Tamron A18 User manual

AF 18~250 mm F/3.5-6.3
Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] Macro
(Model A18)
Thank you for purchasing the Tamron lens as the latest addition to
your photographic equipment. Di II lens (Digitally Intigrated) series are
designed for digital SLR cameras with image sensors equivalent to
APS-C size. Before using you new lens, please read the contents of
this Owner's Manual thoroughly to familiarize yourself with your lens
and the proper techniques for creating the highest quality images pos-
sible. With proper handling and care, your Tamron lens will give you
many years of photographing beautiful and exciting pictures.

NOMENCLATURE
1. Lens Hood
2. Hood attaching alignment mark
3. Hood attaching indicator
4. Filter Ring
5. Hood attaching bayonet ring
6. Distance index
7. Distance scale
8. Focusing ring
9. Zooming ring
10. Focal length scale
11. Zoom index mark
12. Zoom lock switch (A18) Figs 3 & 4
13. Lens mount/Lens mount contacts (Nikon)
14. AF-MF altering switch (Canon Fig 5 & 6)
15. Lens attachment mark
16. Bayonet tab on the hood
17. Bayonet tab on the lens
A18
Focal Length 18-250mm
Maximum Aperture F/3.5-6.3
Angle of View 75 33'-6 23'
Lens Construction 14/16
Minimum Focus Distance 0.45m
Filter Size 62mm
Length 84.3mm
Diameter 74.4mm
Weight 430g
Hood DA18
SPECIFICATIONS
* Lengths and weights listed in lens specifications are for lenses with Nikon mounts.
* Features and cosmetic designs of lenses listed in this owner's manual may be
revised without notice.

ATTACHING LENS TO CAMERA
How to mount the lens
Removing the rear cap of the lens, align the lens attachment mark on the lens barrel
with its counterpart on the lens mount of the camera and insert the lens mount into
the camera's mount opening. Rotate the lens clockwise until it click-locks. For Nikon
models, align the lens attachment mark with the dot on the camera and rotate the lens
counter-clockwise until it click-locks.
How to detach the lens
Pressing the lens release button of the camera down, turn the lens counter-clockwise
(clockwise in case on Nikon), and lift the lens off the camera's lens mount.
* For further details, please read the instruction manual of your camera.
FOCUSING (Autofocus) (Ref. Figs. 1 & 2)
Set the camera on the autofocus mode (AF). Press the shutter button lightly while
viewing through the camera's viewfinder, the lens focuses automatically. An in-focus
mark will light when lens focuses on the main subject sharply. Press the shutter
button further to photograph.
* Also, please read the camera's instruction booklet carefully.
When set on AF mode, be very careful not to hinder the autofocusing
movements of the lens. Such interference may cause a serious damage on the lens
mechanism.
Select between the autofocus and manual focus modes by the AF/MF mode
selector switch on the lens barrel.
* For further details, please read the instruction manual of your camera.
FOCUSING (Manual Focus) (Ref. Fig. 2)
Switch the focusing mode switch of the camera to manual focusing mode (MF)
in case of Nikon, Sony, or Pentax camera. In case of Canon, switch to MF on the AF-
MF altering switch on the lens barrel. Focus manually, rotating the focusing ring while
viewing through the camera's viewfinder. The main subject image in the viewfinder will
be critically sharp on the viewfinder screen as lens focuses rightly.
Even in the MF mode, turning focusing ring (8) while pressing the shutter button
halfway the focus aid function lamp lights up when the picture is in focus.
At infinity, make sure the image in the viewfinder appears sharp. The infinity
position on the A18 is made with certain allowances to insure proper focus under a
variety of conditions
* For further details, please read the instruction manual of your camera.

ATTACHING AND REMOVING THE LENS
How to mount the lens
Remove the rear cap of the lens. Align the lens attachment mark (15) on the lens bar-
rel with its counterpart on the camera mount and insert the lens. Rotate the lens
clockwise until it click-locks. For Nikon and Pentax models, align the lens attachment
mark on the camera and the lens attachment mark (15) on the lens to attach the lens.
For Nikon models, align the lens attachment mark with the dot on the camera and
rotate the lens counter-clockwise until it click-locks.
How to detach the lens
Pressing the lens release button on the camera down, turn the lens counter-clockwise
(in case of Nikon lens, clockwise), and lift the lens off the camera's lens mount.
The image circles of Di-II lenses are designed to match the digital SLR cameras using the
image sensors equivalent to APS-C (approx. 15.5 x 23.2mm). Do not use Di-II lenses with cameras
using image sensors larger than APS-C. Using Di-II lenses with such cameras may cause vignetting
on the image.
Some Canon digital SLR cameras have index marks for attaching both EF lenses (red) and
EF-S lenses (white) on the bayonet mount. To attach Tamron Di-II lenses, align the lens attachment
mark on the lens (15) with the index mark for EF lenses (red). Do not forcibly align the indicator on
the kens (15) with the index mark for EF-S lens (white). Doing so could result in damage to the lens
and/or camera.
For further details, please read the instruction manual of your camera.
FOCUSING (Autofocus) (Ref. Figs 1 & 2)
Switch the focusing mode switch of the camera to Auto focusing mode (AF) in case of
Nikon, Sony, or Pentax. In case of Canon camera, switch the AF/MF switch (14) on
the lens to AF. (Fig. 5). Press the shutter button lightly while viewing through the cam-
era's viewfinder, the lens focuses automatically. An in-focus mark will light when the
lens focuses on the main subject sharply. Press the shutter button further to photo-
graph.
When set on AF mode, interfering with focusing ring (8) may cause serious damage to the
lens mechanism.
For further details, please read the instruction manual of your camera.
ZOOMING (Ref. Fig. 2)
Rotate zooming ring (9) of the lens while viewing through the camera's viewfinder and
compose your image at the chosen focal length.

ZOOM LOCK SWITCH (Ref. Figs. 3 & 4)
Model A18 is equipped with zoom lock switch mechanism which prevent lens barrel
from extending towards long focal length, while hanging around the neck. Activate the
switch at the shortest setting to stop the lens barrels from rotating and extending.
How to activate the zoom lock switch mechanism
1. Locking: Set the zoom ring on the lens to the shortest position. Move the zoom
lock switch (12) toward the camera for locking the zooming ring (9). The lens barrel is
locked in position when the portion beneath "Lock" is shown in red and the lens barrel
does not rotate or extend by its own weight.
2. Releasing: Push the zoom lock switch (12) up. The zooming ring (9) is now
released and can be rotated.
Zoom lock switch cannot be activated unless the lens is set to the shortest position. Do not
force the lock switch or try to rotate the zooming ring while locked; doing so may damage the lens.
The zoom lock mechanism is made to prevent the lens barrel from extending while carried
around the neck. When not locked, the zoom lens may change its focal length during a long expo-
sure used in a low or high angle position.
The lens can be used at the shortest setting for picture taking even while in the focused
position.
LENS APERTURE AND AE MODE
Please follow the instruction manual of your camera.
LENS HOOD (Ref. Figs. 1, 7, 8, 9)
A bayonet-type lens hood is provided as standard equipment. We recommend shoot-
ing with the hood attached whenever possible as the lens hood eliminates stray light
which is harmful to the picture. However, please be aware of the precautions written
below when your camera is equipped with a built-in flash.
Attaching the Lens Hood (Ref. Figs. 7 & 8)
Align the index mark (2) on the hood with the corresponding index mark (5) or the
top of the index line of the distance scale, on the lens. Press the hood lightly onto the
hood attaching bayonet ring (Fig. 7, No. 1) and then rotate it clockwise to secure (Fig.
7, No. 2). The lens hood will be securely held as the mark "TAMRON O" comes to the
top (Fig. 8, No. 3). When attaching the lens hood, hold the focusing and zoom control
rings so that they are not rotated unintentionally.
Pay particular attention to align the hood attaching indexes when using zoom lenses including
wide-angle (ex. 35mm or wider) settings. Improper attachment of a hood for wide-angle zoom lens
may cause large shadowed areas in your pictures.

Stowing lens hood on the lens (Ref. Fig. 9)
1. Reverse the lens hood. Point the lens toward the opening, then align the hood
attachment mark on the lens with the (TAMRON O) alignment on the hood (3).
2. Turn the hood clockwise until its alignment mark is at the top to set it. (Fig. 9, 2)
PRECAUTIONS IN SHOOTING
The optical design for Di-II takes into consideration the various features of digital
single reflex cameras. However, due to the configuration of the digital SLR cameras,
even when the Autofocus accuracy is within specifications, the focal point may be a
little forward or behind the optimum point when shooting with auto focus under some
conditions.
The image circles of Di-II lenses are designed to match the digital SLR cameras
using the image sensors equivalent to APS-C (approx. 15.5 x 23.2mm). Do not use
Di-II lenses with such cameras may cause vignetting on the image.
A18 employs an internal focusing (IF) system. Because of the characteristics of
this optical design, the angles of view at distances other than infinity are wider than
that of the lenses applying an ordinary focusing system.
When the built-in flash on the camera is used, adverse photographic phenome-
na such as corner illumination, fall-off, or vignetting at the bottom part of the image
may be observed, especially with wide angle ranges. This is due to the inherent limi-
tation of the coverage of the built-in flash, and/or the relative position of the flash to
the edge of the lens barrel which causes shadows on the image. It is strongly recom-
mended to use a suitable separate flash unit provided by the camera manufacturer for
all flash photography.
When using the lens in the telephoto focal range, please be careful with the
camera shake. Effective way to avoid the camera shake is using an ISO setting of
higher numbers. Using a tripod or monopod is also effective.
When set on AF mode, interfering with the focusing ring may cause serious
damage to the lens mechanism.
Certain camera models may indicate the maximum and minimum aperture val-
ues of the lenses appropriate numbers. This is inherent to the design of the camera
and not an indication of error.
When using a special filter such as a PL filter on the A18, use low-profile filters.
The thick rim of a normal filter may cause vignetting.

TO ENSURE LONG-TERM SATISFACTION
Avoid touching the glass element surface. Use a photographic lens cloth or a
blower to remove dust from the lens element surface. When not using the lens,
always place a lens cap on it for protection.
Use a lens cleaning tissue or lint cloth with a drop of cleaning solution to
remove fingerprints or dirt on the glass lens surface with a rotary motion from the cen-
ter to the edges.
Use a silicon cloth to clean your lens barrel only.
Mildew is an enemy of your lens. Clean the lens after shooting near water or in
any humid place. Store your lens in a clean, cool, dry place. When storing your lens in
a lens case, store it with commercially available drying agents such as silica gel, and
change the agent occasionally. If you find mildew on your lens, consult an authorized
repair shop or nearby photographic store.
Do not touch the lens-camera interface contacts since dust, dirt and/or stains
may cause a contact failure between the lens and camera.
When using your equipment in an environment where the temperature changes
from one extreme to another, make sure to put your equipment temporarily in a case
or a plastic bag for a length of time in order for the equipment to go though a gradual
temperature. This will reduce potential equipment trouble.