Tamron 17-50mm .. is it REALLY worth it?

Nightwings · 08-06-2010, 10:34 AM

Hey guys...

I picked up the Canon Rebel T1i just to see what the fuss was all about by that camera. My K-x CRUSHES this Canon for outdoor autoexposure. The Canon always typically over exposes..... yuuuuuck.... enough said.

HOWEVER .... I was awstruck as to how the kit lens (18-55) blew my K-X out of the water......and into the next state

. Razor sharp through the entire range. A vastly noticiable improvement over my K-x kit lens. The resolving power was amazing. BTW although I don't intend on buying that Canon ... and do intend on keeping my K-x .... I must say, I am very very impressed with the quck and deadly accurate AF of that big ugly plastic Canon..... and it doesn't seem to suffer from focusing inaccuracies by focusing close range in incandescent light....like my K-x woefully does.

Here's my question to you guys. If I pickup the Tammy 17-50 ... will THAT lens on MY K-x produce the same wow factor? OR .. how much does the tack sharp IQ of the Canon have to do with it's 15mpx sensor?

I'd hate to commit to spending $500 to chase a ghost.

**blackcloudbrew** · 08-06-2010, 11:08 AM

The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is an excellent lens. My daughter has one for her Canon 40D and it delivers excellent images quality (at 10.1mp too). I think the Pentax DA*16-50 is better but you won't go wrong with the Tammy either.

shang · 08-06-2010, 11:08 AM

tammy 17--50 is already very very sharp even at 17mm wide open. It currently sells for $460-$45 rebate, so absolutely worths every penny. bad thing is that you may have to buy several copies to find a good one. considering DA* 16--50 is only $200 more, you may want to buy the DA* instead.

lurchlarson · 08-06-2010, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is an excellent lens. My daughter has one for her Canon 40D and it delivers excellent images quality (at 10.1mp too). I think the Pentax DA*16-50 is better but you won't go wrong with the Tammy either.

From what I understand the only thing that the 16-50 has over the 17-50 is the Weather Sealing. IQ-wise I think they are indistinguishable.

future_retro · 08-06-2010, 11:21 AM

I'm thinking about picking up the Tamron, The lowest [new] price I've seen for the 16-50 is about 750, and with it's stock status on hiatus and the SDM murmurings it scares me

The Tamron seems like the best bang for the buck, I'd just hate to return my DA 15 to get it

Also am I the only one who is very surprised about the testimonial of Canon's kit lens? I actually avoided getting a Canon twice because I heard the kit lenses are absolute garbage at best and up until recently was pretty reliant on the kit lenses

Nightwings · 08-06-2010, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by shang

bad thing is that you may have to buy several copies to find a good one.

Please explain.....in detail. (Now I'm going to be sick)

jimH · 08-06-2010, 12:38 PM

I have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 on my K10 and it's my primary lens, and I love it. The IQ is great and color rendition is also very good. In the U.S. the Tamron lenses have a six year warranty, that is one of the reasons I bought it instead of the Sigma.

I don't know What shang is referring to about bad copies. Mine is perfect. I haven't heard of anyone getting a bad copy, however any lens from any manufacture can come out with an issue now and again.

bc_the_path · 08-06-2010, 12:55 PM

How about the the recently announced (and seemingly available) Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX with OS/USM/SDM, whatever?

Parallax · 08-06-2010, 01:07 PM

Moved to Lens forum.

deadwolfbones · 08-06-2010, 01:18 PM

It's a fantastic lens--just check out The Tammy Club thread for plenty of evidence.

I'm selling mine right now in the forum for substantially less than the figure you quoted (albeit with a few non-IQ-related issues). It's been sharp from the get-go on my K-7 and K-x. PM me if you're interested.

shang · 08-06-2010, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by Nightwings

Please explain.....in detail. (Now I'm going to be sick)

sorry, I don't know about the canon version. For pentax version, tammy 17--50 suffers from front or back focus problems. Especially considering that k-x doesn't have the in camera focus adjustment function... BUT, if you can try it out in a store that has many copies in stock, then i believe that you will certainly find a good copy, and a good copy will make you WOW.

Maybe it's because of my bad experience... i bought 3 of them all of which had severe front focus problems, and i gave up and bought the 16--50 da*. As Jim said, for k-10d the tammy is usually perfect. Bad copies happen on k-x or k-7 bodies, since these bodies are new.

@future: AbesofMaine's price of the da* is $689-$15 coupon =$674, which is very good.

Jasvox · 08-06-2010, 01:45 PM

The Tamron 17-50/2.8 is without a doubt a far superior lens than the 18-55 kits lenses from Pentax. Moreover, compared to very similar lenses at similar price points, is the clear winner for a step-up kit lens replacement. This of course is my opinion, but having owned several Pentax 18-55's over the past few years and having compared the Tamron 17-50 against some close competitors, I find it the best one out there. Getting back to the original question, is it worth it....Yes. One great attribute to the overall value of this lens is, you can pick one up for around $300-350 used in the forum market place or buy one new very reasonably priced. Fantastic choice.

Jason

jimH · 08-06-2010, 04:12 PM

I think there is a Sigma equivalent to the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 with the added advantage of Macro capabilities not available in the Tamron 17-50 f2.8

deadwolfbones · 08-06-2010, 04:21 PM

The Tamron focuses quite close, though it doesn't advertise itself as a macro lens. 10in for the Tamron vs. 8in for the Sigma.

farfisa · 08-06-2010, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

It's a fantastic lens--just check out The Tammy Club thread for plenty of evidence.

I'm selling mine right now in the forum for substantially less than the figure you quoted (albeit with a few non-IQ-related issues). It's been sharp from the get-go on my K-7 and K-x. PM me if you're interested.

This is one lens with quality control issues, so it's one case where I'd rather have a proven used copy than a new one.

I'd be running over to the marketplace and picking up deadwolfbones' Tammy now! Of course, I kind of think his feedback score is perfect as it is.... (77)

08-06-2010, 10:34 AM	#1
Nightwings Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WinterLand Posts: 19	Tamron 17-50mm .. is it REALLY worth it? Hey guys... I picked up the Canon Rebel T1i just to see what the fuss was all about by that camera. My K-x CRUSHES this Canon for outdoor autoexposure. The Canon always typically over exposes..... yuuuuuck.... enough said. HOWEVER .... I was awstruck as to how the kit lens (18-55) blew my K-X out of the water......and into the next state . Razor sharp through the entire range. A vastly noticiable improvement over my K-x kit lens. The resolving power was amazing. BTW although I don't intend on buying that Canon ... and do intend on keeping my K-x .... I must say, I am very very impressed with the quck and deadly accurate AF of that big ugly plastic Canon..... and it doesn't seem to suffer from focusing inaccuracies by focusing close range in incandescent light....like my K-x woefully does. Here's my question to you guys. If I pickup the Tammy 17-50 ... will THAT lens on MY K-x produce the same wow factor? OR .. how much does the tack sharp IQ of the Canon have to do with it's 15mpx sensor? I'd hate to commit to spending $500 to chase a ghost.

08-06-2010, 11:21 AM	#5
future_retro Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 572	I'm thinking about picking up the Tamron, The lowest [new] price I've seen for the 16-50 is about 750, and with it's stock status on hiatus and the SDM murmurings it scares me The Tamron seems like the best bang for the buck, I'd just hate to return my DA 15 to get it Also am I the only one who is very surprised about the testimonial of Canon's kit lens? I actually avoided getting a Canon twice because I heard the kit lenses are absolute garbage at best and up until recently was pretty reliant on the kit lenses Last edited by future_retro; 08-06-2010 at 11:43 AM.

08-06-2010, 01:22 PM	#11
shang Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: long island Posts: 135	Originally posted by Nightwings Please explain.....in detail. (Now I'm going to be sick) sorry, I don't know about the canon version. For pentax version, tammy 17--50 suffers from front or back focus problems. Especially considering that k-x doesn't have the in camera focus adjustment function... BUT, if you can try it out in a store that has many copies in stock, then i believe that you will certainly find a good copy, and a good copy will make you WOW. Maybe it's because of my bad experience... i bought 3 of them all of which had severe front focus problems, and i gave up and bought the 16--50 da. As Jim said, for k-10d the tammy is usually perfect. Bad copies happen on k-x or k-7 bodies, since these bodies are new. @future: AbesofMaine's price of the da is $689-$15 coupon =$674, which is very good. Last edited by shang; 08-06-2010 at 01:28 PM.

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08-06-2010, 11:08 AM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is an excellent lens. My daughter has one for her Canon 40D and it delivers excellent images quality (at 10.1mp too). I think the Pentax DA*16-50 is better but you won't go wrong with the Tammy either.

08-06-2010, 11:11 AM	#4
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is an excellent lens. My daughter has one for her Canon 40D and it delivers excellent images quality (at 10.1mp too). I think the Pentax DA*16-50 is better but you won't go wrong with the Tammy either. From what I understand the only thing that the 16-50 has over the 17-50 is the Weather Sealing. IQ-wise I think they are indistinguishable.

08-06-2010, 11:34 AM	#6
Nightwings Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WinterLand Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by shang bad thing is that you may have to buy several copies to find a good one. Please explain.....in detail. (Now I'm going to be sick)

08-06-2010, 12:38 PM	#7
jimH Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Central Nebraska - USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,771	I have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 on my K10 and it's my primary lens, and I love it. The IQ is great and color rendition is also very good. In the U.S. the Tamron lenses have a six year warranty, that is one of the reasons I bought it instead of the Sigma. I don't know What shang is referring to about bad copies. Mine is perfect. I haven't heard of anyone getting a bad copy, however any lens from any manufacture can come out with an issue now and again.

08-06-2010, 12:55 PM	#8
bc_the_path Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ankara, Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 401	How about the the recently announced (and seemingly available) Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX with OS/USM/SDM, whatever?

08-06-2010, 01:07 PM	#9
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Moved to Lens forum.

08-06-2010, 01:18 PM	#10
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	It's a fantastic lens--just check out The Tammy Club thread for plenty of evidence. I'm selling mine right now in the forum for substantially less than the figure you quoted (albeit with a few non-IQ-related issues). It's been sharp from the get-go on my K-7 and K-x. PM me if you're interested.

08-06-2010, 01:45 PM	#12
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	The Tamron 17-50/2.8 is without a doubt a far superior lens than the 18-55 kits lenses from Pentax. Moreover, compared to very similar lenses at similar price points, is the clear winner for a step-up kit lens replacement. This of course is my opinion, but having owned several Pentax 18-55's over the past few years and having compared the Tamron 17-50 against some close competitors, I find it the best one out there. Getting back to the original question, is it worth it....Yes. One great attribute to the overall value of this lens is, you can pick one up for around $300-350 used in the forum market place or buy one new very reasonably priced. Fantastic choice. Jason

08-06-2010, 04:12 PM	#13
jimH Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Central Nebraska - USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,771	I think there is a Sigma equivalent to the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 with the added advantage of Macro capabilities not available in the Tamron 17-50 f2.8

08-06-2010, 04:21 PM	#14
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	The Tamron focuses quite close, though it doesn't advertise itself as a macro lens. 10in for the Tamron vs. 8in for the Sigma.

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08-06-2010, 04:23 PM	#15
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by deadwolfbones It's a fantastic lens--just check out The Tammy Club thread for plenty of evidence. I'm selling mine right now in the forum for substantially less than the figure you quoted (albeit with a few non-IQ-related issues). It's been sharp from the get-go on my K-7 and K-x. PM me if you're interested. This is one lens with quality control issues, so it's one case where I'd rather have a proven used copy than a new one. I'd be running over to the marketplace and picking up deadwolfbones' Tammy now! Of course, I kind of think his feedback score is perfect as it is.... (77)