Is the DA*16-50 $350 better than the Tamron?

The Kurly One · 08-03-2011, 02:23 PM

I know this has been asked a hundred times probably, but can you put a price on pixels? Lol, I am torn I finally saved up enough money for the Pentax, but I see all these positive things about the Tamron 17-50 f2.8! Should I save the money and put it towards a nice tripod? I dont want to go through any SDM issues and lose the lens for a month.... meanwhile if the Tammy fails hell I'll buy another one while I wait for the first to be repaired!

The Kurly One · 08-03-2011, 02:24 PM

I fogot to add that a Tammy I can get for $420 new with warranty, the Pentax is around $1060 for a new with warranty.... so new ones are a $600 difference...

**Ash** · 08-03-2011, 02:44 PM

I'm sure you can find a DA* 16-50 for less than $1000. The value of mine when I was getting rid of it this time alst year was $680. Nevertheless, I realise prices of all lenses have risen but only you can decide if you value the weather sealing and build quality that much (which essentially what it comes down to). I do like the colours and 3D effect the 16-50 has even over the Tamron 17-50, but many users of the Tamron can vouch for it being just as good in image quality.

PentaxScott · 08-03-2011, 03:00 PM

Back when I purchsed my 16-50 several years ago, I paid $629.XX for the lens, compared to just under $400 for the Tamron. To me, the extra $200ish dollars easily justified things like weather sealing and quick shift focus. Since the Pentax lens prices have gone up, its much harder to justify the increase in cost now. Last time I glanced the going rate on the 16-50 in the US was $900 at reputable sources like B&H / Adorama. At more than twice the cost of the Tamron (with a fraction of the warranty) the Tamron seems like a steal now. One of my good friends uses Tamron 17-50 and the image quality is every bit as good as my 16-50. There are small nuances that separate the two, and while I do like my 16-50 Im not sure that it would be my first choice if I had to make that purchase again today - $450 in savings can practically buy me another lens!

The Kurly One · 08-03-2011, 03:10 PM

THats what I'm thinking, But in Canada I have to add 13% in tax to any purchase....

paperbag846 · 08-03-2011, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by The Kurly One

THats what I'm thinking, But in Canada I have to add 13% in tax to any purchase....

I would go for the tammy unless you need weather resistance or SDM. You are paying more for that then an optical upgrade.

einstrigger · 08-03-2011, 03:43 PM

Didn't know they were that expensive in Canada. I bought mine 2 years ago from Amazon and paid $707.70 when it showed up as a Gold Box deal. I didn't realize prices have gone up so much.

Anyhow, I've never used the Tamron variant, so I wouldn't be able to tell if it's worth the difference. First party lenses tend to be more expensive no matter the brand. Take for instance the Nikon 17-55mm F/2.8 that prices between $1400-$1500USD. Whenever I think Pentax zooms are expensive, I look at Nikon and feel some relief.

Granted, if I didn't already own the lens, I would probably buy the Tamron simply for budgetary reasons. Either that or find a used one, but I hear that's a gamble since you might not have a warranty and may have to deal with SDM problems.

Which coincidentally, I have not had *knock on wood*.

The Kurly One · 08-03-2011, 04:20 PM

Well, I pulled the trigger! Just got the Tamron for $418 taxes in from a CDN retailer, shipped with full warranty and no BS hopefully!

SpecialK · 08-03-2011, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by The Kurly One

Well, I pulled the trigger! Just got the Tamron...!

Good choice. Personally I'd buy a second lens rather than a tripod, but everyone has their own priorities.

The Kurly One · 08-03-2011, 04:41 PM

My tripod is an antique that is falling apart. I already have the DA* 50-135, DA 12-24, FA 50 1.4, DA 18-250, and 20 other lenses kicking around, this was the last in this focal length zoom I needed.

jezza323 · 08-04-2011, 12:48 PM

Good buy, you will be happy with the Tamron (I am happy with mine anyway...), and looks like you got quite a good price. Who did you buy from if you dont mind my asking?

The Kurly One · 08-04-2011, 08:50 PM

Carmens Photo uses 2 sepereate ebay accounts, Prodigital2000, and Easyship123 (or something like that)

08-03-2011, 02:23 PM	#1
The Kurly One Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 233	*Is the DA16-50 $350 better than the Tamron?** I know this has been asked a hundred times probably, but can you put a price on pixels? Lol, I am torn I finally saved up enough money for the Pentax, but I see all these positive things about the Tamron 17-50 f2.8! Should I save the money and put it towards a nice tripod? I dont want to go through any SDM issues and lose the lens for a month.... meanwhile if the Tammy fails hell I'll buy another one while I wait for the first to be repaired!

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08-03-2011, 02:24 PM	#2
The Kurly One Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 233 Original Poster	I fogot to add that a Tammy I can get for $420 new with warranty, the Pentax is around $1060 for a new with warranty.... so new ones are a $600 difference...

08-03-2011, 02:44 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I'm sure you can find a DA* 16-50 for less than $1000. The value of mine when I was getting rid of it this time alst year was $680. Nevertheless, I realise prices of all lenses have risen but only you can decide if you value the weather sealing and build quality that much (which essentially what it comes down to). I do like the colours and 3D effect the 16-50 has even over the Tamron 17-50, but many users of the Tamron can vouch for it being just as good in image quality.

08-03-2011, 03:00 PM	#4
PentaxScott Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Salt Lake City UT Photos: Albums Posts: 182	Back when I purchsed my 16-50 several years ago, I paid $629.XX for the lens, compared to just under $400 for the Tamron. To me, the extra $200ish dollars easily justified things like weather sealing and quick shift focus. Since the Pentax lens prices have gone up, its much harder to justify the increase in cost now. Last time I glanced the going rate on the 16-50 in the US was $900 at reputable sources like B&H / Adorama. At more than twice the cost of the Tamron (with a fraction of the warranty) the Tamron seems like a steal now. One of my good friends uses Tamron 17-50 and the image quality is every bit as good as my 16-50. There are small nuances that separate the two, and while I do like my 16-50 Im not sure that it would be my first choice if I had to make that purchase again today - $450 in savings can practically buy me another lens!

08-03-2011, 03:10 PM	#5
The Kurly One Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 233 Original Poster	THats what I'm thinking, But in Canada I have to add 13% in tax to any purchase....

08-03-2011, 03:38 PM	#6
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by The Kurly One THats what I'm thinking, But in Canada I have to add 13% in tax to any purchase.... I would go for the tammy unless you need weather resistance or SDM. You are paying more for that then an optical upgrade.

08-03-2011, 03:43 PM	#7
einstrigger Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 728	Didn't know they were that expensive in Canada. I bought mine 2 years ago from Amazon and paid $707.70 when it showed up as a Gold Box deal. I didn't realize prices have gone up so much. Anyhow, I've never used the Tamron variant, so I wouldn't be able to tell if it's worth the difference. First party lenses tend to be more expensive no matter the brand. Take for instance the Nikon 17-55mm F/2.8 that prices between $1400-$1500USD. Whenever I think Pentax zooms are expensive, I look at Nikon and feel some relief. Granted, if I didn't already own the lens, I would probably buy the Tamron simply for budgetary reasons. Either that or find a used one, but I hear that's a gamble since you might not have a warranty and may have to deal with SDM problems. Which coincidentally, I have not had knock on wood.

08-03-2011, 04:20 PM	#8
The Kurly One Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 233 Original Poster	Well, I pulled the trigger! Just got the Tamron for $418 taxes in from a CDN retailer, shipped with full warranty and no BS hopefully!

08-03-2011, 04:30 PM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Originally posted by The Kurly One Well, I pulled the trigger! Just got the Tamron...! Good choice. Personally I'd buy a second lens rather than a tripod, but everyone has their own priorities.

08-03-2011, 04:41 PM	#10
The Kurly One Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 233 Original Poster	My tripod is an antique that is falling apart. I already have the DA* 50-135, DA 12-24, FA 50 1.4, DA 18-250, and 20 other lenses kicking around, this was the last in this focal length zoom I needed.

08-04-2011, 12:48 PM	#11
jezza323 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,421	Good buy, you will be happy with the Tamron (I am happy with mine anyway...), and looks like you got quite a good price. Who did you buy from if you dont mind my asking?

08-04-2011, 08:50 PM	#12
The Kurly One Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 233 Original Poster	Carmens Photo uses 2 sepereate ebay accounts, Prodigital2000, and Easyship123 (or something like that)