If you need a lens with a really wide focal range, this one looks like it might fit the bill...

Size; VC control; convenience

Average sharpness; some fringing

A full frame compatible lens with a wide range of 28-300mm and built in VC (Vibration Compensation) has to be an attractive proposition in terms of convenience. With cropped sensors this turns into a range of about 42-450mm, not as wide but giving even greater telephoto range.

Compact; Well made; Versatile range; Convenient

Performance limitations

When I was selling camera gear one of the most common complaints I heard from customers was that their lens wasn't sharp. It wasn't poor optics that was giving them blurry pictures, the blur was caused by their not being able to hold the camera still during the exposure.

The fourth version of Tamron's popular 10.7X superzoom since 1999, this 28-300mm ($600, street) is the first Tamron to offer image stabilization. Called "VC" for "Vibration Compensation," the system is the industry's first to use a three-coil design (up from the usual two) that theoretically can...

Tamron's various 28-300mm "ultra" zooms have been best sellers since their first model of this type was introduced in 1999. Each subsequent version featured improvements and this latest "4th generation" product is the most desirable to date, since it includes a Vibration Compensation stabilizer...

I am a realist and read a lot about this lens prior to purchase. I have a 5DII and 6 lenses - 3 of which were expensive. It is all in a large now heavy camera bag. I stopped taking the 5DII out because of the weight and taking 2 or more lenses. I was taking a Sony NEX instead.

Size; weight; VC; convenience

not 'tack' sharp at 300mm wide open

Yes, just what I needed.

This is a great walking around lens! The glass matches my Nikon glass on the wider end (28-70) and does very well to 200mm. Above 200mm the lens is softer than my Nikon lens at 3x the price, so fo it is a great value across the capabilities.

The vibration compensation works quickly and nicely -- you can see and feel the lens settle when it's ready. The main problem with the lens is a lack of sharpness or clarity, hand-held or on a tripod. All pictures needed significant editing, especially sharpening.

vibration compensation; lock to stop lens creep

lack of sharpness

This is a decent all around, carry anywhere lens. Would have loved if it was faster but for its price it is good. It has the biggest zoom range of any available lens for my D60. VC works great and is probably better than Nikon's VR. It does make some noise when VC is active but I can live with that.

Compact Design; Easy To Use; VC; Versatile as they get

No Increase In Performance