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John Leonard 2:21am, 19 January 2008
Does any one have experience with the Promaster 17-50.. f/2.8 XR branded Lens which is made by Tamron? Just curious as to who has done a direct comparison. Any noticeable difference in image quality or build?

Did a search in the group and didn't see anything.
Mononc' Paul 16 years ago
I know the promaster has a lifetime waranty and tamron has a 7 year warranty. Other than that I don't see much of a difference in price or quality.
John Leonard 16 years ago
Yeah, that is what I am seeing too. I bought the Promaster today from a very reliable cameras store. I have 10 days to return it if I am unhappy. I've only had a chance to take a couple of quick shots. Tomorrow I will put it through it's paces!

Here is a quick example:
God, he has the camera AND flash out again.

I focused on the cat's mouth, shot at f/2.8
rich_gersh 16 years ago
In what little I've been able to find so far, the Tamron (15.3 oz) weighs 1.3 oz. more than the Promaster (14 oz.), but otherwise they seem to have the same construction. It also seems that the Promaster is slightly more expensive. To be honest, these are screw driven AF lenses with relatively simple moving parts. If something is going to go wrong with it, it will happen early. The 7 year warranty Tamron offers, to me, more than justifies the cheaper price. Who knows if Promaster will be around in more than 7 years to honor that warranty?

Bottom line, though, if it seems like good glass and you're happy with it, who cares about the brand? Vivitar used to do the same thing with their Series 1 lenses, but those were really good lenses at a fraction of the cost of their OEM cousins.
rich_gersh Posted 16 years ago. Edited by rich_gersh (member) 16 years ago
A little more searching shows that although B&H had the Tamron listed at 15.3 oz, Adorama lists it at 14 oz.

Tamron's website lists their lens at 15.2 oz.

Promaster's website list their lens as 14 oz.
John Leonard 16 years ago
The prices were the same for the two lenses. However I see B&H just dropped the price on the Tamron. Which means I could save some money if I return this lens and oder from B&H, but I already have the lens and am enjoying it. So I doubt I will return it.
rich_gersh 16 years ago
As they say, a bird in the hand. Tamron also extended their rebates, but for this lens, they dropped it from $25 to $10. You've got the thing in your hands. You're getting good results. I say take pictures.

It does look like Promaster rebrands a lot of Tamron lenses: 11-18, 70-300, a few others.
John Leonard 16 years ago
Promaster is offering a $10 rebate as well. That just convinces me further that it is the same lens. I'm possessing some images I took this afternoon. I'll post some more examples shortly.
John Leonard 16 years ago
Snow abounded yesterday, but here are some examples from the Promaster:

DSC_6636

DSC_6610

DSC_6630
rich_gersh 16 years ago
Very nice.

There have been reports of the Tamron 17-50 overexposing in certain TTL modes with flash. I'd be curious to hear from you, john, how your lens handles these situations since you shoot with flash often.
charlie_combine 15 years ago
Old post, I know... the promaster was on sale for 250; I bought it and am convinced I got a great deal on a great lens. Any opinions to the contrary? I will post some shots later on.

I'm noticing a hefty amount of blue fringing and a bit of vignetting, but aside from that I couldn't be happier. In fact I kind of like the vignetting.
Cyberskrimps 15 years ago
Where did you find it for 250... been looking to pick the promaster lens up.
matthew2000tx 15 years ago
I can't find any website with the Promaster anyone have a link?
Cyberskrimps 15 years ago
Ebay has Promasters for 279(new) I cant find cheaper.
sirshannon 15 years ago
I just bought the Promaster at my locally owned camera store (Biggs Camera in Charlotte, NC). I went expecting to buy the Tamron model but all the had was the Promaster but it was only $250 before tax!

My question:

Can/should I post my Promaster lens pics to this group?
Cyberskrimps 15 years ago
Yes, same lens.