Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras
- Price: $439.00
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Not compatible with 35mm or digital cameras with image sensor larger than APS-C size
The Tamron SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] is a lightweight, compact, fast standard zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras. The focal length of this lens is equivalent to approx. 26-78mm in 35mm format.
This lens offers an f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range, to ensure stress-free photographic shots at all focal lengths and distances. Additionally, a broader photographic expression through the use of faster shutter speeds as a result of the maximum aperture offers enhanced photographic pleasure.
Note! Di-II lenses cannot be used with digital SLR cameras using image sensors that are larger than that of an APS-C size imager (e.g. 1D series), or with 35mm film SLR cameras.
- Optimized for Digital SLR
- The use of XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass optimizes the overall distribution of optical power, and also reduces various aberrations to the absolute minimum while achieving remarkable compactness. In addition, suitable positioning of two hybrid aspherical elements serves to maintain imaging performance and to shorten and compress the entire optical system.
- LD Glass
- An LD (Low Dispersion) glass element is used to accomplish effective compensation of on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations, a critical factor for enhancing optical quality in digital photography, in order to achieve outstanding optical performance over the entire zoom range.
- Enhanced Peripheral Illumination
- Peripheral light fall-off is minimized when compared with that of conventional lenses for film cameras, so images are uniformly bright from the center to the periphery.
- Internal Surface Coating to Reduce Ghosting and Flare
- By employing "Internal Surface Coatings" (i.e., multiple-layer coatings on cemented surfaces of plural elements) and multiple-layer coating technology on ordinary elements, ghosting and flare due to the reflections that occur when light enters through the front element and reflections caused by the imagers themselves are reduced to the absolute minimum.
- Zoom Lock Mechanism
- The Zoom Lock prevents unwanted barrel extension when carrying the lens/camera combination.
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 17 - 50 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/32 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF-S |
| Format Compatibility | Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 78° - 31° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 10.63" (27 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.22x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:4.5 |
| Groups/Elements | 13/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 67 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.9 x 3.2" (7.37 x 8.13 cm) |
| Weight | 15.17 oz (430 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 280 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (195)
- Consistent output (160)
- Lightweight (142)
- Easily interchangeable (109)
- Durable (99)
Cons
- Slow focus (38)
- Blurry focus (19)
- Heavy (11)
- Weak casing (11)
- Noisy focusing (7)
Best Uses
- General purpose (112)
- Landscape/scenery (86)
- Low light (83)
- Night photography (75)
- Weddings (57)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Enthusiast (71), Photo enthusiast (66), Semi-pro photographer (32), Semi-professional (27), Casual photographer (24)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (93), Yes (4)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great lens, despite it's C3PO-ness
I bought this primarily for it's speed (f/2.8). I have owned the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM for some time and have been fairly satisfied with it. However,...Read complete review
I bought this primarily for it's speed (f/2.8). I have owned the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM for some time and have been fairly satisfied with it. However, after discovering what's possible in low light conditions with the "nifty fifty" (Canon 50mm f/1.8 - the $89 lens) I wanted to add another fast wide angle lens to my collection. The Tamron 17-50 fit the bill perfectly, and it had great reviews to help make a confident purchase.
The very first thing I noticed about this lens is it's main downside (in my opinion), and that is the auto-focus noise. It reminds me of the sounds C3PO makes when he moves around. In comparison to the USM auto-focus on the Canon 17-85 which is nearly silent, the Tamron seems noisy. In a quiet room, those nearby will know you're about to take a picture when you half-press with the Tamron 17-50 attached. You're not going to be sneaking up on anyone in auto-focus mode.
With that being said, the performance of this lens is excellent; better than the Canon 17-85 IS by a good margin. I was pleasantly surprised when I downloaded the first batch of photos taken with this Tamron lens. At that point, the noisy auto-focus became a trivial issue. The colors are rich and accurate and the focus is sharp. I was worried about not having image stabilization, since I have gotten used to it with other lenses, but the Tamron is a constant f/2.8, so you don't really miss having IS. The speed of the lens really does make that much of a difference. I can shoot indoor photos without a flash at shutter speeds 2 to 3 times faster than with a f/4-5.6 lens, which is really nice.
The Tamron 17-50 has become my standard walk-around lens that I use now. The build is nice and solid, and a bit on the heavy side for it's size. The zoom is nicely dampened and stays where you put it under normal movement. The zoom lock is a nice feature, but you don't always need it since there is enough resistance that the lens doesn't easily slide out on its own.
The lens also came with a lens hood but I'm not sure it fits correctly. When fully rotated on, the hood is slightly off straight up/down.
If the auto-focus noise won't bug you, you'll dig this lens!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Good optical qualities, bad autofocus
Everyone are in doubt about choosing Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and Canon 17-40mm f/4L.
I chose Tamron because of long focal range, larger aperture, and good opticals.
But...Read complete review
Everyone are in doubt about choosing Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and Canon 17-40mm f/4L.
I chose Tamron because of long focal range, larger aperture, and good opticals.
But the lens has a contradictory thing. Despite it has larger aperture for shooting in low light conditions, it doesn't focus well in low light conditions, even though sometimes with the infrared's Flash help. I got very disappointed. The autofocus goes in steps without infrared help and lowlight conditions. That just delays your capture, making you to lose important shots. I'm considering selling this one and buy a Canon one. Also, at 17mm and f/2.8 is its weakest point. But, if you shoot majority in daylight conditions, I would recommend this one. Just don't be fooled thinking it has larger aperture for shooting in low light conditions!
Ahn, in MF the ring feels to be very fragile. And in AF, like most of you know, it is considerably noisy.
Reviewed by 280 customers
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Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
good value lens. good stand to be sharper but you pay for what you get. over all it's good.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I own 2 Canon "L" zooms (24-70 and 75-200), neither of which was wide enough for my cropped sensor T2i while doing video. But, I thoroughly tested the Tamron taking photos outdoors in sunlight and overcast, at wide ranges of zoom settings and apertures. I found the lens to be very sharp, a characteristic about which I am fanatic. It did show some purple fringing on bright objects that were not totally in focus, however. I concluded that the lens is still very much worth the price I paid, and have elected to keep it, and use it for wide views and occasional HD video. I would buy this lens again.
Let me add, that I was able to talk objectively to a B&H Tech person about this lens up front and before the purchase, and we compared it to the Canon 17-40 "L", the downside of which is that it is f/4 and costs almost twice as much. B&H was very nice about offering to let me return it or exchange it if it didn't meet my expectations. I am not only pleased with the lens, but also with my buying experience at B&H Photo. I'll be b-a-a-ck!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Inconsistent auto-focus
- Short focus ring rotation
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I had this lens for about a week and used it with Canon 60D. I was very impressed with the image quality that this lens produced. I was also pleased with its physical characteristics. It's rather compact, relatively lightweight, and well built. The noise that the lens emits when focusing did not bother me, since it's quite quick. If you want to focus manually, the ring rotation is very short, and it's a bit tricky to achieve fine focus. Unfortunately, I could not get consistent results with autofocus, especially in poor light. When you use the lens wide open, the depth of field is rather shallow, and it's much harder to achieve the result you want. This kind of defeats the advantage of having a bright lens. Because of this, I had to return the lens. However, I would still recommend it with reservations. For example, if you have time to focus manually, or can take multiple shots, or do not use wide apertures, then this is a great lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
This is a good sharp lens but it is noisy and slow to focus. Jumps around a bit and is best on manual focus.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Sharp at all focal length
Cons
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
This lens is perfect for run and gun type shoots. I use this lens mainly for video work. The constant aperture at an f2.8 is killer. I don't have to make any extra exposure adjustments as I change to the variable focal lengths this lens has. The performance of the glass is superb. Glass is ideally sharp, colors on the warmer side, not too contrasty. However, there are some downsides. For instance the plastic housing of the lens which I dislike makes it a bit fragile and also I dislike the very short focus range the lens has. Like I mentioned I use this lens for video work so having a short focus range makes it difficult for me to pull/rack critical focus. At this price range though you really can't complain. If you're on a low budget, this lens will work very well for you. And plus it's hard to find a variable focal length lens at the range of 17-50 with a constant aperture f2.8 at this relatively low price. If you're on the fence try and at least rent one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Depth of Field
- Fast
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Zoom Ring Direction
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I've had this lens for a couple of weeks (attached to my Canon 60D). So far, no complaints about image quality once I figured out why I was getting so much vignetting.
Turns out my 60D does not have data for this lens so that it can correctly adjust for 'Lens Peripheral Illumination'...or vignetting. Took me a while to figure this one out, as I was initially very disappointed with how obvious this was on every photo I took...at both ends of the zoom scale.
So, apparently, if the 60D does not have data for a particular lens (and since this isn't a Canon lens, I'm not surprised that it doesnt...) leaving the default setting of 'Enabled' for this feature in the Camera settings causes some nasty vignetting of its own...regardless of the lens's propensity to vignette (or not). Once I disabled this setting, the images cleaned up nicely.
All in all, I am loving this lens. Very fast, nice shallow depth of field. Turning the zoom ring the opposite direction from my Canon lenses takes a little getting used to, but no biggie.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
Love this Lens! Perfect for all around use. This is my most used Lens. I opted not to get VC for a clear picture so camera shake is a little issue if not used on a tripod.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I use my cannon 60D for video production, The addition of my new 17-50mm F/2.8 lens allows me to be even more creative/versatile during my Live Event coverage's. Awesome Lens!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
Lense is sharp and clear. Catches alot of light, no lense creep. Comes with lense hood
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
Cons
- Tough To Attach
Best Uses
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I was using mainly a fixed lens (35mm) on my Canon T2i and wanted another one with a wider angle plus a bit of zoom. This was the answer.
I did some extensive research, read a ton of reviews and felt that this would be it even without trying it first. The contender was the Sigma semi-equivalent. The lens is heavier than what I'm used to, but it speaks to the sturdiness of the lens.
Images are tack sharp and the colors are vibrant. Happy that it came with a lens hood too. This will likely be the lens that stays on all the time - i mostly take shots of my children and people, but I like the flexibility to take some scenic shots with this one too.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Nice colors
- Sharp at wide
Cons
- Looks kinda cheap
- Loud focus motor
- Ugly bokeh
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
This lens is just amazing at 17mm. No matter if open all the way to 2.8 or closed at 7.1 and more, it will reproduce sharp images and beautiful dynamic colors.
On the other side, I thought this Tamron could be used for portraits at 50mm and come close to Canon 50mm 1.8 Ii, but I got disappointed. Colors are not so vivid and bokeh is not as pretty as on Canon.
Built is OK, doesn't look cheap but doesn't look strong either. Plus, focus noise is loud, and that helps with impression that it's cheap lens. But image quality is what counts.
I have it for a couple weeks so far and in general, I'm happy with choice I made between this lens and Canon's 17-40mm.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by marko
SWAN House, Atlanta, GA
Images shared by marko
Atlanta History Center's Farm House
(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
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- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I've only had this lens for about a week now and I'm impressed of the picture quality this lens delivers. If you are like me, looking for a lens that performs well for an excellent price, you should highly consider taking a look into this piece of glass.
The only negative thing I have to say about it is the focusing at times may be off.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Sharp at all focal length
- Strong Construction
Cons
- No Image Stabilization
- noisy AutoFocus
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I use this lens as my all around lens for my canon rebel T2i. I just began exploring its possibilities, and so far, I have had great luck.
Pros:
It is a significant upgrade in quality and clarity of picture from the kit lens.
It is fast, allowing more opportunity to take pictures in low light settings.
The auto focus is fast and does not miss shots (unless due to operator error) despite its slight noisiness.
Cons:
No Image Stabilization, which seems to be the biggest difference between it and the Cannon 17-55 f/2.8. I still maintain that at half the price, the Tamron is the better deal. (Many professional reviews noted that the picture quality is comparable for both.) With the fast aperture, IS is not as important, though it would be useful.
Noisy, but not obnoxious, focusing. It is noisier than my canon lenses, but I would not be afraid to use it in a quite setting.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
Have not removed from camera since purchasing, the ultimate standard for reviewing any product. Takes great photos, easy to use, lightweight. Many more keepers when compared to slower lenses. 1st Tamron purchase, and making 2nd purchase later this month. Excellent quality and craftmanship, and a 6 year warranty. Top that Canon.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by OptimusPrime
Plant On Back Porch
Images shared by OptimusPrime
Evening in the Neighborhood
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Strong Construction
- Very useful focal length
Cons
- Slightly Noisy AF Motor
Best Uses
- General Purpose
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I am currently using this lens primarily as a tool to improve my photography skills. What really turned me onto this lens is that, even while I expect to improve things like framing, compositions, etc., I will be able to use this lens well into the future because of it's remarkable quality.
What I really like about this lens is the image clarity, the speed, and the heavier weight of the lens, which suggests a quality lens even before using it it in the field. All of these elements combine to make a very solid, capable lens in my opinion.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I love this lens! Its attached the body of my 7D at all times. The autofocus is not so great in low light conditions. However, you can't beat the price!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
i use this as my primary lens its great with close up shots for music videos.
it gives a really crisp image and just betters my quality.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Fast
- Lightweight
- Sharp
Cons
- Build Quality
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
Very nice, light, fast lens. good for travel ...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
I'm more of a hobbyist photographer, but certainly more into it than the general soccer dad. I decided to purchase this lens with a T3i body. My thinking was that I'd get better photos for slightly less than if I went with a 60D with a stock lens. And I feel I made the right choice. It does well indoors, the optics are crisp, and the focus is fairly fast. No complaints. And it came with a lens hood; a very nice surprise since the threads are larger than any other lens I have.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS Digital Cameras:
My new Tamron 17-50 2.8 sits proudly on my Nikon D7000. The images it produces are simply fantastic at all f-stops. The lens is well-built, has a solid feel and is light weight. The focusing is not noisy at all and locks into focus very fast. I highly recommend this lens for anyone wanting a fast, quality lens in a wide to medium zoom range at a very attractive price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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