Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR VC Di II

roderz88 · 20 Dec 2012 at 21:33

Hi folks, Would you say this lens is a good purchase for me? I currently have a Canon 350D which my dad gave me some months back. Do you think it would be an improvement over the 18-55 kit lens?, this is non IS by the way.

Thanks in advance

ishamy · 20 Dec 2012 at 21:36

I can't talk for the VC version but YES YES and YES, great lens and great upgrade, the only better lens I would consider for this range would be the 17-55IS but thats double the price.

DB_SamX · 20 Dec 2012 at 22:03

Without a doubt.

ianh · 20 Dec 2012 at 22:47

It's a pretty good lens from the write-ups I've seen although the Non-VC version is sharper. The Non-VC will be my next lens hopefully as I haven't got anything I'd class as decent to cover the <50mm area (Sigma 18-250mm).

Then thinking about some Canon 70-200mm L F4 goodness next year.

roderz88 · 20 Dec 2012 at 23:04

Thanks for the replies

Is VC something worth paying extra for ? based on someone saying that the non-VC version is actually sharper

ianh · 20 Dec 2012 at 23:27

It depends on the type of photography you're doing TBH. My photography is 95% outdoors in daylight taking Rallying pics for my Team so I don't think I'll need the VC for this particular "Service Area" short range lens, however, I have got it on my 70-300mm Tamron though where it's fantastic (much better than the sigma OS).

If I was doing darker indoors stuff then I'd really consider it. I used the 70-300mm indoors at the NIA for the Nitro Circus and the VC did a fantastic job.

Here's a comparison site showing pics from both lens so you can compare and I also use PhotoZone too.

roderz88 · 21 Dec 2012 at 10:36

Thanks ianh, since I dont have a lot of money, I might just go for the non VC version, since most of my photography is outdoors anyway.

At The Gates · 21 Dec 2012 at 11:55

Personally I wouldn't bother with VC for a 50mm lens. I have the non VC version and it's a great lens.

scoopex · 21 Dec 2012 at 14:11

roderz88 said:
Hi folks, Would you say this lens is a good purchase for me? I currently have a Canon 350D which my dad gave me some months back. Do you think it would be an improvement over the 18-55 kit lens?, this is non IS by the way.

Thanks in advance

Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR VC Di II

I have the above lens on my canon 600D and for the me the VC version is worth the extra few pounds for me anyways and the copy i have is sharp.