Tamron A16 for Canon

PROS: PRICE, 2.8 constant aperture, build quality, warranty, sharpness,

CONS: manual focus switch is hard to operate, focus ring could be larger

I recently needed a good wide angle lens for an upcoming assignment. I was on a budget (aren't we all??) and the choices came down to this lens and the Canon 17-55mm IS f 2.8. I rented the Canon lens and purchased the Tamron (here on Ebay for under 350.00 with shipping). I figured if the Canon outperformed the Tamron substantially, I could re-sell the Tamron and buy the much more expensive Canon.

I conducted my test (I am not a professional tester, but have sold enough photographs to consider myself a good photographer) between the two lenses using both inside and outside subjects. Frankly, I was a bit amazed at the results.

The Canon performed well (as expected) but the IS did not seem to be as helpful as I had hoped in low light situations. It actually did a fair amount of searching on auto-focus while the Tamron did seem faster. When it finally locked on, the result was sharper with the Canon, in the beginning. I say this because after using the Tamron for awhile, I was able to steady myself enough, that the results were every bit as good as the Canon's.

As for saturation, contrast and overall color, I shoot RAW format mostly and the most important thing for me is sharpness, but in jpeg (highest settings) I did notice that the Tamron compared favorably to the Canon in all catagories.

I ended up choosing the Tamron lens over the Canon due to cost, saved enough to buy a back-up camera body!! I have not regreted this decision at all!!

Other points to consider, it is made for smaller digital sensors - however, since I doubt that I am ever going to buy a 5D or 1Ds, I think I am safe.

It does not have any type of image stabilization, so if your not able to use a tripod AND your not careful - your results will vary. (though I still believe with some practice, ANYONE can use this lens and be happy!)

CAMERA EQUIPMENT OWNED
40D - body and battery pack (with camera armor on both)
xti (400D) - body and battery pack (with camera armor on camera)
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8
Canon 70-200mm f4 L with IS
Sigma 170-500mm