Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical A-mount lens review by Rebecca
 Rebecca#9850 date: Jan-25-2012 | |
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| sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.9 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 18-55 kit lens Sony 35mm f1.8 Sony 50mm f1.4 |
| price paid: | $325 USD (new) |
| positive: | Fast -- handles light well Sharp Good color Decent af speed |
| negative: | None |
| comment: | I bought this with the Tamron 28-75, and, except for a macro, they complete my kit. I couldn't find any other way to get this kind of speed in a combined focal length of 17-75mm for this price. The price for the two of them together was outstanding. This lens makes sharp photos (although not nearly so sharp as either one of my primes) with good color. The Sony 18-55 also takes sharp photos, or at least, sharp enough for me. What separates the two is the way they handle light. The Tamron 17-50 with its f2.8 radically increases my options for where and what kind of photo I can take. The kit lens is ok, but the minute you get it indoors, it starts to fight you. As far as I'm concerned, hauling around a big honking flash and putting it on and off the camera is no less a hassle than changing lenses. Also, a flash causes people to turn stiff in front of a camera and I lose things I want to catch while I'm messing with it. One shot with a flash, and whatever I'm trying to photograph (unless, of course, it's a rock) stops what it's doing and starts either running away or posing. Add to that the simple fact that I like the color and the ... I dunno ... the texture of natural light. I just think it's prettier. All this makes this lens a no-brainer for me. |
; 20MPrating summary
- total reviews: 214
- sharpness: 4.59
- color: 4.45
- build: 4.14
- distortion: 4.16
- flare control: 4.45
- overall: 4.36