tamron 55-200mm build quality

I know this is forum for canon cameras and not at all for lenses but since i'll be using a 550d (which I will get next week) I'd like to ask what you guys think of the tamron 55-200mm lens as compared to similar options from canon and especially, does anybody have experiences of the build quality of this lens? Will the mount part wear fast?

I can't speak to this particular lens but I believe Tamron has a pretty good reputation so I doubt you'd encounter any issues such as that. I have an older 28-200mm Tamron AF zoom for my 450D and it seems to be holding up fine.

I had this lens for a year or two and sold it recently to buy a Canon 55-250mm IS instead. I would say the build quality is OK, it's about what I'd expect for a lens at that price. Optically it's very good and the images taken with it were very sharp.

Overall though, I would say think carefully about getting the Canon 55-250mm instead. It's more money but you get IS and more range.

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Adrian Jones
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdr1/

Tamron lens are very well made. In my own opinions after owning canon, tamron, and sigma lens. I rate them as such:

1. Canon L lens
2. Tamron lens
3. Canon Non-L lens (tied)
4. Sigma EX lens (tied)
5. Sigma lens
6. Canon cheap lens

Build quality is never the issue with tamron, but rather buying a slow f/5.6 55-200mm telephoto without Image Stabilization is.

You won't get much keeper without the help of Image Stabilization @200mm f/5.6 without IS assist.

from_finland said:

I know this is frum for canon cameras and not at all for lenses but since i'll be using a 550d (which I will get next week) I'd like to ask what you guys think of the tamron 55-200mm lens as compared to similar options from canon and especially, does anybody have experiences of the build quality of this lens? Will the mount part wear fast?

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Thanks for the advice and opinions, it was nice to hear the build quality is okay.

007peter said:

Build quality is never the issue with tamron, but rather buying a slow f/5.6 55-200mm telephoto without Image Stabilization is.

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I don't know whether this will be an issue for me as I'll be taking photos mostly outdoors in proper light (some airplane photography and holiday snaps in italy). Can you confirm me that in daylight I'm able to take photos with fast exposure even with that F5.6 aperture? I have an old tripod to use in darker conditions.