Check Out Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC (Vibration Compensation) Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras for $549.00

Jan 30

Check Out Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC (Vibration Compensation) Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras for $549.00

Filed in Tamron

Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC (Vibration Compensation) Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

I have recently purchased a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC, and subsequently a Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8.

I think the Tamron is a very sharp lens in its own right, especially when you use a smaller aperture. At the largest aperture of f2.8, however, I think the Tamron is a bit softer when compared to the Nikkor counterpart. Also, Tamron is a bit slower in a low light situation and a bit noisier with the VC. Furthermore, Tamron doesn’t appear to be weather sealed, but the Nikkor is. The Tamron has a VC, while the Nikkor doesn’t.

If you don’t plan to spend 00 or so for a lens but are still looking for something sharp and fast, Tamron would be the perfect affordable substitute. However, if budget is not an issue, and you want to be able to use the largest aperture in a low light condition and still producing the sharpest images, and that weather seal is important to you, then Nikkor would be recommended.

I decided to keep both lenses, though the Tamron will be used primarily by my wife with her Nikon D90 due to the lighter weight, while I will use the Nikkor with my Nikon D300S.

Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC (Vibration Compensation) Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Feature

Compact Fast Zoom with VC (Vibration Compensation).
Fast Constant F/2.8 Aperture.
For use on APS-C size DSLR cameras.
11.4-Inch minimum focusing distance / 1: 4.8 Maximum magnification ratio.
Internal Focusing.

Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC (Vibration Compensation) Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Overview

Tamron’s new SP AF 17-50mm F/ 2.8 acts RDI II VC covers the heavily used 17-50 MM focal distance range (angle of view equivalent of 26-78 MM when converted to the full frame format) making it an extremely versatile, high performance zoom lens. Achieving sharpness and striking contrast, the lens produces beautiful images that are enhanced by the shallow depth of field afforded by the maximum aperture F/2.8 and enriches the user’s range of photographic expression. The new lenses equipped with Tamron’s proprietary vibration compensation (VC) image stabilization mechanism, which provides more opportunities for handheld photography, such as low light conditions like evening, night scenes and indoors, leading to dramatically enhanced level of photographic freedom. Technical specifications: focal length 17 – 50 MM: format size APS – C: maximum aperture F/2.8; minimum aperture F/ 32; diagonal angle of view 78 degree and 45 minute – 31 degree and 11 minute; lens construction 19 elements, 14 groups; minimum focusing distance 11.4-Inch (0.29m); maximum magnification ratio 1:4 0.8; filter diameter 72 mm; overall length 3.7 inches maximum diameter 3.13 inches; weight 20.15oz. 570g; diaphragm blades-seven; standard accessory flower shaped lens hood; Nikon mount.

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Customer Reviews

Its a good lens optically but does not work when cold – B. Smith – Denver
This is a very good lens optically. It is extremely sharp and the VC seems to work very well. Its construction is ok. It is well build but mostly plastic.

It does have two flaws. The first is that if the lens is just slightly rotated while mounted on my D90 I get the “E—” Error indicating that the electrical contacts are not communicating with the camera. I have had this with other third party lenses.

The other more serious flaw is that this lens will NOT WORK below about 20 degrees F. I have had this failure every time I take it out in the cold. As I do a lot of mountaineering and hiking this is a serious flaw. When I press the shutter release nothing at all happens. No focus, no mirror slap, no sound. Nothing.

Sometimes I might get a shot or two out and then it goes back to its “inert” behavior. My Nikon D90 works fine with any other lens in very cold temps. It just does not work with this Tamron.

This seems to be a characteristic of this particular lens as I have seen other posts on it. I sent the lens in to Tamron for service and they found no issue but wrote back, “The minimum operational temperature is 23 degrees F.” However, this limitation is NOT stated anywhere in the literature for this lens.

As long as you will be using this lens where it is relatively warm I can recommend it.

very good walk around lens – rubyrudi – Mississippi,USA
I have only had this lens for about 3 months and I have used it a lot. I just used it in Amsterdam at night walking around with out a tripod. Very good, better than I expected. I have a canon 20d.

A premium lens, for a price – L. G. Rozas –
Some time ago, i bought a tamron 28-75, wich it is an excellent lens, but i really need vibration control, i have shaky hand, for that, i decided buy the new 17-50.
This lens is really really sharp, at any focal lenght, even wide open. the vibration control is fantastic, very usefull at 30mm and beyond. the colors, same nice warm colors than tamron 28-75.
I read that focus speed was improved from the older model, i cant say anything about that,but i have noticed that focus + vc is little bit too noisy.
I really recomend this lens, it will not leave mi camera for a long long time.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jan 30, 2010 03:55:16

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