Unlike the somewhat basic affair that is the Tamron AF 70-300mm Macro, the new Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD has all the latest bells and whistles, or at least their high-tech, optical equivalents.

Gary Wolstenholme takes a look at Tamron's first lens to include both an Ultrasonic focusing motor and Vibration Compensation.

Very good optical performance; Good build quality; Ultrasonic drive; Effective vibration compensation system

Focusing a little slower than other silent focusing systems I've used

Tamron's "60th Anniversary" lens model, the SP 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di VC USD (aka the A005) is a medium telephoto zoom lens designed to help you produce exceptional images on both full frame and cropped dSLR bodies.

The Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC is a new telephoto zoom that covers a convenient and popular telephoto range. In Tamron terminology, Di means the lens is optimized for digital cameras and VC is vibration compensation, similar to Canon's image stabilization (IS) and Nikon's vibration reduction...

Daniel Lezano tests the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Guide Price: £430 / Street Price: £375 construction: 17 elements in 12 groups Maximum aperture: f/4-5.6 Minimum aperture: f/32-45 Filter thread: 62mm Angle of view: 34º - 8º No.

Tailor-made for wildlife and sports shooters, this third-generation 70–300mm full-frame telezoom in Tamron's SP line adds Vibration Compensation (VC) plus two innovations: an Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) focusing motor for near-silent AF, and an element of what Tamron calls XLD glass, a relatively...

For the first time, Tamron has incorporated an Ultrasonic Silent Drive, or USD, with full-time manual override in this zoom lens, making it a competitive technology with Nikon's Silent Wave Motor, Canon's Ultrasonic Motor (USM), and Sony's Super Sonic wave Motor.

I only bought this lens 24 hours ago, but had tried to do a lot of homework before visiting my photographic dealer, and discounted several lenses which didn't reach the starting grid. I then short-listed 2 Canons - 70-200 F4L USM (non-IS) and the much-loved 70-300 IS USM.

Focus speed; solid build; great IQ; 5 yr warranty (UK

Stiff zoom ring..

I was very excited to receive the lens but was very disappointed, really. I was going to shoot a football game and thought this will be a win. I did not take my canon len with me. Anything in the range of over 100 was not focused. I thought it was me. I tried it with tripod and the issue the same.

I purchased this lens to do all-around photography, but with sports and outdoor work in mind. This lens handles well and operates smoothly. The macro function works well in the field. The VC function provides vibration control that overall functions well.