Tamron 70-300mm Di LD Macro for Nikon Review

Posted on (Updated: ) by sholsten

Whether you are tired of lugging around heavy and bulky telephoto zoom lenses or just looking for a good one that matches a range of photography requirements, you are just in time for our review of the compact and lightweight Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon. On top of that, it is budget-friendly as well.

Let’s check out what other things are going for this lens and what its limitations are.

Specs at a Glance

Full name Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 (model A17NII, Nikon F mount)
Focal length 70-300mm (about 105-450mm equivalent on Nikon DX)
Maximum aperture f/4 at 70mm to f/5.6 at 300mm
Macro 1:2 maximum magnification in macro mode (180-300mm)
Minimum focus distance 0.95m (37.4 in.) in macro mode; 1.5m (59 in.) normally
Optics 13 elements in 9 groups, including LD (low dispersion) glass
Aperture blades 9
Filter size 62mm
Weight 435g (15.3 oz)
Autofocus Built-in focus motor (autofocuses on all Nikon DSLRs, including entry-level bodies)
Image stabilization None
Sensor coverage Full frame (FX) and DX

The A17 is the digital-era (Di) successor to Tamron’s older 70-300mm LD Macro models, such as the 572D, with similar core specs. The A17NII version adds a built-in focus motor for Nikon.

Check the Tamron 70-300mm Di LD Macro (A17NII) on Amazon

Features

Here’s what you’ll love about the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon:

  • Di Design

The lens carries Tamron’s Di designation (Digitally Integrated Design) for cameras with lenses that meet the higher requirements of DSLRs both in the crop sensor and full frame departments.

  • Wide Focal Length

This telephoto lens offers an extensive focal length range of 70-300mm that will fetch you great close-ups of shy animals. On a Nikon DX (APS-C) camera, with its 1.5x crop factor, the 300mm end gives a field of view equivalent to 450mm on full frame.

The Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon is a perfect match for wildlife and sports photography and will do well for portrait photography, too.

  • Good Aperture Range

The lens has a maximum aperture of f/4 at 70mm, narrowing to f/5.6 at 300mm, which makes it best suited to medium to good light. Its nine-blade diaphragm helps keep out-of-focus areas smooth.

  • Macro switchover

Flip the macro switch anywhere in the 180-300mm range and the minimum focus distance drops from 1.5m (about 4.9 feet) to 0.95m (about 3.1 feet). The Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon offers a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2. Great for taking images of flowers, insects, and more.

  • Autofocusing capability

This A17NII version has a built-in focus motor, so it autofocuses even on entry-level Nikon DSLRs that lack an in-body focus motor (such as the D3000- and D5000-series).

  • LD Glass

The Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Auto Focus Lens for Nikon is fitted with low dispersion (LD) glass elements to reduce chromatic aberrations. It is then able to minimize the lens’ tendency to separate or detract light into a rainbow of colors.

  • Compatible with all Nikon DSLRs

The Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon works with full-frame and APS-C sensor Nikon cameras.

Pros

  • Built-in focus motor, so it autofocuses on every Nikon DSLR, including entry-level models
  • Weighs lighter than most telephoto lenses of its range
  • Great zoom range that allows you to take pictures of subjects from a great distance, without distracting them
  • Fetches you up to 1:2 magnification ratio
  • On DX (APS-C) bodies, edge softness and distortion are less noticeable because the smaller sensor uses the center of the image
  • Performs quite well in good to medium lighting conditions
  • Good for a range of photography needs, including wildlife, portrait, and sports photography

Cons

  • Distortions become noticeable at some focal lengths on full-frame cameras
  • Shows noticeable color fringes in blurred parts of the image
  • Has no image stabilization. And paired with a maximum aperture of only f/4.0, you might need a tripod or a similar tool to steady your shot in certain shooting conditions.
  • Not good for low-lighting conditions

Summary

The Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon is a compact and light telephoto zoom with a great magnification ratio of up to 1:2. It is compatible with a range of Nikon cameras in the crop sensor and full-frame departments, including D40 and D40x. It’s great for outdoor photography and some portrait shooting styles.

Comparison

If you’re about to fall in love with the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon and make a commitment, then take a look first at the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Lens.

It exceeds the product-in-review in many ways. First, it comes with a wider focal length range. While both can go as high as 300mm, this NIKKOR lens can go notches lower than Tamron’s 70mm. With a focal length range of 18-300mm, it can shoot wide-angle scenic landscapes to super-telephoto close-ups.

Additionally, the alternative lens comes with a higher maximum aperture at f/3.5. Nevertheless, an f/3.5 aperture does not make much of a difference if you’re looking to take nighttime photos with the lens.

Another thing going for this almost all-in-one NIKKOR lens is that it is equipped with an image stabilization mechanism as represented by the VR (Vibration Reduction) symbol on the body. Together with the lens’ half-stop higher aperture, the VR technology helps you fetch sharper photos and steady videos. This combination gains you some advantage in taking images under low-light conditions.

And on top of the chromatic aberration fix offered by Tamron through its LD glass elements, this NIKKOR lens goes a few steps further with aspherical and extra-low dispersion glasses. It also comes with a Special Integrated Coating to eliminate flare and ghosting when shooting in backlit or harsh lighting conditions.

And, of course, since it is a NIKKOR lens, expect its price to be considerably higher than the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon.

If money is not an object, then it is easy to make a go for this lens. One important limit, though: the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR is designed for DX-format (APS-C) DSLRs, while the Tamron covers both DX and full-frame (FX) bodies. If you shoot full frame, the Tamron is the better fit of the two.

2026 Update: Tamron’s Mirrorless Version

Tamron has since brought this same 70-300mm concept to Nikon’s Z mount with the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, priced around $499. It’s a native mirrorless build with faster autofocus than this older F-mount version, so if you’ve already made the switch to a Z-series body, that’s the one to buy instead of adapting the lens reviewed above.

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Verdict

If you are searching for a compact, light, and versatile telephoto zoom lens with powerful magnification for your Nikon camera, then the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon makes a strong case. It is great for shooting outdoors, wildlife, action, and portraits.

But with a maximum aperture of f/4.0 and equipped with no image stabilization, its performance may not be as great when used to shoot indoors or under low-light conditions. Nevertheless, the price of the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro AF Lens for Nikon is a tempting prospect for lenses in its range.