Recently, comrade Dans made a transit in Singapore from Japan before heading to Indonesia, I took the chance to get him to get me a lens which I have been eyeing for quite sometime since it was much cheaper in Japan compared to the local prices. Meet the Tamron 17-50mm.
Almost a year ago, I wanted to get this lens, except it dd not have vibration compensation (VC) at that time. Thankfully I did not get it at that time or else I would not have gotten the VC version of this lens this year. Instead I bought a 50mm prime which I carried and used almost all the time for the past year. The decision to buy a better zoom lens than my 18-55 Nikon kit lens was fueled by the fact that it was pretty difficult to take landscape shots with the 50mm, and the kit lens feels optically much weaker than the 50mm prime even though it’s a pretty good lens by itself.
As mentioned, VC stands for vibration compensation, Nikon lenes call it Vibration Reduction, Canon and Sony calls it Image Stabilization. The SP on the box means SUPER PERFORMANCE and this lens’s performance is pretty impressive. There’s a whole lot of 2 lettered acronyms for the whole name and each one represents some feature which the lens trouts; But I don’t really give a damm about all the technical jargon.
Box had lots of paper and cards in it, can’t read them though.
The signature Tamron petal hood; Made in Philippines, which is unlike the body, Made in Japan.
A great lens. Wanted to do a write up on it before I went to Indonesia over the weekend but it was pretty rushed and I did not have the time. I got the lens the night before I left for Indonesia and I brought it over for a 4 day test drive over in Indonesia. It was amazing. All my shots in Indo were taken by it.
On a side note, I bought a 2nd hand Nikkon 55-200. Always wanted a longer zoom range so that I could take pretty girls in the street without their knowledge.
Amazingly, the 55-200 isn’t as big and heavy as I thought it to be. It’s pretty rugged and small compared to my friend’s Minolta beer can, only slightly taller than Nendoroid Drossel when fully retracted. Doubt I’ll use this much though, the lens is very situation specific and I love to get up close with the Tamron and the 50mm prime. This 55-200 would probably sit on my D40 body for times when I need it.
So there you have it, the 3 lenses in my arsenal.
Nikon D40 with Tamron 17-50mm attached with the Nikkor 55-200mm at the side.
Danbo on the Docks; Nikon D90, Tamron 17-50mm, f/29 1/50 ISO 200 17mm.
Awesome last pic! mind if i use it as wallpaper?
Feel Free!
Nice Tamron lens. I also wish to get that lens.
Now you are all armed and ready to go (and snipe all those girls
).
It’s a good buy if you only need 50mm max, if not I would recommend the Nikkon 18-200mmVR. It’s a 1 lens solution for the whole range and I would have gotten it if I didn’t want to try out the Tamron.
I’ve heard good things about that Tamron. I’m jealous!
Cool a new adquisition.
In looking myself for a new lense for my DSLR: The 50mm lens.