the best lens for you. This is a DI II lens, it fits only Canon's APS-C cameras, but you can use it with a mirrorless camera if you have the FT-Z adaptor.
DESIGN:
This Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 DI-II VC HLD is big and slightly heavy. The build quality is made of high-quality plastic with a metal lens mount.
One caution about working with a lens is that you shouldn't turn the focus ring while the AF mode is one. This might lock the focus ring mechanism, which we don't want.
For very accurate AF, Tamron has included its famous High-Low Torque drive motor in this lens. In terms of AF accuracy and speed, this motor does its job very well. However, you will hear a slight clicking sound while using AF for videos.
Moving on, the Vibration Compensation works decently well in this lens, even zoomed in at 400mm. I hardly noticed any camera shakes in my footage.
PERFORMANCE:
I call this is the best Tamron lens for Canon's APS-C cameras because it has a magnificent zoom range that allows you to use it for everyday photography, portrait photography, and wildlife photography.
I'm not constraining to only these aspects of use; you could use this lens to capture an image or record a video of anything that is far away.
I use this on my Canon 70d for moon and headshot portrait photography, and the results are stunning. The image quality is good if perfect edge-to-edge sharpness in the images.
However, this lens doesn't work great for close-up photography because the lens tends to lose its sharpness when used at wider angles.
Lastly, I noticed that this lens only gives a moderate level of distortion even at the longer focal lengths. This is actually a great bonus because, generally, super-zoom lenses have more distortion. Moreover, you can even correct the images' distortion post-production.
Overall, it is not very expensive as a Canon super-zoom lens; it costs you around 600$ in the US. For this price range, it has excellent features like accurate AF, VC, good image quality, weather resistance, and a vast telephoto zoom range.
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2. TAMRON SP 70-200MM F/2.8 DI VC G2 - BEST TAMRON PORTRAIT LENS FOR CANON
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FEATURES:
This lens is for my EF camera owners, who couldn't purchase the 18-400mm lens mentioned above. Photojournalists and wedding photographers love using this lens as it allows you to work in low-light conditions.
DESIGN:
This lens has a sturdier build than the previous lens because it is fully made of plastic, including its lens mount. However, the lens is bulkier than the 18-200mm lens.
The lens design includes one XLD(Extra-low dispersion) element and five LD(Low-dispersion) elements for improving clarity and color accuracy. To reduce lens flare and improve color contrast, BBAR and eBAND coatings have been applied.
If I compare the VC in this lens with the 18-400mm lens, the image stabilization works better in this lens. You can comfortably shoot videos handheld with this lens without worrying about camera shakes.
Another comparison is with its focus mechanism. Unlike the previous lens that doesn't allow manual focus while in AF, this lens has that provision. Impressive!
PERFORMANCE:
As this lens permits a larger focal length with a wide aperture design, we can't expect excellent image quality like the DI II 18-400mm f/3.5-5.6 Tamron lens. You will notice some chromatic aberrations and distortions when used at f/2.8.
However, as I mentioned earlier, the lens does wonders in low-light photography and videography. The same f/2.8 wide aperture allows maximum light to enter the lens even in darker environments.
Also, the VC feature allows me to take my night photographs with slower shutter speeds and less ISO. As far as AF is concerned, the USD motor ensures a very fast and accurate AF.
If you're looking for edge-to-edge sharpness, I'm sorry this lens is probably not for you. However, those like me who wish to get perfect subject focus and a background blur will love this lens's performance. Thanks to the 9-bladed aperture that gives me this excellent bokeh.
Overall, I'm impressed by this lens's bokeh quality, low-light performance, build quality, and versatility. So, definitely the best Tamron lens for Canon DSLRs.
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3. TAMRON SP 35MM F/1.4 DI USD - BEST TAMRON PRIME LENS
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FEATURES:
Looking for a Tamron prime lens for your Canon DSLRs? Well, take a look at this 35mm f/1.4, which is jam-packed with many useful features for street photography, portrait photography, and landscape photography.
This DI lens will give an equivalent full-frame length of 52mm with your Canon APS-C cameras.
DESIGN:
As the lens has high-quality optics inside and has a wide aperture, the lens is quite heavy (900 grams). However, it is sturdy and durable as it is fully made of metal and is also weather-sealed.
The focus ring is big and provides a good grip. Also, the lens's focusing mechanism is completely internal, meaning the lens's front barrel doesn't move while focusing.
On the lens barrel, you have got switches for toggling between AF and MF and allowing full-time manual focus.
The lens's internal optical construction consists of a series of low dispersion and aspherical elements to reduce chromatic aberrations, improving image clarity and sharpness. Also, these glasses include a BBAR-G2 coating to reduce lens flare and ghosting for improved color contrast under bright lights.
PERFORMANCE:
As you know, 35mm is considered the best for purposes that require a higher emphasis on the subject. And I'm glad this lens ensures that.
Not only for the above-listed areas of photography, even for vlogging, but a 35mm lens is also the best because it gives you a talk-to-camera feel.
Like the 70-200mm f/2.8 Tamron lens, this also allows faster shutter speeds in low-lights because it has a wide aperture of f/1.4. This lens' aperture is a one-stop solution for all low-light photography and videography needs making it another best Tamron lens for Canon cameras.
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4. TAMRON 17-35MM F/2.8-4 DI OSD - BEST LENS FOR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
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FEATURES:
This ultra-wide-angle zoom lens from Tamron will easily fit in your budget if you're looking for a substitute for Canon 16-35mm lens. The lens is specifically designed for Canon EF mount cameras. However, it can be used with an EF-S camera as well. Travel photographers looking to explore landscape photography should definitely try using this lens!
DESIGN:
Speaking about this lens's look, the look very stylish and attractive. The Tamron 17-35mm lens is well built and protected, meaning it has leak-proof seals throughout the Lens barrel for safe outdoor shooting.
For user-friendly operation, there is only one switch on its lower side for controlling AF/MF.
A lens's autofocus accuracy is an important criterion for realizing ultimate high-quality images. As far as this lens is concerned, it has excellent autofocus accuracy, and the image quality will blow off your mind. To ensure such a quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus, a newly developed OSD (Optimized Silent Drive) is used.
The lens's other common features include Tamron's broadband anti-reflection coating (BBAR), a variable aperture design to excel in low-light conditions.
PERFORMANCE:
I tested this lens on my Canon 70d camera to give you my review about the image quality. Well, I'm surprised even at 17mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/4, the lens' remains impressively sharp both at its centers and corners. The corners could have been a bit more punchy but for a wide-angle lens to deliver this level of sharpness is amazing.
However, you will notice some barrel distortion and vignette when used wide-open. But this is normal with all wide-angle lenses because we know smaller the focal length, fringing, and distortion are noticeable.
So, I would conclude by saying this though the lens's image quality is not breathtaking, it does provide a good decent level of sharpness throughout its zoom range. Also, the lens minimum focusing distance of 28cm also allows you to get closer to the subject and take close-ups!
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5. TAMRON SP 90MM F/2.8 DI VC USD - BEST TAMRON MACRO LENS FOR CANON
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FEATURES:
This Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 F017 model is the elder brother of the Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 F004 model with a completely revamped optical structure and design. With this mid-budget macro lens on your Canon DSLR, you can take wonderful shots of wedding rings, portraits and also focus on the intricate hands and legs of a newborn baby.
DESIGN:
The older version of this lens F004 had a poor construction that was fully made of poor plastic. However, this updated version has a sturdy build as it is fully made of metal, including a weather-sealed gasket around its metal lens mount. Nice!
It uses a high-speed ultrasonic silent drive (USD) for AF, and I should say the autofocus is really fast and silent. Also, what makes this the best Tamron lens for Canon is its VC. Yeah, I agree that the above lenses also had this feature; however, the image stabilization works even better in this lens. One can really notice the difference in the footages' smoothness with and without the VC turned on.
You will see three switches on the side – one for image stabilization (VC On / Off), one for focusing (AF / MF), and one for adjusting the focusing distance. If you wish to engage/disengage the AF clutch, use the push/pull focus ring.
PERFORMANCE:
The Tamron AF 90mm lens is also the best when it comes to sharpness. When shooting at normal distances, the overall image clarity is good even at wide-open f/2.8.
For taking breath-taking close-up shots, you need to really get close to the subject; however, you will fall in love with the close-up image quality of this lens. This is a very important criterion to judge if the lens is worth taking macro shots, and I'm happy this lens excels in it.
Even at f/2.8, you can view the fine details of the close-focused subject accurately. When used between f/4 to f/11, Oh my God, the results are supreme.
Moving on, the lens is also worth portraiture because the f/2.8 aperture and the nine-bladed diaphragm give good background isolation.
Lastly, I hardly noticed any distortion even at wide-open apertures; however, the lens does suffer from a bit of vignetting at f/2.8- f/4.
Overall, the TAMRON SP 90MM F/2.8 DI VC USD is a wonderful macro lens for your Canon full-frame and APS-C cameras. You can pair it with a Canon mirrorless camera, provided you have the appropriate adaptor.
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6. TAMRON 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5 DI-II VC HLD - BEST LENS FOR GROUP PHOTOS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Do you wish to fit your entire family in a single frame? Then, the Tamron 10-24mm wide-angle zoom lens will help you do that.
As said, this Tamron lens ensures a wide-angle zoom facility which for sure many of us want. Adding to it, the lens's focal length range is between 10mm to 24mm, making it ideal for landscape photography, including wedding photography, photojournalism, real-estate photography, environment photography and much more.
Who doesn't want smooth autofocus? This lens features an HLD (High/Low torque-modulated Drive) for smooth auto-focusing.
The other attractive features of this lens are optical image stabilization that will help you to capture sharp and detailed images even in low lights and in-built vibration control to compensate for camera shakes to give you ease for handheld shooting.
Now that we have discussed the lens's focal length, autofocus and vibration control. Let's get to know about its aperture design. Remember, wider the aperture, the more light reaches the sensor. This will give blur-free images, which all users need. A variable max aperture design is employed to give this zoom lens an efficient max aperture by not affecting its size, price, and weight.
To improve the optic's light transmission and suppress reflections on the lens's surface Tamron's Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Coating (BBAR) is included. The above-listed features rightly justify why I've listed this product as my first option in the best Tamron lens for canon.
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7. TAMRON SP 70-300MM F / 4-5.6 DI VC USD - BEST TAMRON TELEPHOTO LENS FOR CANON
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I noticed in most of the lenses, be it even high-quality lenses, that autofocus operation tends to be noisy. On the contrary, this lens guarantees a quiet AF as the design includes a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). Isn't that appreciable.
The lens's optical design consists of one XLD (Extra-Low Dispersion) glass element, one LD (Low Dispersion) glass and nine circular aperture blades to reduce lateral aberrations and provide a good quality bokeh.
If you love taking close-up shots, this lens is the correct one for you as it has a magnification ratio of 1:4 with the 300mm setting.
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8. TAMRON SUPER ZOOM LENS SP 150-600MM F5-6.3 DI VC USD G2
PRODUCT DETAILS:
My dear wildlife photograph enthusiasts out there. Here's an amazing product for you. I know you are searching for a high-quality, versatile zoom lens. The Tamron SP 150-600mm is there to meet your needs.
The optical performance of this lens is fully supported by three low-dispersion glasses and 9 Diaphragm Blades for that beautiful defocus effect.
The Tamron 150-600 VC is mainly built of high-grade plastic, but the build quality is very appreciable. This is the only lens available to give 600mm reach at f/6.3 on a full-frame camera, so grab one soon.
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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TAMRON LENS FOR CANON CAMERAS
Here I have listed some lens features you need to consider while purchasing a Tamron lens for your Canon cameras.
1. APERTURE
Aperture is the lens's opening through which the light enters the lens. Now I'll tell you how aperture is related to the images' sharpness.
But not all of us want edge-to-edge sharpness; this is applicable for portrait photography. In that case, a wide-aperture will be useful. It will give a sharp focus on the subject while the background remaining blurred.
If you want sharpness throughout the frame, you have to go for a Tamron lens with a narrow aperture. This will be very useful for landscape photography. This sharpness results because, narrower the aperture, the depth of field increases, which gives sharp results.
The next thing to analyze is whether you will be using the lens in low lights. If yes, you have to go for a lens of f<2.8 to get brighter shots. You cannot use a lens with a normal aperture of f/3.5-5.6 for low-light photography/videography because they are only for daylight shoots.
2. CHROMATIC ABERRATIONS AND DISTORTION
Make sure the lens you purchase ensures only negligible chromatic aberrations and distortions. This will, in turn, improve the image quality. Usually, narrow aperture lenses provide less chromatic aberrations when compared to wide-aperture lenses.
3. FOCAL LENGTH
Every focal range is used for a specific kind of photography/videography. So, before you step out to buy a Tamron lens for your Canon cameras, take time to analyze what type of photos/videos you want to take with the lens.
If you're not aware of the camera lens types, please make sure to get a good understanding of them before you venture into photography.
4. VIBRATION COMPENSATION
Vibration compensation is an image stabilization feature found in Tamron lenses that will help reduce the effects of camera shakes and motion blur while shooting handheld. Also, VC will help capture images at slower shutter speeds. Therefore, you can be guaranteed nil blur in your images.
However, if your Canon camera has in-body stabilization, then you can overlook this feature if not present in the lens. Also, if you're going to use a tripod or monopod for shooting, then VC can be neglected.
NOTE: VC is very important for taking videos because the video clip needs to be stabilized throughout its duration.
5. BUILD QUALITY and handling
If you're looking for a travel-friendly Tamron lens, make sure it is weather-resistant as well as lightweight. Otherwise, your hiking or any kind of travel photography will turn to be frustrating.
Also, make sure the lens has a solid build, with proper, smooth manual focus and zoom rings if you want to use manual focus while in AF mode, also see if the lens has a manual focus override.
6. AUTOFOCUS
The autofocus of the lens should be fast, accurate as well as less noisy. So, select a lens that ensures these. This will help you achieve sharp and fast focusing on mobile objects such as sports, bird, and action photography/videography.
Looking for a Tamron lens for Nikon
This article was all about best Tamron lenses for Canon cameras, However if you wish to know the top picks of Tamron lenses for Nikon, kindly check my article on Best Tamron lenses for Nikon cameras.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Are Tamron lenses good for Canon cameras?
Of course, yes. Tamron manufactures high-quality third-party lenses for top brands, including Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Those looking for a less expensive equivalent of Canon lenses can opt for Tamron lenses as they have excellent features and build quality.
2. How to know if my Tamron lens uses a full-frame sensor?
If the lens has a DI tag on it, it means it uses a full-frame sensor format. However, you can also use this DI lens on an APS-C camera, but there will be a change in the focal length because of the crop factor.
3. What does the DI III tag on a Tamron lens indicate?
The DI III tag on a Tamron lens indicates that it is designed for a mirrorless camera system. In the case of Canon, mirrorless mount cameras like Canon EOS M50, M6 Mark II, and other EF-M mounts can be used with a DI III Tamron lens.
CONCLUSION
My top priority in this lens was to list the best Tamron lens for Canon DSLRs. However, if you would like to receive information on the best Tamron lens for Nikon, please let me know in the comments section. I will provide you with a detailed list regarding the topic.
I assure you that you will not regret buying any of these Tamron lenses because I've hand-picked them to suit your unique style and needs. Thank You for reading this article patiently!
