I am using Nikon FM2n with Nikon lenses. My longest lens is 80-200 2.8D. I need a longer lens for shooting wild life mainly large animals such as buffalos and elephants. I am thinking of 200-400 f5.6 D of Tamaron zoom because of the convenience a zoom. I shoot mainly slide film. My previous experience with third party zoom lens were not a happy one(Sigma 28-70 f2.8D). Experience and views of other users of tamron 200-400 zoom for the application that I have mentioned is welcome. Suggestion regarding 400mm primes wrt the zoom I have in mind will be very helpfull.

-- Anil. N. S (anilns@hotmail.com), December 29, 1998

Answers

Don't know the Tamron Zoom, but I think it was not rated very high in the Nikon mailing list (search net). I would also not expect too much, maybe comaprable to the nikon 80-200 plus TC201 (i.e. 160-400/5.6), which is unfortunately not very good. Quite nice is the 80-200 plus TC14B combination (112-280/4), however the TC14B is quite expensive, maybe the TC14E is a cheaper alternative giving you the opportiunity to use it on AF-S lenses.

I don't think that zooming is crucial for wildlife. The usual recommendations are therefore the Nikon 300/4 also with optional TC14B, or the SIGMA 400/5.6 APO or maybe the Tokina 400/5.6.

-- siegfried (boes@first.gmd.de), December 29, 1998.

I've had the Tamron 200-400 for over 2 years & mine is quite sharp & contrasty. I primarily use Velvia & Astia, and at 400mm at f8-f11 I get great results.

-- Mark Mitchell (mmitchell@inetnow.net), December 29, 1998.