A fast aperture standard zoom with Vibration Compensation for Nikon or Canon APS-C sensor digital SLR cameras.

Excellent resolution in the centre at most apertures and focal lengths; Vibration Compensation is very effective; Good value for money

Falloff in resolution at 50mm and f/2.8; Flare control

Steve's SnapShot Cons Bottom Line Pick This Up If...

Very well built; Comfortable controls; Capable VC system; Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture; Produces beautiful results when stopped down; Appealing focal range; Half the price of it's Nikon and Canon competitors

Quite soft when wide open; Small amount of visible CA; I felt the zoom ring had a bit too much resistance; AF and VC systems make a good amount of noise; Some front focusing was noted while capturing indoor portraits

The Tamron 17-50/2.8 Di II VC is an update of the earlier, non stabilized Tamron 17-50/2.8 Di II. "VC" or Vibration Compensation is Tamron's equivalent to Canon's IS (Image Stabilization) and Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction).

A full Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC Lens review is planned, but here is a quick lab-only review: Preliminary findings from lab-only testing have been somewhat disheartening however. You can see the image quality results in the ISO 12233 resolution chart link above.

This high-speed digital only ultrawide ($650, street) upgrades Tamron's nonstabilized 17–50mm f/2.8 ($460, street). Like the earlier lens (which remains in the lineup), this version uses an Extra Refractive (XR) element, two elements of low dispersion, and three of compound aspheric glass-adding up...

I bought this lens a few days ago. It seems good built, pictures are good quality and sharpness. I don`t like zoom ring, it`s little stiff (at least for me). When you turn on VC, you can really hear it. I have made abot 200 fotos; AF is working good.

good picture quality; good sharpness

zoom ring a bit stiff; you can hear VC

The Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II VC is a standard zoom lens designed for primary shooting duties. The lens aims to stand out for its f/2.8 designation, which is a fast, open aperture designed for low light shooting.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD ASPH (IF) is one of the first 3rd-party standard zoom lenses designed for the APS-C size bodies. Prices at about US$370 (as of October 2007) the lens is quite affordable for the mainstream consumers.

The Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC is an optically stabilized version of Tamron's 17-50/2.8 Di II, though the two lenses do not share exactly the same optical design. The "VC" version has one less XR glass element, but one more LD and one more aspherical element.

Because of the increasing popularity of digital SLR cameras, Tamron has been upgrading their line of lenses to the "Digitally integrated" (Di) standard, employing methods discussed in our Technology sidebar.