Does anybody own this lens and LOVE it?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Di_II_VC.html
I'm looking for an affordable lens that has a decent zoom and can be used for decent portraits as well! I already own 28-135 and I think my 50 mm is crappin out on me. I'm also just thinking about maybe the 85mm 1.8??
Oh and do you know if Vibration Compensation (VC) Mechanism is the same as Image Stabilizer? Any opinions would be appreciated! Thanks

The Tamron 18-270mm, f3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Asph. AF (IF) Macro is tremendously convenient, and it tries to do everything in a single package. Unfortunately that means some sacrifices, concessions and compromises.

The biggest compromise is ultimate image quality. An 85mm, f1.8 prime lens has better image quality in terms of resolution in the center and much better resolution in the image edges and corners. The faster aperture also means better control over DOF and bokeh.

An 85mm, f1.8 is not going to be as flexible to use in situations like a walk-a-round lens and snapshot lens, which are the primary uses for the Tamron 18-270mm VC.

Yes, Tamron's VC ("Vibration Control", I believe) is a type of lens-based, optical image stabilization. While it is similar to Canon's IS (optical Image Stabilization), each implementation has its own set of features and qualities.

On a crop 1.5x/1.6x camera body an 85mm lens is very useful for head shots and head-and-shoulder portraits. It would be less useful for 3/4 and full-length portaits or group portraits. A fast 85mm lens plus a fast 50mm lens plus an 18-50/55mm-ish lens of constant f2.8 aperture makes a very nice portrait "kit" of lenses for crop cameras.

I've never loved any of Tamrons all in one super zooms. The IQ tends to be terrible. I had the 18-200 and it made images that to me wouldn't pass for an 8x10... and it was working correctly. I'd go for a shorter zoom range or prime, they'll have much better results

Thank You so Much!! Just what I needed to know...time to start saving some bucks I guess for the primes!

Originally Posted by jodieoliver Thank You so Much!! Just what I needed to know...time to start saving some bucks I guess for the primes!

While primes are great, a good standard zoom deserves a place in every camera bag IMO. The Tamron SP 17-50mm, f2.8 XR Di II LD IF is just such a lens and the price is not horrible. While it doesn't replace prime lenses it can often be used for similar purposes and the Tamron 17-50mm, f2.8 is good enough for paying work.

A nice review here:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

Tamron also makes a VC version of that lens but the reviews for it are a little less spectacular:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

I suggest starting with the non-VC version and adding the primes later.

Originally Posted by jodieoliver Thank You so Much!! Just what I needed to know...time to start saving some bucks I guess for the primes!

Actually you can get really good primes for $100-400, which is pretty light on the wallet comparing to some others

I'd get a prime macro lens, they're usually the sharpest and have the best IQ, plus you can focus on practically anything.

Zooms like the one Ziggy mentioned are good too don't completely skip over those, just skip the super all purpose zooms. Some like the Canon 70-200 lenses equal or exceed the sharpness of most primes and have extremely low distortion through their whole range as well (they're just a bit longer) Not sure about Tamron or Sigma's equivalent models but I'm sure they'd have similar traits like that

Also in Tamron stable is the 28-75 f/2.8. I've had this lens for four or five years and it's still going strong. Love that lens. In fact, I just used it for an OpLove shoot and it performed wonderfully.

Originally Posted by Overfocused Actually you can get really good primes for $100-400, which is pretty light on the wallet comparing to some others I'd get a prime macro lens, they're usually the sharpest and have the best IQ, plus you can focus on practically anything. Zooms like the one Ziggy mentioned are good too don't completely skip over those, just skip the super all purpose zooms. Some like the Canon 70-200 lenses equal or exceed the sharpness of most primes and have extremely low distortion through their whole range as well (they're just a bit longer) Not sure about Tamron or Sigma's equivalent models but I'm sure they'd have similar traits like that

Prime Macro like...24-70 2.8 Canon? I'm thinking of this one but its too spendy for me! Tamron has one similar?? I have yet to see primes in that price range..am i looking in the wrong places, maybe used??
I would love the 70-200 but really don't need it for work just personal so its harder to justify!
Thanks for help!
oh and i know stupid question but i shoot with the 40D this is a "crop" (right)

Originally Posted by jodieoliver Prime Macro like...24-70 2.8 Canon? I'm thinking of this one but its too spendy for me! Tamron has one similar?? I have yet to see primes in that price range..am i looking in the wrong places, maybe used?? I would love the 70-200 but really don't need it for work just personal so its harder to justify! Thanks for help! oh and i know stupid question but i shoot with the 40D this is a "crop" (right)

Oh i think Im confused on what "prime" is?? Maybe it's L- lens im thinking of?

Originally Posted by jodieoliver Oh i think Im confused on what "prime" is?? Maybe it's L- lens im thinking of?

Prime ==> fixed focal length lens. Not a zoom.

Zoom ==> focal length can be changes, i.e. 24-70 f/2.8L USM

Prime has nothing to do with "L" glass. Yes, there are a number of prime lenses that are also "L" glass, but not all primes are "L". Not all "L" are primes either

For Canon, "L" signifies the "Professional" grade lenses, designed to stand up to a bit more abuse than the consumer grade glass.

Originally Posted by jodieoliver Prime Macro like...24-70 2.8 Canon? I'm thinking of this one but its too spendy for me! Tamron has one similar?? I have yet to see primes in that price range..am i looking in the wrong places, maybe used?? I would love the 70-200 but really don't need it for work just personal so its harder to justify! Thanks for help! oh and i know stupid question but i shoot with the 40D this is a "crop" (right)

Yeah. Multiply any focal length by 1.6x if its not an EF-S lens.

24-105 is a bit less expensive than the 24-70 and works very well on 1.6x sensors. It will be 38.4-168mm on the sensor, which isn't really too wide, but in my opinion is still a very pleasing focal range, plus having L glass also makes it even nicer.

One suggestion is to find a used Canon 50mm F1.8 prime and see how you like it :) you should be able to find one for $50 ish. For $ to IQ ratio its pretty ridiculous how sharp it is, but don't expect any low light auto focus miracles haha