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

pcarmalt#7235 date: Apr-1-2010
sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 3 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.3	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I used to own this lens
compared to:	Sony 18-70 Kit lens Tamron 28-75 F2.8 (on full frame) Minolta 50 F1.7 Sony 100 F2.8 Macro
price paid:	GBP 270 ish
positive:	+ Sharp (so much better than kit lens) + Great contrast + Great MFD
negative:	- Colours lack the special something that Minolta/Sony/CZ have - 67mm unusual filter size
comment:	This was a great kit lens replacement on A200. Especially as high ISO was poor on the A200, I used the wide apertures a lot. Colours have a good 'pop' though seem to lack a special something that the Minolta 50/1.7 and Sony 100 Macro have. Skin tones, grass etc just doesn't look quite as natural.