Uses for the Tamron 17-50 2.8 lens?

<p>I've had this lens for about 3 months now, ans have used it only one time. And that was basically just to test it out. It did prove to be a great performer, however. Sharp as a tack. Nice color, etc. However, I'm contemplating trading it off for it's longer brother, the Tamron 28-75 2.8. Before doing so, I'd like to know just what you folks use a lens like this for----the 17-50 lens, that is. I don't want to trade it away, only to then decide that I really made a mistake later. By the way, I shoot with a Canon XS and other lenses are: 50 1.8 and 70-300IS USM.<br>

Thanks</p>

 

<p>I'd use it to take pictures. If I didn't like the pictures I took, I'd blame myself not the lens. I don't supose any pictures I'd take with the 28-75 would be any better.</p>

<p>If I didn't take any pictures with it, I don't suppose I'd take any with the 28-75 either.</p>

<p>Assuming you didn't buy the 17-50 just to test it, why did you buy it?</p>

<p>Indoor low light shots.<br>

What was the reason you originally bought it for?</p>

<p>Robert,</p>

<p>What they're getting at here is: you ought to stop buying lenses until <strong><em>you</em> </strong> find out what you need.<br>

There's a little bit of overlap of your 18-50 with your 50mm prime, but the normal use of a 17-50 or so is to be your wide-angle to normal lens for everyday shooting. Without it, and with a 28-75 you would have no wide angle in your inventory at all.</p>

<p>Before you do anything else, go out with the 17-50 and shoot some with it set on 17mm or at least at that end. If you really don't want to ever shoot at wide angle, that's OK, but most people would want something in their kit in that range. A 28mm lens on your body would be just a "normal" lens, not a wide angle the way it is on a film camera.</p>

<p>I guess the question is what do you shoot? I have a full frame and use my 16-35 most of the time, my 24-70 occasionally and rarely my 70-200. I wouldn't get rid of my 70-200 because I need it when I do!</p>

<p>Given the lenses you have, I assume you only shoot things where a short to long telephoto lens is required--the 50 being a short tele and probably a great portrait lens. But you don't have anything that is even considered a normal lens. The 28-75 will give you a fairly normal lens to a moderate tele range.</p>

<p>I think the suggestion of going out and doing some shooting with the 17-50 at the 17mm end is a good idea. Apparently it really doesn't fit with how you see, but try it and if you don't like it--make the move to the other lens.</p>

<p>The reason that I even have it is this. Recently took a cruise. Had many shore excursions involving sight seeing. With some buildings etc being up close, my anon 18-55IS kit lens was perfect. In facr I think I probably used that lens for 90% of shots taken the entire trip.<br>

So I came home thinking that a better quality(and faster for indoors) lens would be even better. Bought the Tammy 3 months ago and haven't used it for anything serious since. <br>

Certainly not keeping it around until the next cruise(5 yrs from now). Anyway, without the sightseeing ventures, it sits here. It helps to know what one would normally use a lens like this for(other than sight seeing). Maybe a rather "dumb" question, but of value to me. I don't want to get rid of it; only to then wish I hadn't later. In what little I have used it, it's a real sharp one. I do like that.</p>

<p>Can't say that I really appreciated Bob Atkin's flippant comment until after I reread my question. I had it coming, Bob. </p>

<p>One more thing. I had planned to use this lens as my general walkaround lens. Maybe when the temps get above zero, I can actual "walk around" and see just what value it can have for me.</p>

<p>I use it all the time for landscapes. It probably is the lens i use most often. I personally don't feel the 28 would be wide enough. I have a 28-135 lens but never use it as i usually want something a little wider so the 17 is great to me. I like the zoom as well and rarely use my 50mm either since I didn't use much bigger than f2.8 with it anyway.<br>

I have a 40d so crop camera as well. I'd keep what you have and experiment with it. It's a nice lens and gives you a pretty nice range with your longer zoom. take it and<em> only</em> it some day and force yourself to shoot with it. Since you like the lens in general you may just need to get out of your comfort zone to use it more</p>

<p>I guess I may have been a little flipant, but my point is why trade a good "walking around" lens for a different "walking around" lens, when you don't use the first one anyway.</p>

<p>Until you decide what you want to shoot - and what you want to shoot it with - and you find that what you have can't do it, keep what you have.</p>

<p>Some people endlessly trade lenses and never actually use them. Don't join that group!</p>

<p>I am confused, I seem to remember you already having the 28-75? Looking at your past posts its hard to understand exactly what your looking for in a lens.</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Uueg</p>

The 17-50 was my general-purpose lens for a year or so. It's a fine lens but I often found myself at 50mm and wishing for a little more reach, so I traded it in for the 28-75 recently. I hope to get the EF-S 10-22 for wide-angle eventually (using the 18-55 non-IS kit lens for the time being).

Just noticed Tommy's link to the earlier thread.

<p>I bought mine to get a wider angle and lighter weight than my 24-70 f2.8L without losing the fast aperture. I find it my normal choice for a walking around lens, and am generally quite pleased with it.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I am confused, I seem to remember you already having the 28-75? Looking at your past posts its hard to understand exactly what your looking for in a lens.<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="../canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Uueg">http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Uueg</a></p>

</blockquote>

<p>As I said, the neverending quest for the best lens ot best camera or best combination of lenses/cameras is one of the biggest obstacles in the way of actual photography. It's great for the manufactures and vendors of course, and it certainly keeps internet photography forums alive.<br /><br /><a href="../beginner-photography-questions-forum/00VDOq">http://www.photo.net/beginner-photography-questions-forum/00VDOq</a><br /><a href="../olympus-camera-forum/00Tuh2">http://www.photo.net/olympus-camera-forum/00Tuh2</a><br /><a href="../canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Uk8l">http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Uk8l</a><br /><a href="../digital-camera-forum/00UpCg">http://www.photo.net/digital-camera-forum/00UpCg</a><br /><a href="../digital-camera-forum/00UiGX">http://www.photo.net/digital-camera-forum/00UiGX</a></p>

<p>I'm sensing a pattern here...</p>

<p>Bob, I probably can't talk, I do a lot of the same always thinking the grass is greener but I am trying to get away from gear envy and just enjoy what I have. </p>

<p>Tommy,<br>

No question that you are 100% correct. I do this stuff way too much, but especially during the winter months. It's way too cold out (Minnesota) to go out and enjoy much picture taking. So what do I do.....think about gear. I really need to figure out some fun, winter, indoor photo projects for myself.</p>

<p>Trust me what ever you get you always think you need or probably want something else. I had the Tamron 28-75 and I really like that lens. It was really the only lens I used for the first few years I shot and I never even thought about another lens. Once I did I think I really started to overthink and I am trying to stop as I know its not gear that holds me back since I now have 7 lenses. 3 L zooms 4 non L primes and I am always thinking what if I sold this one and got that one when I already have some of the best lenses out there. In the end I realize another or different lens will make no difference. In reality I could probably go back to my old Tammy and really do no worse.<br>

<br /> Many times I will put on my 28 1.8 or 50 and just use it for a few weeks to see what I get. I think I have improved but I think my gear has accounted for maybe 10% of my improvement.<br>

<br /> By the way I go up to Lake Minni once a year, I am in Chicago. Winter there makes Chicago look warm.</p>

<p>I have the 17-50 f/2.8 Tamron, and I love it. I use it for everything. I also have the 50 f1/1.8, a EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, and the EF 70-300is. I have the 40d, and got the 17-85mm IS kit lens with it. I felt it was a little soft, so I traded it for the 100mm Macro. Then I bought the 17-50mm after reading a lot of glowing comments on it. I love the lens. It is sharp, and I take 90% of my shots with it.<br>

I would keep it.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Joe, Kindly elaborate on the array of subject matter for which you find use for your Tamron 17-50 lens. I have 3 of your 4 lenses. Don't have the 100 macro. Thanks</p>

<p>At 50mm and wide open to make the background less pronounced, I find it very good for portraiture. Do you have another person or pet you could shoot inside? If not, you could do self portraits.</p>

<p>The wide angle setting (17mm) is quite useful for street scenes and vistas. <br>

<br /> Indoors you could do experiments using flashes (leave the shutter open on a tripod for 10s-30s in the dark and paint using a flashlight and/or flash).</p>

<p>Maybe the snow or ice hitting your windows forms and interesting abstract pattern. Why did you get into photography to begin with? What kinds of photos excite you?) Once you know that you'll know what to do with your excellent lens.</p>