Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

Lens works well, photos taken have been clear/sharrp except when the operator couldn't use the camera/lens properly. Low light pictures came out dark as expected due to the lens length but were clear and looked good. Using lens at high settings requires support for the operator to maintain control/stop shake blurring. Very good lens especially for the money.

I've owned the Tamron Autofocus 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD with Hood for Pentax SLR Cameras for about a year now. I use it on a Pentax DSLR (I am a big fan of conventional lenses on smaller sensor cameras - the sensor picks up the sweet spot of the lens). It was/is my 'go to' lens for far-away outdoor sports, action and even outdoor portraiture. The size translates to 110 to 480mm in 35mm film camera terms, so it will not do for close up work but the reach is awesome!

Pros: great depth of field at wider apertures (even relatively long focus) which makes subjects pop. Reasonably fast focus (about a second from close to far). Solid zoom feel and there is little tendency to creep. Solid build. The lens has 'presence' - when zoomed to 300mm, it looks huge! When used on a DSLR with a smaller sensor (1.6 factor), there is no noticeable pincushion or barrel distortion. It is, especially for the money, fairly sharp.
Cons: Occasionally, aperture control closes down (may be a flaw in my lens as opposed to all lenses). Causes me to turn off camera, partially disengage and then reengage the lens from the camera, turn camera back on (cycle is about 5-7 seconds - I have lost shots because of this). It tends to hunt for focus with some subjects. The lens is somewhat heavy.

All in all, despite the one major issue I have with the aperture, it's a really nice lens at the price I paid. Great value for the money. I rate it a 3 because of my particular issue. Without the issue I would rate it a 4+ or 5-, mostly because of weight.

Lens works great, zoom is fantastic.

This lens is "ok". For the price that it is you kind of get what you pay for from it. Noticed some shake and lighting was off on some inside shots I took at my daughters cheerleading competition that I bought this for. I have shot on a tripod and off of the tripod...both the same outcome.

This Objective is the best in this price range I have used. It works just great, light intensity is good enough, and I found it to be able to accomodate the strangest requests especially at the Cliffs of Mohare in Ireland, Malta and here in my homecountry, the U.S. Even with diffuse light situations, the Tamron still gives you some power to accomplish what you want.
I would personally recommend Tamron Objectives to everybody on a budget. If you need better light intensity you will have to go with a lower spread, which will, depending on the lens you buy, drive the price right up. Tamron is a great Customer Service experience as well.

I just recently bought a Pentax DSLR and this one will be equipped with a Tamron soon.