Cheap Lens...any good?

Bend The Light

Bend The Light

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Name
Craig
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I just spent a tenner on a lens from FleaBay. It's a Tamron 28-80mm f3.5-5.6.
I wasn't expecting amazing images, but had the idea that it was a small enough lens with a little extra reach compared to the 18-55mm kit lens I have. Can carry it around and not worry about it getting damaged for £10!.

So, is it good enough? Here is a picture (please ignore the content as such). Is it sharp enough, decent quality, etc?

I know it's not a 50mm f1.8 portrait, and I don't have L-glass money. :)

Let me know what you think:


Ruby Tamron test by http://bendthelight.me.uk, on Flickr
 
For a tenner, I think you got yourself a deal!

How much post-processing was needed?
 
I've never used a Tamron lens, but I don't think you've got anything to worry about with this one for £10.
 
Great sharpness on hair and eyes, interesting to know what results like at differing focal lengths.
Cracking buy!
 
^Joe said:
That looks pretty sharp to me!! for a tenner you could get some risky pictures of wildlife too! Great purchase IMO :thumbs:
Click to expand...

This is it...I put the 50mm on some cheapo macro tubes yesterday and was worried about scraping the lens on the wall, or the fence when I was shooting (I know the 50mm is only £80, but that's more than a tenner!). I can almost use and abuse this one for £10.

Quoth said:
For a tenner, I think you got yourself a deal!

How much post-processing was needed?
Click to expand...

Some...I did slight Noise reduction, and a little unsharp mask. Need to do that from RAW anyway. I tried not to go crazy with it, though, so as to show roughly what the lens could do. But then i process shots from the 50mm 1.8 too...

...but it shows that a usable image is possible from the lens, I think?

MartynK said:
I've never used a Tamron lens, but I don't think you've got anything to worry about with this one for £10.
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It was just a spur of the moment purchase, and it works ok. As I said above, it's almost throw-away value. Less replacement value than the 18-55 kit lens I have, and a little more reach. :)

Cheers all.
 
I think you've got a belter there. I'd be happy with those images from my Nikon 18-135mm.

Andy
 
£10?.........Great lens...........:clap:
 
Good buy, back in the days of slr`s Tamrons were a lot of peoples choice. The fact they are still going is a big enough statement I reckon.
 
It's always a good feeling when you score a second hand lens bargain. For the best bargains always try to buy Nikon mount lenses from Canon users, and Canon mount lenses from NIkon users. Sounds stupid doesn't it, but you'd be surprised how much "wrong" kit goes to the "family" photographer after uncle Bob popped his clogs.
 
Slaphead said:
It's always a good feeling when you score a second hand lens bargain. For the best bargains always try to buy Nikon mount lenses from Canon users, and Canon mount lenses from NIkon users. Sounds stupid doesn't it, but you'd be surprised how much "wrong" kit goes to the "family" photographer after uncle Bob popped his clogs.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's nice. Good idea about who to buy from. :)
 
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