DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

dropped Tamron 17-70/2.8

Started 7 months ago | Discussions thread
ForumParentFirstPrevious
Flat view
sluggy_warrior Veteran Member • Posts: 3,200
dropped Tamron 17-70/2.8
2

After a long day at the State Fair, I forgot to zip my backpack. When I pulled the backpack out of the trunk, the X-T2 + Tamron flew out and landed on the driveway. Luckily I always put the camera+lens in a thick wool cap to prevent it from being scratched inside the backpack, thus, the X-T2 is intact, but the Tamron snapped off. Totally my fault, but I've bumped the 18-135 on trips quite often with no problem, I guess the Tamron suffered from the plastic construction (only 3 screws holding the part). Seems like it's just the plastic cylinder and a ribbon cable that need to be replaced, I'll check with Tamron on the repair cost.

I've just done a 4-day Summit, Tamron 17-70/2.8 on X-T20 and 50-140/2.8 on X-T2, ended with about 4,000 RAFs on each. And, another 1,000 at the State Fair yesterday with the Tamron on X-T2. So far, I love this Tamron lens, its IQ easily beats the 18-55 and 18-135, sharp across the whole frame even at f/2.8.

A few drawbacks:

- it's definitely has a delayed startup comparing to Fuji lenses. The 18-55 and 18-135 are ready in 1 second, the Tamron takes 2 seconds (on both X-T2 and X-T20). I missed quite a few decisive moments, and had to adjust my habit accordingly.
- sometimes the camera won't be able to acquire focus with the Tamron, with both X-T2 and X-T20. It didn't even hunt back and forth, the lens just doesn't focus and the camera reports a red square. I've seen it 3-4 times, just had to turn off and on the camera.
- while its IQ is excellent, it's still missing the magic of the 50-140. Comparing shots in the 50-70mm range at f/2.8 and f/4, the 50-140 is still a slight level above.
- the aperture mechanism is clicky/chattery, but after the first day of the Summit, I ignored it.
- no aperture ring (and the X-T2 and X-T20 use different front/rear dials by default!). Of course I accepted this before purchasing the lens.

What I like:

- excellent IQ (almost comparable to 50-140) and constant f/2.8.
- close focus: not exactly macro-level, but good enough without needing an adapter.
- VC/VR: while not as good as the Fuji lenses, it's still pretty decent.
- similar size/weight to the 18-135

Fujifilm X-T2 Fujifilm X-T20
If you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this post using our feedback form.
ForumParentFirstPrevious
Flat view
ForumParentFirstPrevious
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum PPrevious NNext WNext unread UUpvote SSubscribe RReply QQuote BBookmark MMy threads
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow