The following sample shots were taken with a D3x (in DX crop mode) and RAW-converted via CaptureOne 4.8.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window).
Need Unlimited photo storage ? Try ...
... trusted by PhotoZone!
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
17.0mm
Aperture:
f/3.5
Exposure
1/1000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/1250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/125s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
32.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/320s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/4.5
Exposure
1/250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
38.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/160s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/4.0
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/640s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
17.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
44.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
17.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/1250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
25.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/125s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
31.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/13s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/125s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
17.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/100s
Verdict
The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] VC is a very promising lens based on its specifications. However, it falls somewhat short of the high expectations especially when considering the excellent performance of its non-VC variant. The biggest weakness of the lens is the rather soft corner/border performance at large aperture settings. The quality increases when stopping down and it's certainly possible to achieve very high quality results. The level of distortions and vignetting is about average for a lens in this class. The good news is the unusually low degree of lateral CAs which increases the subjective quality perception at the image borders quite a bit. The quality of the bokeh is generally decent for a lens in this class.
The build quality of the lens is good although not professional grade ( as can be expected in this price range). The AF is very fast whereas the short focus path isn't exactly suitable for precise manual focusing. The primary new feature - the VC (vibration compensation) - works very well and its effectiveness is easily comparable to Nikon's native solution (VR).
However, when considering all aspects the Tamron 17-50/2.8 VC only makes sense if both speed and stabilization are required in a single lens. If VC is not high on your priority list, the still available non-VC variant gives better results at a lower price.
