My view from afar… and very close – The Tamron AF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro (1:2)

Updated on October 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM

Among the gifts I'll forever remember from Christmas 2014 was this Tamron AF 70-300mm. A lens that, by itself, opens two creative doors: distant scenes thanks to its powerful zoom, and tiny ones with its 1:2 macro function.

It's a bit like receiving two lenses in one, and believe me, it immediately expands your photographic playing field.

The Joy of Telephoto Lenses

With its focal range of 70-300mm, this lens is ideal for capturing distant subjects: wildlife, architectural details perched atop a church tower, sports scenes, or distant portraits. At 300mm, it perfectly isolates the subject by blurring the background, creating that detachment so pleasing in photography.

Mounted on my Canon EOS 700D, which is an APS-C, this focal length is equivalent to approximately 112-480mm in full frame... in other words, you get seriously close to the action without having to walk.

And the magic of macro

But what really impressed me with this lens was its macro function (1:2 ratio). In macro mode, which can be activated between 180 and 300mm, it allows you to capture incredible details: leaf veins, the texture of an insect, a drop of water hanging from a blade of grass...

The minimum focusing distance of approximately 95cm may seem long compared to a dedicated macro lens, but at 300mm, it allows you to photograph shy subjects (like certain insects) without scaring them.

A sometimes capricious relationship...

Not everything is rosy. Depending on the program chosen, the ambient light, or the subject, the lens sometimes misleads the camera. The result: you have to turn the camera off and on again, and sometimes change the settings to get everything back to normal. This behavior is rare, but annoying enough to be mentioned.

This can be due to autofocus difficulties in low light or on low-contrast surfaces. In these cases, you sometimes have to switch to manual focus or change the aperture to help the camera focus.

Image Quality and Rendering

For a lens in this range, the quality is quite decent. Between 70 and 200mm, images are sharp and contrasty. Beyond 200mm, sharpness decreases slightly, especially at full aperture, but remains usable for amateur use.

The bokeh is pleasant, especially at full zoom. In macro, it isolates the subject well and produces beautiful blurred backgrounds, even if the f/5.6 aperture sometimes requires increasing the ISO.

Attractive Value

The Tamron AF 70-300mm is an affordable lens, often available for less than €150 new and even less used. Its dual telephoto and macro functions make it a versatile companion for exploring and experimenting. Its minor technical quirks are a compromise I'm happy to accept, as it has already allowed me to capture moments I wouldn't have been able to get close to otherwise.

Specifications – Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro (1:2) (A17)