$400-$500 budget: which all-around lens?

Yep - the Tamron 17-50 is a great lens in that price range

I thought I had some issues with my Tamron 17-50mm non-VC (despite very good reviews, showing that it is much better than the VC version). Today I did more tests, and now pretty confident that my issue with photos being not sharp was not the lens' fault, but the body's (1000D). When today I used Live View focusing (quick, slow, and manual), all photos were much sharper at f2.8, 17 and 50mm, than with my standard AF. Read here. I simply need a better body, with more accurate AF (and ability to micro-adjust). Now I warmly recommend the non-VC Tamron to everyone.

hando wrote in post #11318277
No. If you read my post it says I replaced a non-L lens with an L lens.

I stand corrected... Great deal on a 23 year old lens...

mguffin wrote in post #11313544
Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, $409 at B&H

I agree and bought one used but like new for $250 not too long ago, with both the hood and a B+W MRC UV filter (so perhaps another $100 worth of accessories if bought new). There are always a couple 28-135 here and locally on Craigslist, or on eBay, but I happened to get mine off Amazon. In this range an f2.8 lens (or even faster if you go with primes) is nice, but the 7D can do presentable images up to ISO 3200 to help offset the need for speed.

If $250 left something in the budget toward an UWA (such as a used Tokina 12-24 version 1 for around $400) soon, that would be great.

Frankly, if it were me I'd get a cheaper camera body and have more to spend on the lenses. I looked at 60D in a store today and am impressed with it. Should be able to do similar image quality to 7D. If you don't need video, a 50D might be found for an even better deal, sometimes can even be found in kit with the 28-135.

Before you commit to the Tamron, you might want to read https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=955155 I have had a number of Tamron lenses over the years and am a big fan of them, but this concerns me. I'm sure they are working to fix it pretty fast.

amfoto1 wrote in post #11319315
Before you commit to the Tamron, you might want to read https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=955155 I have had a number of Tamron lenses over the years and am a big fan of them, but this concerns me. I'm sure they are working to fix it pretty fast.

One more reason to go with the non-VC version of the Tamron lens...

mguffin wrote in post #11319161
I stand corrected... Great deal on a 23 year old lens...

I reckon so too..., especially for people like me who appreciate professional glass but can't afford the latest gadget lenses. I now have one L lens that is both a tele zoom and doubles as a macro zoom capable of 1.3x with Nikon 5T & 6T close-up filters.

edit: I forgot to add the 1.6 magnification factor of the APS-C sensor. Adding that it's a tad over 2:1 macro.