Promaster 17-50 2.8

[rntbot]

I just purchased this Lens. A local camera store had it for $299.00 on their

Web Site. When i went to purchase it, the clerk was saying it was a mistake because this lens should be $449.00. To make a long story short, after the main clerk called the owner, he honored the price. So far the lens appears to function properly. It's almost identical to the Tamron version. I'll post pics as soon as i can find an available subject. Robert.

 

[Parisis]

Good pickup Robert. Tamron is abot $425 at Amazon. The lens police will be out soon and tell you how Promaster and quantaray are Tamron and Sigma rejects. Just ignore them . You got a good deal on a nice lens. Show some pics.
--
Check my Photo Blog
http://parisea.blogspot.com/

 

[rntbot]

Thanks for your reply. I think i got a good deal also.

 

[flyingmonkey]

I had the same lens in Nikon mount for a year or so and when I switched to Canon a few months ago the first thing I did was to get the Canon version. Optically it's a top-notch lens, and I have found the AF to be accurate (if a bit noisy). If you have a good copy, this lens is pretty much impossible to beat at the price.

$299 is about the right price. That's what I bought the Canon version for from camcor.com. The Nikon used to be cheaper but I think now it's about the same too.

In any case, enjoy the terrific lens that punches well above its weight.

 

[JEGG]

Surprised at the prices here. I just inquired about one at a local shop-they didn't have it, though they usually do. I don't remember the exact quote-but it was around $220.

I wonder if this lens has been redone. On some online posts, there is a picture of the Promaster with some comments about the Promaster badging being rather ugly (their photos confirm that...kind of silver and black, etc.).

However, if you look at the current lens, it has obviously been entirely redone, cosmetically speaking. Which might account for the significantly raised prices. I wonder if it's the same lens.

 

[wijnands]

What are the differences between this and the tammy?
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/

 

[rntbot]

From what the sales rep told me, Promaster does not make any lens, they are made by tamron and sold to them and they put their name on the lens. If i understood him correctly, it's the same lens. I'll post some sample as soon as i get some willing subjects.

 

[JEGG]

I don't think Promaster makes anything, everything is rebadged. But I don't know of Tamron makes all their lenses, or just this one.

 

[flyingmonkey]

I did some homework before buying it and also compared side-by-side with the Tamron at the store - as far as I could tell the only difference is the Promaster name printed on it.

As for prices, I have been a bit surprised at the wide range. I bought two from camcor.com for $229 each, but most online stores still list it in the $400 range. A current good deal seems to be ~$300 (including at camcor). Still quite a bit cheaper than the Tamron version.

 

[ismeticus]

I bought this lens a week ago from noblescamera.com for $299.

Amazing picture quality - mindblowing sharpness, beautiful contrast and saturation. The bad thing is that the copy had a significant front-focusing problem. Was not noticeable at 17mm, but at 50mm and farther ranges sharpness deteriorated badly. When I used manual focus, it was tack sharp. I had to send the lens back.

Then I found a better deal at thecameracorner.com - Nikon mount is $225 there.
Now waiting for the delivery. Will see what happens...

 

[stuntmonkey]

...or debacle...this was from a few weeks ago. They were advertising them for under $200... too bad the whole internet got word of it. I couldn't land a copy, but from what I heard, Helix Camera handled the whole situation very well.

 

[lizzie b]

Sounds like you got a great deal. I have the Tamron 17-50 and been very pleased with the image quality. Despite all the concerns over the focussing speed of the motorised version mine has not let me down yet.

I'm sure you too will be delighted with your Promaster lens.

Lizzie

 

[ismeticus]

I chose Promaster version of the 17-50mm over Tamron because its AF is operated by the camera screwdriver. The previous copy I had focused instantly - very impressive speed. So much faster than my Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 which has BIM and focuses slower, and does hunt in low light. The promaster didn't hunt at all - even almost in total darkness. Too bad I have D80, not D90 or D300 - I could have adjusted for misfocus using in-camera adjustment, and would bother exchanging it. Anyway, hopefully will get a decent copy on Thursday... Can't wait!
It is such a great lens!

 

[flyingmonkey]

I chose Promaster version of the 17-50mm over Tamron because its AF
is operated by the camera screwdriver. The previous copy I had
focused instantly - very impressive speed. So much faster than my
Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 which has BIM and focuses slower, and does hunt
in low light. The promaster didn't hunt at all - even almost in total
darkness. Too bad I have D80, not D90 or D300 - I could have adjusted
for misfocus using in-camera adjustment, and would bother exchanging
it. Anyway, hopefully will get a decent copy on Thursday... Can't
wait!
It is such a great lens!

Good luck - hope you get a good copy. I have the same lens for my Canon 40D, and previously did in Nikon mount for my D80 and D300. Great lens.

Just one small correction: I don't think the D90 has AF adjustment, only the D300 (and of course D700/D3/D3x)

 

[ismeticus]

Ok, got the lens today! Much better autofocus than the previous one. Likely a keeper lens. Need to take some test shots tomorrow.

Well the shots now are way sharper. autofocus still not perfect (I guess there is a slight back focus instead of front focus - but much better!

And I got it for only $225! Check http://www.thecameracorner.com - nikon mount bargain should still be there. (canon mount is $300)

 

[Niteman3d]

...or debacle...this was from a few weeks ago. They were advertising
them for under $200... too bad the whole internet got word of it. I
couldn't land a copy, but from what I heard, Helix Camera handled the
whole situation very well.

Did they ever! I couldn't be more tickled with the deal I got. They ran out of the ProMaster almost immediately as you mentioned, since they weren't expecting a national audience. A few days later I get an e-mail informing me that they're out and I can have my money back or a choice of two other lenses. Lo and behold, one of the choices is the original Tamron branded version for $50 more. I'm guessing they ordered a bunch of the non-BIM version of the Tamron to make good on this offer and it took a couple weeks to get it. Boy, was it ever worth the wait. It's just as good as everybody says and I saved over $150. I got it for less than $250 shipped and I couldn't find it in either BIM or non-BIM version for under about $410 anywhere at the time.

Long story short for the OP, if you got a good copy of any version of this lens for under $300, you got a great bargain. (Especially if you remember that it's been compared favorably to the Nikon 17-55 which goes for nearly $1000 used and weighs a ton.)

 

[yodog]

Thanks to your post, I ordered the Promaster from Iowa for $225. Glad yours looks like a good one. Not quite a good as the Helixcamera deal, but for no tax/shipping, I wouldn't expect to find a better deal at a garage sale! Hope it works out. Mine should arrive early next week.

--
Give the gift of life - donate blood

 

[yodog]

Well, my Promaster 17-50 arrived this evening. Mounted it on camera and as I tilted camera up and down I heard a lot of rattling. Upon closer inspection, front element is totally loose...big-time loose. Anybody else's do this? Looks like it will go back for refund. I don't think they have any more, so refund is probably only option. In just a few trial snaps, seems plenty sharp, but also notice it tends to overexpose on D300 compared to my 18-70. Maybe there's more wrong than even the front element, who knows.

Mike
--
Give the gift of life - donate blood

 

[Patco]

This might help:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=516751

Well, my Promaster 17-50 arrived this evening. Mounted it on camera
and as I tilted camera up and down I heard a lot of rattling. Upon
closer inspection, front element is totally loose...big-time loose.
Anybody else's do this? Looks like it will go back for refund. I
don't think they have any more, so refund is probably only option.
In just a few trial snaps, seems plenty sharp, but also notice it
tends to overexpose on D300 compared to my 18-70. Maybe there's more
wrong than even the front element, who knows.

Mike
--
Give the gift of life - donate blood

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

 

[yodog]

Thanks, Patco. While it looks simple enough, I think I'll return for refund. I know that if I attempt to fix, the screwdriver will slip and I will scratch the lens, then I'm SOL.

Mike
--
Give the gift of life - donate blood