Tamron SP AF 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical (IF), Canon EF-S Fit Lens

The Tamron SP AF 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical (IF), Canon EF-S Fit lens delivers excellent quality. The exciting lens makes it possible to record subjects with drama and offers itself perfectly to landscapes. It is the ideal lens for the photographer looking to get closer to the subject without compromising quality.

This lens is extremely small and lightweight for the type which is probably due to the fact it only needs to cover an APS-C sized sensor with its image circle. The zoom ring is nicely torqued although the MF ring was a little sloppy once the AF motor was disconnected. When AF is involved it does not feel as though the focussing should be over-ridden although it was possible but irregular. Autofocus proved accurate but was a little slow and did produce a quietly laboured sound. Zooming extends the lens’ length by less than 5mm

The use of moulded aspherical glass manufactured with processes and low dispersion elements, along with modern computer aided design have made this type of lens possible. The control of distortions is, to say the least, admirable and not detectable with the naked eye. Chromatic aberrations, the cause of purple fringing in digital images, are well controlled in the centre of the images but the corrections fail somewhat towards the edges.

Unfortunately, the same thing happens with the resolution figures, which display a wide difference between the centre and the edge of the frame. The centre is very good however, and it is a disappointment that the edge performance harks back to the old days of lens design. Contrast and colour version are nice and go a long way in overcoming the resolution shortcomings, producing an overall pleasing image.

Item specifics – Tamron SP AF 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical (IF), Canon EF-S Fit Lens