N Mahanty

This is an often under-rated lens, though after doing extensive research, I am hard-pressed to find anything (including the Nikon version of this lens) that's better in quality.

This is a great little lens at any price, and a lovely lens at its price. Wide open, you can't use it if you like sharp corners, but corner performance improves even at wider apertures when the focal length gets narrower.

Here're some photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nilangsu/5822457184/in/set-72157626813978457

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nilangsu/5822461892/in/set-72157626813978457

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nilangsu/5822460752/in/set-72157626813978457

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nilangsu/5821899887/in/set-72157626813978457

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nilangsu/5822473178/in/set-72157626813978457

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nilangsu/5821930801/in/set-72157626813978457

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nilangsu/5822505796/in/set-72157626813978457

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nilangsu/5821942863/in/set-72157626813978457

It's a very light lens but feels dense enough. Tamron has done some clever engineering to keep the weight low for a f/2.8 lens. The build isn't like the better Nikon lenses (the 16-85), but much better than their kit-lenses (like the 18-105).

A lot has been written about the auto-focus. Mine focuses fast, even in low light and accurately. Period.

At 50 mm, it even doubles up as a decent portrait lens, though not with the best bokeh in the world.