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

goldencode#3896 date: Jul-29-2008
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5	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:	tamron sp 24-135 minolta 200 f2.8 minolta 100 f2.8 minolta 400 f4.5 minolta 50 f1.7
price paid:	419
positive:	sharpness focus speed price 6 year warranty
negative:	only to 50 on long end
comment:	I really agonized between bying this lens vs. the CZ 16-80 or a handful of Minolta wide angle primes. Finally, based on the great reviews of the Tamron and pulled the trigger...and VERY glad I did ! This lens is very sharp...prime sharp at f4.5 and f5.6 which really impressed me. Auto focus speeds on my a700 are super fast AND accurate. Colors are very accurate too. My only gripe is I just wished the lens had a greater reach than 50mm, but I will always choose sharpness first and foremost...Tamron knew what they were doing with this lens so I accept the 17-50 range !! This lens on an a700 is a killer combination....and for the price a real bargain for high quality sharp optics.