Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 users - how loud is it?

[akiller]

Hi all,

I'm looking at purchasing one of these soon, I currently have a Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM II which I like but it's just not wide enough for what I need, and often needs stopping down to get maximum sharpness.

Because my current lens has a USM motor how much noisier am I likely to find the one in the Tamron? I've searched around but can't really seem to find a clear answer, other than people saying it's noisey. Idealy I'd like the opinion of someone who has tried both types of motor - sound samples would be perfect. Is it really as loud as people say?

I'm im the UK and none of my local shops (well, Jessops) appear to have this lens in for me to test, but thinking about it, testing a generic Tamron lens with the same motor should be the same?

Not that it should matter but I'll be using it on a 20D.

Thanks :).

[Jarrad]

Like a wasp trapped in a match box.

Any noise is louder than silent (USM) and thus much more noticeable.
Many people say it sounds the same as the Tamron 28-75. Some say a little higher pitched, but the same loudness. I've used both, as well as the USM and find the motor on the 17-50 to be the loudest.

Still, it's no where near as loud as the mirror flip/shutter release of the 20D, so it shouldn't matter.

:)

[Evan Idler]

I agree with Jarrad. I have both the 17-50 and the 28-75 and really don't even notice them. The shutter click on my 30D is definately louder.

--Evan

[Fernando]

I just bought this lens today.

Yes, like many say it's pretty loud. All things relative however. At home, in the quiet, TV off, it's very noticable. In the store (or at a party, etc.) not that big a deal.

The noises made by my 20D are louder tho.

-F

[evan_d]

It's a high pitched buzzing sound, but it's not very annoying or too loud. Nice lens, I love it!

[Shadowplay]

I completely forgot that lenses could be loud :lol:

All of my lenses are USM :o

[bowlesbe]

I have the lens; my opinion is that it isnt loud at all, rather, you can hear it. period.

THe speed of the focus is really way more of an issue. And the Tamron is pretty fast, all things considered.I've owned this lens for a while and I can see why event photographers and or people photographing moving people / kids would prefer the canon big time... not for the IS as much as for the focus speed. The focus speed is great for almost any application except when you only have like a quarter of a second to catch the shot...

I debated about whether its worth the extra for the canon 17-55 but I figured that it wasnt worth it for me... I will use it as a crucial travel lens and at that point size and weight become a much bigger issue than a fraction of fraction of a second savings in focus. If the IQ wasnt so similar between the two lenses, I might have a differnet opinion.

However, if I was a professional event photographer or was not planning on using it primarily for travelling, I would probably say its worth it just for that extra focus speed.

Just my two cents.

[Tee Why]

Bob's review has a sound clip of the AF. Listen and hear for yourself.
http://bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_17-50_review.html

[akiller]

Thanks for the comments - it's much better having comments from the real users rather than from reviews :).

The motor does sound quite loud from that clip, but if its quieter than the actual camera then it shouldn't be too bad, pitty the clip doesn't include the shutter too.

I don't plan on using it for action shots as such (I'm mainly wanting it for wider shots, I don't need anything ultra-wide) but it's kind of worrying that it lags behind should I need fast focus.

Other than that the lens is perfect for what I need; good image quality, reasonably priced and a large aperture - I was also looking at the Canon 17-40mm but the image quality doesn't seem as good as the Tamron from sample pictures.

What do i do! :D

[Tee Why]

Tamron is sharper per photozone.de's tests. The AF maybe noisy but it's fairly fast.

[Jakkin]

Mine sounds like a Black & Decker drill at low rpm - high torque setting. I don't mind the sound at all, because the images are sharp, can't complain really.

[imranr]

The shutter-click of my 400D is definetly louder than my Tamron 17-50 which I would say not at all irritating. I actually like it, with USM I never know when the len has focussed.

[Jman13]

Mine comes tomorrow (Yeah!), but I've tried the lens in person, so I know what it sounds like. It's definitely audible, and probably a bit louder than my Tokina (which is audible, but pretty quiet overall). I have to say that it is surprisingly fast considering the gear driven focusing. I was really impressed at the focus speed. Not as fast as the USM on my 28 f/1.8, but probably as fast or faster than the arc-drive on my 80-200L, which is pretty quick.

I'm very excited for mine to get here. I just wish Tamron built their SP lenses like Sigma EX or Tokina AT-X Pro lenses.

[Heatseeker99]

I only notice the sound when it hunts, and that's not too often.

[akiller]

That sounds very promising, thanks again :). I think I'll put an order in for it sometime soon. Tamron still honor international warrenties don't they? I'd probably want to import it as it will be cheaper (£50 cheaper with delivery included).


I only notice the sound when it hunts, and that's not too often.

Good point, that sound clip was from infinity to macro and back which I guess won't happen in general use.

[Tee Why]

Don't know about international warranty, you may have to check with Tamron in UK.

[Stump]

How is the sharpness at f2.8 on this lens? Do you have to stop it down to get some real sharpness?

[bowlesbe]

I would say that you can definately get sharp pics at 2.8, but its all relative. They do improve slightly when at 4, but this is based more on my reading of the reviews rather than actually experiencing it... but when I know that sharpness is absolutely critical, i do sotp down just cause the reviews say so.

[whoever]

That sounds very promising, thanks again :). I think I'll put an order in for it sometime soon. Tamron still honor international warrenties don't they? I'd probably want to import it as it will be cheaper (£50 cheaper with delivery included).

akiller - I just picked up one of these from the London Camera Exchange for £299. If your importing from HK you can pick them up much cheaper, (£215 from onestop-digital) but I figured I didn't want the hastle of sending it back if it was a bad version...

[Tee Why]

Here are two tests I've done with it.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/gallery/2000895#114325968

some sort of error on the second link, just click ok a few times and the gallery will come up.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/gallery/1844047#92415965

[Jman13]

I'll be able to give some shots tonight. Mine's on the delivery truck right now...should have it in a few hours. :)

[akiller]

akiller - I just picked up one of these from the London Camera Exchange for £299. If your importing from HK you can pick them up much cheaper, (£215 from onestop-digital) but I figured I didn't want the hastle of sending it back if it was a bad version...

Ahh, thanks I'll check them out.

Here are two tests I've done with it.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/gallery/2000895#114325968

some sort of error on the second link, just click ok a few times and the gallery will come up.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/gallery/1844047#92415965

Thanks, it's hard finding 100% crops from lenses, that looks nice and sharp :).

I think the error is to do with the %; it only seems to show up when clicking crops.

[Uhland]

http://www.sharebigfile.com/file/114434/Tamron-mp3.html

There ya go.
I stuck it next to my mic and recorded it focusing.
Took a few snapshots so you can compair it to the shutter snap.
Its not bad. its fast. I find the shutter snaps bothers animals more than the AF

[akiller]

Brilliant, thanks :). I'm guessing you shot that with a 400D? (you mention a 400D in other posts anyway) which apparently has a much quieter slap than the 20D so hopefully I won't really notice the focusing (but saying that, I can still hear my USM lens focusing ever so slightly).

[Uhland]

yes the 400d

[gore]

I just write a simple review of Tamron on http://izo.amebis.si (http://izo.amebis.si/) -> Fotografija (in English :-)).

[Jarrad]

How is the sharpness at f2.8 on this lens? Do you have to stop it down to get some real sharpness?


It's certainly usable at 2.8. Sharpest at 5.6 throughout the zoom range. Sharper at the long end than at the short end. :)

[DerekI]

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_17-50_review.html

Check the MP3 file , you can feel how loud the AF moto is though , it is not as bad as Bob says since SLRs make noise with the Mirror and shutter system.

As for the AF speed , it is fast , much faster than the Sigma 17-70 or 18-200.

But not as fast as my EF-S17-85IS .

I really regret sold it , and re-buy it as soon as I get paid this month.

This produces very sharp and contrasty image that my Canon EF-S does not produce yet though for low light(as long as you are shooting static objects) , the IS is better than the Faster lens because F2.8 is just one and half stops faster than the EF-S17-85IS and the EF-S17-85Is has 3 stops of IS advantage.

But when I shoot a dog in low light , I can not stop it (cause he does not listen what I am telling him to do) and so feel the IS as useless .

[akiller]

I just write a simple review of Tamron on http://izo.amebis.si (http://izo.amebis.si/) -> Fotografija (in English :-)).

Nice review :) Your English is very easy to understand too.


http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_17-50_review.html

Check the MP3 file , you can feel how loud the AF moto is though , it is not as bad as Bob says since SLRs make noise with the Mirror and shutter system.

As for the AF speed , it is fast , much faster than the Sigma 17-70 or 18-200.

But not as fast as my EF-S17-85IS .

I really regret sold it , and re-buy it as soon as I get paid this month.

This produces very sharp and contrasty image that my Canon EF-S does not produce yet though for low light(as long as you are shooting static objects) , the IS is better than the Faster lens because F2.8 is just one and half stops faster than the EF-S17-85IS and the EF-S17-85Is has 3 stops of IS advantage.

But when I shoot a dog in low light , I can not stop it (cause he does not listen what I am telling him to do) and so feel the IS as useless .


Yeah somoene else posted that one earlier and it does sound very loud from that clip, but the one Uhland posted made it sound quite abit quieter :).

I've not really considered the 17-55mm, as I don't really want to spend that much on a Lens at the moment (especially when it costs more than my camera body) but I must admit, it does seem quite tempting.

[Uhland]

Yeah somoene else posted that one earlier and it does sound very loud from that clip, but the one Uhland posted made it sound quite abit quieter :).


That adkins one has no comparison sounds.
It lets you hear the sound but you cant judge how loud.
That be why I hit the shutter a few times. ;)

[gore]

Nice review :) Your English is very easy to understand too.


Thank you.

About noise - in my opinion, it is not disturbing. Sound isn't loud, so this should be no reason for make a decision.
Well, Canon is one class higher ...

[DerekI]

Nice review :) Your English is very easy to understand too.





Yeah somoene else posted that one earlier and it does sound very loud from that clip, but the one Uhland posted made it sound quite abit quieter :).

I've not really considered the 17-55mm, as I don't really want to spend that much on a Lens at the moment (especially when it costs more than my camera body) but I must admit, it does seem quite tempting.

The canon is not much better than the Tamron any way , yeah there is no need to spend that much more , plus Canon does not give you any hood or a soft bag .

EF-S17-55 IS also does have more serious vignetting problem than the Tamron ...

Any way , sorry for repeating the web site link here .I thought the site is great .

when I asked bob about what lens to buy for walk-around , he recommended me the EF-S17-85 , not 55IS because of the vignetting Unlike other well-known reviewers, Bob personally helps you if you ask anything at his site , he is a great guy and well respected.

take care.

PS. you might wanna try to email your questions to Bob Atkins, he is very kind(problem with bob's site is he never reviews any sigma so I will have to go other site to check them).

[akiller]

The canon is not much better than the Tamron any way , yeah there is no need to spend that much more , plus Canon does not give you any hood or a soft bag .

EF-S17-55 IS also does have more serious vignetting problem than the Tamron ...

Any way , sorry for repeating the web site link here .I thought the site is great .



Ahh that's good to know. Now if only I could somehow fit Canons USM into the tamron ;).


when I asked bob about what lens to buy for walk-around , he recommended me the EF-S17-85 , not 55IS because of the vignetting Unlike other well-known reviewers, Bob personally helps you if you ask anything at his site , he is a great guy and well respected.

take care.

PS. you might wanna try to email your questions to Bob Atkins, he is very kind(problem with bob's site is he never reviews any sigma so I will have to go other site to check them).

Somehow I'd never heard of him or his site before; I've built up a list of about 40 links for various reviews, sample photos etc of different lenses but never came across Bob's one.

The fact he takes time to respond is nice, other than forums it's really hard to get feedback about various lenses from people.

I keep hearing things about the 17-85mm but discredited it because of its aperture (5.6 at 85mm seems high to me), but then it does have IS.

Thanks again :).