Reading mode: Light Dark

Newbie needs recommendations: 17-40 f/4L or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

Go to last post
R

rheidzan

Member
Messages
34
Reaction score
0
Location
Los Angeles, US
Hello guys... newbie here...

I'm contemplating b/w exchanging my Tamron 17-50 that I got a few days ago with 17-40L, just b/c it's an "L" series lens.

I'd like a little bit of your suggestions and recommendations, especially if you've tried both...

Thank you very much...
 
are you not happy with the Tamron? I wouldn't get the 17-40 just because it is an L lens. I have the 17-40 and love it, but I have a 5D and the tamron won't work with the 5D. I would like to have f/2.8 in the wide end, without the wieght and cost of the 16-35.

The 17-40 is a great lens on film and full frame. I don't think you will benifit from it on a crop body.
 
My Tamron copy is not sharp, that's why I'm contemplating as to exchanging it with a Canon lens. I have the 28-135 kit lens that came with my 40d, and it is way sharper....
 
I love my 17-40. It stays on my 30D for just about everything except portraits and wildlife. Well, not exactly true, at 40mm it can be used for portraits if you don't mind a backround. It's tough. Mine took a 4ft fall into a concrete floor. Still works just fine. It's only F4, but you just bump up the ISO. I would not be without mine. It only really shows how good it is when you print. Lovely color and contrast. Mine is sharper at 40mm than 17mm. I even use it for photographing ugle toads up close ;> )



Other examples at http://www.pbase.com/gsl007
 
Compared to the 17-40 the 17-50 is as sharp or sharper, lighter, has a greater range and is a 2.8 lens. You can compare at http://www.photozone.de or other sites. The 17-40 is an ultrawide made for full frame.

If your 17-50 is not sharper than the 28-135 you must have a bad copy or a problem with the camera focusing.
rheidzan said:
My Tamron copy is not sharp, that's why I'm contemplating as to
exchanging it with a Canon lens. I have the 28-135 kit lens that came
with my 40d, and it is way sharper....
Click to expand...
 
Get rid of the Tamron if its not sharp and consider the 17-40 or the 17-55 2.8. I have both and the 17-55 is an excellent lens and the 17-40 gets as good remarks as the 16-35 at 1/2 the price.

Kent
 
Try to send your Tammy to be fixed/calibrated to it's manufacturer. It has six years warranty. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP is faster and sharper than Canon 17-40mm f/4 L.

--
Rod

40D, XTi cameras. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MK (I).Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP and 90mm f/2.8 SP macro lenses.
 
4u2c said:
Try to send your Tammy to be fixed/calibrated to it's manufacturer.
It has six years warranty. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP is faster and
sharper than Canon 17-40mm f/4 L.
Click to expand...
faster and sharper that 17-40mm f4 L? I would like you to prove that by posting 2 photos of both lenses so we can win some vacuous arguments, such as yours, also. I have the 17-40mm f4 and it is an outstanding lens. The color saturation, contrast, and sharpness beat sigma and Tamron lenses hands down from what I have seen. I have tried some of sigma and Tmron lenses and they $uck big time, they are not in the same league as Canon or Nikon lenses, period. NEVER AGAIN!

cheerz.
4u2c said:
--
Rod

40D, XTi cameras. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
MK (I).Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP and 90mm f/2.8 SP macro lenses.
Click to expand...
 
rebel99 said:
4u2c said:
Try to send your Tammy to be fixed/calibrated to it's manufacturer.
It has six years warranty. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP is faster and
sharper than Canon 17-40mm f/4 L.
Click to expand...
faster and sharper that 17-40mm f4 L? I would like you to prove that
by posting 2 photos of both lenses so we can win some vacuous
arguments, such as yours, also. I have the 17-40mm f4 and it is an
outstanding lens. The color saturation, contrast, and sharpness beat
sigma and Tamron lenses hands down from what I have seen. I have
tried some of sigma and Tmron lenses and they $uck big time, they are
not in the same league as Canon or Nikon lenses, period. NEVER AGAIN!

cheerz.
Click to expand...
Faster means 2.8 against f/4. Tamron @ 2.8 and it still sharp.



Sharper and good contrast. Tamron @ f/16.



Now, show me what you got!
rebel99 said:
rebel99 said:
--
Rod

40D, XTi cameras. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
MK (I).Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP and 90mm f/2.8 SP macro lenses.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Rod

40D, XTi cameras. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MK (I).Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP and 90mm f/2.8 SP macro lenses.
 
rebel99 said:
4u2c said:
Try to send your Tammy to be fixed/calibrated to it's manufacturer.
It has six years warranty. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP is faster and
sharper than Canon 17-40mm f/4 L.
Click to expand...
faster and sharper that 17-40mm f4 L? I would like you to prove that
by posting 2 photos of both lenses so we can win some vacuous
arguments, such as yours, also. I have the 17-40mm f4 and it is an
outstanding lens. The color saturation, contrast, and sharpness beat
sigma and Tamron lenses hands down from what I have seen. I have
tried some of sigma and Tmron lenses and they $uck big time, they are
not in the same league as Canon or Nikon lenses, period. NEVER AGAIN!

cheerz.
Click to expand...
Here's more samples with both lenses:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?FLI=0&API=0&Lens=100&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2&LensComp=400&CameraComp=396&SampleComp=0&Camera=396

Where is your samples?

--
Rod

40D, XTi cameras. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MK (I).Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP and 90mm f/2.8 SP macro lenses.
 
I'd go back and compare your lens with another Tamron 17-50 and exchange. If not get your lens calibrated.

Dont expect much more (if any) in the way of image quality from the 17-40 only build quality will be improved.

Been there done that with a Sigma.... i should have saved my money.

Wont be doing it again in a hurry
 
Yes, this is absolutely right. I got one for my D30 (which I finally replaced with a 10D) and I took many many shots I was really happy with. Colour, contrast and AF accuracy were all good. It is fabulous on the 5D but still a great lens on the crop

bodies. I complimented this with 24-105L later but the 17-40 still has the edge in the crosover ranges. I can recommend it.
 
Thank you for your recommendations.

I will keep my Tamron after thinking it throughly, and since the majority of the posts highly recommend it.

These are some samples I took with it. I'm actually pretty happy with it, it's just "sometimes" it has AF issues.



 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top