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.
Pros
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Compact and keenly priced
Cons
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Slight stiffness on zoom ring
Sample images
Score
Score in detail
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Design 85
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Image Quality 90
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Performance 90
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Value 95
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Features 90