A lens question

Andyman · September 9, 2006

I've been checking out a couple lenses lately and I wondered if anyone has any experience or knowledge about the: Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] and the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S EX Zoom.

Aside from the 50/55mm difference, is there anything different about the Nikon that might justify the higher price? I believe the Nikon sells for ~$1200 and, while listed at $763, I can get the Tamron at a local shop for ~$470.

Thank you : ).

ziggy53 · September 9, 2006

PhotoZone tested the Tamron and it looks pretty good to me compared to the Nikon.

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_1750_28_nikon/index.htm
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/nikkor_1755_28/index.htm

I have a very nice Sigma 18-50mm, f2.8, that is also available in a Nikon mount, but the Tamron CA performance seems to beat the Sigma by a considerable margin.

Make no mistake, the Nikon is the best of the bunch and even has weather sealing and 9 blade aperture and silent-wave motor, if that's important to you.

I sure looks to me like that Tamron is an exceptional value and close to the image quality of the Nikkor.

ziggy53

Tee Why · September 10, 2006

may want to do a search on the Nikon forum for the Tamron, I remember someone posting samples from both and they were comparable in my view.

Andyman · September 11, 2006

Thanks guys. That's good information for a lower-budget, college student like me.

ballentphoto · September 11, 2006

Andyman wrote:

Thanks guys. That's good information for a lower-budget, college student like me.

I have the 17-55DX and love it!!!

Check my site about 90% of the pictures there are with that lens

Tee Why · September 11, 2006

I have a Canon so I don't know much about the Nikon lens but I have the Tamron 17-50 for the Canon. Build feel is so so but the optics are excellent and in a pro class. A great deal of a lens. I would recommend it whole heartedly. Photozone.de has a review of it for the Nikon version if memory serves me right.

Andyman · September 12, 2006

Those photos help, ballentphoto. Thanks! And Tee Why, thanks for the site - it has reviews of both the lenses and some other stuff I was looking for.

ballentphoto · September 12, 2006

Andyman wrote:

Those photos help, ballentphoto. Thanks! And Tee Why, thanks for the site - it has reviews of both the lenses and some other stuff I was looking for.

No problem, good luck on your decision.

JoeL · September 12, 2006

One suggestion on a place to purchase,,

www.kehcamera.com

A lens question

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