• Compact Fast Zoom with VC
• Fast Constant F/2.8 Aperture
• 26-78mm equivalent* on APS-C DSLRs (*Tamron uses 1.55X as an average conversion to full frame)
• For use on APS-C size DSLR cameras
• 11.4″ MFD / 1:4.8 Max. Mag. Ratio
• Internal Focusing

Tamron’s SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] (Model B005) is a high speed f/2.8 wide-to-moderate-telephoto zoom lens designed exclusively for Canon and Nikon-mount digital SLR cameras with smaller sensors and now features Tamron’s proprietary tri-axial Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism that minimizes the effects of handheld camera shake. The new SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC covers the very popular 17-50mm focal length range (equivalent to 26-78mm in the full-frame 35mm format) making it extremely versatile. Its wide aperture and outstanding performance provide practical advantages in low-light shooting and aesthetic image control, thereby enriching the user’s range of creative expression. The new lens delivers impressive sharpness and striking contrast over its entire focal-length and aperture range, and at its maximum aperture of f/2.8 it produces beautiful images enhanced by shallow depth of- field, and smooth, natural transitions in out-of-focus areas of the image (i.e. excellent bokeh.) The new lens is equipped with Tamron’s proprietary Vibration Compensation (VC) image stabilization mechanism, which controls the effects of camera shake in three planes. VC provides more opportunities for sharp hand-held photography (up to 4-stops) at the slow shutter speeds needed when shooting in low-light conditions (e.g. night or indoor scenes) dramatically enhancing the user’s level of photographic freedom.

Reviews

Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] VC (Canon) – Review by photozone.de

The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] VC is a very promising lens based on its specifications. However, it falls somewhat short of the high expectations especially when considering the excellent performance of its non-VC variant.

Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC Review by botbakins.com

The VC image stabilization system works very well and along with the fast f2.8 aperture enables shooting in low light with a good degree of confidence that the images will be sharp.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD IF Lens Review by the-digital-picture.com

Overall, the Tamron 17-50mm non-VC lens is sharper, has less vignetting, has a similar amount of CA and has less barrel distortion on the wide end but more pincushion distortion on the long end. The non-VC 17-50 is a bit smaller and lighter. Obviously the 17-50 VC has the 4-stop-rated (I didn’t test this yet) stabilization advantage.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 VC XR Di ll LD Interchangeable Lens Review by ephotozine.com

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 VC XR Di ll LD: Pros

• Excellent resolution in the centre at most apertures and focal lengths
• Vibration Compensation is very effective
• Good value for money

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 VC XR Di ll LD: Cons

• Falloff in resolution at 50mm and f/2.8
• Flare control