Tamron 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SP Di

[mrfourcows]

this used to be a popular lens back in the day, rivaling the ef 28-135mm IS USM before the 24-105L and all the aps-c designed lenses came along.

sadly, it has now been discontinued. here are a couple of samples of the old veteran:

@ 135mm, f/5.6:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3212135563_d828798346_b.jpg

@ 135mm, f/8:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3302892627_3c71bb9336_b.jpg

[ronmayhew]

Nice lens. My Tamrons are workhorses.

[shaftmaster]

I just picked up a used Tamron 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens for $125. I read the reviews on FM and decided to give it a try before spending lots more on the 24-105L or something else. I've owned the Canon 28-135mm IS lens but didn't think that much of it. It was ok but nothing special and I didn't have much use for it at the time.

I've only had the Tamron lens for a day and only shot about 30 test shots with it, but it seems pretty sharp. At f/3.5 it's rather soft, but by f/4.5 it gets sharp in the center and seems better than my old Canon 24-85mm for sure. At 135mm and f/5.6 (wide open at this length) I was very surprised at how sharp this lens is. I'll try to post some shots soon, but for $125 this lens seems like a bargain.

EDIT: There's a review of this lens here:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/295-tamron-af-24-135mm-f35-56-ad-aspherical-if-sp-lab-test-report--review

[weedeath]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6159953169_164d7a46c4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57766521@N05/6159953169/)
Phalaenopsis (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57766521@N05/6159953169/) by weedeath (http://www.flickr.com/people/57766521@N05/), on Flickr

[weedeath]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6348234673_2bc0063c02_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57766521@N05/6348234673/)
Dancing Smoke (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57766521@N05/6348234673/) by weedeath (http://www.flickr.com/people/57766521@N05/), on Flickr