| Tamron
SP
17-35mm f/2.8-4
Di AF zoom lens
by Paul Fisher
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SUMMARY
The Tamron SP AF17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical [IF]
Model A05 is an excellent performer, producing sharp,
contrasty images with little or no distortion.
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| Mayan
priests and warriors re-enacting an offering to their
gods |
Optically,
it leaves very little to be desired, and will produce images
of professional quality.
Mechanically,
the lens is adequately robust and has a feeling of quality.
The polycarbonate body and metal mount ensure that with ordinary
careful handling, this lens will perform for a lifetime. The
lens feels solid and well made, and is comfortable in the
hand.
PRICE
The
Tamron is lower priced than its nearest competitors, the Sigma
17-35mm and Nikkor 18-35mm, and substantially lower than the
superb Nikkor 17-35mm.
| The
following prices were current as of May 2004. |
Tamron
17-35mm f/2.8-4 |
Sigma
AF 17-35mm F2.8-4 |
Nikkor
17-35mm f/2.8 AF-S |
Nikkor
18-35 f/3.5-4.5 |
| Australian
recommended retail |
AU$949 |
AU$1,339
|
AU$3,575 |
AU$1,169 |
Australian
street price
(various sources) |
AU$850 |
AU$1,100 |
AU$2,785 |
AU$965 |
United
States street price
(B&H, NYC) |
US$479 |
US$489 |
US$1,499 |
US$500 |
FINALLY
Would
I buy one? I am very tempted. I already own a Vivitar 19-35
which has been a satisfactory lens at a low price. However,
the Tamron is substantially better built, and performs much
better. I just might find myself upgrading to the Tamron.
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