Tamron AF18-270 Lens Review & Giveaway

BlogHer Reviewer

This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Tamron.

Many of you know that I just upgraded to a Canon T1i in June.  My first big-girl camera.  Since I started blogging, my interest in photography has grown exponentially with each year of writing my blog.  Photos are so important to make a post pretty and informational at the same time, so I’ve really been trying to hone my skills.

I was recently asked to participate in a lens review program through BlogHer with Tamron, one of the leading manufacturers of quality lenses.  I knew already that Tamron lenses will fit my Canon camera and I was so excited to get the chance to try out an upgraded zoom lens, the Tamron AF 18-270This one is WAY better than the kit lens that came with my camera.

This shot was taken on the deck sitting on my loveseat and I managed to capture this pretty bird without scaring him away.

All because I could zoom in closer to get it.

I took this shot from the deck sitting on my loveseat  and it zoomed right through the porch rail.

I’ve been taking lots of pics with it and can tell a big difference in how far it zooms compared to my standard 18-55 Canon lens.  This one gets much closer.  I took a few pics with it on the deck and could zoom in closer on birds that came to visit and even could get pretty close to the treetops outside, when my other lens wouldn’t even come close.  I think with this new AF 18-270 Tamron lens, I may not need another one for a very long time.

This lens is designed for someone looking to upgrade the standard lens that comes with typical DSLR packages,  which are pretty limited on how far they can zoom. I found that out after I got my camera and the standard lens.  I almost wish now that I hadn’t bought the kit lens at all.

The AF18-270 is an all-in-one lens that more universally covers close or distant shots without having to change lens. It is the world’s first 15x optical zoom lens, and also has built in vibration compensation so those zoomed shots turn out clear.

I’m extremely happy with my new Tamron lens and can see using it a lot of the time for my photography.  I recently used it to take a lot of shots around my house and it was nice to zoom out to get full room shots and then zoom in closer when I wanted to highlight an area.

And I’ve got some exciting news!  I’m also giving away ONE of these Tamron AF 18-270 lenses to one of my readers.  You will have 6 chances to win through the BlogHer roundup page.

This lens retails for $629.00 and is designed for Canon or Nikon Di II DSLR cameras. They also make similar lenses for other makes and models.

Specs from Tamron:

Tamron’s Vibration Compensation—Blur-Stopping Power With No Annoying Motion Delay In Your Viewfinder!

With the advent of the latest 15X zoom lens from Tamron, the pioneer of high power zoom lenses, the high power zoom lens has steadily evolved from a 7.1X to a 10.7X to a 13.9X and now to the world’s largest zoom ratio of 15X by combining advanced high power zoom design technologies accumulated by Tamron since 1992. The lens covers an angle of view equivalent to that of a 28mm wideangle to a 419mm ultra telephoto with just one lens, letting the user capture once-in-the-lifetime images of panoramic landscape images or close-up pictures of children smiling, without having to get too close to the subject and without having to change lenses.

For more information on this lens, visit Tamron.

For the official rules, visit here.

Visit the official Blogher round-up page for all the details. BlogHer.com exclusive offers page

Here are the official rules:

  • Leave a comment for one entry
  • Tweet about the contest for another entry (leave a separate comment & link to the Tweet)
  • Blog about the contest for another entry (leave a separate comment & link to the post)

{ 1013 comments… read them below or add one }

1 RaChelle S. November 12, 2010 at 10:57 am

Oh, I’m drooling! What a great give away….and such an awesome lens! I love your fall leaves in your home. What a beautiful shot.

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2 wendy November 12, 2010 at 11:25 am

Oh, my! What a wonderful giveaway!!! fingers crossed that I win :)

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3 Becky November 12, 2010 at 1:39 pm

dying to win this!

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4 Donni November 12, 2010 at 3:00 pm

Oh… I would soooo love this lens! Thanks for the chance!

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5 Becky November 12, 2010 at 3:33 pm

I would love to win that lens!

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6 Becky November 12, 2010 at 3:33 pm
7 Hsu-YIn November 12, 2010 at 3:48 pm

I need this lens!

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8 mamajax November 12, 2010 at 4:07 pm

This lens would be a great thing to have–getting close ups of hubby and my boys riding dirt bikes on the hill, getting grandbabies and their tutu’s at a dance recital on stage, my sweet girl and her hiding so she can read in peace in the tree house on the hill…this would be great.
Thanks

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9 Cindy November 12, 2010 at 4:38 pm

I would love to win this lens, taking pictures of the flock of turkeys in my back yard and of course my children and granddaughter!!

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10 Kathy November 13, 2010 at 7:23 am

Would love to win this lens!

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11 Aly Martinez November 13, 2010 at 7:49 am

I would LOVE to win this lens. I am frothing at the mouth over here just thinking about it.

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12 Shelly November 13, 2010 at 7:49 am

I want to win!!

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13 Sandy November 13, 2010 at 8:01 am

Love it…so want to win!

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14 Nell November 13, 2010 at 8:15 am

Oh, that lens would be perfect!!!! Hope I win!!!!

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15 Miss November 13, 2010 at 8:55 am

Wow, what a lens! I would love to win!

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16 Mandi LeFevre November 13, 2010 at 8:59 am

I love Tamron!!! Would love to get my hands on this one!

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17 Jennifer November 13, 2010 at 10:03 am

I would love a good zoom lense!

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18 Angela November 13, 2010 at 10:22 am

I’m so excited about this giveaway! I have the tamron 90mm macro and it is a fantastic lens!!

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19 erica November 13, 2010 at 10:40 am

wow, what a great giveaway! this is just what my nikon needs! fingers crossed!

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20 Dee G November 13, 2010 at 11:30 am

Love it!

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21 Alisha November 13, 2010 at 4:06 pm

I would love a good zoom lens!!!

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22 Marc November 13, 2010 at 7:33 pm

would love this!

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23 natalie November 13, 2010 at 7:48 pm

oh i wanna i wanna i wanna!!!

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24 Judith November 13, 2010 at 8:45 pm

I am so impressed with this lens.

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25 Lisa Ann November 13, 2010 at 11:47 pm

Would totally love to win this lens! Your photos look great.

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26 Terri Sinclair November 14, 2010 at 12:41 am
27 Terri Sinclair November 14, 2010 at 12:41 am

I would LOVE this lens for Christmas!!! Amazing! Tamron makes great products!

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28 Tara Chandler November 14, 2010 at 7:14 am

I would love this lens as a gift for my husband, (and me) he has never gotten a new lens for himself. I love how he takes incredible pics of our kids, especially our newest 4th baby (July) who after 8 miscarriages, was not supposed to be possible. I want us to be able to capture every miraculous moment. Here’s to hope and a new lens!!!

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29 Lindsey November 14, 2010 at 8:50 am

I would love to win this lens! I definitely need an upgrade from the kit lens.

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30 Katrina November 14, 2010 at 9:28 am

Ah! Love this giveaway!

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31 Suzanne E November 14, 2010 at 1:53 pm

I have been dying to get a new lens for my Nikon and this one would definitely fit perfect with what I want to do.

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32 Kristen November 14, 2010 at 2:27 pm

Would love to win ths!!

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33 Kristen November 14, 2010 at 2:29 pm
34 Tiffany November 14, 2010 at 3:29 pm

I would love to have this lens…from all of the reviews it seems like it will be a great addition.

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35 Suzanne E November 14, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Here is where I blogged about the contest – http://suzannedailyliving.blogspot.com/2010/11/win-new-lens.html

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36 cindyn November 14, 2010 at 3:51 pm

Just recently got a new “big girl” camera and would love to have this lens to go with it!

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37 Janice November 14, 2010 at 4:23 pm

What a great contest! The photos are so nice and crisp, I’d love to win this!

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38 kim borup November 14, 2010 at 5:46 pm

Tamron has a great reputation. My daughter, who is a professional photographer, recommends them to her students who want affordable lenses. She teaches some great on line classes. I’ve learned a lot from taking them. If you are interested, I’d be happy to give you the details.

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39 Gayle Janczarek November 14, 2010 at 6:29 pm

Looks like a great lens. I have a nikon with the telephoto lens that came with a package deal. This would really be an upgrade. Thanks for the chance to win. gayle

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40 Leah November 14, 2010 at 8:49 pm

I love this camera..I love taking pics outside.

leahforlove at aol dot com

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41 Amber November 14, 2010 at 10:02 pm

I want one!!!!!

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42 saskia November 14, 2010 at 10:59 pm

Great contest–I would also love to win one to upgrade from my Canon kit lens. Love that you caught a bird that looks as if it came to life from the cameo on your balcony railing.

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43 ameliorateme November 14, 2010 at 11:17 pm

Currently, I have a really crappy kit lens – this lens would dramatically improve my pictures. I’d love to pair it with my Canon!

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44 Leah @ Beyer Beware November 14, 2010 at 11:43 pm

Love your photos. Now, I want a tour of your house. Enjoy your new lens!

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45 stuckinmypedals November 15, 2010 at 7:37 am

I’m a lousy photographer. Fingers crossed that I win so I can start snapping some good shots!

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46 Heather Woolley November 15, 2010 at 8:22 am

I’d LOVE this lens!

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47 Aubrianne November 15, 2010 at 8:29 am

Very very excited about this. Great shots!!!

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48 Debra November 15, 2010 at 10:14 am

This is a wonderful lens! I would really enjoy winning one.

Thank you!

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49 AshlyR November 15, 2010 at 10:23 am

This sounds utterly amazing! I photograph lots of high schools sports and hate switching (i.e. when the left-wing moves to right-wing, right in front of me!) This would be a wonderful upgrade.

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50 carmen November 15, 2010 at 11:36 am

I’d love to win this!

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51 Nikki Nichols November 15, 2010 at 11:59 am

LOVE THE LENS… LOVE your house, hope to win!

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52 joanne November 15, 2010 at 12:09 pm

Ohhhh….. have asked for new lens for Christmas….. Please Santa, come early!

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53 Heather I. November 15, 2010 at 12:37 pm

How I would love it!

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54 Heather I. November 15, 2010 at 12:38 pm
55 G Brown November 15, 2010 at 1:06 pm

Would love to win :)

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56 bonggamom November 15, 2010 at 1:35 pm

I hate the kit lens too, so I’d love to win this one.

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57 amy watkins November 15, 2010 at 1:35 pm

yay! love giveaways! i hope i win because i need to take pics of my babes because they are growing too fast!

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58 bonggamom November 15, 2010 at 1:36 pm
59 sierra November 15, 2010 at 1:59 pm

I would love this lens!!! :) What a great giveaway!! Thank you!

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60 Milcah November 15, 2010 at 2:23 pm

This would be one wish checked from my mental wishlist!

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61 Milcah November 15, 2010 at 2:26 pm
62 Milcah November 15, 2010 at 3:01 pm
63 ann belcher November 15, 2010 at 3:54 pm

My dream lens…Finally I could share just how beautiful life really is through my eyes…through my lens…..from my heart to my the ones I love….If only:)

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64 Brandon and Lindsey November 15, 2010 at 5:56 pm

This lens looks awesome! I would love it!

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65 Karen November 15, 2010 at 6:11 pm

Drool…..love the Tamron zoom lens! Might make my newest lens unecessary.

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66 Sharyl@Thelittlebrownhouse November 15, 2010 at 6:42 pm

I would love this! Not sure if it would work with my Nikon, but I could always buy a new camera to match it!!

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67 M Piket November 15, 2010 at 6:53 pm

I’m very impressed with your shots with this lens! Hope I get to try it too ;)

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68 BetteJo November 15, 2010 at 7:45 pm

Yes! Okay, so I don’t have a camera. But I didn’t want to buy one until I could afford the camera AND a good
lens – so if I win the lens I’ll totally buy a great camera to attach it to!

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69 LeslieD. November 15, 2010 at 10:19 pm

I so could use a zoom lens! Thanks for sharing your review!

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70 Kimberly A. November 15, 2010 at 10:51 pm

I would love to win a lense! That would be incredible! And a really good excuse to get my husband to buy me a nice camera to go with it for christmas!

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71 MelissaPete November 15, 2010 at 11:47 pm

The photos are gorgeous!

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72 Tracey November 16, 2010 at 7:24 am

Pick me! Pick me!

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73 Julie Annas November 16, 2010 at 8:36 am

Oooohhhhh I would so love to have this lense!!!

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74 Kelly L November 16, 2010 at 8:44 am

Oh man, I’d LOVE to have this lens!!!

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75 Frostine November 16, 2010 at 8:53 am

I want to win! I want to win!

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76 Rebecca Froggett November 16, 2010 at 9:19 am

I need this lens to take pics of my babies!!

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77 islandgirlsmama November 16, 2010 at 12:14 pm

I need this lens!!! Perfect for all of my photos!! Love your blog too!!!

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78 Carol Davis November 16, 2010 at 12:37 pm

What a great versatile lens! I’d love to have this & will def. share on my blog!
Blessings,

Carol

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79 Abby November 16, 2010 at 12:42 pm

I would love to win this lens. I’m an amateur photographer and I would love to have another lens.

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80 Abby November 16, 2010 at 12:42 pm
81 Carol Davis November 16, 2010 at 12:44 pm

Here’s my blogpost too!

http://patchworkinthedesert.blogspot.com/2010/11/tamron-lens-give-way-contest-i-want-to.html

Thanks so much for the contest! Praying to win!

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82 Nicole H November 16, 2010 at 12:57 pm

How wonderful! This would be amazing!

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83 Abby November 16, 2010 at 12:58 pm
84 Sally Basile November 16, 2010 at 2:06 pm

Thanks for the great contest!

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85 Lynn Campbell November 16, 2010 at 2:24 pm

Fantastic pictures! I appreciated your photos showing what the lens can do. I like how it can focus on things and leave the closer objects out of focus (your fenceposts/birdbath) I just got a DSLR camera so don’t have any additional lenses yet – this would be a good one!
Thanks for the review!
Lynn

conservativecamp at gmail dot com

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86 Condo Blues November 16, 2010 at 3:36 pm

I am looking for a good all around lens for my new camera body. I could totally use this~

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87 Amber H November 16, 2010 at 3:37 pm

I would love love love to have this lens!!! I’m getting a new camera for Christmas and this would be the perfect addition :)

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88 AndreaB November 16, 2010 at 4:59 pm

Oh how I would love to win!

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89 AndreaB November 16, 2010 at 5:00 pm
90 kristina p November 16, 2010 at 8:11 pm

I would love to win this lens. I purchased the Canon T2i a few months back and love it. This lens would be great to add to my repertoire of camera goodies. Thanks for the opportunity.

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91 celine November 16, 2010 at 8:41 pm

i would love to enter to win the lens.

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92 DianaV November 16, 2010 at 10:29 pm

I could finally get some beautiful portrait shots of my kids!

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93 DianaV November 16, 2010 at 10:30 pm
94 Janelle Bradford November 16, 2010 at 11:01 pm

Dear Santa, please help me to win this giveaway so that I can have a great new lens for Christmas.

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95 shel November 17, 2010 at 1:03 am

Your pictures are great…I’d love to win, no more shaky blurry pictures…I’ve lost a lot of great shots to blur :(

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96 shel November 17, 2010 at 1:04 am
97 Merry November 17, 2010 at 6:36 am

Lovely Photos – I want that lense so bad!

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98 Joan Pratt November 17, 2010 at 6:46 am

Bought the camera, cant afford the lens. :0(

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99 sharon l November 17, 2010 at 9:00 am

I would so love this lens….perfect time of year to capture the Fall leaves!

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100 Ken November 17, 2010 at 9:01 am

Awesome giveaway…and it will fit my new camera!

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