Subscribe Now!

Customer Service

GEAR

Short Report:

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di

Wide-angle zoom for digital and film cameras

By Zachary Singer

If you’re in the midst of a transition from film to digital imaging, you’ll soon discover that your trusty 24mm wide-angle isn’t very wide on your D-SLR. In fact, that all-encompassing 24mm now acts like a 36mm normal lens! This, you’re finding out, is due to your image sensor’s smaller size in comparison to 35mm. While this effect offers increased telephoto reach on the long end, it causes trouble for users of wide-angle lenses.

Tamron offers a handy solution for digital wide-angle work with its SP AF 17-35mm ƒ/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical (IF). Designed with the digital photographer in mind, the lens has a 35mm-equivalent focal length of about 26-53mm. (The exact figure depends on the size of your particular camera’s image sensor.) It nicely covers the range your short lenses used to give you with film.

Working with the lens on a Nikon D100 in Yosemite Valley, Calif., the shorter focal lengths gave me a wide enough field to cover the vast expanse after a clearing storm. With a twist of the zoom ring and a flip of my tripod’s pan-tilt head, I was able to execute a number of compositions quickly under changing conditions. Stopping down the lens provided good image quality along with the depth of field I needed.

The optic covers the full 35mm frame, so film shooters have a 17mm ultra-wide at their disposal. With the lens mounted, the view through a film camera’s eyepiece is like sitting in a Cinemascope movie, especially at 20mm and wider. The angle of view exceeds 100 degrees, offering much potential for landscape work. (You might want to double-check that you didn’t include your tripod in the bottom of your shot!)

My test lens worked perfectly with both my digital and film Nikon bodies. The zoom and manual-focus rings operated smoothly. Tamron makes the SP AF 17-35mm ƒ/2.8-4 Di in mounts for Canon, Konica Minolta, Nikon and Pentax. List Price: $817.95.

Contact: Tamron, (631) 858-8400, www.tamron.com.

[ Primary Features ]

1 Approximate 26-53mm (35mm equivalent) focal-length range on D-SLRs

2 Full-frame coverage for 35mm film cameras, providing ultra-wide to semi-wide angles of view

3 Available in mounts for Canon, Konica Minolta, Nikon and Pentax

MORE GEAR

Cameras
Reviews, roundups and articles on the new and best cameras from top manufacturers
First Look: Olympus E-3
January/February 2008

Short Report: Canon EOS 40D
December 2007

First Look: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
November 2007

Digital Darkroom
Digital darkroom gear, from software to inkjet printers, and how to use them
HP Photosmart Pro B9180
October 2007

Today's Technology in Inkjet Printing
July 2007

State-Of-The-Art Labs
July 2007

More
More great gear for outdoor photographers
Holiday Book Guide
December 2007

Editor's Picks '07
November 2007

Gadget Bag: HD Video Camcorders
November 2007

Lenses
Reviews, roundups and articles on the new and best lenses from top manufacturers
Zeiss F-Mount Lenses
December 2007

Short Report: Tamron AF18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical IF
September 2007

Short Report: Tokina AT-X 107 DX AF 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 Fisheye
August 2007

Accessories
Camera and photography accessories that will help make your photography better
The Essentials
December 2007

Gadget Bag: The Perfect Cover
December 2007

Get The Most From Your Batteries
September 2007

Buyer's Guide
A guide to help you choose the best solutions and equipment for your photography needs
Choosing A Digital SLR
2006

Choosing An Interchangeable Lens
2006

Choosing Inkjet Papers
2006

Check out our other photo sites: