Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens REVIEW

I'm no expert when it comes to photography, I know the very BASICS about aperture, iso and shutter speed. I've learned enough so that I can shoot on manual BUuut if you know me and my laziness.
Then you will know that I shoot on automatic 85% of the time and I'm more often than not quite satisfied with the quality of my images. 

With the help of Youtube, blogs and my wallet I've spent months looking for the perfect day to day all in one travel lens. I'm pleased to report that last week I finally found and bought it!

​Say hello to my amazing new travel buddy.. sorry Hanna

Zoomed out at 16mm

Zoomed in at 300mm

​I settled on the Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens  for the following reasons:

• Size and price, It was between this lens and the Canon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM DO lens which also cost twice the price even though it had some pretty bad reviews.
• Image stabiliser in this case Tamron calls it Vibration Compensation, this is very handy and allows me to take those fully zoomed out shots at 300mm without having to rely on a tripod. The autofocus is silent and quick too
• It's weather sealed, can you believe this bugger is weather sealed?, neither could I, this is perfect for my upcoming visits to the Namibian desert and Victoria Falls waterfall. 
• Wide angle and super telephoto zoom lens all in one, with a focus distance of only 0.39 m means I can be right close to my subject or super far  away while on safari and still get the picture. 

This is a must have travel lens for any amateur, I have no idea what it's like when taking portraits but I'm sure I shouldn't be expecting any amazing if any bokeh here. Who knows though, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. 

Next lens up on my list is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM , for my birthday I might just get myself one if business goes well, otherwise I'll just wait until next year and save up slowly so long.

Anyway, I picked this up for R7,595.00 at the best camera store in Cape Town, Orms.
Can't wait to get out and start shooting with this.