Do I really need the Tamron 17-50 2.8?

JulesP said:
From memory, I believe the older first generation Tamron 17-50 do not have a built in focus motor so will not autofocus on a D3100 - just a cautionary note if buying used.
Other than that - a cracking lens for the money - I love mine (its not for sale!)
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Thanks for that note Jules. I have just realised that i'd also need to get a HSM version of any Sigma lens for the some reason (no AF motor on my D3100).
 
First I heard that the non VC version won't focus on a D3100. I'd double check that. I'm pretty sure they af in all nikons.

Anyway, re: focus speed. I have a demented 4yr old who never sits still. I've not missed a shot, indoor or outdoor, flash or no flash, of her, with the Tammy.

Mine makes an odd clicking noise when focusing, I bought it used, it's made that sound since, but it's never affected speed or performance.

You'll love it.

Combined with off- cam flash you'll get prime level sharpness every time.


The sigma I've never used, but I've nothing against them either. I just ordered one of their 70-200 2.8 hsm lenses. I took a while to decide on that over the tamron version, one had better image quality, the tamron, where the sigma won hands down on focus speed and quietness with the hsm. But it's a completely different range.

Get the tamron in the 17-50 range. Every comparison review I've read says it's sharper. And it is plenty quick enough, trust me.

Check my Flickr for plenty of examples

Cagey75
 
nobodys mentioned that you can get the occasional Duff copy of this lens :bonk:

the first Tamron i bought was awful. it was soft & it seemed to underexpose everything :gag:.
i bought from HK i had to decide if i wanted a replacement or a refund & after some thinking i opted for a replacement. this one was loads better than the first one i had & seems to have been on my D2Xs ever since BUT its not as sharp as my nifty fifty if i go pixel peeping & you can get some fringing/barrel distortion at 17mm. overall though i'd say it was a good lens & worth the money.

the D2Xs is a bit lens picky & quickly shows up any shortcomings;)
 
Tirpitz said:
nobodys mentioned that you can get the occasional Duff copy of this lens :bonk:
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Because you can get duff copies of any lens ... :bonk:

I found mine to be just as sharp as my old fifty at 50mm. there is distortion at 17mm, anyone who says otherwise is lying tbh. But it is still sharp, and distortion can easily be corrected in LR. I sold my 50mm shortly after buying the tamron. I hate having similar focal lengths. I got an 85mm instead, and later exchanged that for a 60mm, to have the macro on top. Now that, is one killer sharp lens.
 
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The Siggy 18-50 2.8 is a mint lens. I had one for small music venues and portraits and it was great to focus and the images were very sharp. Only got rid of mine as i changed brands of camera.
 
I picked up the Tamron 17-50 2.8 in the end and have been pleased so far, although not used it too much.

I went to my local Jessops and asked them if I could test it on my body and was pleasantly surprised at the speed of the AF after hearing all sorts of horror stories and seeing video's on youtube.

So far, i've not missed a shot because of any slow AF, so happy there and the noise it makes isn't too bad.

I can see the sharpness from the lens over the Nikon 18-70 straight away.

After finally arriving at a lens collection consisting of a Nikon 35mm 1.8, Tamron 17-50 2.8 and Nikon 18-200 VR i've got all the angles I need covered...... no more lens buying and selling for a while now. :clap:
 
what's the speed of the AF compared to the 35mm 1.8?

i also have the 50mm 1.8 which is hardly used so thinking of moving this on to help fund the tamron 17-50mm f2.8.
 
p1tse said:
what's the speed of the AF compared to the 35mm 1.8?

i also have the 50mm 1.8 which is hardly used so thinking of moving this on to help fund the tamron 17-50mm f2.8.
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The Tamron AF is actually quite speedy, it is faster than either the Nikon or Canon 18-55, i would suggest trying one if you get the chance so you can see for yourself.

I think a lot of people who propagate the slow AF story have never actually used the lens.

.
 
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Zarch said:
I picked up the Tamron 17-50 2.8 in the end and have been pleased so far, although not used it too much.

I went to my local Jessops and asked them if I could test it on my body and was pleasantly surprised at the speed of the AF after hearing all sorts of horror stories and seeing video's on youtube.

So far, i've not missed a shot because of any slow AF, so happy there and the noise it makes isn't too bad.

I can see the sharpness from the lens over the Nikon 18-70 straight away.

After finally arriving at a lens collection consisting of a Nikon 35mm 1.8, Tamron 17-50 2.8 and Nikon 18-200 VR i've got all the angles I need covered...... no more lens buying and selling for a while now. :clap:
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Great :) although that's famous last words lol
 
I'd really like one of these lenses, either tamron or sigma, but I really cant justify getting one just for my 7D. If I could find a reasonably priced, similar focal length and speed that will go on an EF mount for my 5D2 I'd have one like a shot.
 
Zarch said:
The Sigma AF is better I believe, but the IQ is apparently worse than my 18-70, but obviously has the constant 2.8 advantage.

I appreciate all these cheaper options have compromises, but its decided where to take the hit.
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I'd be very surprised if the sigma 18-50 IQ was worse than the IQ on your 18-70. I bought mine to replace my 18-55 kit lens and saw a noticeable improvement in IQ as well as a whole host of other advantages. It's not especially sharp wide open mind but I can live with that.

Some example shots on my flickr if you want to have a nosy. All the exif data is intact so you can see which shots I used the siggy for.
 
Gad - is your statement regarding the 18-70 from experience? I was surprised in the difference in quality when I moved from a 18-55 to the 18-70.
 
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