Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens Review

The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens delivers very good image quality in a small, light, fast and affordable package. Add in the very popular focal length range and you have a lens that is just right for many digital SLR camera owners.

The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens is compatible only with "digital" SLRs - and only with the higher 1.5x/1.6x crop factor digital SLRs. Being sized for a smaller-format sensor allows a smaller design to be used. Measuring 2.9 x 3.2" (74 x 82mm)(d x l) and weighing 15.2 oz (430g), the Tamron 17-50 is an ideal size for the smaller digital SLR bodies. It balances and handles very nicely.

Build quality is not rugged, but it is solid - very adequate I'd say. The included hood is similarly built. The rubber on the zoom ring is grippy, soft and deeply ribbed. The zoom and focus rings turn smoothly.



The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens' AF is rather fast, but the high pitch buzz made by the focus motor is deceptive - making the lens sound slower. I found AF accuracy to be quite good with relatively few missed shots (that were not my fault at least). This is an internal-focusing lens - It does not change length during focusing and the front element does not rotate. FTM (Full Time Manual) focusing is not supported. Since the manual focus ring is rather small and in front of the larger focus ring, You will not find the focus ring turning during autofocusing to be much of a problem. It does turn though.

The Tamron 17-50's minimum focus distance is 10.6" (0.27m) and provides a respectable .22x magnification factor. Both the zoom and focus rings rotate the opposite direction of Canon's lens rings. A zoom lock switch is provided.

The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens is available in Canon, Nikon, and Minolta mounts.



The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens, is a useful tool. Since it is small and light, you can take it everywhere. Since it is fast (f/2.8), you can use it in low light and indoors - and to stop action. Since it has good image quality, you can use it for important shots. The Tamron 17-50 is a bargain lens and I bought mine at Orient Photo at the 6th floor of Sim Lim Square.