So I've been reading all these great posts regarding the Tamron, and being a new 20D owner this sounded like a great lens from me. Add to that, I will be going to Disney next month, and will need a walking around lens, and focal range seemed about right. So the search begins, but all stores are on backorder. However, I didn't have the luxory of time as my vacation is fast approaching. Getting a bit frustrated, I turned to eBay.
Well, searching through eBay turned up 2 Tamrons. I bid on the first one and won the auction for $306. At the time there were only 2 Tamron 28-75 lenses up for auction. The other one sold for $345. The lense was labeled as very good condition, and only 6 months old. The added benefits to this was that the seller happened to be in the same city as I, so shipping wasn't a factor.
Today I met up with seller to exchange money for lens. Upon looking over the lens, it was immaculent. I would have sworn it was brand new, never been used. Guy who sold it is a professional photographer, teacher, who used it for 1 shoot, for a total of 18 pictures. He used it to take team photos of a race team. I was exstatic. I was expecting the usual wear and tear. But saw none !!! The only thing that would indicate that it was used, is that he didn't have the manual. However, the box still has UPC on it.
Now, guy says that his wife told him that these lenses were going for $275 on eBay (which they are not. I have been watching closely. Most go for $300+), so he is going to sell me the lens for $275 instead of the $306 that I won the auction for. He says that this lens didn't cost him anything, and that he wasn't looking to get rich. He wanted to give a good deal on a lens that someone could use.
This was a good day. I finally got a lens that would suite the 20D better than the 18-55 kit lens. Plus, I got it at a great price from a really nice guy. If any of you guys are on eBay and see items being sold from a seller called "impulseshot", have 100% confidence that you are dealing with a genuine, honest, person.
Now off to take some pictures to see what this baby can do.
David
They'll be a lot of jealous folks around 
