Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 VC

Ron Hartman , Aug 21, 2009; 02:36 p.m.

I've been considering buying the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for my Canon xsi. I was price shopping this morning and looked at Adorama. A lens came up priced at $750, which I thought was strangely high. I looked closer and saw it was described as a VC (vibration compensation) lens, and not yet available. I went back later and can't find the listing now.

I'm guessing it's legitimate, but listed a little to early and pulled. If Tamron can get comparable IQ and weight to the current lens, I'm interested and willing to wait. It was also shown in the Nikon mount. So just a heads up that something might be coming.

Responses

Richard Harris , Aug 21, 2009; 03:26 p.m.

Good spot Ron! I hadn't heard of such a lens coming, so it would certainly be interesting for other users. I use this on my Sony body (stabalised) and although the build is questionable at times I find it very good performer for the price. I shoot a lot of landscapes and hardly ever take a tripod with me (unless light is very low of course)

Puppy Face , Aug 21, 2009; 03:37 p.m.

I hope Tamron also adds a crutch to disengage the MF ring. The thing spins crazy fast during AF.

Richard Harris , Aug 21, 2009; 03:52 p.m.

I'm not sure a clutch disengage is much of an issue with this lens, as to get from infinity to the MFD is a very small movement (only around 30 degrees?), so it's generally not much of a problem, atleast for me. I do find the tiny range on the focus ring awful to any sort of manual focusing, but that's knit-picking and it's rarely a problem for me.

Gil Pruitt , Aug 21, 2009; 04:32 p.m.

This Flickr link references the VC version
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikon_d300_users/discuss/72157621963242377/
another link sends you over to this Adorama link with an explanation that the lens isn't available until at least mid-September
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=detailsdisc&sku=TM1750VNKAF
Probably will be a very good lens as the current version is excellent. Good luck!

wong sim , Aug 21, 2009; 06:58 p.m.

Sigh...I just bougth 17-50/2.8 for my 400D...too bad they don't make it slightly longer. at times I feel it's a little bit too short. But it's a good lens. I really like it. hope tamron also make their own USM for their lens in the future...

Roger Smith , Aug 21, 2009; 11:03 p.m.

Very cool. I use and love this lens and this is exactly what I would do to improve it.

Brad - , Aug 21, 2009; 11:17 p.m.

The Tamorn 17-50 is what I have on my cam 99% of the time (except for now, the lens is in for repair). An IS version would be great.

Hope the street price is less - it's getting close to the canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS...

Paul M (Austin) , Aug 22, 2009; 06:51 p.m.

I wonder if they'll make a VC version of the 28-75 f/2.8 full frame version of this lens. Hmmm.... I have the 17-50 on my XSi and I like it so much I've been planning to buy the 28-75 when I can afford to go full frame. VC would be nice.

Bill Tuthill , Oct 23, 2009; 12:35 p.m.

Samples here. Not much of a review, but you could paste the URL into Babelfish and get Japanese to English translation. Tamron VC seems as good as Canon IS, generally speaking.

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/date_lens/20090917_315883.html

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