Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras by Tamron
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Digital camera reviews of Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Digital camera Review: Far superior to the kit lens, great for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this lens primarily as a replacent for the Rebel XTi's 18-55 mm kit lens. Since I received it I've used it to take about 300+ photos, and I am very impressed. The majority of those pictures have been long exposure/small aperture in very low light (night), and I can only say good things. I've experienced very little vignetting, distortion, or chromatic aberration, and would take this over a comparable Canon any day. Even with portraits that I've taken at f/2.8, I have seen little to no negative lens effects. As a student in Boston, price is always paramount, and this lens has not disappointed. I've definitely gotten my money's worth.Digital camera Review: Fast & compact, good general purpose lens
Summary: 5 Stars
Depending on how you plan to use your camera (mine is a Canon EOS 40D) and lens, this product from Tamron can make for a great general purpose lens.
I typically travel with a fair bit of digital equipment while on business trip: notebook, cell phone, blackberry, Creative Visiom:M, camera and if my wife happens to come along, a Panasonic MiniDV camcorder and tripod too. With a relatively large amount of electronic to lug around, the 28-135mm kit lens that comes with the EOS 40D was simply too large and heavy.
Our experience also tell us that a large number of our photo shooting takes place in indoor conditions and we like to take shots of the food we order (makes for great memories). The Tamron's constant f2.8 comes in really handy, especially when flash photography isn't allowed.
Some reviewers complained about the noise of the lens focusing, quite frankly, unless you're hiding in some closet trying to take a clandestine photo of someone, you won't notice it. Ambient outdoor/indoor noise cancels it to the extend that you won't notice it at all.
What I like:
1. Light weight, compact (important for frequently travelers!)
2. Constant f2.8, useful indoors and when flash isn't allowed or you want to avoid spooking otherwise friendly animals (eg. domestic dogs, horses etc.)
3. Price/capability ratio really good.
4. 17mm wide angle, useful in cities (where most of my business trips are).
5. Comes with a lens hood.
6. Well thought out design, lens cap easily clipped on even with lens hood attached.
7. Made in Japan.
What I would like to see:
1. Longer zoom while retaining image quality and weight/size.
2. OR: A companion glass in the 50-200mm (or there about) range with the same compact/light weight form factor and constant f2.8 performance.
Digital camera Review: Focus Problems Abound - Had 2 copies, both bad, returned for refund!
Summary: 2 Stars
Although the lens is fast and built well enough I got two copies with the "front focus" problem. I returned both without hassle from Amazon and am going to buy the 18-200mm Canon lens instead, along with the 50mm f1.4. I found that most of my "portrait" type shooting was done at the 50mm end of the 17-50 anyway so the 50mm prime lens from Canon will fill that niche. Too bad the Tamron had the Front Focus problem b/c I did like the lens. Some, very few, of the autofocus pics were sharp but most were too soft to be acceptable. I found myself sitting in Manual Focus mode almost all the time (any time that an in-focus picture was important, which is "always"). MF was very sharp though.
If Tamron fixes the AF problem then this would be a great lens. Too bad.
Digital camera Review: Front focusing, soft results, problems in low light
Summary: 1 Stars
Tried and really wanted it to work, but the first copy had severe problems with focusing, most images came out soft, front focusing issues, slow focusing in low light. Tried a second sample, a little better, but still not acceptable. Obviously, Tamron has real quality problem issues. Switched to Canon 17-85IS and all problems magically went away, fast reliable focusing in any light and it is instant due to USM. Yes it is not a 2.8 Lens, but what's the point of 2.8 if it has problem focusing in low light? I thought one of the reasons to buy 2.8 was because of low light. Moral for me at least: stay away from third brand lenses.Digital camera Review: GREAT lens. Excellent replacement for Kit lenses.
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this to replace my 18-55mm kit lens that came with my Rebel. Since then this thing has seen a lot of action and the kit lens collected dust in the closet. This lens is really spectacular in sharpness and color. It rivals some much more expensive zooms. The constant 2.8 aperature is a huge improvement over the kit lens too. I would recommend this lens to any serious or amateur photographer.
It's also lightweight which is nice for a walk-around lens. the only down-side is that the AF is somewhat loud (compared to Canon), but still acceptable.