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Tokina 11-16 vs. Tamron 17-50

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MustBeMattyB
Posts: 495 - Karma: 2,147
Hey all, I'm currently in the market for a new lens, i have about 700 dollars to spend. I've been looking at the Tokina 11-16 which i know is a great lens but i'm really looking for peoples opinions on the Tamron 17-50, I think i could use the extra focal length but i would be mainly shooting with it locked on 17 on a glidecam. I'd love some feed back about both or even other lens suggestions, mainly for follow cams, maybe some tripod shots mixed in. +k for helpful information -Thanks!
May 22 2012 1:00PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
2 different lenses for 2 different uses. save up another hundred or 2 and buy both. what exactly are you shooting?
May 22 2012 1:21PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Optically, the 11-16 slays the 17-50. It's rectilinear too.
May 22 2012 1:30PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8863 - Karma: 31,577
what's up matt

you need to decide if you want an ultra wide angle (UWA), the tokina, or a more standard range, the tamron.
I know a lot of people, me included run the 17-50 for glidecam follow kind of stuff without issues.
What other lenses do you have right now? just that kit guy?

You can pick the tamron up for about $350, so maybe pick that up now, it'll be more versatile, good for the summer, and save for the tokina (can't you borrow one from stept if you need it this summer?)
May 22 2012 1:31PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
you just have to decide which is more important to you, wide angle or standard zoom, because they're 2 different lenses.

the 11-16 is the 'better' lens, but the 17-50 is probably more versatile. i just bought the 11-16 and im super impressed with it, but my 17-55 is still my go-to lens in most situations.
May 22 2012 1:38PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
good suggestion.


i bought my 17-55 in june 2010, and i didn't end up needing to buy an 11-16 until a couple months ago.
May 22 2012 1:39PM
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MustBeMattyB
Posts: 495 - Karma: 2,147
I think the extra focal length is more important to me right now, i plan on investing in both eventually, i was thinking about going with the VC version of the 17-50, thoughts on that?
May 22 2012 1:47PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
the non-VC is sharper.

my canon 17-55 has IS, but i wouldn't really miss it if it didn't
May 22 2012 2:06PM
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eheath
Posts: 61155 - Karma: 118,841
the real answer is get both my two most used lenses
May 22 2012 6:33PM
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Satan666
Posts: 139 - Karma: 21
non-vc is sharper and vc isn't really necessary in such a wide angle anyway
May 22 2012 7:08PM
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penguiin
Posts: 1444 - Karma: 561
where did you find the tamron for $350? I found a couple places that sold it for that price but had horrible reviews so it sketched me out. most places I saw were around $500
May 22 2012 8:04PM
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eheath
Posts: 61155 - Karma: 118,841
ebay...

http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Tamron-SP-A016-17-mm-50-mm-F-28-AF-XR-DiII-IF-Lens-For-Canon-/99724063?_refkw=tamron+17-50&_pcatid=783&_pcategid=625&LH_ItemCondition=3000&LH_PrefLoc=1&_dmpt=Camera_Lenses
May 22 2012 8:55PM
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snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
I'd get the VC.  Can someone explain logically why it would be sharper without it?
May 22 2012 9:03PM
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penguiin
Posts: 1444 - Karma: 561
looks like I might be sending mine back...but do you recommend buying used stuff?
May 22 2012 9:03PM
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eheath
Posts: 61155 - Karma: 118,841
its a poor system it doesnt work well for video. and buying used is legit
May 22 2012 10:34PM
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Satan666
Posts: 139 - Karma: 21
because tamron fucked up
May 23 2012 12:57AM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
idk how technically accurate this is, but in many cases making a lens complex sacrifices sharpness.

this is from a video standpoint, idk anything about VC for photography
May 23 2012 2:03AM
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MustBeMattyB
Posts: 495 - Karma: 2,147
I found a non-VC version for $350 used in really good condition i think I'm going to go ahead and go with that. Thanks for all the good info!
May 23 2012 11:34AM
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