This update to Tamron’s epic 15x superzoom is not only smaller and lighter, but it now includes a Piezo Drive motor for faster and silent AF. Mat Gallagher takes a look at the new features and finds out if it really is the ultimate travel lens

A newer, compact revision of their 18-270mm super-zoom lens that sports an improved vibration compensation system and a piezo ultrasonic motor.

The Tamron 18-270mm is an excellent all-round lens, capable of being used for landscape, wildlife, portraits and even close-up shots. It's a great lens for the enthusiast photographer and boasts a full set of features including stabiliser, ultrasonic focus and good quality optics.

The latest design to emerge from the stable of superzoom experts Tamron, the AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO was announced in July 2008. The length of the zoom range is almost as remarkable as that of the lens's name itself, with the 15x ratio covering everything from a 28mm...

Remarkable 15x focal length range; Impressive image quality in the normal to short telephoto range; Excellent resistance to flare; Effective vibration correction system; at least 3 stops benefit; Reasonably compact despite the long telephoto range

Slow and occasionally indecisive autofocus; Geometric distortion across much of the zoom range; Significant chromatic aberration at wideangle and telephoto (especially 270mm; Macro performance rather compromised (very soft at F6.3; focus shifts on stopping down; Uneven zoom action; zoom creep when

The Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC has a superb focal length range, and also benefits from built-in Vibration Control (VC). Available in both Canon and Nikon fits, the lens is priced at £450, which we feel is a tad high for a lens like this.

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Easily Interchangeable; Great Range; Lightweight

Blurry Focus; Did I mention it's SLOW; Inconsistant Output; Lens Creep; Slow Focus; SLOW SLOW Focus; Weak Casing

beach camera is a terrible company to deal with. endless hold times, when i am connected, i'm told that i have dialed the wrong number... when clearly the phone number on their invoice is the number i have dialed... unable to return the lens after only 1.5 weeks, for a full refund.

the glass is miserable

the entire lens is a disappointment

Tamron is the master of extremely long, complex lens names and the Tamron AF 18-270mm Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO is no exception. Be aware, however, that the last part of the lens's name ("MACRO") is a misnomer. Although this lens allows close focusing, it is not a true macro.

Tamron is the master of extremely long, complex lens names and the Tamron AF 18-270mm Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO is no exception. Be aware, however, that the last part of the lens's name ("MACRO") is a misnomer. Although this lens allows close focusing, it is not a true macro.

The Tamron 18-270 mm VC joined the megazoom class and set a new record of the zoom ratio. Elbowing your way in this segment is not easy though, and the standards were set high by the Nikkor 18-200 mm VR and the Sigma 18-200 OS.

very universal focal lengths range,; efficient image stabilization,; good image quality in the frame centre in the range of 18-200 mm,; decent performance at the frame edge in the range of 18-200 mm,; moderate or low chromatic aberration in the range of 18-200 mm,; quite well corrected coma,; good...

slow and not very accurate autofocus,; weak action of zoom ring and manual focus ring,; weak performance at 270 mm,; distinct vignetting in all focal range,; high distortion.