Verdict

This test has proved that the low-cost label so often associated with independent lenses indicates only part of their appeal. Image quality and usability are also strengths and Tamron's 17-50mm f/2.8 also manages to be surprisingly compact. The Tamron is a nice lens all-round – it's just a shame that the focusing ring rotates in AF mode yet seems not to allow manual adjustment for those occasions when the camera fails to focus on the desired plane.