Tamron AF 17-35mm f2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical

[Redbird_xo]

dear forums members

i'm brand new to the forums. prior to registrating as a member, i've read and learned quite a few things from here. i want to extend a big thank you to all the folks here.

i recently purchased a drebel and some lenses -- EF50 f1.8 II and Tamron 28-75 f2.8. i mostly take pictures of my one-year-old and a few group pictures of families once in a while. although I enjoyed take landscape pictures with the G2. With the one-year-old around me, i'm usually a busy and happy daddy these days. :D

i'm considering the tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 for landscape and group photo. any comments and thoughts on this lens will be much appreciated. thanks in advance!

[slejhamer]

CLICK HERE (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=48460&highlight=tamron+17-35mm) for a thread with a few opinions on that lens.

You might also try the forum search feature above for more info. It seems to be getting favorable reviews.

Cheers,

[Redbird_xo]

Thanks Mitch.

[fslshooter]

I've never needed to use mine wide open yet nor do I shoot landscapes but for close up group shots it's great -- excellent value for money IMO.

[Redbird_xo]

I've never needed to use mine wide open yet nor do I shoot landscapes but for close up group shots it's great -- excellent value for money IMO.
Thanks! This is exactly the kind of confirmation I was looking for before dropping $450. :)

[chops]

My friend just bought this lens for his 1Ds, but on the full-frame sensor, he was getting about 1 stop or more vignetting in the corners wide open on f/2.8 at 17mm. He's very impressed with the sharpness however!

He brought it over for me to barrow for the weekend. I have only taken a few test shots so far in very poor, dim lighting hand held. I don't see any vignetting at all since I'm using a 10D, and probably wouldn't on a 1D either with its 1/3 sensor.

He said I could hold on to as long as I like (within reason of course), and if I want to keep it, he'll let me have it for $400, which isn't much more than my dealer net price. I think I just might take him up on the offer.

[Olegis]

I once shot a couple of frames with this lens outside of the local shop (the seller was kind enough to give it to me for a tryout). I wasn't particularly impressed by the quality when I got back home and downloaded the images to my PC - the sharpness was so-so, even at small apertures (f/8, f/11 etc). My Tokina 17mm ATX-Pro is MUCH sharper than that Tamron was, even wide-open (it might not be fair comparison, because the Tokina is a prime and the Tamron is a zoom lens). The build quality of the Tamron 17-35 was good - just as good as that of the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8.

[Redbird_xo]

I once shot a couple of frames with this lens outside of the local shop...the sharpness was so-so, even at small apertures (f/8, f/11 etc)...
May I ask if those shots you took were taken in bright daylight? In other words, would slow shutter speed, hence, camera shake caused the sharpness issue?

[Olegis]

These shot were made in broad daylight, about 1-2:00PM. The shutter speeds were quite high - well above 1/250 if I remember correctly, and I didn't drink that day (or the day before) :lol:

[phili1]

I have it and it is sharp no problems with my 20D. NOt one complaint with the pictures with it.

[Redbird_xo]

It appears that Tamron 17-35 doesn't get the same level of solid reviews by users as compared to Tamron 28-75. It makes me wonder if waiting out for the upcoming Tamron 11-18 is a logical choice (the extra wideness will be welcomed for taking landscape or group photos). The only catch is that Tamron 11-18 is only for the APS-C sensors.

Life becomes complicated when presented with too many choices! LOL.

[Olegis]

It appears that Tamron 17-35 doesn't get the same level of solid reviews by users as compared to Tamron 28-75.

It's the exact reason why I skipped this lens and went for second-hand Sigma EX 15-30. Later on I purchased the Tokina 17mm prime, mainly for its size (the length is comparable to the 50mm f/1.8) - and was pleasantly surprised by its sharpness and overall quality, including the outstanding build and materials quality. I barely shoot with the Sigma anymore, the Tokina satisfies me in every way.

[Redbird_xo]

It's the exact reason why I skipped this lens and went for second-hand Sigma EX 15-30. Later on I purchased the Tokina 17mm prime, mainly for its size (the length is comparable to the 50mm f/1.8) - and was pleasantly surprised by its sharpness and overall quality, including the outstanding build and materials quality. I barely shoot with the Sigma anymore, the Tokina satisfies me in every way.
Interesting! Tokina 17 is viable choice if one doesn't mind cropping the photo to the desirable size. Frankly, I, at one point, was also considering this lens before even looking into other options, such as Tamron 17-35.

Great info, thanks.

[Olegis]

You can crop the picture with your legs, before actually pressing the button ! :cool: That's what I do more and more lately, I just enjoy shooting with my primes (expecially the 50mm f/1.8 and the Tokina 17mm).