Tamron 18-400 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD review - Distortion

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Tamron 18-400 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD

7 November 2017

Arkadiusz Olech

6. Distortion

The chart below features a comparison of results of the tested lens, both Nikkors 18-300 mm, the Sigma 18-300 mm OS and the Tamron 16-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO. Still you have to remember the fact that the task of the Tamron 18-400 mm was the most difficult as its focal range is the widest.

	16–18 mm	35 mm	50 mm	100 mm	200 mm	300–400 mm
Tamron 18–400 mm f/3.5–6.3 VC	−3.90%	+2.38%	+2.88%	+2.25%	+1.55%	+1.17%
Sigma 18–300 f/3.5–6.3 OS	−3.98%	+1.97%	+2.25%	+1.63%	+1.19%	+1.10%
Nikkor 18–300 f/3.5–6.3 VR	−4.81%	+2.24%	+2.71%	+2.10%	+1.54%	+1.46%
Nikkor 18–300 f/3.5–5.6 VR	−5.32%	+1.60%	+2.03%	+2.64%	+2.20%	+1.94%
Tamron 16–300 f/3.5–6.3 VC	−4.68%	+2.17%	+2.50%	+1.97%	+1.45%	+1.36%

Despite those difficulties its distortion result at the wide angle compares favourably with those of its rivals, especially the Nikkors which performed weakly in that category. Still you should know the Tamron is helped with slight moustache deformation; if, at 18 mm, you limit the distortion measurement to the 1:1 markings area the result will be a bit higher, reaching near −4.3%.

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The Tamron 18-400 mm has also a problem with pincushion distortion in the 35-50 mm range where its results are the highest in the whole group of lenses, compared here. Values reaching almost +3% will be easily noticeable in real life photos. Fortunately in the 200-400 mm range the distortion decreases distinctly so once again the tested lens fares better than both Nikkors.