Tamron UK recently loaned me the latest version of their superb 300 mm f2.8 telephoto lens, in Canon EOS fitting. Having used the manual focus vesion for over ten years, I was confident the optical quality would be up to the required standard for professional use.
As I already use a Tamron EOS-fit lens (200-400 AF Zoom) there were few doubts either about the lens' ability to track fast moving subjects accurately (unlike two other make 300/2.8s I had previously tried!): I wasn't disappointed.
Although I only managed to use the lens at three events (two BWFC and one Giants' games) - and these in grim lighting conditions - I was pleasantly surprised at both the focussing speed and the quality of the finished photographs: it even reacted quickly enough to catch Nathan Blake's last gasp equaliser against Liverpool!
A nice finishing touch was the manual focussing ring. When this is in the forward position the lens uses autofocus but a quick click backwards allows full manual focus - very useful when picking out a player taking a free kick with a wall of defenders in front of him. The lens also rotates to and from the vertical position with superb smoothness.
Final verdict: fantastic quality at a significant saving over the Canon version. Only regret was having to give it back!
Take a look at these pictures taken with the lens - and remember the forced use of high speed film...
