Tamron SP Adaptall-2 60-300mm f3.8-5.4 23A Review

The 23A lens has often been compared with the 19AH in terms of image quality and macro capabilities. the 23A is also an SP lens, a little bigger and heavier than the 19AH. It's advantages over the 19AH would be the wider zoom range and the higher macro magnification. The 19AH however, beats it in terms of the aperture and ease of use in macro mode (you'll see why later).

How it looks like on a Spotmatic. Not so sexy as the 24mm.

Fully extended, this lens is loooooong.

At 90mm f3.8.

At 300mm f5.4. CA is very high, much higher than on the 19AH

At 300mm f8.0.

At 60mm f3.8

At 60mm f5.6

At 60mm f8.0

Let's talk a little bit about the macro function here. The minimum focusing distance for the lens in normal mode is 1.9m, really unimpressive. But unlike all other lenses I have, engaging to macro for the 23A is very different. You need to put the lens at 60mm first and then push the focus all the way to minimum AND engage the macro function by nudging the focus ring a little more. The lens makes an impressive 1:1.55 magnification! Once done, focusing is done by push-pull function instead of using the focusing ring. I found it fascinating and I've created a video just to show you what I mean:

At maximum macro magnification, 1:155

Here is the original article which this mini review came from.