Tamron f:2.8 17-50.. Non VC or VC??

salsa-king

salsa-king

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Phil
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as above, whats best to go for?

looking for it to go on my Canon 500d.

How much should i look to pay 2nd Hand too?
(New are £280 on Amazon)


tnx
 
The is a lot of threads going on this already if you do a search.
 
Don't know about Canon ones but from what I have read about the Nikon ones the non vc one is sharper.
 
I bought a non VC version & it's OK
From what I've read in the reams of posts about these lenses on here I understand the later VC is every bit as sharp. I just heard that the VC was a tad slow & you have to let it settle before taking your shot ( don't shoot me if wrong, just what I heard)
 
VC version is very good from what I have seen of my daughter's Canon version and that's in comparison with my Canon 17-55mm
 
Tirpitz said:
I bought a non VC version & it's OK
From what I've read in the reams of posts about these lenses on here I understand the later VC is every bit as sharp. I just heard that the VC was a tad slow & you have to let it settle before taking your shot ( don't shoot me if wrong, just what I heard)
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That's correct.

I tested one to see about sharpness (which I would be happy with wide open) but you have to wait a fraction of time for the VC to kick in (the best part of a second). Having said that, I guess when you would use VC, you have time to wait.
 
I'v heard that the non vc is a tiny bit sharper but nothing you would notice unless you really searched. The vc on mine does take its time and its LOUD but its working fine. I'd pick a vc version as the vc defo helps at 50mm and slow shutter speeds but everyones needs are different.
 
Waiting for focus/VC to "settle" for a second or so might seem like a non issue but try one of the Pro lenses like the 17-55f/2.8 or the 24-70 f/2.8 & the near instant focus lock will blow your socks off!
Going back & using a regular lens or one that needs to settle will seem very tedious in comparison. plus how many perfect shots will you miss waiting for it to lock on to subject?
Candids etc....
 
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Salsa King - the non-VC model is a bargain optic with brilliant sharpness... the AF speed is decent and build-wise it's good, although don't go looking for Nikon 17-55mm-type quality.

When the VC was released there was a glut of people moaning it wasn't as sharp as the non-VC model and that the VC was good but slower than the OEM offerings. That seems to have died down, which could mean some tweaks have been made or that people's expectations were too high.

I bought a used non-VC one the bay for £160 a few years ago, a real minter, and I'd say you'd easily get one for under £200.
 
Many thanks for that.

Is the non VC still ok hand held in low light?

I want to replace my kit canon lens which is IS. This year in Nice i hand held at 1/4 to photo the night carnival. Got some good results.

If i go non VC would i regret not having VC?

I do have a Tripod but you can't always use that.
 
On 50mm vc is not essential people managed for years without and still do now I would keep VC in mind when you go for focal lengths over 100mm exspecially on a crop sensor.

Just try to keep your shutter speed around 1/100 mark if you go under 1/50 without a tripod that's probably where you will wish you had vc
 
Tirpitz said:
Waiting for focus/VC to "settle" for a second or so might seem like a non issue but try one of the Pro lenses like the 17-55f/2.8 or the 24-70 f/2.8 & the near instant focus lock will blow your socks off!
Going back & using a regular lens or one that needs to settle will seem very tedious in comparison. plus how many perfect shots will you miss waiting for it to lock on to subject?
Candids etc....
Click to expand...
I agree with this my tamron 18-270 vc is too slow
whilst it is fine for static subjects anything that may move is tedious
comparing the tamron vc to my canon IS is night and day
from all the reviews I have read the non vc tamron is sharper
the canon 17-55 f2.8 IS is in a different league my advice is to save up for the canon one you get what you pay for imo
 
salsa-king said:
I want to replace my kit canon lens which is IS. This year in Nice i hand held at 1/4 to photo the night carnival. Got some good results.

If i go non VC would i regret not having VC?
Click to expand...

Basically, yes.

There is no chance of getting good results at 50mm 1/4 without it.

You have to offset that against the lens being 2 stops faster than the kit lens but hey, why not have both?
 
I'm saving for the canon 17-55 simply for the fact that the focus and zoom dial work in the right way, for video all my other lenses are the same apart from this one and its annoying
 
Nawty said:
Basically, yes.

There is no chance of getting good results at 50mm 1/4 without it.

You have to offset that against the lens being 2 stops faster than the kit lens but hey, why not have both?
Click to expand...

I hand held these with my canon 18-55 IS earlier this year @ 1/4
so wanted something that could do as good, if not better.


Exposure 0.25 sec (1/4)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 37 mm
ISO Speed 1600



Nice Carnival 2012 by salsa-king, on Flickr

Nice Carnival 2012 by salsa-king, on Flickr

Nice Carnival 2012 by salsa-king, on Flickr
 
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