yoster's reviews

  • Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR Aspherical IF Macro AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Fantastic IQ, sharp, Great Range, REALLY good colors, not much purple fringing, smooth zoom, focus fairly quick, compact, GREAT bang for buck, no zoom creep (has zoom lock but doesn't need it), has nice, sturdy hood
    Wish it went down to 18mm, a bit slow at 3.8(4)-5.6, body plastic 'creaks' at times when zooming

    I have to say, I love this lens. I bought it last year on clearance as new old stock for $96 + $10 shipping. Came with a full warranty.

    I'm using this on a Sony a55. I wasn't expecting SUPER great performance at such a low price, and didn't expect to use it a ton being that it's not 18mm and is a bit slow.

    I was wrong. If I'm outside, I use this lens. I'm blown away with the picture quality vs price ratio. This is sharp all the way up to 200mm - I use this over my 70-300mm lens because the sharpness at 200mm is better than my 70-300mm at 200, plus it has less purple fringing.

    The zoom is smooth, but it does 'creak' if in hot weather. Not sure why, it's still smooth and doesn't feel like it's being stressed or anything. The focus is acceptable fast. Not blazing, not slow either. I think the focus motor on the a55 helps out a lot with this.

    I team this lens up to my Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 (AWESOME lens - holds F2.8 throughout entire zoom range - tack sharp) and I have the perfect "one two punch." I have a 50mm F1.8 prime and a Tamron 70-300mm, but neither of those see much use now that I have this 17-50mm F2.8 (for low light) and the Tamron 28-200mm combo.

    Link to the Tamron 17-50mm if you're interested:
    http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/355/cat/23

    reviewed May 8th, 2012 (purchased for $106)

  • Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF SP AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    VERY sharp, fast zoom (on a sony a55,) smooth,, fast, plain awesome
    Doesn't have an internal focus motor (screw drive focus)

    10's all around for this lens. I love it. I'm not marking it down for focus motor type, because I knew that's what it had when I bought it, so it's not a 'fault.'

    It doesn't need VC, since I have that built in.

    Overall, this lens rocks. I mean, it's REALLY good. I've sold almost all my primes because this one does the job in almost every single situation I'm in.

    Despite what other say, focus is very very fast. Might be due to the camera I have though, the Sony a55.

    reviewed May 8th, 2012 (purchased for $400)