Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Review: Pros, Cons & Images

Is the Tamron 70-300mm the Ultimate Budget Telephoto?

One Year Later

I’ve had the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD in my bag for over a year now. In the world of telephoto lenses, it’s often overlooked for flashier, more expensive glass. But after putting it through its paces—from the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to sunrise shoots—I’m ready to break down why this "budget" lens might be the best kept secret for landscape photographers.

No fluff here—let’s jump right into the pros and cons.

The Pros: Why It Earns a Spot in My Bag

1. Incredible Portability

This is easily one of the smallest and lightest telephotos on the market. Weighing in at just 545g (19.2 oz), it’s a dream for hikers and travel photographers. While it doesn't reach 400mm, 300mm is plenty of reach for the weight savings you get. It fits effortlessly into a small pack without weighing you down on long treks.

2. Surprising Sharpness & Image Quality

Don't let the "budget" tag fool you. The image quality is excellent, delivering sharp details and great color rendition.

The Detail Test: I recently took a handheld shot at 104mm with a 1/200th shutter speed. Even without a tripod, the lens retained an incredible amount of sharpness and fine detail.

Optical Performance: It does a fantastic job of minimizing distortions and vignetting, even when you’re zoomed all the way in at the long end.

3. Unbeatable Value

I picked this lens up for $392 (tax included) on sale. A few years ago, getting this level of optical performance for under $400 was unheard of. If you are shooting on a budget, this is a prime example of how far lens technology has come.

The Drawbacks: What’s Missing?

To keep the price and weight down, Tamron had to make some trade-offs.

There is no built-in stabilization. If you shoot handheld in low light, you’ll need to watch your shutter speeds. However, as a landscape photographer who primarily uses a tripod, this is rarely an issue for me.

Variable Aperture: It’s a "slow" lens (f/4.5-6.3). Again, this isn't a dealbreaker for landscapes, but it’s not the lens you’d reach for to shoot indoor sports or midnight wildlife.

No Bells and Whistles, It’s fully bare-bones. You won’t find a zoom lock, AF/MF switch, or programmable buttons. It is a "set it and forget it" tool. Just how I like it!

Real-World Examples Photos from the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD shot on an Sony A7iii.

Tamron 70-300 foggy sunrise image

Tamron 70-300 long exposure

Tamron 70-300 mountain image.

Tamron 70-300 mountain image.

Tamron 70-300 lone tree image.

Tamron 70-300 ocean sunrise image.

Tamron 70-300 foggy forest image.

Tamron 70-300 rocks and water image

Tamron 70-300 leaf detail image.

Tamron 70-300 foggy forest image.

Tamron 70-300 sunrise ocean panoramic image.

Tamron 70-300 mountain image.

Tamron 70-300 mountain image.

Tamron 70-300 mountain panoramic image.

Tamron 70-300 waterfall image

The Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you are a landscape photographer who values a light pack and mostly shoots from a tripod, the Tamron 70-300mm is hard to beat. It provides professional-level sharpness at a fraction of the cost and weight of "pro" glass.

If you’re on a budget and need an awesome telephoto option, take advantage of this lens. It has served me incredibly well for over a year, and I don't see it leaving my bag anytime soon.

Are you using the Tamron 70-300mm, or are you thinking about picking one up?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!