Lens review

Tamron AF 55-200 mm f/4-5.6 Di II LD Macro

5. Chromatic aberration

In this category the Tamron fares not badly but, compared to its rivals, the results are nothing to boast of. The Nikkor 55-200 mm simply outclasses it and the Canon 55-200 mm at the ends of the range performs similarly and in the middle – much better.

What’s interesting, in order to avoid chromatic aberration in the case of the Tamron, you should take photos with the aperture wide open. Then, at 55 mm, the aberration is practically invisible, at 130 mm it is slight and at 200 mm - unfortunately noticeable. The situation always gets worse on stopping down the lens.

The picture below shows the comparison between the levels of aberration at the frame edge by f/8 and at 55, 130 and 200 mm focal lengths.