Tamron's new 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II looks like a great lens for the money, but I can't find any review, nor any info on Tamron's website, that tells me whether or not the front element rotates during focus.
With my limited photography budget, I'd rather spend $450 on the faster Tamron, than $650 on the Canon 17-40 f4L. However, if that front element moves during focus, then my purchase will be the Canon lens.
Posted by Basil Greber on July 18, 2007 at 6:01 PM
A word of warning - this lens is "famous" for decentering defects and focus errors. Most reports say that if you can get a good one, it's a stellar lens (some compare it to the much more expensive Nikon 17-55/2.8). So, you better buy it at a place where you can try it before buying, or can return it if it's faulty. So you have a good one at the end.
Basil
Posted by Brian Murphy on July 19, 2007 at 7:28 PM
I took a new one to Europe. Most all of my images posted so far were taken with this lens.
I got my lens and I had a chance to use it at Mt Rainier last weekend. seems to work great. good detail, minimal vignetting at 17mm, and great contrast. nice and sharp. I got no complaints.
Discussion
6 repliesWith my limited photography budget, I'd rather spend $450 on the faster Tamron, than $650 on the Canon 17-40 f4L. However, if that front element moves during focus, then my purchase will be the Canon lens.
thanks in advance,
-CK
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_1750_28/index.htm
If so it states "Thanks to internal focusing the front element does not rotate so using a polarizer remains easily possible."
Basil