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Archive 2009 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread

  
 
cogitech
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


For lovers, skeptics, and everyone else in between, here is the Tamron SP 17/3.5 thread.

For some reason this lens has been the centre of ongoing controversy. This is due to sample variation, in my opinion. Apparently there are some people (not necessarily FMers) who state this is the worst UWA ever made. I couldn't disagree more. Apparently, they have bad samples (or extremely poor skills?)

Please feel free to contribute your images, etc.

I'll begin showing why I love this lens so much. A good copy should perform like this (ie.right in line with Modern Photo's Test results).

f11 on 5D:

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_5697.jpg

100% from bottom corners, centre, top corners:

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_5697_2.jpg

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_5697_3.jpg

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_5697_4.jpg

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_5697_5.jpg

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_5697_6.jpg

No filter was used. This is just how sky looks through this lens.


Here is one wide open on 5D:

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_2808.jpg

100% centre:
http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_2808_1.jpg

Another wide open on 5D:

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_2837.jpg

100%:
http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_2837_1.jpg


Back to f11, on 5D as usual:

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_2830.jpg

100%, bottom corners and centre:

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_2830_1.jpg

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_2830_2.jpg

http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Tamron-17/old/img_2830_3.jpg


I have lots more, if anyone cares to see them, but I'd rather see other owners' samples.



Edited on Mar 03, 2010 at 03:58 PM · View previous versions



Aug 16, 2009 at 09:48 PM
cogitech
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Why I love this lens:

- It is sharp as hell in the centre, wide open.
- It is sharp as hell in all but the most extreme corners at f11.
- The colour is very neutral but very saturated.
- The contrast is nice and punchy.
- It is small and light.
- Its dedicated clamp-on flower-petal hood is very effective.
- It cost me $150.

Edited on Aug 16, 2009 at 10:02 PM · View previous versions



Aug 16, 2009 at 09:54 PM
StevenPA
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


How about a pic of the lens?


Aug 16, 2009 at 10:02 PM
cogitech
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread




I don't have a pic of my copy.

Here's the important part, though:

http://adaptall-2.com/lenses/images/Adaptall-2/SP17F3dot5_51B_optics.jpg



Aug 16, 2009 at 10:05 PM
cogitech
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


I found this one via google image search.

Mine looks like this, but in worse shape:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2342269088_51a8e4283b.jpg

Oops, no this is the first version with the built-in filters...

Mine is like this one:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/2553584412_e59d1cabb8.jpg



Aug 16, 2009 at 10:07 PM
StevenPA
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Okay, just because I've seen numerous versions of this lens - crackle finish, smooth plastic finish, and now yours. Which version is the one to get?

EDIT: Check that. I think the crackle version I saw was actually a Tokina. I can't really remember.



Aug 16, 2009 at 10:11 PM
cogitech
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Yep, those shown above are the only two versions. Not sure which is considered "better", but I have version II, the second one pictured above.


Aug 16, 2009 at 10:19 PM
mawz
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


I'm rather fond of the SP 17 myself. I've got the same version as Paul. It's proved an excellent performer on film, DX crop digital and micro-4/3rds.

Film (Pentax ZX-m, APX100, wide-open):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3817893554_78f420a1c7_o.jpg

m43 (Half frame crop on G1, f8)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3675186892_7fe163acd5_o.jpg

DX (D300, f8)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/3055616003_649b5d13a7_o.jpg


Edited on Aug 16, 2009 at 10:30 PM · View previous versions



Aug 16, 2009 at 10:28 PM
PhotoMaximum
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Interesting...

Many years ago I purchased a Tamron zoom (70-200?? - I forget) and after a short while I sold it as I found the IQ and the feel lousy as all heck. I was used to a wide range of great Pentax "A" series primes at the time. After that I bought a Sigma 14mm ultra wide (Canon EF mount) that also sucked big time. I then vowed never to wonder into the off-brand lens camp ever again...

But yours and other samples do indicate that there are decent offerings out there...


PS: you have beautiful kids Paul...



Aug 16, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Spyro P.
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Τhanks for singlehandedly bumping the price of this lens
(joking)
Thanks for that Paul, I've been looking for samples from a good copy for a while, it looks good!



Aug 16, 2009 at 10:52 PM
pdmphoto
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


After trying three copies of this lens, all in great condition, I gave up on it. The corners just aren't good enough for me, and the contrast and colors were lacking. I have a couple of the original Tamron EOS adaptall adapters, so it wasn't an adapter issue. I even tried it with Oly and Nikon adaptalls with another adapter for the EOS mount - no difference.




Aug 17, 2009 at 12:02 AM
RustyBug
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Spyro P. wrote:
Ôhanks for singlehandedly bumping the price of this lens
(joking)
Thanks for that Paul, I've been looking for samples from a good copy for a while, it looks good!


Darn, I too feel a price increase coming ... unless of course Paul wants to sell me his copy for $150



Aug 17, 2009 at 08:14 AM
alexandre
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


It's a nice performer, based on your pics!
I have a Vivitar 17/3.5, will post some pics in another thread soon.



Aug 17, 2009 at 08:39 AM
pascal03
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Gotta agree with Paul on the Tamron SP 17mm f3.5. The size, price, and performance are simply impressive on this lens. I got mine brand new - Although I did pay a lot more than Paul did

I have been very pleased with my copy - very sharp and the typical Tamron SP colors - not sure if mine is the first or second version. Since I have the the original Adaptall Nikon mount on my D700 and with a Olympus OM or Canon EF adaptall mount on the Canon system - works fine with both systems.

Here it is next to a much larger and heavier lens

http://i.pbase.com/o6/26/807326/1/116188499.1kvGIDeC.SP17N1735.jpeg




Aug 17, 2009 at 10:05 AM
terranaut
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


mawz wrote:
I'm rather fond of the SP 17 myself. I've got the same version as Paul. It's proved an excellent performer on film, DX crop digital and micro-4/3rds.

Film (Pentax ZX-m, APX100, wide-open):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3817893554_78f420a1c7_o.jpg

m43 (Half frame crop on G1, f8)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3675186892_7fe163acd5_o.jpg

DX (D300, f8)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/3055616003_649b5d13a7_o.jpg



Excuse my ignorance here but how do I get this lens to work on mircro four thirds?



Aug 17, 2009 at 10:47 AM
cogitech
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


terranaut,

Simply install an adaptall mount of any flavour that is adaptable to 4/3rds mount.

For instance, with an Olympus OM Adaptall mount installed, the lens functions exactly as a native Oly OM lens. Stick an OM to 4/3rds adapter on there and you are good to go.




Aug 17, 2009 at 11:00 AM
mawz
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


terranaut wrote:
Excuse my ignorance here but how do I get this lens to work on mircro four thirds?


Paul's got the gist of it.

For specifics, what I do is use a Nikon or Contax Adaptall-2 mount, which is then mounted to the appropriate 4/3rds mount adapter (Either a Contax/Yashica to 4/3rds or a Nikon F to 4/3rds which are the two adapters I happen to own) which is then mounted to a Panasonic DMW-MA1 4/3rds to micro 4/3rds adapter. It's a large package and not exactly ideal for handling, but the results are quite good.



Aug 17, 2009 at 11:11 AM
cogitech
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Oops, I wrote 4/3rds instead of micro 4/3rds. Thanks for clearing that up Adam.


Aug 17, 2009 at 11:24 AM
mawz
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


cogitech wrote:
Oops, I wrote 4/3rds instead of micro 4/3rds. Thanks for clearing that up Adam.


Which actually isn't incorrect since you just put an MA1 adapter in between the 4/3rds adapter and the camera anyways.



Aug 17, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Makten
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · The Tamron SP 17/3.5 Thread


Looks alot better than my Tokina 17/3.5 RMC in the corners, but the Tokina is just as sharp in the middle. I think I'll have to disassemble it (again), because it is slightly decentered. That could also be the cause of the inferior corner sharpness.


Aug 17, 2009 at 12:54 PM
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