Latest Review Posted | Tamron SP AF XR LD Aspherical IF Di II 17-50mm F2.8 Set this lens to f/4 or higher and it’s very sharp corner to corner throughout the focal range. Set to f2.8 it’s not much different just slightly lower sharpness in the corners but the corners are still good; again throughout the focal range. Something almost all Standard zooms struggle with, but not this lens. Chromatic aberration including purple fringing are low. I don’t have to deal with them in PP if I don’t want to. The CA/PF performance is at least as good as my Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 lens. This lens can replace a normal prime or two in your travel camera bag to free up space and lower weight a little. Say the 35mm f2.4, 50mm f1.8 or f1.7. With near equal light transmission and sharpness. The lens has nice rendering, With nice contrast and rich but neutral colors.
It’s constant f2.8 aperture gives a bright viewfinder through its zoom range. It’s a major benefit in low light along with increased shutter speed and or lower ISO. Plus this lens is very good at f2.8, peaking around f5.8. It’s a Pro lens in terms of speed and optically. Build quality is above the kit, but below lens such as the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5. Perhaps it’s light weight unfairly makes it seem less well built than it is. After all light weight was a design goal of Tamron in this lens. Tamron uses 6 high-quality lens elements to reduce size and weight.
Not many negatives, it doesn’t have a built-in auto-focus motor or shake reduction but that’s built into the Pentax body. The only real negative f... |