REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

JordanLee · 04-21-2009, 08:02 PM

Hello everyone, looking for this fast everyday lens. Shoot me a price. Thanks

ddr · 04-22-2009, 12:56 AM

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-TAMRON-AF-17-...1%7C240%3A1318

i just bought one from this seller, fast trackable shipping and it's within Canada. best price i could find so far (brand new).

locally shops wanted 629.99+tax, and on craigslist i offered someone 400 and they told me to try better (for used)

JordanLee · 04-22-2009, 01:38 AM

Woah thats a SUPER good price for a new lens. Yeah I offered some guys on CL 400 too and no bites. Thanks for the heads up, might go for it.

77civic1200 · 04-22-2009, 06:11 AM

The Tamron isn't a lens I would want to buy off the internet. There is some definite sample variation, I think I would rather be able to test a few out in the store to check sharpness first.

ddr · 04-22-2009, 10:47 AM

How would one tell a sharp copy from a non sharp one? I don't think the guy at the store would admit to handing u a non-sharp copy. any other lens we should watch out for?

jlo mein · 04-23-2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77civic1200

The Tamron isn't a lens I would want to buy off the internet. There is some definite sample variation, I think I would rather be able to test a few out in the store to check sharpness first.

If I were to test this out in store, how would I know how sharp it is supposed to be? Would I be testing out two and comparing which one is sharper? That ebay seller is offering it at a very tempting price (plus 5% GST but no PST), and ships within Canada.

BTW: has anyone found a comparison between the Tamron AF 17-50mm XR F/2.8 Di II Lens and the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens? I have heard the Sigma can sometimes suffer from front/back focusing, however it is much quieter than the Tamron which everyone complains has a loud focus motor.

I'm currently using my kit lens with the Canon XS (18-55mm IS) and like the photos it takes, but would like more speed in low light and a more shallow depth of field. I also own a Canon 50mm f/1.8 and Canon 55-250mm IS.

Alatar · 04-23-2009, 05:32 PM

I just got my Tamron yesterday. From all the readups online, the Sigma 18-50 isn't as sharp, isn't as quick to focus, and just generally gets poorer reviews (even though it costs more).

The difference between the kit lens (I have the XS too) and the Tamron 17-50... amazing.

I snapped a couple of quick shots at work today, www.flickr.com/photos/alatar/ if you want to look. All the other pictures in my flickr were taken with the kit lens, and there's definitely a noticeable difference. I did all the shots at work free-hand too.

77civic1200 · 04-23-2009, 09:42 PM

There's no really great way of testing it in store, unless you bring a laptop to check full size files. I tried a couple of lenses in store, taking pics out the door, and of anything inside with writing on it. Text is a good way to tell sharpness, but I was still using the cameras lcd which isn't the best. Zoom in all the way, and you can still tell if its sharp or not.

syee · 04-24-2009, 08:05 AM

Wow, people are asking so much for a 17-50 nowadays? A few months ago, I sold my first 17-50 for $400 (including a Hoya UV filter). My second 17-50 the guy only gave me $375 towards a trade for his 17-55 2.8 (I had originally asked for $400)...seems the value has gone up a bit since then.

604_Marc · 04-24-2009, 12:43 PM

I suggest you go to Photo Expert in Delta. Great people there and they usually keep this Tammy in stock.

77civic1200 · 04-24-2009, 02:10 PM

I am pretty sure my bill came out to almost exactly $600 after taxes with a decent UV filter. $450 seems to be the average asking price, seems fair to me considering the lens is fairly new to the market (2-3 years?)

Alatar · 04-24-2009, 03:12 PM

Tamron upped their MSRP/cost on the lens, so you won't really find it cheaper than $630ish + tax locally now. Used to be around the $500 + tax range locally.

ddr · 04-25-2009, 10:23 AM

just got mine from the ebay seller and photog nerd friend says it's sharp copy, but i already got it so sharp or not watever lol

HUGE difference from stock lens tho. that i must say.

they gonna tell me which one is sharp and which one is not in Delta? lol

JordanLee · 04-25-2009, 03:31 PM

^ Thanks for the heads up. Going to go to that shop in Delta to check it out. Thanks for all the insight guys. Seems like a great lens!

barqy · 04-29-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonone

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-TAMRON-AF-17-...1%7C240%3A1318

i just bought one from this seller, fast trackable shipping and it's within Canada. best price i could find so far (brand new).

locally shops wanted 629.99+tax, and on craigslist i offered someone 400 and they told me to try better (for used)

how much did you guys offer the seller?

if the copy you receive isn't sharp, can you send it off to tamron for calibration?

ddr · 05-17-2009, 05:20 PM

I offered him 20 less and he counter offered me 10 more than my offer

JordanLee · 05-17-2009, 11:15 PM

^ I countered 325US from 375 and he counter offered with 360. I then counteroffered that with 350 and he accepted. I already got my filters for it and its expected to arrive this Friday. A little longer than what most people said about shipping.