The new AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO is a high power zoom lens designed for exclusive use with digital SLR cameras using smaller-size imagers and inherits the product concept of the existing AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di zoom lens. Even two years after its introduction, the AF28-300mm XR is still a favorite and highly evaluated by photographers around the world as a representative model of high power zoom lenses. With the recent market influx of digital SLR cameras, the use of high power zoom lenses has become increasingly popular since high power zooms provide the convenience of handling many photographic scenes and the capability of shooting ultra telephoto shots without changing lenses. The popularity of this focal length led Tamron to initiate the development of new zoom lenses to further meet the needs of digital SLR photographers. The result is the successful development of a new zoom lens made exclusively for use on digital SLR cameras. The wide to ultra tele focal range of this lens will allow digital SLR camera owners to enjoy digital photography with comfort and convenience.