Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Review

05/03/2015 - 12:43
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.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

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. Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

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.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

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. Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

On zooming, a 50mm lens is extended toward 3 cm.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

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.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

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.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

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. Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) test

17mm f/ 2.8

100% crop of the previous image

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) test

50mm f/ 2.8

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) test

100% crop of the previous image

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

50mm f/ 2.8

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

50mm f/ 2.8

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

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.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

50mm f/ 2.8

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

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.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

38mm f/ 5.6

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

50mm f/ 4

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

50mm f/ 4 Boke, in general, is nice, but it seemed uninteresting. I would not use this lens for art photography.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

50mm f/ 5.6

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

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.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

45mm f/ 2.8

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

17mm f/ 4

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

50mm f/ 5.6 It copes even very strong backlit.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

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. Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

17mm f/ 2.8

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

17mm f/ 2.8

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

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. Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

27mm f/ 2.8 Attracted by its fastest and price. Convenient for reportage shooting, but for the art is boring.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

50mm f/ 2.8 It has variations in quality. Therefore, when buying is necessary to check the sharpness and the front/back focus.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

34mm f/ 2.8

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) samples

17mm f/ 6.3





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