A Super-compact Super-Zoom: Tamron's AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Zoom.(PRO TEST DRIVE)

On a recent commercial assignment in Costa Rica, my camera bag contained a number of lenses, including the new Tamron 28-300mm XR Di, F3.5-6.3 Super Zoom. This unique lens quickly earned its keep as a strong performer on the two digital camera bodies I brought along for the project.

Those cameras included a Canon EOS 20D (1.6X multiplier effect) and a Canon EOS-1D Mark II (1.3X multiplier effect). The 1.6 multiplier effect turns the 28-300 lens into a 45-480mm lens in 35mm film terms, which is quite amazing considering its compact size and weight (only 14.8 oz.). The 2.9X3.3-inch lens offers a F3.5 maximum aperture at 28mm and an minimum aperture of F/22 across its entire range.

I also put the lens to a test in my New York studio, paired with Canon's new full-frame …