Lens Quandary Tamron f2.8 17-50 vs 28-75

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Stingey

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Nigel
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Hi guys,

I'm fairly new to the game and I'm hoping to expand my lens arsenal. At the moment I have a Canon 600D with a Kit Lens (18-55), 50mm Prime and a 55-250mm.

I'm looking to get a lens to essentially replace the Kit Lens as, let's face it, the image quality isn't great is it?

I'm between the Tamron f2.8 17-50 and 28-75 as I can't justify the Canon equivalent at this early stage in my hobby. I don't have a particular photography style and not set on any one discipline yet so I'm just after something that's fairly flexible and produces great sharp results. Main priority is image quality.

I've read reviews etc but I was hoping for some feedback on which one to get.

Thanks in advance!
 
If you have no intention of going FF, then 17-50 hands down.

Fantastic lens.
 
The 17-50 is a cracker! Honestly, you'll love it. You already have 55-75 range covered on your tele lens, but you wont have anything nice and wide if you sell your kit lens if you get the 28-70. I would get the 17-50
 
Thanks guys!

I'm thinking of trying on ebay for a used lens 17-50mm, never bought from ebay before. Is this a wise choice? eeek
 
If you can afford to buy new from a UK dealer,,you can test a few of the same lens, so you can make sure you get a good copy.

OR you can order from Panamoz or OneStop Digital if you don't mind a grey import, or PM Kerso on here for a price.
 
What should I look out for to make sure I get a 'good' copy?
 
Same with any lens, check the focus points, make sure it's bang on focus where you aim it. Make sure the focus and zoom rings aren't 'sticking' - maybe open up the lens [use the wee pin at the back] and look through, check for dust or other grit [especially if used]
 
Basically sharpness and how often the AF hits the spot your focussing on.

Tamron tends to be quite good and I'd either go ebay for used, or Panamoz or OneStop who price match Panamoz and beat them by £1. oneStop also have a points system that build up for money off if you keep using them for items.
 
Pro Camera Shop are knocking the VC version out for under £280, which is an amzing price. Mine was an Italian lens - which I could not sign up for the 5 year warranty on the UK site, but I could with the aid of Google Translate on the Italian site.
 
If only you had access to the classifieds :( I'm letting my 2 month old lens go as I am moving to full frame. It's a cracking lens go for it!
 
I've been reading up on the benefits of Full Frame cameras today. IIn a nutshell I have found that you can use a higher ISO with less noise, you get a wider shot and the image quality is better - is there anything else advantageous? They're so expensive, maybe in a couple of years!
 
I don't want to side track you from your lens choice but I'm moving to a 5Dc. Reason being I do a lot of night time stuff, so I will gain less noise when doing short exposure high ISO stuff.

My 500D served me well and the 17-50 for the time I have had it was an immense upgrade from the kit lens.
 
Thats brill Mata, thanks for the advice. I'm set now - definitely getting the 17-50mm!

Can't wait!
 
my son bought me a tamron 17.50 vc last week i havent had a proper try of it yet has it hasnt stopped raining since the snow has gone.i will say im not impressed with the quick snaps i have managed to get so far but they have all been taken in very poor light and rushed.im hoping the weather will be a bit better today so i can try it on my new 60d. fingers crossed its ok

bleddyn
 
Hi. I've had both on a crop (now got Canon 17-55mm) and I got on better with the wider variant. 28mm on a crop I found to be too restrictive. Both great lenses but if I wasn't going full frame it would be the 17-50mm.
 
Just a heads up rule reminder
No trading outside classifieds
no circumventing the classified rules
and don't forget that site staff can read the pre-edites on posts!
 
Cobra said:
Just a heads up rule reminder
No trading outside classifieds
no circumventing the classified rules
and don't forget that site staff can read the pre-edites on posts!
Click to expand...

If that's at me, sorry didn't mean to circumvent or anything, just gutted he isn't in yet ;)

Back on topic... here's one of my favorite shots I have with the tamron

A Glowing Ruin by M+M Morrison, on Flickr
 
well it was a nice day yesterday so i went out to test the lens in good light.im thinking the images are soft they just dont look as sharp as other images from other tamron 17-50vc lenses i have seen

bleddyn
 
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That's a great image Mata. How long was the exposure?

I don't know what you're all blathering on about but I feel like I'm missing something. Like I've just started a new school halfway through a school year and there's a secret group that's cool to be in. Ha ha
 
Nice shot alright but it's ruined with the watermark :(

bledyn125: you definitely got a bad copy then. Honestly, the 17-50 was sharp enough for me that I sold my then 50mm prime.
 
Yes bledyn125, sounds like you lost the Tamron lottery alright.

Yea the watermark isn't great (I had an issue with someone downloading files and printing them last year) I have changed it this year though so it's not as intrusive.
 
Update: I ordered the Tamron 17-50 from OneStop Digital last night. Has anyone ordered much from OneStop before? I hope I don't get a 'bad' copy

Cheers
 
I've never bought from them, because in Ireland we still get hit for customs charges when buying from HK, no matter what the shop do to try get around it. I think you're ok in the UK? I've seen a few on here recommend them.

Hope you get a good 'un ;) You'll love it.
 
Never from them, I got mine from DRev. I messaged on their forum section here to ask about returns if soft and they would cover it under warranty, I'm sure it would be similar for OneStop.
 
mata.morrison said:
Yes bledyn125, sounds like you lost the Tamron lottery alright.

Yea the watermark isn't great (I had an issue with someone downloading files and printing them last year) I have changed it this year though so it's not as intrusive.
Click to expand...

oh well looks like im stuck with it realy as my son bought it when he was working away in scotland i think.is there anything that can be done to fix it do tamron have a uk address or phone number.

heres a few pics from the good weather on saturday the images are technically crap as i was only trying to see how sharp the images are

do you think the lens needs looking at ???

014_zps4ef9d193.jpg


040_zps2dcf4d2d.jpg


037_zps562f93af.jpg


029_zpse5fb9ec4.jpg
 
My 17-50mm came today. I'm not convinced by it's quality yet but only done test shots in fairly low light indoors. How do I know if I've got a dud and what's the best kind of test I can do to make absolutely sure?

Thanks guys
 
Hi Pheo, I'm fairly new to this, I don't know what "Also, compare Contrast AF and Phase Detect Shots. Often the CDAF is more accurate." means unfortunately. :(
 
Stingey said:
Hi Pheo, I'm fairly new to this, I don't know what "Also, compare Contrast AF and Phase Detect Shots. Often the CDAF is more accurate." means unfortunately. :(
Click to expand...

A translation - using the viewfinder versus the liveview LCD, they use different types of focus methods.
 
I'm not sure 50 quid to test your AF is money well spent - you can acheive the same thing by photographing a brickwall - using a carpenters square to ensure you are paralell in both planes
 
Milkfloat said:
Pro Camera Shop are knocking the VC version out for under £280, which is an amzing price. Mine was an Italian lens - which I could not sign up for the 5 year warranty on the UK site, but I could with the aid of Google Translate on the Italian site.
Click to expand...

That's a cracking price! I paid £389 for my VC from Jessops. It's a great lens. I don't regret it at all
 
Yeah it does seem a good price compared to what I've seen. I paid an extra tenner for the 7 year warranty too. Gonna get some pics up on Flickr to compare sharpness to see if I have a dud later today. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Would be great to see the results! I've got my heart set on a Nikkor 17-55mm but since my budget won't stretch to that at the moment, it's starting to sound like I might be shopping for a Tamron 17-50mm soon as well...
 
photostream

photostream


Right so here are the two images I took today on my lunch. I had very limited time so only got these for the moment. Both took on a tripod with cable release. In between the two shots, as I was changing the lenses, the camera and tripod fell and hit the back concrete step camera first! I've superficially damaged the lens release button and part of the body so could have been worse.

The Tamron is DEFINITELY softer which shouldn't be right.
Here are the settings:-

Tamron at f2.8 1/160s iso 100 @50mm

Canon at f/5 1/50s iso 100 @46mm

I know these aren't like for like but could it be deduced from these images that I have a dud?

Thanks
 
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