Help: Which f/2.8 Lens?

zyanchua · 17th May 2008

Hi all, I would like to seek your opinion on the following 2 lenses which I am considering now:
1) Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
2) Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP XR Di II LD

I don't have issue on the ranges they covered. The 5mm less for the Tamron lens is fine for me. But we know that the Nikon lens is way more expensive than the Tamron, is it worth the money to buy the Nikon lens? What is the disadvantages of Tamron lens as compared to the Nikon one?

Many thanks in advance

sin77 · 17th May 2008

nikkon one got VR or not?
wat is the price difference?

giantcanopy · 17th May 2008

Nope no VR
The Nikon shld be at least 2.1k +. Tamron I am not sure but will definitely be much cheaper.

Here is a similar thread with similar discussions between the two :
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=323068

And a thread for more objective information, but subjective opinions
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...9&changemode=1
Ryan

catchlights · 17th May 2008

I have the Nikon lens and it is best lens to be use on DX format for it range.
I try the Tamron lens on a same model camera body as mine, the focusing is too slow for my liking.

somebody commented the image quality is similar, which I do not really want make a comparison since the lens focusing is too slow.

maybe for others, due to the great price different of this two lens, will really looking at the Tamron lens.

btw, the Tamron lens is only about one third of the Nikon lens.

JustHobby · 18th May 2008

Shared: Bought my Tamron F2.8 at Thailand. Cheaper over there than here.

sunboi80 · 18th May 2008

the tamron one oly $600+ so it's less than 1/3 the price of the nikon... I did not use the nikon 17-55 before, but the IQ of this budget lens is quite good i would say...
i dun think the focus is slow... no doubt it's slower than my 50m f1.8 but a only 1/3 the price of the nikon this is definitely a good buy...

zyanchua · 18th May 2008

Slow focus? Is it slower than kit lenses, such is Nikon 18-55? My main purpose is to use it for indoor event shoots such as birthday party or dinner outing. So is the focus of the Tamron lens suitable for my purpose?

calebk · 20th May 2008

Originally Posted by zyanchua

Slow focus? Is it slower than kit lenses, such is Nikon 18-55? My main purpose is to use it for indoor event shoots such as birthday party or dinner outing. So is the focus of the Tamron lens suitable for my purpose?

Not slower per-se. It is dependent on lighting too. If light is too dim, the Tamron is unable to lock focus and will hunt; it gets very irritating when that happens.

bomby929 · 20th May 2008

Never used the Nikon b4, but just got the tamron one with Motor..

1) Image quality is there. Sharp.
2) Focus is slow, but hey.. I got 2nd hand for $550. Slow in the sense that for Nikon lens.. it hunt and focus. While this tamron.. hunts focus and fine tune.. and the fine tune part is slow.

Compare to the Nikkor Lens I have like the 16-85mm and 50mm F1.4.. would say that the colour contrast is not as good.. but good enough for that price. It does not fall behind... much. Pictures straight out from the cam is usable.

zyanchua · 20th May 2008

Thanks for all the info. I should be buying the Tamron lens, probably a 2nd hand one.

17th May 2008	#1
zyanchua New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 10	Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? Hi all, I would like to seek your opinion on the following 2 lenses which I am considering now: 1) Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED 2) Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP XR Di II LD I don't have issue on the ranges they covered. The 5mm less for the Tamron lens is fine for me. But we know that the Nikon lens is way more expensive than the Tamron, is it worth the money to buy the Nikon lens? What is the disadvantages of Tamron lens as compared to the Nikon one? Many thanks in advance

17th May 2008	#2
sin77 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 932	Re: Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? nikkon one got VR or not? wat is the price difference? __________________ Nikon D90, SB600, 18-200mm VRII, Tamron 28-75mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8, Lumix FZ18, Fujifilm F31fd.

17th May 2008	#3
giantcanopy Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northerner Posts: 3,968	Re: Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? Nope no VR The Nikon shld be at least 2.1k +. Tamron I am not sure but will definitely be much cheaper. Here is a similar thread with similar discussions between the two : http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=323068 And a thread for more objective information, but subjective opinions http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...9&changemode=1 Ryan __________________ Kaleidoscopy & Singapore Shave! Shaving Jedi

17th May 2008	#4
catchlights Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Punggol Posts: 10,793	Re: Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? I have the Nikon lens and it is best lens to be use on DX format for it range. I try the Tamron lens on a same model camera body as mine, the focusing is too slow for my liking. somebody commented the image quality is similar, which I do not really want make a comparison since the lens focusing is too slow. maybe for others, due to the great price different of this two lens, will really looking at the Tamron lens. btw, the Tamron lens is only about one third of the Nikon lens. __________________ Shoot to Live, Live to Shoot www.foto-u.com \| www.benjaminloo.com \| email

18th May 2008	#5
JustHobby New Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 9	Re: Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? Shared: Bought my Tamron F2.8 at Thailand. Cheaper over there than here.

18th May 2008	#6
sunboi80 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West of SG Posts: 606	Re: Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? the tamron one oly $600+ so it's less than 1/3 the price of the nikon... I did not use the nikon 17-55 before, but the IQ of this budget lens is quite good i would say... i dun think the focus is slow... no doubt it's slower than my 50m f1.8 but a only 1/3 the price of the nikon this is definitely a good buy... __________________ ;) L-plate Photog: I come, I see, I shoot

18th May 2008	#7
zyanchua New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 10	Re: Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? Slow focus? Is it slower than kit lenses, such is Nikon 18-55? My main purpose is to use it for indoor event shoots such as birthday party or dinner outing. So is the focus of the Tamron lens suitable for my purpose?

20th May 2008	#9
bomby929 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 294	Re: Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? Never used the Nikon b4, but just got the tamron one with Motor.. 1) Image quality is there. Sharp. 2) Focus is slow, but hey.. I got 2nd hand for $550. Slow in the sense that for Nikon lens.. it hunt and focus. While this tamron.. hunts focus and fine tune.. and the fine tune part is slow. Compare to the Nikkor Lens I have like the 16-85mm and 50mm F1.4.. would say that the colour contrast is not as good.. but good enough for that price. It does not fall behind... much. Pictures straight out from the cam is usable. __________________ Nikon D700

20th May 2008	#10
zyanchua New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 10	Re: Help: Which f/2.8 Lens? Thanks for all the info. I should be buying the Tamron lens, probably a 2nd hand one.