Just ordered the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8

**eccs19** · 03-29-2011, 02:19 PM

Should have it by the weekend. Looking forward to something new to play with. Everyone gives it high praises. This will be my first quality zoom lens. I've always just been a prime user, but figured it was time to expand. I'm impressed that it gets a 7 year warranty. What more could you ask for?

**blackcloudbrew** · 03-29-2011, 02:57 PM

This is a very nice quality lens and it should deliver for you.

Armanius · 03-29-2011, 03:22 PM

I'd love to hear more about your experiences, and everyone else's as well regarding the Tamy 17-50. How about some photos too?

Also interested in hearing more about Siggy 17-50 and photos from it.

Congrats on the new lens!

khardur · 03-29-2011, 03:38 PM

Quite honestly I'm not happy with mine, and if I *need* the shot, I refuse to use it.

(my copy, on my camera) at f/2.8 it front focuses very badly. Even using the focus adjustment in my k7, it helps, but at "fill the frame" portrait range it's still unacceptable.

My plan is to send it back to Tamron, now that I have a nice wide angle alternative to use. This is originally why I bought the Tammy for the wide angle, it was a plus that it was a "pro" grade lens and 50mm/2.8 I thought would be useful for portraits as well.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad lens in general. I've heard many people rave about the IQ. My copy matched with my body is not working well. On my k200d it front focuses just the same, minus the ability to tweak it to attempt to fix it.

jimH · 03-29-2011, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by eccs19

Should have it by the weekend. Looking forward to something new to play with. Everyone gives it high praises. This will be my first quality zoom lens. I've always just been a prime user, but figured it was time to expand. I'm impressed that it gets a 7 year warranty. What more could you ask for?

I love mine, it's my everyday lens. Only take it off to replace it with my 70-200 Tamron f2.8. I think that you will like it.

Armanius · 03-29-2011, 05:59 PM

Ok, I decided to take the plunge and ordered both the Siggy and Tammy 17-50. I'll see which one I like better and report back. Hopefully the cheaper one!

**Aristophanes** · 03-29-2011, 06:31 PM

I have one as my main lens and find it a substantial step up from a kit lens. It represents excellent value. I take it you got it from ProDigital 2000? I did.

I use it for the important things finding it sharp and rendering excellent colours. Judge for yourself:

Originally posted by eccs19

Should have it by the weekend. Looking forward to something new to play with. Everyone gives it high praises. This will be my first quality zoom lens. I've always just been a prime user, but figured it was time to expand. I'm impressed that it gets a 7 year warranty. What more could you ask for?

**eccs19** · 03-29-2011, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by Armanius

Ok, I decided to take the plunge and ordered both the Siggy and Tammy 17-50. I'll see which one I like better and report back. Hopefully the cheaper one!

Boy your going all out... Getting both.

I take it you'll just return the one your not keeping?

**eccs19** · 03-29-2011, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

I take it you got it from ProDigital 2000? I did.

Yup, that's where I got it. I usually like to get my stuff at Henry's, but in this case, there price couldn't come close. ProDigital isn't that far away from me, but free shipping, so let them ship it.

Nice shot by the way.

**Aristophanes** · 03-29-2011, 07:29 PM

Henry's needs better price checks, agreed. ProDigital is where I buy most of my lenses now.

Thanks for the comment.

Originally posted by eccs19

Yup, that's where I got it. I usually like to get my stuff at Henry's, but in this case, there price couldn't come close. ProDigital isn't that far away from me, but free shipping, so let them ship it.

Nice shot by the way.

Armanius · 03-29-2011, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by eccs19

Boy your going all out... Getting both.

I take it you'll just return the one your not keeping?

Yes, just keeping one.

Hoping the Tammy will impress me more.

Jewelltrail · 03-29-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Aristophanes I have one as my main lens and find it a substantial step up from a kit lens. It represents excellent value. I take it you got it from ProDigital 2000? I did.

I use it for the important things finding it sharp and rendering excellent colours. Judge for yourself:

Great shot--on which body did you get this one? I have taken thousands of shots with the 17-50--it is an awesome lens. I used it almost exclusively for landscapes, it has excellent center and border sharpness.

As far as a comparison to the Sigma 17-50 os HSM, the Tamron is better wide open & controls barrel distorions a little better. I used to think the Sigma was sharper, but then realized the review for the Sigma 17-50 is on the Canon 50d APC, whereas the MTF scores for the Tamron were from the older 10 MP D200. Someone here can do the conversions for us if they wish. What I'm getting at, is the sharpness between the 2 lenses is probably not significant. Vignetting is controlled better with the Sigma lens.

You will pay a lot more for the Sigma, mainly for OS & HSM. I can't see paying more for OS, when Pentax bodies already supply this, but am sure some will like the HSM upgrade.

I would put my money down on the Tamron again, wihtout hesitating.

krp · 03-29-2011, 10:28 PM

I like my Tamron 17-50. It did have some front focusing problems but I fixed it more or less with the focus adjustment on my K-x. Combined with my Pentax 55-300 I think it makes a good combination that can shoot nearly everything. All but the last two pictures here were taken with this lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/138537-night-lightning-night-sky.html

RichyX · 03-30-2011, 05:12 AM

My Tammy 17-50 also has focus issues. Problem is they vary with focal length.
I zoom in and focus at 50mm, pull out again and the focus is off by a few feet.
Pain in the arse for video shooting.

Class A · 03-30-2011, 05:27 AM

Originally posted by RichyX

I zoom in and focus at 50mm, pull out again and the focus is off by a few feet.

That's because it probably isn't a parfocal zoom (although there are statements to the contrary. Most modern zooms are vari-focal, i.e., require a focus adjust when the focal length is changed. I know that my Tamron 18-250 certainly is not a parfocal zoom.

For your application, an old, parfocal MF lens might be a better choice. Maybe your Tamron copy just needs checking? Others seem to think it is a great lens for video.

03-29-2011, 02:19 PM	#1
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	Just ordered the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 Should have it by the weekend. Looking forward to something new to play with. Everyone gives it high praises. This will be my first quality zoom lens. I've always just been a prime user, but figured it was time to expand. I'm impressed that it gets a 7 year warranty. What more could you ask for?

03-29-2011, 10:17 PM	#12
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: Aristophanes I have one as my main lens and find it a substantial step up from a kit lens. It represents excellent value. I take it you got it from ProDigital 2000? I did. I use it for the important things finding it sharp and rendering excellent colours. Judge for yourself: Great shot--on which body did you get this one? I have taken thousands of shots with the 17-50--it is an awesome lens. I used it almost exclusively for landscapes, it has excellent center and border sharpness. As far as a comparison to the Sigma 17-50 os HSM, the Tamron is better wide open & controls barrel distorions a little better. I used to think the Sigma was sharper, but then realized the review for the Sigma 17-50 is on the Canon 50d APC, whereas the MTF scores for the Tamron were from the older 10 MP D200. Someone here can do the conversions for us if they wish. What I'm getting at, is the sharpness between the 2 lenses is probably not significant. Vignetting is controlled better with the Sigma lens. You will pay a lot more for the Sigma, mainly for OS & HSM. I can't see paying more for OS, when Pentax bodies already supply this, but am sure some will like the HSM upgrade. I would put my money down on the Tamron again, wihtout hesitating. Last edited by Jewelltrail; 03-29-2011 at 10:57 PM.

03-30-2011, 05:27 AM	#15
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by RichyX I zoom in and focus at 50mm, pull out again and the focus is off by a few feet. That's because it probably isn't a parfocal zoom (although there are statements to the contrary. Most modern zooms are vari-focal, i.e., require a focus adjust when the focal length is changed. I know that my Tamron 18-250 certainly is not a parfocal zoom. For your application, an old, parfocal MF lens might be a better choice. Maybe your Tamron copy just needs checking? Others seem to think it is a great lens for video. Last edited by Class A; 03-30-2011 at 05:35 AM.

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03-29-2011, 02:57 PM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	This is a very nice quality lens and it should deliver for you.

03-29-2011, 03:22 PM	#3
Armanius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 112	I'd love to hear more about your experiences, and everyone else's as well regarding the Tamy 17-50. How about some photos too? Also interested in hearing more about Siggy 17-50 and photos from it. Congrats on the new lens!

03-29-2011, 03:38 PM	#4
khardur Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Massachusetts Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,560	Quite honestly I'm not happy with mine, and if I need the shot, I refuse to use it. (my copy, on my camera) at f/2.8 it front focuses very badly. Even using the focus adjustment in my k7, it helps, but at "fill the frame" portrait range it's still unacceptable. My plan is to send it back to Tamron, now that I have a nice wide angle alternative to use. This is originally why I bought the Tammy for the wide angle, it was a plus that it was a "pro" grade lens and 50mm/2.8 I thought would be useful for portraits as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad lens in general. I've heard many people rave about the IQ. My copy matched with my body is not working well. On my k200d it front focuses just the same, minus the ability to tweak it to attempt to fix it.

03-29-2011, 05:10 PM	#5
jimH Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Central Nebraska - USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,771	Originally posted by eccs19 Should have it by the weekend. Looking forward to something new to play with. Everyone gives it high praises. This will be my first quality zoom lens. I've always just been a prime user, but figured it was time to expand. I'm impressed that it gets a 7 year warranty. What more could you ask for? I love mine, it's my everyday lens. Only take it off to replace it with my 70-200 Tamron f2.8. I think that you will like it.

03-29-2011, 05:59 PM	#6
Armanius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 112	Ok, I decided to take the plunge and ordered both the Siggy and Tammy 17-50. I'll see which one I like better and report back. Hopefully the cheaper one!

03-29-2011, 06:31 PM	#7
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	I have one as my main lens and find it a substantial step up from a kit lens. It represents excellent value. I take it you got it from ProDigital 2000? I did. I use it for the important things finding it sharp and rendering excellent colours. Judge for yourself: Originally posted by eccs19 Should have it by the weekend. Looking forward to something new to play with. Everyone gives it high praises. This will be my first quality zoom lens. I've always just been a prime user, but figured it was time to expand. I'm impressed that it gets a 7 year warranty. What more could you ask for?

03-29-2011, 06:45 PM	#8
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510 Original Poster	Originally posted by Armanius Ok, I decided to take the plunge and ordered both the Siggy and Tammy 17-50. I'll see which one I like better and report back. Hopefully the cheaper one! Boy your going all out... Getting both. I take it you'll just return the one your not keeping?

03-29-2011, 06:47 PM	#9
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aristophanes I take it you got it from ProDigital 2000? I did. Yup, that's where I got it. I usually like to get my stuff at Henry's, but in this case, there price couldn't come close. ProDigital isn't that far away from me, but free shipping, so let them ship it. Nice shot by the way.

03-29-2011, 07:29 PM	#10
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Henry's needs better price checks, agreed. ProDigital is where I buy most of my lenses now. Thanks for the comment. Originally posted by eccs19 Yup, that's where I got it. I usually like to get my stuff at Henry's, but in this case, there price couldn't come close. ProDigital isn't that far away from me, but free shipping, so let them ship it. Nice shot by the way.

03-29-2011, 08:47 PM	#11
Armanius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 112	Originally posted by eccs19 Boy your going all out... Getting both. I take it you'll just return the one your not keeping? Yes, just keeping one. Hoping the Tammy will impress me more.

03-29-2011, 10:28 PM	#13
krp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery Posts: 470	I like my Tamron 17-50. It did have some front focusing problems but I fixed it more or less with the focus adjustment on my K-x. Combined with my Pentax 55-300 I think it makes a good combination that can shoot nearly everything. All but the last two pictures here were taken with this lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/138537-night-lightning-night-sky.html

03-30-2011, 05:12 AM	#14
RichyX Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 84	My Tammy 17-50 also has focus issues. Problem is they vary with focal length. I zoom in and focus at 50mm, pull out again and the focus is off by a few feet. Pain in the arse for video shooting.