Forum might slow down the buying process

[tiefelj]

I have had the 20D body for about a week-but no lens.
Per several reviews I ordered the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. The vendor got in an order but I was not one of the lucky ones to have my order filled.

After reading way too many forums, way too many reviews, that included: this lens is soft at this f-stop, got a good copy, got a bad copy, returned my copy, don't buy this lens, buy this lens, this is noisy/slow focusing and I returned my copy, adnausium, I finally just "did it" and bought the 17-40L. (Insert appropriate Smiley Face--I'm to lazy)


My word people how are we (read: less than pro's or advanced users) who have been out of the loop for a while, supposed to make up our minds on equipment with all the diverse opinions. (Don't answer that.) That's one of the reasons I went for 20D and the 17-40L. I really knew if I bought something less I would always regret my purchase.

In 1967 I bought a set of Canon 7 X 50 binoculars for about $60 (or was it $15) at a PX in Japan. Everyone in my group (not literally) "poo-pooed" my purchase, but it was like night and day (sound familiar?). Canon's was soooo much better and still is; yes, I still have them.


OT: IMHO this is the best forum. Some good advise and perhaps some slanted advise but all-in-all a good read.

[tim]

Congrats on the new cam/lens, and welcome to POTN :) It's mostly a friendly, helpful forum and many people give great advice.

[condyk]

Not sure how comparable the Tamron and Canon are, in range or speed, but you got a nice lens for sure and a great foundation, as long as you don't shoot small birds :lol: :lol: Maybe very fat birds close up :lol:

Honestly, I know where you're coming from. I have been informally monitoring 'problem' posts over the last few weeks. I get a bit sick of the kind of comments you mention that people often make about 3rd party lenses especially. Many are comments are about comments they've read, i.e. third hand rather than personal experience, or 'I had a Sigma 100 years ago that farted whenever I zoomed in' and it means people just get a sense there is a problem, when it could just be one or two copies or user error or history! Most of the concerns posted are actually about Canon lenses or bodies ... check it out people over the last month!

Now I KNOW all this means nothing ... but what I am attempting to say is that there will be some variation within any model or brand and it's part luck of the draw AND it's unlikely that any specific brand is worse than another these days. Does anyone have any evidence otherwise showing that specific brands are allowing significant numbers of copies through that don't meet their internal quality standards?

Sure you can try several samples in the shop but who has the cheek or the time to do it and which shop stocks several copies of any lens worth having (OK, B&H do, but we don't all live in NYC and it didn't feel like a place you could try it either when I was there!)

I buy SH when I can and ask for sample 100% crop shots straight from the camera. Any seller with a decent set of kit will supply and if they don't then you can usually be sure there's a problem. Takes some of the lottery from buy new and you can save lots of cash.

You can also take a laptop when you buy a lens and take 20-30 snaps, check them and take the lens back same day if necessary. If you find a few nice sharp shots then just keep the thing. Don't bother comparing and pixel peeping or you will always be unhappy! Someone will always have a better copy.

The biggest variation using a lens and camera is the user and the more you use a lens the better it becomes ... unless it's a bad copy of course :p

[Andy_T]

Jake,

welcome to the forum!

Be advised that the Tamron is a great lens and that MOST users are very happy with their copy.

Also, bear in mind that there are people who were not 100% content with their 17-40/4.0 lens ... from my personal perception of browsing the forum for about 2 years now, it's one of the Canon lenses that more people complain about than others.

Don't get me wrong ... I am sure it's a great lens ... but there are always people who will complain, even if their own incapability really is to blame for the lenses less-than-optimal behaviour. That applies to both Canon and Tamron lenses.

I mean, there are also people complaining that they had to check x copies of the Canon 24-70/2.8 (maybe THE best normal lens for Canon cameras) before they got 'a decent one' ... reminds me of people buying a Mercedes S 500 and complaining that it's not up to their expectations ... now while that might be true - what do you do if there are no alternatives available??? Of course, some of these people *might* have got a bad one ... there are people working in the QC department of Canon, as well.

My copy of the Tamron 28-75/2.8 is very sharp wide open and tack sharp (when images are viewed at 100% crop) from f/3.5 onwards. Nearly every lens improves a bit in sharpness as it is stopped down, so that is nothing to worry me.

Best regards,
Andy

[scr7b]

I know exactly where you're coming from there... The internet enables so much communication that it's sometimes difficult to filter out the "white noise".

I must say though, you'll be happy with the 20D + 17-40 combo. You won't regret that lens purchase!

Have fun with your new toy, and remember, it's more about taking pictures than poring over lens tests!!

[kram]

Cant agree with you more Jake. When I went to get my Tamron, I was 90% sure I would have to go back and exchange atleast once - afterall the number of people reporting a bad copy was really high. But I guess, its still 20 people out of the 10000+ who probably bought it in the last few months.

And now, I use the forum to make a good decision of what lens/equipment I need and not worry about potentially getting stuck with a bad piece. And yes, for getting inputs to decide what to buy, nothing beats this forum and the set of frequenters here.

[Andy_T]

So, Kram, did YOU have to go back to exchange your version :wink: ?

I had the same fear ... and it was not founded.
I am a bit more relaxed since that.

Best regards,
Andy

[kram]

No, my copy was absolutely perfect. Guess I wasnt unlucky enough to be 20 in the 10000+.

Not even sure what the 'true' defect rates for Tamron and Canon lenses are - looking at this forum and the experience of some of the members, it would seem to be in double digits!!!

[mkh]

There is always some "fluff" involved when people can hide behind a screen name.

But this forum is not that bad. I know of a woodworking forum where if you post a question you will get 3 good answers, 24 posts telling you what a fool you were for buying that tool and 42 posts that have nothing to do with your question.

[pcasciola]

Not even sure what the 'true' defect rates for Tamron and Canon lenses are - looking at this forum and the experience of some of the members, it would seem to be in double digits!!!That's because more people post when they have problems then people who are just content with their purchase. For every person who posts that they got a soft copy of the Tamron 28-75, there are probably 100 people that bought one who are happy with it and did not post at all.

[skyphix]

You made a terrible choice in camera and lens. You will hate them and I am positive that you got a bad copy. So sell them to me for $500, cut your losses, and get a Nikon.





:eek: Only kidding :) welcome to the forum. You've got the lens/Camera combo that I would use 99% of the time if I had it.