Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC (Vibration Compensation) Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002LVUIXU
• Item model number: AFB005NII-700
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 1, 2009

Product Description

Product Description

Tamron's new SP AF 17-50mm F/ 2.8 acts RDI II VC covers the heavily used 17-50 MM focal distance range (angle of view equivalent of 26-78 MM when converted to the full frame format) making it an extremely versatile, high performance zoom lens. Achieving sharpness and striking contrast, the lens produces beautiful images that are enhanced by the shallow depth of field afforded by the maximum aperture F/2.8 and enriches the user’s range of photographic expression. The new lenses equipped with Tamron’s proprietary vibration compensation (VC) image stabilization mechanism, which provides more opportunities for handheld photography, such as low light conditions like evening, night scenes and indoors, leading to dramatically enhanced level of photographic freedom. Technical specifications: focal length 17 - 50 MM: format size APS – C: maximum aperture F/2.8; minimum aperture F/ 32; diagonal angle of view 78 degree and 45 minute - 31 degree and 11 minute; lens construction 19 elements, 14 groups; minimum focusing distance 11.4-Inch (0.29m); maximum magnification ratio 1:4 0.8; filter diameter 72 mm; overall length 3.7 inches maximum diameter 3.13 inches; weight 20.15oz. 570g; diaphragm blades-seven; standard accessory flower shaped lens hood; Nikon mount.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great lens for the price, September 27, 2009

By	Antonio De La Vega (Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I received this lens a few days ago and immediately started using it. The lens came with a lens hood and caps only, no carrying pouch. The lens is slightly bigger and bulkier than my 18-70 Nikkor that it is replacing. It feels great in the hands and in the camera, I can feel the quality. The lens focused accurately and speedily. I can't comment on its speed versus the non VC version, but its faster than my 18-70 Nikkor (as it should since its $300 more expensive). It locked on in low light pretty good too, something I had trouble with in my 18-70. I tested the VC out and found that the VC has a delay of about a second before taking effect. You will notice the effect because the viewfinder will have a slight jerking motion before taking effect. The VC worked quite well though, taking sharp pics most of the time (if done properly) down to 1/8th second. This lens is TACK SHARP, even at F2.8 it is very sharp.

The zoom ring comes with a zoom creep lock that works at 17mm, but the rings are stiff enough that you won't need to use it.

There are three things that this lens wasn't so great on. The focus is loud, its not an ultrasonic motor. The VC has the 1 second delay which is not so hot. The VC is also loud, you can hear it take effect.

Overall, this is a fine lens for myself. Those who find the VC delay, or noise, might be turned off by it, so take that into consideration.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP XR Di II VC for Nikon, October 16, 2009

By	Zachary Wagner (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Been going back and forth with lenses for a while now, and finally have my bag full. It's filled mainly with Sigma, but when this Tamron came out, I just couldn't resist the 2.8 through the zoom range and the VC (vibration compensation). So how is it? Well, I love it. The other reviewer here mentioned it's a little loud, and that's true. But that doesn't bother me one bit. It's very, very sharp, generally focuses well and quickly, even in low light, and has accurate color representation. At 17mm 2.8 it's a LITTLE softer, but not much, and once you stop down it gets tack sharp, which is true for most lenses anyway.
As an end note, something needs to be said for Tamron's vibration compensation technology. I recently sold my 18-55 VR Nikon kit lens because I got this Tamron, and the VC works at LEAST as well as the VR does, if not measurably better. Yes, there is a jump when you depress the shutter button halfway, as the motor starts up, but it's something that you get used to extremely quickly (or at least I did), and once that's over, the image is still as a quiet summer lake. The VC works VERY well.
Overall, I'd say the build quality of this lens is very good, and it's definitely a keeper.

The one con I'll personally give it is that the macro capability leaves something to be desired. This isn't billed as a macro lens, so I can't really knock it, but my Sigma 17-70 w/macro smokes it.

Other than that, great lens, especially if you can't afford the Nikon lenses.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good lens, October 17, 2009

By	Edit Name (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I was initially looking for the older version of this lens without VC and the AF motor as it is suppose to focus better than on the non VC with built-in focus motor. But when this revised version with VC came out I had to get it because of the following:

1.) No other manufacturer (Nikon/Sigma/Tokina) provide stabilization for this range of zoom.
2.) Previous versions have been known to be a great lens, with image quality rivaling the much more expensive Nikon.
3.) It's half price of the Nikon.
4.) Available on Amazon. :)

Compared to Nikon's 17-55mm which is built _and_ sized like a tank, the Tamron is lighter and sized considerably smaller. The lens is mostly plastic, but the workmanship is great. Both the zoom and focus rings rotate smoothly. I'm very happy with the lens and it's image quality.

Some other lens I shoot with: Nikon 10.5mm fisheye, Sigma 30mm f1.4, Nikon 50mm f1.8.