06Mar Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 Review
It seems like people always want me to name one lens. Then they set a dollar amount and through in the words “best”, and “low light”. I’m often left with one lens in mind by the time I get done reading the e-mail.
Enter the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens. At around $400 I would consider the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens to be the best bang for your buck. If you are new to DSLR cameras and some store clerk has got you cornered while trying to talk you into a kit lens, STOP, take a step back and run. Because that kit lens wont help anybody.
The Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 on the other hand will help you a lot. First of all 17-50mm is a very good range for a crop sensor camera. Second the lens is f2.8 across all focal lengths, so you wont get the dreaded darkening effect caused by kit lenses. Lastly the lens is fairly sharp wide open, even in the corners, so it’s good for video and photography.
Tamron did have to cut a few corners to get the price tag down this low. For one this is a “digital lens”, which basically means that it’s only designed for crop sensor cameras. The Focusing motor on the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 is also quit loud, so you probably wont be sneaking up on anyone. You can forget full time manual focus, and of course the lens is made out of plastic.
These problems aren’t as bad as you might think. Many of the mid range lenses on the market suffer from similar problems but lack the sharp picture and image quality. At a 3rd the price of Canon’s 17-55mm f2.8 lens you are probably able to over look Tamron’s faults.
As a first lens, or as a first Zoom lens in the mid to low budget category, I would definitely take a close look at the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens.
March 18th, 2011 at 9:57 am
What do you mean by “You can forget full time manual focus”? You can’t manually focus with this lens?
March 18th, 2011 at 10:12 am
You can but the manual focus ring is so small and hard to use that I don’t consider it very useful.
March 20th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Oh, I see. Thank you for all the great information! Love the site!
June 16th, 2011 at 5:24 am
I have the opportunity to buy this lens used locally, but it is the one with VC. Is it worth the extra money for VC?
June 16th, 2011 at 6:10 am
If the price is low enough the VC version is a good deal. I don’t uses image stabilization very much but a lot of people find it very handy.
August 24th, 2011 at 8:52 am
I have tried this lens back in 2009 but it died on me 3 months later and all the sudden stopped focusing whatsoever, warranty worked but I bought the Nikon Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 AF-S which is way more sharp, focuses quieter and after almost 2 years of non-stop working this lens is literally glued to my camera body and no complains.
BTW i just found your blog two days ago and nice reviews and a bunch of very useful information here for someone like me making the transition to HDSLR, and gotta love the video closings
“If you like the videos… please subscribe! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh”
September 5th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Hey dude, I love all your videos. I mainly shoot indoors and am in need of a wider lens (currently using the 50mm prime) Would you recommend this or the Tokina 11-16? And is the price difference justified with the Tokina?
September 5th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
The Tokina 11-16mm is a very wide lens. It’s very sharp wide open, f2.8, and is loved by most of its owners. If you shoot mostly indoors f2.8 might not work as well as a prime lens would. You might also want to take a look at the Canon 24mm f1.4 mark II and the canon 35mm f1.4. You’ll probably end up with better low light performance.
September 6th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
As much as I’d love the 24, its way out of my price range. The Tokina is at the top of my price range, but i’d like to save a few bucks with the Tamron. Light isnt a huge deal in the room i’ll be shooting in and 2.8 has worked OK in the past. Thanks for the quick response!
September 6th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Sidenote: The main concern is getting everything in frame
December 8th, 2011 at 3:36 am
I have read and watched several reviews on this lens and have decided that it should be part of my carry kit…i normally carry the Tamron 10-24 and Canon 50 f/1.8 mkI(metal mount)…but a fast kit replacer zoom would totally rock…what do you think DeeJay?