Review of Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN

According provided by Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN lens (for Nikon cameras) huge thanks to the store www.fotika.com.uawhere you can find a huge number of different used photographic equipment, including similar lenses.

Tamron 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD on the Nikon D40x

Navigation:

  1. Briefly about the lens
  2. Main Specifications
  3. Assembly
  4. Focus Features
  5. Aperture Features
  6. Image quality
  7. Sample Photos
  8. My personal experience with the lens
  9. Results
Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Briefly about the lens

The Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN is a super telephoto zoom lens with auto focus, this review presents the 75D version for Nikon cameras. The letter 'N' in the model name refers to the version of the lens for Nikon cameras. The lens was also produced in a version for Canon (version 75DE) and Sony / Minolta (version 75DS) cameras, for Pentax only the next model 175D was produced.

It is generally accepted that the super-telephoto range for full-size cameras starts after 300 mm, and, in general, most users have enough of the capabilities of conventional telezoom types 70-300 mm... At the same time, anything longer than 300 mm can provide the photographer with unimaginable possibilities for shooting distant objects. Super telephoto lenses' unusual 'narrow' perspective control can sometimes create an unusual image in any simple scene.

Please note that there are two very similar models - Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75D and Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 175D. You can quickly identify the versions by the tripod foot lock, in the 175D version the foot is removable.

In short, the Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN is one of the cheapest autofocus lenses, which has the ability to use a 400 mm focal length and at the same time has a relatively poor aperture of 1: 5.6. In terms of image quality, the lens is no surprise.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Key Features Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN

Review Instance Name Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN 502473
Basic properties
  • AF (Auto Focus) - support for auto focus. Autofocusing is carried out using a camera motor.
  • LD (Low Dispersion) - special low-dispersion elements in the optical scheme.
  • The lens is designed for use on fullscreen camerasanalogue Nikon FX
  • Internal focusanalog Nikon IF
  • Fixed tripod foot
  • Push pull design (a change in focal length occurs by the movement of the piston)
  • Constant maximum hole over the entire range of focal lengths
  • The presence of a diaphragm control ring, an analog of Nikon Non-G
  • Transmission of the focusing distance to the camera, Nikon D analog
  • Bayonet type hood
Front Filter Diameter 77 mm, thread under the filter metal
Focal length 200-400 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 300-600 mm
Zoom ratio 2X
Designed by for full-format film cameras
Number of aperture blades 9 rounded petals that form a fairly even hole
Tags focusing distance in meters and feet, focal length values ​​for 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 mm, hood mount label and bayonet mount. Marks for the orientation of the tripod foot. Values ​​on the aperture ring: 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32.
Diaphragm from F / 5.6 over the entire range of focal lengths to F / 32. The lens has an aperture ring (Non-G - lens type for Nikon cameras)
MDF 2.5 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 6.1
The weight 1210 g
Optical design 13 elements in 11 groups. The optical design uses Tamron LD low dispersion elements. Figure optical circuit will not find. The optical design is the same as that of Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 175D
Lens hood Tamron C3FH Japan
Manufacturer country JAPAN (Japan)
Period From 1994 to 2000, later replaced by Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 175D (2000-2003)

Now the 75D and 175D models are replaced by a modern Tamron 200-500mm F / 5.0-6.3 Di LD (IF) and supplemented Tamron 150-600mm f / 5-6.3. The closest original relative can be considered Nikon ED AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6D Vibration Reduction.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Assembly

Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN is very well assembled. Despite the fact that the frame rim lengthens very much during a change in focal length, the monolithic structure remains at a very high level. I was very pleased with the quality of performance of this lens.

The lens uses 77 mm standard professional diameter filters. Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN itself is quite large and heavy, but at the same time, if you compare, it turns out that Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN weighs less than, for example, Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D MKIII. While working with the lens, I took off my hands and did not find any problems with weight or weight balance when using it with a camera Nikon D700.

Note that the Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN is a Push-Pull lens - a so-called 'piston' must be used to change the focal length. But this is a two-ring Push-Pull, which has an additional focusing ring. For example, there are single-ring Push-Pull lenses, where the piston simultaneously serves to focus and change the focal length, for example, such lenses include Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII).

Unfortunately Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN suffers spontaneous extension of the trunk under its own weight. Also, I really do not like very strong knocking in Push-Pull lenses during a sharp change in focal length, when the piston abuts against the extreme positions of focal lengths. Sometimes it seems that moving the piston all the way can damage the lens.

The focusing ring and piston are rubberized. In fact, most of the outer barrel of the lens is a rubberized piston that makes it very convenient to hold / support the lens.

When changing the focal length, the rear lens moves in the middle of the lens body like a pump - it draws in and pushes out air. This behavior of the rear lens is called 'vacuum cleaner effect', which can increase the amount of dust that accumulates in the camera. The vacuum cleaner effect of Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN is very, very strong.

Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN uses a special tripod foot. The tripod foot is fixed to the lens using a special clamping screw. Unfortunately, the tripod foot cannot be disconnected. On the case you can find marks for quick installation of the lens in the exact horizontal (landscape) or vertical (portrait) position. The tripod foot is metal and very strong.

There is a mark on the case for quick installation of the hood. The lens uses a C3FH plastic lens hood, which is fixed in special grooves located near the front lens of the lens. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation. In this position, access to the focus ring and the zoom piston is lost, and you have to change the focus while holding on to the hood itself. Hood, although plastic, but very strong. With a lens hood mounted at 400 mm focal length, the lens becomes monstrously long.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Focusing

Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN focuses extremely slowly automatically. I was not comfortable working with the lens in any more or less reporting situations. Also, I want to note that on the camera Nikon D700, on which I tested this lens, it very often misses during automatic focusing. Most likely this behavior is due to the fact that the focus sensor MultiCAM 3500FX on the camera Nikon D700 (And other sensors on many Nikon cameras) it is designed to work with a maximum relative aperture of at least 1: 5.6. In this case, F / 5.6 is the maximum permissible value. Basically, during focusing misses, the lens / camera tries to focus behind the subject. Also, lighting affects the focus tenacity very much. In cloudy weather, the number of rejects due to poor focus was much greater than in clear sunny weather. Slow focusing and focus errors greatly spoiled the overall impression of this lens.

From the positive sides it is worth highlighting presence of focusing of internal type. The minimum focusing distance is 2.5 meters (over the entire range of focal lengths), while you can shoot Macro with a maximum magnification of 1: 6.1but only at 400 mm focal length. A scale with a focusing distance in meters and feet is plotted on the focus ring. Unfortunately, the lens does not have any additional tags, such as the depth of field scale, or tags for working in the infrared spectrum.

I was pleasantly surprised that Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN is practically perfect parfocal the lens. During a change in focal length, he does not drop a drop of focus on sharpness.

The focus ring rotates approximately 60 degrees, although the lens is chubby, it is inconvenient to manually focus on sharpness. During auto focus, the rotating focus ring cannot be touched.

There is no focus mode switch on the lens, the transition to manual focus and vice versa is carried out using the switch on the camera, which is located near the camera mount. There is no focusing distance limiter, which is sometimes very important when working with telephoto lenses.

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

During auto focus, the lens and camera pretty noisy.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Diaphragm

Diaphragm lens consists of 9 rounded petalsthat form a flat hole. This lens has constant maximum aperture of f / 5.6 over the entire range of focal lengths. Theoretically, with this lens, you can use teleconverter with a limit of 1.4x, which will turn it into 280-560 / 8, while a number of cameras with a focus sensor supporting work with F / 8 will be able to focus automatically.

If you install Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD with this tele-converter on cropped cameras, such as Nikon D7100, D7200 and turn on crop mode 1.3X, you will be able to get EGF 1092 mm!

The lens has a manual aperture ring. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern central control valves, you need to turn the control ring to the F / 32 value, after which it is automatically fixed by a special black button, which is located to the left of the marks aperture. If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (ring is not installed aperture) Some cameras having diaphragm rheostatallow you to control the aperture using the ring aperturebut only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on Non-G Lenses. Ring aperture rotates with clicks, the values ​​F / 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32 are plotted on it; it is not possible to set an intermediate value between pairs of numbers using the aperture ring. Intermediate values ​​can only be set using the camera menu. Aperture ring has special ledge under the thumb of the left hand for easy control. Such a protrusion is made in order to reach the aperture control ring, which is sandwiched between the tripod foot ring and the camera mount.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Image quality

Unfortunately, I have to admit that the lens is very weak when working on open apertures in the range of 300-400 mm. At 200 mm and F / 5.6 in the center of the frame, you can still get an acceptable image quality, but with increasing focal length, sharpness decreases. If you cover the diaphragm to F / 8-F / 11, then a satisfactory result can be obtained by 400 mm. I want to note that the network has a lot of flattering reviews about the sharpness of this lens already at F / 5.6. But for the most part they relate to the 175D model, also, this may indicate a spread in the quality of the specimens.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD suffers from excessive chromatic aberration. There is also slight vignetting on open diaphragms. But distortion in the eye is very difficult to notice.

While working with the lens, it became apparent that the Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD does not like to shoot in strong side or back light. In backlight, the lens gives an unpleasant yellow orange veil throughout the frame. The hood helps very well to avoid unwanted flare.

In general, the copy that I had on the review showed performance below average.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Sample Photos

You can download RAW source files at this link (16 files in '.NEF' format, 216 MB). All photos were taken on Nikon D700.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

My experience

I 'played' with this lens for about two weeks. I often shoot with old trash, and therefore I am condescending to some optical jambs of old lenses and try to squeeze out the maximum quality from them. In the case of the Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD, you can really squeeze a lot out of it. I really liked the build quality and blurring of the near / far shots at open apertures. Given its cost, you can safely buy the Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD for amateur photography and simple photography.

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Tamron AF 200-400 F / 5.6 LD

Catalog of modern Tamron lenses can look at this link.

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Results

The Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN is a super budget auto focus super telephoto zoom lens. I am pleased with the excellent assembly and nice drawing, the weak sharpness and slow focusing disappoint. I would recommend, without a strong need for that, to stick with some honest 70-300 / 3.5-5.6, rather than get involved with this lens.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 23, on the topic: Review of Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN

  • Oleg

    I have one on Sonya. I would not say slow focus. On a65, a58 quite comfortable. The focus is clear. Photos from him: https://fotki.yandex.ru/users/ofri/tags/t200-400
    There is a lot of HA, and sharpness drops from the open at the long end, but you shouldn't expect miracles from such glass. Although it is much better than the same “Big Pivbank” both in CA and in flares. The drawing is nice. Almost "classic Minoltian". The case is reliable. I like glass. Better for your money not to find. Although I am thinking of selling only because of the fin. crisis.

    Video from him:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyaN66MpuR4
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5yRuj1hraE
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgwNFi9PxNM

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Perhaps the focus for Sony is faster, the motors in Nikon / Sony and gears are different.

  • Eugene

    unimaginable shooting capabilities; inherent to super telephoto lenses; Unfortunately, the tripod lamp cannot be disconnected. Small eyes, Arkady. And so, as always on top, on business and without water! Good luck!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      fixed.

  • Anatoly

    Apparently - the objective of the release somewhere from the early 90s?
    I have a design similar to Sony, but the 70-300 release is still 92 years old (the first generation still)

    The lens is really super ..

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Infa is in the review:

      The period From 1994 to 2000, later replaced by Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 175D (2000-2003)

      • Anatoly

        Right, thanks, missed ..

  • Anatoly

    The photos are excellent ...
    Typically Tamron blur ..
    For this creamy bokeh and love my above mentioned 70-300
    The early Tamrons cannot be confused with anything - they had their own face, their own drawing ...
    Second, third, etc. generations of lenses lowered Tamron to mediocrity ..

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    as always ... you read, bullshit, you want to look at the pictures, how?

    • Lynx

      just the lack of experience in looking at different photos and evaluating the nuances.
      All is good.

      • Dim

        Arkady shoots weddings for him a slow focus + frequent AF blunders is a sentence. That such a thing he takes pictures there - nothing.

        • Lynx

          So what did you say that to?

          • Dim

            To Vitaly's post, try reading it, then my answer. You should succeed

            • Lynx

              Actually, Arkady does not only shoot weddings, this is time, and secondly, far from focusing speed was indicated as a minus. So I conclude that you just did not read anything except the part about the focus, and also did not understand the message of the question as a whole, as well as my answer

              • Arkady Shapoval

                Yes, Lynx said everything for me)

  • Pastor

    Cool lens. True, judging by Avito in the Russian Federation, they are rarely sold, but the price is generally divine. For such focal points, anyway. And the presence of a slow autofocus is a huge plus for the glass. It makes sense to buy one for a beginner hunter. In theory, at the entrance price, Nikon will be 55-300 rubles (maybe a little more expensive), it is with a stub, but also not very sharp and without 400mm. And 70-300 are even more expensive. So it's quite an option. And if you paint it with white stripes, it will be like a Canon pump-action 100-400 :) It's a pity there won't be such quality.

    • Andrei

      70-300 will be any cheaper.
      if only because there are a lot of them on the market. Without a stub with a macro 1: 2 in excellent condition it costs $ 50-70, I even bought for $ 30 for a test.

      • Pastor

        Well, yes, tamrons and sigma are cheaper than 55-200vr per second-hand, but I would not take them, too mediocre quality. In comparison with them, the Nikon 55-200 significantly wins. But in general, yes, you can take a cheap 70-300, you are right. But this tamron is unique precisely 400mm, only for the sake of this it is worth taking it. Although, again, the difference between 300mm and 400mm is not so huge, you can limit yourself to 70-300, especially since this tamron does not have super quality.

  • Andrei

    Arkady, sorry for offtopic. Where do you keep the photo? What online services / clouds do you use? (interesting)

  • Strannik

    I have such, Combat cheap autofocus glass for photography. my first autofocus telephoto! now it is shabby with dust, fungus and a bent frame (anything happened :)) but it still works. In terms of sharpness, the same MTO 500 is sharper on me, the autofocus is slow, it does not keep up with the birds. Advise someone similar to 400-500mm, but sharper and acceptable for a simple labor worker at a price, is there such a thing? :) I'm looking closely at Sigma 170-500mm F5-6.3 D APO (5-7 k UAH) Nikon Af 80-400mm f / 4.5-5.6D Ed VR (11k UAH) or at the extreme Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM (UAH 15k) - well, here I have to put a collar on my neck and faithfully keep the post for six months :)

  • Vladimir

    I got this lens only model 175D. Interesting glass. My copy is quite sharp even with the aperture open, even at 400. Moreover, covering the hole does not greatly affect the sharpness. Autofocus is certainly not lightning fast, but acceptable. Chromatite, of course, it is not childish, but rightly so…. Suitable for editing in the editor. I like glass. For its price, in general, out of competition ...

  • Vadim

    I bought myself one for photography and for sports, if I shoot something suitable. I have not yet figured it out, or rather I have not adapted to it. He is without a stub, so if you shoot offhand, there is a marriage. At 5,6 sharpness is acceptable. If you cover up to f / 11, then the sharpness is very, very))) Autofocus is mediocre. Let's see next...

    • B. R. P.

      Too slow for sports. To have less marriage, set the appropriate focal shutter speed. “If you cover up to f / 11”, then the diffraction is “very, very”)

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