Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical A-mount lens review by I Inspiron

I Inspiron#3382 date: Mar-20-2008
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.7	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	Sony 18-70mm/f3.5-5.6 Minolta 50mm/f1.4 (original)
price paid:	340 € (new)
positive:	colour contrast sharpness solid build constant f2.8
negative:	sharpness could be better at f2.8
comment:	I compared this lens to the above mentioned Sony and Minolta. At 18mm the kit-lens gives the Tamron a tough fight at f3.5 but as you stop down, the difference between the lenses gets clearer and clearer. At f8 it's like day and night: The Tamron delivers great sharpness (from center to edge), colour and contrast, where as the Sony gives flat colours and the edges are cleary unsharp. 50mm: Sony vs. Tamron: same as above Minolta vs. Tamron: The Minolta is sharper at every aperture setting as expected, but it was really amazing to see that the Minolta had no chance in terms of contrast and colour