Amazon.com's Price: $649.00 as of 11/23/2009 10:14 EST
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Binding: Electronics
Brand: Tamron
Color: Black
EAN: 0725211005056
Item Dimensions: 500500300500
Label: Tamron
Manufacturer: Tamron
Model: AFB005NII-700
MPN: AFB005NII-700
Publisher: Tamron
Studio: Tamron
Features:- Compact Fast Zoom with VC (Vibration Compensation).
- Fast Constant F/2.8 Aperture.
- For use on APS-C size DSLR cameras.
- 11.4-Inch minimum focusing distance / 1: 4.8 Maximum magnification ratio.
- Internal Focusing.
Accessories:
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
The new SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC covers the very popular 17-50mm focal length range (equivalent to 26-78mm in the full-frame 35mm format ) making it extremely versatile. Its wide aperture and outstanding performance provide practical advantages in low-light shooting and aesthetic image control, thereby enriching the users range of creative expression. The new lens delivers impressive sharpness and striking contrast over its entire focal-length and aperture range, and at its maximum aperture of f/2.8 it produces beautiful images enhanced by shallow depth of- field, and smooth, natural transitions in out-of-focus areas of the image (i.e. excellent bokeh.) The new lens is equipped with Tamrons proprietary Vibration Compensation (VC) image stabilization mechanism, which controls the effects of camera shake in three planes. VC provides more opportunities for sharp hand-held photography at the slow shutter speeds needed when shooting in low-light conditions (e.g. night or indoor scenes) dramatically enhancing the users level of photographic freedom.
Average Rating: 
Rating: -
Great lens for general portraits where flash is not the preferred option.
I enjoy using it.
Rating: -
I'm really enjoying this lens. It's been an excellent choice, and has given me a lot more options than just my Nikon 50mm 1.4 D prime. I use it as my all-time walk around lens now.
Pros:
Construction quality is great. No dust in the lens, built big and tough. I took it camping with me and it held up great.
VC is fantastic. Not too loud for me. I like that I can hear it put itself into action.
Photos are sharp and clean.
Low light photos are no problem.
The lens lock button works well so the lens doesn't creep, but don't really need it. The zoom ring is tight enough to hold it.
Lens is easy to operate in manual focus mode too.
Price price price! Much less expensive when compared to the Nikon counterpart that doesn't have VC.
Cons:
Focus is not prime-lens-fast, but definitely quick enough to get the fast shot off (just comparing to my prime 50mm 1.4).
Doesn't focus well on far away mountains / clouds. Sometimes the focus has a hard time locking on to things my prime has no problems with.
The lens is big, does add size and weight to my Nikon D300, but it balances well on the body.
My photos with the lens are here: [...]. I label the photos with tags on the right, so you know which lens was used.
I highly recommend this lens.
Rating: -
I was initially looking for the older version of this lens without VC and the AF motor as it is suppose to focus better than on the non VC with built-in focus motor. But when this revised version with VC came out I had to get it because of the following:
1.) No other manufacturer (Nikon/Sigma/Tokina) provide stabilization for this range of zoom.
2.) Previous versions have been known to be a great lens, with image quality rivaling the much more expensive Nikon.
3.) It's half price of the Nikon.
4.) Available on Amazon. :)
Compared to Nikon's 17-55mm which is built _and_ sized like a tank, the Tamron is lighter and sized considerably smaller. The lens is mostly plastic, but the workmanship is great. Both the zoom and focus rings rotate smoothly. I'm very happy with the lens and it's image quality.
Some other lens I shoot with: Nikon 10.5mm fisheye, Sigma 30mm f1.4, Nikon 50mm f1.8.
Rating:  -
Been going back and forth with lenses for a while now, and finally have my bag full. It's filled mainly with Sigma, but when this Tamron came out, I just couldn't resist the 2.8 through the zoom range and the VC (vibration compensation). So how is it? Well, I love it. The other reviewer here mentioned it's a little loud, and that's true. But that doesn't bother me one bit. It's very, very sharp, generally focuses well and quickly, even in low light, and has accurate color representation. At 17mm 2.8 it's a LITTLE softer, but not much, and once you stop down it gets tack sharp, which is true for most lenses anyway.
As an end note, something needs to be said for Tamron's vibration compensation technology. I recently sold my 18-55 VR Nikon kit lens because I got this Tamron, and the VC works at LEAST as well as the VR does, if not measurably better. Yes, there is a jump when you depress the shutter button halfway, as the motor starts up, but it's something that you get used to extremely quickly (or at least I did), and once that's over, the image is still as a quiet summer lake. The VC works VERY well.
Overall, I'd say the build quality of this lens is very good, and it's definitely a keeper.
The one con I'll personally give it is that the macro capability leaves something to be desired. This isn't billed as a macro lens, so I can't really knock it, but my Sigma 17-70 w/macro smokes it.
Other than that, great lens, especially if you can't afford the Nikon lenses.
Rating: -
I received this lens a few days ago and immediately started using it. The lens came with a lens hood and caps only, no carrying pouch. The lens is slightly bigger and bulkier than my 18-70 Nikkor that it is replacing. It feels great in the hands and in the camera, I can feel the quality. The lens focused accurately and speedily. I can't comment on its speed versus the non VC version, but its faster than my 18-70 Nikkor (as it should since its $300 more expensive). It locked on in low light pretty good too, something I had trouble with in my 18-70. I tested the VC out and found that the VC has a delay of about a second before taking effect. You will notice the effect because the viewfinder will have a slight jerking motion before taking effect. The VC worked quite well though, taking sharp pics most of the time (if done properly) down to 1/8th second. This lens is TACK SHARP, even at F2.8 it is very sharp.
The zoom ring comes with a zoom creep lock that works at 17mm, but the rings are stiff enough that you won't need to use it.
There are three things that this lens wasn't so great on. The focus is loud, its not an ultrasonic motor. The VC has the 1 second delay which is not so hot. The VC is also loud, you can hear it take effect.
Overall, this is a fine lens for myself. Those who find the VC delay, or noise, might be turned off by it, so take that into consideration.
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