Product Description

This Tamron SP AF 17-50 F/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) high performance optic delivers amazing color and contrast with it's fast 2.8 aperture and LD glass. This lens has aspherical elements which give the ultimate sharpness you would expect from a professional quality lens in a very small and compact size. Also included is a flower shaped lens hood is specifically designed to yeild highest contrast with no vignetting. Includes the manufacturer's 6 year warranty.

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Tamron
• Model: AF016NII-700

Features

• Built in motor for use on the new Nikon Cameras
• Zoom lock feature
• Includes lens hood
• 6 year Tamron Warranty
• 67mm filter size

Amazon.com Product Description
Designed for exclusive use on digital cameras with smaller-size imagers, this Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di-II zoom lens is ideal for a host of situations. The fast f/2.8 aperture, for example, provides a natural out-of-focus effect for portrait shots and other intimate moments. The lens's faster shutters speeds--a result of the maximum aperture--also provide a broader photographic expression to enhance your photographic pleasure. As a result, the lens boasts one of the best close-up shooting performances in the class of fast standard zoom lenses, with the f/2.8 maximum aperture extending throughout the entire zoom range to ensure stress-free shots at all focal lengths and distances.

Note: The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II zoom lens is not designed for conventional cameras or digital cameras with image sensors larger than 24mm x 16mm.

Specifications

• Focal length: 17-50mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Lens construction: 16 elements in 13 groups
• Angle of view: 78 degrees @ 45 feet to 31 degrees @ 11 feet
• Type of zooming: Rotation
• Diaphragm blades: 7 (circular)
• Minimum aperture: f/32
• Minimum focusing distance: 10.6 inches
• Macro magnification ratio: 1:4.5
• Filter size: 67mm
• Corresponding mounts: Nikon
• Built-in motor: Yes
• Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter and 3.2 inches long
• Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Warranty: 6 years

Customer Reviews

Very good deal. Autofocus is less of a problem than people think.
First, rumors have it that this lens is made in two locations:
China and Japan. Amazon gave me a Japan model which I hear is supposed to have gone through more rigorous quality control. The lens is light and feels much cheaper and clunkier than any Nikkor/Nikon I've ever used. The autofocus is slow (not sure if it's slower than the old screw-drive version), but accurate. I have a Tamron 28-300 VC that autofocus similarly (in little baby steps). I use it at indoor parties and it's tolerable so long as people aren't dancing around. The optics are very sharp and I'm USUALLY satisfied with shots at f2.8.
There have also been, however, some unusual problems:
When I first got the lens, I occasionally got the f - - on my D80 indicating a poor electrical connection. I need to wriggle the lens around. Secondly, sometimes when I didn't see that error, the lens would not respond (try to engage autofocus with the shutter but no response). This has happened twice out of the maybe 30 times I've used it so far. Nevertheless, I haven't encountered these problems recently. It's probably nothing to be afraid of.

This is a great alternative to it's competitors. Nikon 17-55 2.8 aside, this lens' closest competitor is the Sigma 18-50 HSM. If you are REALLY bothered by the autofocus, you might want to consider the Sigma. I went with the Tamron after seeing so many good shots at f2.8 and b/c of the 67mm filter size :).

No focus problems here
I was wary of picking this one up, but so far I haven't noticed anything wrong at all with autofocus: very clear, crisp images, and I'm loving the speed compared to my D40's stock lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6).

About all I could complain about is the motor, which is noisier and seems slower than the 18-55. It works though which is the main thing! Build quality seems solid.

Mine is Japanese-made according to the label, serial number 29xxx. One would hope that after building nearly 30,000 of the things they would have any quality control problems worked out.

Good all-around lens
I got this lens after using the stock 18-135 Nikon lens, which I find too slow for indoor use, and a sigma 18-35 lens which is too heavy and not very versatile. The Tamron lens is very good for all around use. I like the 2.8 aperture all the way through. It is a bit soft and some times focusing takes a bit longer than I'd like it to, but I am very much using this lens exclusively now, unless I am outside and want something with a stronger zoom.
The construction is solid: the lens is on the heavier side, but it feels nice and the camera (a D80) feels nice and balanced. Zoom action is smooth. I like the zoom lock so I don't have to worry about it creeping on me.