p.1 #3 · New Tamron 17-50 With Stabilisation Announced!
I have IS turned off on my EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. I have steady-enough hands, I think, that IS is not required on focal lengths < 100mm for me. Unless of course, I am shooting in low light. So, yes, the IS does help in low light, but in 80% of my photos, I have IS turned off.
p.1 #4 · New Tamron 17-50 With Stabilisation Announced!
They are not going to sell too many if they want $800 US. Nikon mount might be can charge a bit more as 17-55 has no VR and still $1200 US. However, Canon mount 17-55 IS is like what $1K and used is like $800 to $900. I think that is probably why they are rolling out the Nikon mount first and once they get the cost down a bit, they will release the EF mount one for like $550 to $600. However, I think $500 would be a good deal giving the AF is not USM like, however, I doubt it can be that cheap as their non-VC 17-50 is still at $460 mark. Not to mention their VC might not be as good as Canon's IS. I love Tamron lenses and I used them, but their key to success this time is (as usual) their price compare to competitors.
I think they should have focus on developing a USM-like tech instead of VC tech like Sigma is doing first. With good optics and faster and quieter focusing, they should still be able to make them cheap and more attractive, then they can add VC to selective lenses like the 70-200 and some prime lenses like 90 macro and their other longer lenses.
p.1 #6 · New Tamron 17-50 With Stabilisation Announced!
I've tried 3 different copies of the non-IS Tamron 17-50mm and never got much satisfaction out of any of them. I loved the Tamron 17-35mm I had before and that took sharp shots. Maybe I just got 3 bad copies in a row. I really wanted to like that lens - its much more compact and lighter than the 17-55mm EF-S. Hopefully this IS version won't have much copy variation in quality control.
p.1 #8 · New Tamron 17-50 With Stabilisation Announced!
Yeah generally third party lenses are pretty significantly cheaper than the Canon alternatives. Though it's understandable that IS/VC brings about a jump in price it's kinda interesting to see that the Tamron 17-50 VC is getting so close in price to the Canon 17-55 IS.
