Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Review
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) (model A16) is a fast autofocus zoom with constant fastest f/ 2.8 for APS-C cameras.
Lens produced from 2006 through 2009, after which a version replaced him with the stabilizer with another optical circuit. There are versions for almost all systems in this review version for Nikon (Made in China).
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Specifications
Focal length: 17—50mm
Aperture: f/ 2.8 — f/ 32
Weight (gr): 434
Length (mm): 82
Filter Ø (mm.): 67
Aperture blades: 7
Min. focus distance (m.): 0.27
Handling and Mechanics
The lens has a plastic barrel; the construction is flimsy. But unlike Nikkor, kit lenses have a metal bayonet mount, which pleases.
Dimensions are comfortable, well-seated on the camera. Under focus ring is a golden strip, on which is written the name of the lens «Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F / 2.8 (IF) Aspherical LD XR Di II A16». The kit also includes a plastic hood, which is fixed by the bayonet. It also puts in the opposite direction. This is useful when transporting the lens.
Focusing and Zooming
Most of the barrel takes a broad zoom ring. It rubberized. While the lens is new, everything is fine, but after two years of intensive use, the rubber on my lens start to come unstuck and deflate. This is a bad moment.
On zooming, a 50mm lens is extended toward 3 cm.
It is not extended by itself, but still, a button latch «Lock» locks the zoom
ring. It is on the right near the lens mount.
Personally, I did not use it, but it is a useful thing on reviews of other photographers. The lens has an internal focus. When focusing, the lens does not change its size. The lens is designed that to be used in the AF mode. Therefore, the focus ring is narrow and located on the front of the barrel. It is not so usable and rotates only 45 degrees. But the focus in the manual mode available is good. On the left side near the bayonet is a switch «AF / MF» to switch between automatic and manual focus.
Autofocus will work on all models of Nikon cameras because the lens is equipped with a built-in motor. This also means that depending on the copy can manifest front or back focus. Therefore I recommend checking the lens when buying. Autofocus a bit slower than Nikkor lenses, but overall I was pleased with the speed. When focusing, the front lens does not rotate.
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Sample Photos
All examples are taken on the Nikon D3100, the output from RAW without any post-processing.
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 Sharpness
The lens shows good sharpness with a wide-open already on the entire zoom range. Well fixed all kinds of aberrations.
17mm f/ 2.8
100% crop of the previous image
50mm f/ 2.8
100% crop of the previous image
50mm f/ 2.8
50mm f/ 2.8
50mm f/ 2.8
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 Character and Bokeh
Personally, I have not noticed any interest in the character of the lens.
50mm f/ 2.8
50mm f/ 2.8 Sharpness, contrast, everything is fine, but at the same time boring. The picture plane and uninteresting, even at 50 mm focal length.
38mm f/ 5.6
50mm f/ 4
50mm f/ 4 Boke, in general, is nice, but it seemed uninteresting. I would not use this lens for art photography.
50mm f/ 5.6
24mm f/ 4
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 Contrast and Color Render
The lens has good contrast. The colors are bright, vivid.
45mm f/ 2.8
17mm f/ 4
50mm f/ 5.6 It copes even very strong backlit.
17 mm f / 5.6 example in a strong backlit
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 Distortion and Vignetting
The wide-angle lens has a strong barrel distortion. Be careful when taking pictures of people and group photos.
17mm f/ 2.8
17mm f/ 2.8
17mm f/ 2.8 Also, there is vignetting, which is not noticeable after f / 4.
Summary
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) is a good fast zoom lens. Perfect replacement for a kit zoom.
27mm f/ 2.8 Attracted by its fastest and price. Convenient for reportage shooting, but for the art is boring.
50mm f/ 2.8 It has variations in quality. Therefore, when buying is necessary to check the sharpness and the front/back focus.
34mm f/ 2.8
17mm f/ 6.3