User Manual

ENGLISH
Thank you for purchasing the Tamron lens as the latest addition to your photographic equipment.
Before using your 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 possible. With proper handling and care, your Tamron lens will give you many years of
photographing beautiful and exciting pictures.
• Explains precautions that help to prevent problems.
• Explains things you should know in addition to basic operations.
NOMENCLATURE (Refer to Fig. 󱄏, if not specied)
① Lens hood ② Hood attaching alignment mark
③ Hood attaching indicator ④ Filter ring
⑤ Hood attaching bayonet ring ⑥ Zooming ring
⑦ Zoom lock switch (Figs. 󱄓 & 󱄕) ⑧ Focal length scale
⑨ Zoom index mark ⑩ Focusing ring
⑪ VC (Vibration Compensation) switch ⑫ AF/MF switch (Figs. 󱄗 & 󱄙)
⑬ Lens attachment mark ⑭ Lens mount/Lens mount contacts
SPECIFICATIONS
B018
Focal Length 18-200 mm
Maximum Aperture F/3.5 - 6.3
Angle of View 75˚33' - 7˚59'
Optical Construction 14/16
Minimum Object Distance 0.49-0.77 m (19.3''-30.3'')
Maximum Magnication Ratio 1:4 (at 200 mm)
Filter Size ø 62 mm
Length/Overall Length 94.1 mm (3.7'')/102.5 mm (4'')*
Maximum Diameter ø 75 mm (2.9'')
Weight 400 g (14.1 oz)*
Lens Hood HB018

* values are specications of Nikon products.
Length: From the lens front extremity to the mount surface.
Overall length: From the lens front extremity to the rear projection extremity.
Features and appearance of lenses listed in this owner’s manual are subject to change without
notice.
ATTACHING AND REMOVING THE LENS
 How to mount the lens
Removing the rear cap of the lens. Align the Lens attachment mark ⑬ on the lens barrel with
its counterpart on the camera mount and insert the lens.
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 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.

Ensure that the camera is turned off when attaching or removing the lens.

For further details, please read the instruction manual of your camera.
FOCUSING (Autofocus) (Ref. Figs. 󱄏, 󱄑 & 󱄗)
In case of a Nikon or Canon camera, switch the AF/MF switch ⑫ on the lens to AF (Fig. 󱄗). In
case of a Nikon camera with the focus mode selector dial, set the focus mode to S, C or A and
then set the AF/MF switch
⑫ on the lens to AF. Press the shutter button halfway down while
viewing through the camera’s viewnder, 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.
In case of a Sony camera, switch the AF/MF switch
⑫ on the lens to AF (Fig. 󱄗), and set the focus
mode on the camera to Auto focus (AF). Press the shutter button halfway down while viewing
through the camera’s viewnder, 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.

For further details, please read the instruction manual of your camera.
FOCUSING (Manual Focus) (Ref. Figs. 󱄏, 󱄑 & 󱄙)
In case of a Nikon or Canon camera, switch the AF/MF switch ⑫ on the lens to MF (Fig. 󱄙). In
case of a Nikon camera with the focus mode selector dial, set the focus mode to M, and then set
the AF/MF switch
⑫ on the lens to MF. Focus manually rotating the focusing ring ⑩ while viewing
through the camera’s viewnder (Fig.
󱄑). The main subject in the viewnder will be sharp when
the lens is focused correctly.
In case of a Sony camera, switch the AF/MF switch
⑫ on the lens to MF (Fig. 󱄙), and set the
focus mode on the camera to Manual focus (MF). Focus manually rotating the focusing ring
⑩
while viewing through the camera’s viewnder (Fig.
󱄑). The main subject in the viewnder will be
sharp when the lens is focused correctly.

Even in the MF mode, when turning focusing ring ⑩ while pressing the shutter button halfway, the focus
aid function lamp lights up when the picture is in focus.

At innity, make sure the image in the viewnder appears sharp. The innity position 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.
VC MECHANISM (Ref. Figs. 󱄏, 󱄛 & 󱄝) (Mounted for Nikon and Canon models)
VC (Vibration Compensation) is a mechanism which reduces the image blur caused by hand-held
shooting.
 How to use VC mechanism
1) Set the VC switch ⑪ on.
*When VC is not used, set the switch off.
2) Press the shutter button halfway to verify the effect of the VC.
When the shutter button is pressed down halfway, it takes about 1 second for the VC to
provide a stable image.
 The VC can be effective for hand-held shots under the following conditions.

Dimly lit locations

Scenes where ash photography is forbidden

Situations where your footing is uncertain

Taking panning shots of a moving subject
 The VC may not be able to give full effect in the following cases:

When a photograph is taken from a fast movimg vehicle

Shooting during the excessive movement of the camera

Turn the VC switch OFF when taking pictures with the bulb setting or during long exposures. If
the VC switch is ON, the VC mechanism may introduce errors.

With the VC mechanism, there are occasions that the image in the viewnder blurs right after the
shutter button is pressed down halfway, but this is not a malfunction.

When the VC is ON, the number of images recordable is reduced due to the power used from the
camera.

The nder image will move when turn ON and OFF the camera, it is not a malfunction.

When shooting with a tripod, turn the power ON to decide the composition.

Turn the VC swtich OFF when using tripod.

After releasing the shutter button, the VC will continue to operate for about 2 seconds until the
locking mechanism activates.

When VC is in the off position the VC lens is locked electromagnetically in the center and the
power is still consumed during that time. For this reason, depending on the image software being
used there may be a case where EXIF data shows “VC ON” even though the image was shot under
“VC OFF”.

When the lens is removed from the camera while VC is activating, the lens may make clicking sound when
the lens is subjected to a jolt. This is not a malfunction. Re-attach the lens to the camera and turn the
power ON. The sound should stop.

The VC activates while the “release” button is pushed halfway down. (It is activated 2 seconds after the
shutter button is released)

VC can be used in AF or MF mode.
ZOOMING (Ref. Figs. 󱄏 & 󱄑)
Rotate zooming ring ⑥ of the lens while viewing through the camera’s viewnder and compose
your image at the chosen focal length.
ZOOM LOCK SWITCH (Ref. Figs. 󱄏, 󱄓 & 󱄕)
Zoom lock switch mechanism prevents lens barrels from extending toward long focal length by
their own weight while hanging from shoulders. Activate the switch at 18mm setting to stop the
lens barrels from rotating and extending.
 How to activate the zoom lock switch mechanism
1) Locking: Set the lens to the 18mm position. Move the switch ⑦ toward the camera, until the
index lines align with each other. The lens barrel is now locked in position and does not
rotate or extend by its own weight.
2) Releasing: Push the switch away from your camera. The lens barrel is now free to rotate and
extend for zooming.

The zoom lock switch ⑦ cannot be activated unless the lens is set to the 18mm position. Do not
force the lock switch or try to rotate the lens barrel while locked.

The zoom lock mechanism is made to prevent the lens barrel from extending while carried
around on shoulder. The lens may change its focal length during a long exposure if the lens is
used in a low or high angle position.

The lens can be used at 18mm setting for picture-taking even when locked by the switch.
LENS HOOD (Ref. Figs. 󱄏, 󱄟 to 󱄢)
A bayonet-type lens hood (referred to as “hood” below) is provided as standard equipment. We
recommend shooting 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 stated in the
next section when your camera is equipped with a built-in ash.
 Attaching the Lens Hood (Ref. Figs. 󱄟 & 󱄡)
Align Hood attaching alignment 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.
󱄟) and then rotate it clockwise to secure (Fig. 󱄟). The lens hood
will be secure when the mark “TAMRON
󰝅” is at the top (Fig. 󱄡). When attaching the lens
hood, hold the focus 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 (e.i. 35mm or wider) settings.
Improper attachment of a hood on a wide-angle zoom lens may cause large shadowed areas in
your pictures.
 Stowing lens hood on the lens (Ref. Fig. 󱄢)
1) Reverse the lens hood. Point the lens toward the opening, then align the hood attaching
index on the lens with the (TAMRON
󰝅) alignment on the hood ③.
2) Turn the hood clockwise until the alignment mark (•) is at the top to set it. (Fig.
󱄢)