Tamron 17-50 possibly up for sale/trade

[sonicfantom]

I don't have this lens on me at the moment, as it is currently at Tamron's repair center, but it's a SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 VC, Canon mount.

I've had no problems with this lens in my short ownership (about two months now), apart from the obvious fact that it's being repaired after a drop. Optics were completely fine as far as I can tell, but the zoom mechanism suffered some damage (which also resulted in a decoupled focus ring). The lens was inside my camera bag at the time, so it was cushioned somewhat (I suspect it would have been fine if my 30D wasn't attached to it).

You will NOT be recieving a broken lens, but until I get it back from Tamron I can't make any promises; can only gauge interest at this stage. Tamron's repair agents are located in Christchurch, so the delay is understandable. Obviously I will be absorbing costs of repair.

Selling/trading as I have discovered that I really don't need anything wider than 50mm. Would like to trade for primes in the 50mm - 135mm range, or non-kit telezooms.

[jackinavox]

yeah i could be keen if it's given a clean bill of health.

i'm after a canon 17-55 but at the going price, i would buy something else, so a tamron 17-50 might be a good compromise.

how do you find it compared to the non-vc model? (which by most online reviews seem to fare better)

[sonicfantom]

I was actually looking for the non-VC model myself - I've only had a short play with one.

The general opinion is that in terms of optics, it's not as good as the non-VC; it has noticeably more vignetting and stronger barrel distortion at the wide end (which mostly disappears at focal lengths longer than 35mm). I suspect the non-VC does suffer from slight distortion at the long end, which unfortunately is the end I used to use 95% of the time.

Other than vignetting and distortion they're pretty similar (I didn't have enough time to see otherwise; reviews might help with that one).

[sonicfantom]

Status update:

Tamron has begun work on the lens (after the NZ repair centre in Chch getting hit by two earthquakes and Japan being hit by a tsunami, can't blame them for taking so long).

I've been informed that it will be recalibrated at the factory after repairs, so I'll be recieving a good-as-new lens which will be up for sale as soon as it gets home.

EDIT: Apparently the Vibration Control unit came off its mounts inside the lens barrel. Ouch.

[smurff]

glad to hear you have word on how its going :D

sounds like they will have it good as new soon as :D

-smurff