Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 or Nikon 17-55mm f2.8?

[Nubzz]

I've coupled D3100 with a 35mm f1.8 and i love the pictures it produces.
Good in low light and nice bokeh.

Wondering if it's advisable to replace the 35mm with a Tamrom 17-50mm ?
I want a simple multi-purpose lens and i dun need to use more than 50mm.
I love taking protraits and street shots without spending a small fortune.

Advice pls.

the Tamron 17-50 is a very good lens, just that the focus ring moves during AF & the focusing is realllyyy loud. (as compared to AF-S lens)
U dont have to really replace the 35/1.8 with the tamron..

Infact I'm considering getting a 35/1.8 to complement my tammy myself as well.

 

[Omega23]

If you're using a D3100, I would suggest you stay away from the Tamron lenses without USD/PZD. From my experience, the BIM (built-in-motor) versions of their lenses, or at least the 17-50, have problems focusing sometimes, and hunt a lot, refusing to lock focus. The AF is pretty fast (not as fast as ultrasonic motors but fast enough) when it works, but when it doesn't, it just takes its time.

U must be carrying a lemon.. I played with 6 such lens Including the vc version , none has af lock or hunting issues

 

[brapodam]

U must be carrying a lemon.. I played with 6 such lens Including the vc version , none has af lock or hunting issues

Was yours the BIM or non-BIM version?

 

[Cowseye]

VC was a later technology than built in motor for Tamron. As far as I could remember, all the tamron lens with VC included has also built-in AF motor.

 

[daredevil123]

If you're using a D3100, I would suggest you stay away from the Tamron lenses without USD/PZD. From my experience, the BIM (built-in-motor) versions of their lenses, or at least the 17-50, have problems focusing sometimes, and hunt a lot, refusing to lock focus. The AF is pretty fast (not as fast as ultrasonic motors but fast enough) when it works, but when it doesn't, it just takes its time.

Is your front element loose? If it is loose, AF will become iffy. All you need to do is to tighten it back... here is how to do it.

[vid]IiOj-7MAO_w[/vid]

 

[brapodam]

Is your front element loose? If it is loose, AF will become iffy. All you need to do is to tighten it back... here is how to do it.

[vid]IiOj-7MAO_w[/vid]

I sold mine long ago though...

 

[Omega23]

Was yours the BIM or non-BIM version?

Bim types I did compare with non Bim the speed is slightly faster..

 

[daredevil123]

I sold mine long ago though...

Good way to end your problems.

 

[hcchua73]

just got myself a tammy 17-50 vc to use with my d7000. also thought I had focusing issue but I took a bit of time to play with the AF mode. finally worked out that my copy is sharp when using the 39 point focus mode. any other will give blur images. decided to post this as a ref for other tammy + d7k owners. happy snapping!

 

[Guapo]

just got myself a tammy 17-50 vc to use with my d7000. also thought I had focusing issue but I took a bit of time to play with the AF mode. finally worked out that my copy is sharp when using the 39 point focus mode. any other will give blur images. decided to post this as a ref for other tammy + d7k owners. happy snapping!

ow much u got it and where ?

 

[Guapo]

the Tamron 17-50 is a very good lens, just that the focus ring moves during AF & the focusing is realllyyy loud. (as compared to AF-S lens)
U dont have to really replace the 35/1.8 with the tamron..

Infact I'm considering getting a 35/1.8 to complement my tammy myself as well.

What is ur reason for not replacing the 35/1.8 ?

 

[luckyorange]

What is ur reason for not replacing the 35/1.8 ?

hmm i believe its up to preference.

for me i mostly use 35mm or 50mm prime. as i believe i can zoom in with my leg haha

 

[Cowseye]

What is ur reason for not replacing the 35/1.8 ?

Simple! Cos there isn't a F/1.8 zoom lens!

 

[luckyorange]

Simple! Cos there isn't a F/1.8 zoom lens!

hahaha true true... after 1.8 very soon will think of 1.4

 

[nikonriana]

Nikon 17-55mm is razor sharp, buy it if image quality is the most important factor in your purchase decision. Else get the Tamron.

I beg a differ, but with no offence... I bought a 17-55 before and it was lacking of sharpness below 30mm..send for nikon to calibrate like no difference.. i think it depends on their batch production... for sharpness... haha just my 2 cent

 

[vagrant10]

I was stuck with the same question as thread starter weeks before too. However due to budget constrain I decided not to think about it. I was lucky enough to borrow tammy from my fren to test.

sharpness and colors - i find still acceptable to me
AF can be pretty slow at times, if u need to shoot events like wedding ADs, sometimes it may cost u to lose certain moments.

however in view of the amount u are paying for a f2.8 zoom, i suppose it's consider worth it.

alternatively u can try sigma within the similar range, (heard that their AF is more faster) cost around 1k if my pricing is still update.

 

[Nubzz]

What is ur reason for not replacing the 35/1.8 ?

They serve very different purposes.

My tammy is my general walkaround lens. But a prime lens makes the camera alot ligher for longer walkarounds, or when i need IQ or more of the f1.8.

 

[Nubzz]

This was a quick shot i took under a rather low light situation (dont mind my composition ;p)

1/5s, ISO 1600, F2.8 .

 

[Guapo]

hmm i believe its up to preference.

for me i mostly use 35mm or 50mm prime. as i believe i can zoom in with my leg haha

U can zoom with ur legs. I know that n do that.
But u cannot un-zoom.
Sometimes i feel the 35mm is gets too tight in close quarters.
I always have to get my subjects to move further away from me or change location which can be convenient at times.
I tend to shoot more faces/bodies than scenery.

Guess i have to answer my own questions from here on.

 

[Guapo]

This was a quick shot i took under a rather low light situation (dont mind my composition ;p)

1/5s, ISO 1600, F2.8 .

looks good to me.
Can share how much u got it for and where ?