Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD

Summary

The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is a strong optical performer — a wide-angle zoom (27mm equivalent) with f/3.5 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$1000 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

  • Excellent for: Portrait, Sport, Wildlife, Macro
  • Adequate for: Landscape, Travel
  • Avoid for: Architecture, Street

Strengths

  • Negligible optical aberrations
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Good flare resistance
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Fast linear motor autofocus
  • Built-in optical stabilization

Weaknesses

  • Noticeably soft corners wide open
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects

Specifications 18/20

Optical construction 19 elements in 15 groups (3 hybrid aspherical, 4 LD)
Coating BBAR G2, fluorine
Focal length18-300mm
Max aperturef/3.5
Sweet spot f/8
Aperture blades 7 (circular)
Sunstar points 14 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification 0.5x
Min focus distance150mm
AF motorLM
OISYes
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ring—
Clickless aperture—
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireYes
Distance scaleNo
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight620g
Diameter75.5mm
Length125.8mm
Filter thread67mm
Year2021

Optical Quality 11/14

Center (wide open)
1.5
Corner (wide open)
0.5
Center (stopped)
1.5
Corner (stopped)
1.0
Longitudinal CA
2.0
Lateral CA
2.0
Distortion
0.5
Vignetting (wide open)
1.0
Vignetting (stopped)
1.5
Bokeh
1.5
Flare resistance
1.5

Sharpness

  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Noticeably soft corners wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

Rendering

  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Moderate vignetting wide open, typical for the aperture class
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance

Distortion

  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects

All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.

Genre Fit

~ Landscape Adequate ✗ Architecture Avoid ✗ Street Avoid ~ Travel Adequate ✓ Portrait Good ✓ Sport Good ✓ Wildlife Good ✓ Macro Good

~ Landscape Photography 3/5

Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.

Primary
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance

✗ Architecture Photography 2/5

Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.

Primary
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance

✗ Street Photography 2/5

Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Slow f/3.5 aperture
Secondary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Good flare resistance
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration

~ Travel Photography 3/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Heavy at 620g
Secondary
  • Slow f/3.5 aperture
  • Good flare resistance
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration

✓ Portrait Photography 4/5

Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.

Primary
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Moderate vignetting wide open, typical for the aperture class

✓ Sport Photography 4/5

Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Slow f/3.5 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✓ Wildlife Photography 4/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Slow f/3.5 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✓ Macro Photography 4/5

Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • 0.5x magnification
Secondary
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh

Reviews

Dustin Abbott

Alternatives

Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS C Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC
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