Tamron SP A016 17 mm - 50 mm F/2.8 Di-II XR AF IF Lens for Canon

PROS: PRICE, 2.8 constant aperture, build quality, warranty, sharpness,

CONS: manual focus switch is hard to operate, focus ring could be larger

I recently needed a good wide angle lens for an upcoming assignment. I was on a budget (aren't we all??) and the choices came down to this lens and the Canon 17-55mm IS f 2.8. I rented the Canon lens and purchased the Tamron (here on Ebay for under 350.00 with shipping). I figured if the Canon outperformed the Tamron substantially, I could re-sell the Tamron and buy the much more expensive Canon.

I conducted my test (I am not a professional tester, but have sold enough photographs to consider myself a good photographer) between the two lenses using both inside and outside subjects. Frankly, I was a bit amazed at the results.

The Canon performed well (as expected) but the IS did not seem to be as helpful as I had hoped in low light situations. It actually did a fair amount of searching on auto-focus while the Tamron did seem faster. When it finally locked on, the result was sharper with the Canon, in the beginning. I say this because after using the Tamron for awhile, I was able to steady myself enough, that the results were every bit as good as the Canon's.

As for saturation, contrast and overall color, I shoot RAW format mostly and the most important thing for me is sharpness, but in jpeg (highest settings) I did notice that the Tamron compared favorably to the Canon in all catagories.

I ended up choosing the Tamron lens over the Canon due to cost, saved enough to buy a back-up camera body!! I have not regreted this decision at all!!

Other points to consider, it is made for smaller digital sensors - however, since I doubt that I am ever going to buy a 5D or 1Ds, I think I am safe.

It does not have any type of image stabilization, so if your not able to use a tripod AND your not careful - your results will vary. (though I still believe with some practice, ANYONE can use this lens and be happy!)

CAMERA EQUIPMENT OWNED
40D - body and battery pack (with camera armor on both)
xti (400D) - body and battery pack (with camera armor on camera)
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8
Canon 70-200mm f4 L with IS
Sigma 170-500mm

PROS: Constant f/2.8 aperture, sharp images, nice build quality, compact size and light weight

CONS: Build quality compared to Nikon's tank like build quality, flimsy hood, works with DX sized sensor only

If you are looking for a fast midrange zoom, you are probably staring hard at either a Canon or Nikon 17-55 f/2.8 lens (depending on your system). I was doing the same thing but was also looking at the over $1000 price tag on the Canon or Nikon offering. So I decided to look at the Tamron and I'm glad I did. The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is can be had for $420 and most of the reviews you will find will say that performance is right there with the Canon or Nikkor. My experience so far supports these reviews. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind spending the $$ for quality optics but I need to see the benefit of the extra investment. In this case, it just wasn't there enough to justify spending an extra $$. The only reason I can think of to choose the Canon or Nikkor over the Tamron is if you are rough on your equipment. The build quality of the Tamron 17-50mm is first rate but isn't like the tank like build of the Canon or Nikkor. If you need that build quality, go for the Canon or Nikkor. If you don't, you'll be happy with the Tamron 17-50mm and will have $$ in your pocket to buy some other lens.

Not having a 'bench' on which to test my lenses, I go by performance, and at this point that means performance on my PCs LCD display. Let me start by saying that my first hands on experience was with the closest equivalent lens in Canon's arsenal (though not a digital-only lens, for what it's worth). The lens I refer to was also a 2.8 at similar if not same focal length as the Tamron I bought. It was far quieter and may have even been faster to focus, but for the difference in price, my keen eyes have not detected differences in the performance of the Tamron when compared to the $1300 (or more) Canon worth spending that money for. Sorry. For one-third the expense I am very happy. And ya know what? It's a good looking piece of hardware, too, which according to last month's issue of Popular photo' means a whole lot to men who play with cameras. Buy the lens with confidence, but always compare so you know what you are giving up and gaining in the process.

This lens has a fabulously low DOF (depth of field) for the price point and zoom range. I have been very pleased with the results. For the price, and considering the 6 year manufacturer's warranty and included lens hood, it cannot be beat.

This was my chosen upgrade for my Canon DSLR from the Canon kit lens. I chose it over the Canon17-55 f/2.8 IS because of the price (less than half), weight, superior warranty and lens hood. I am very happy with the result, and spectacular photos from a lens I can trust to last for the long haul.

The only slight downside is I have noticed just the slightest bit of hesitation when focusing in low light, low contrast area (shooting a black bug on a dark wall with no lights on)

For portrait and walkaround lens, this quality can't be beat for the price point! It hasn't come off of my camera since I bought it a month ago.

ETA: I have now owned this lens for 4 years, and it is still my go-to, always on my camera lens. It has never failed me, and functioned wonderfully.

I've wanted this lens in my collection for about 4 years now because it is legendary in its picture quality and widely considered as one of the top must-have lenses across all brands. The build of the product is solid for a mid-level priced glass. The auto-focus is quick and smooth, same goes for the manual zoom. Between this model and the one with vibration compensation (VC) and Piezo Drive, this is the one that produces the sharper images. The lack of VC is inconsequential here especially with the fast constant 2.8 aperture. I have a Canon 60D (and before that an XSi) and this is a step up from the 18-135 kit lens that comes with the body (and the 18-55 before that) and will definitely stay on my camera for good (unless I just have to use a prime).