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

Ouverture#5597 date: Jun-25-2009
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6	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:	- sal18-250 - sal 18-70 - cz1680 - sigma 18-50 f2.8 - minolta 28-75 f2.8 - minolta 28-85
price paid:	550 SGD (used)
positive:	- Best lens ever for APS-C - Very sharp even wide open - Useful constant F2.8 - Fast AF even at lowlight - Great colours - Good contrast - Well build - Fantastic rubber grip (as opposed to Sony's goner)
negative:	- Limited zoom range (best if it's 17-105)
comment:	What can I say, I think this is the best APS-C lens ever with it's versatile constant f2.8, useful zoom range and good IQ with sharpness that can compete with the top range lenses. I don't think I will ever sell it away as long as I am still with APS-C. Even if I were to switch camps in future, this lens will still be in my arsenal. For the price, build quality, sharpness, colours and IQ, no other lens I know of can beat it. The sharpness of this lens is equivalent to cz1680 at almost all focal length while it's constant F2.8 is more versatile for indoor purpose. I even considered to get a 2nd one to keep as spare, which shows how good this lens really is. Definitely a lens for everyone in every camps...