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When I first started searching for a wide angle multipurpose zoom lens, I shortlisted Canon 18-200mm IS, Canon 18-55mm IS, Canon 17-50mm F2.8 USM, Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 & Tamron 17-50mm F2.8. I read various expert reviews, user reviews and lens comparisons on the internet.

Very sharp in outdoor settings; very good from f3.5/24mm onwards

soft at f2.8; difficult to focus in low light conditions; slow auto focus

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC review

A standard zoom for APS-C, this is a direct competitor to Canon's 17-55mm f/2.8 lens...

Effective four-stop stabiliser; f/2.8 constant aperture

Noisy autofocus; Middling sharpness at edges

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Lens - Canon EF SP17-50 F2.8XR DI II review

The build quality is typical for a consumer grade zoom lens although Tamron SP ("Super Performance") lenses are actually intended to target the high end market. Most of the lens is made of good quality plastics based on a metal mount. The zoom ring operates quite smoothly.