Tamron Lenses

D

Digilus

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Howdy all and sundry,

After some research and my little kit lens finally reaching the point of high-annoyance, I've decided to go for a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for my every day walk around lens - which (according to a good couple of reviews) is optically better than the Sony equivalent (yeah I am an Alpha person).

Now, in order to try support local business I've tried to figure out where to get Tamron glass in this country, but with no luck. Even the great power of google only turned up Nivo Shopping - which looks like a dodgy "I'll import it for you" type of online shop.

So the question is - any brick and mortar places I can go (I am in CT btw) - to see a Tamron lens in person? Otherwise I'll just get it from BHPhoto (even though it is in New York)

Cheers
 
I'd go straight to B&H if you're not in a hurry. Have to wonder what Tamron's local support structure is like though. I recently got the sigma 24-70 but then they have a decent presence in SA so I wasnt too concerned about that.
 
The sigma route is always an option - it is about the same price as the Tamron too. Though I have a friend with that 24-70 (not the super EX HSM one) - and found that is just really big and heavy for an everyday lens, it also had issues auto-focusing and bizzare barrel distortion (though he bought it 2nd hand .. so who knows what life it might have lived previously).

Checking the weights I see the Sigma in the blue corner, weighing in at 715gm and the Sony/Tamron tag-team in the red corner, weighing in at under 565 & 510gm respectively - so not much difference. I think I'll take a wonder down to Orms in town and see if they have one I can try out.

Thanks for the Sigma-reminder ;)
 
Digilus said:
The sigma route is always an option - it is about the same price as the Tamron too. Though I have a friend with that 24-70 (not the super EX HSM one) - and found that is just really big and heavy for an everyday lens, it also had issues auto-focusing and bizzare barrel distortion (though he bought it 2nd hand .. so who knows what life it might have lived previously).

Checking the weights I see the Sigma in the blue corner, weighing in at 715gm and the Sony/Tamron tag-team in the red corner, weighing in at under 565 & 510gm respectively - so not much difference. I think I'll take a wonder down to Orms in town and see if they have one I can try out.

Thanks for the Sigma-reminder ;)
Click to expand...
As it happens I went with the newer HSM one - wow what a lens. :o
 
You can try Ludwigs photographics. I know that they sell Tamron lenses. The website isn't too great so rather give them a call. They are in Pretoria however, but maybe they can courier it to you. http://www.ludwig.co.za/
 
Digilus said:
f google only turned up Nivo Shopping - which looks like a dodgy "I'll import it for you" type of online shop.
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I've bought many things from Nivo and have only received great service from them. AFAIK they are not an "I'll import it for you" type of shop. Their stock is local.

The PIX mag has the official distributor of tamron listed in it (I can check tonight). You might be able to contact them or buy directly. I still think BH would be cheaper. :D
 
Ta for the correction Subliminal ... I'll relook at Nivo's site (though not to buy)

I found the official distributor listed on the Tamron site (though they list Canary Islands and Mauritius as South Africa too - :confused:). I got a price from Ludwigs (as tjIppi suggested) - but even with around $100 shipping and VAT - it is still almost R1.something k cheaper to go the BH route. Of course, dear bwana threw the cat in amongst the pigeons with him mentioning that Sigma HSM lens - arrrrgh ... oh well aren't I glad I skipped on xmas pressies for myself last month :D
 
Digilus said:
Ta for the correction Subliminal ... I'll relook at Nivo's site (though not to buy)

I found the official distributor listed on the Tamron site (though they list Canary Islands and Mauritius as South Africa too - :confused:). I got a price from Ludwigs (as tjIppi suggested) - but even with around $100 shipping and VAT - it is still almost R1.something k cheaper to go the BH route. Of course, dear bwana threw the cat in amongst the pigeons with him mentioning that Sigma HSM lens - arrrrgh ... oh well aren't I glad I skipped on xmas pressies for myself last month :D
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Sorry - I'm definitely not going to mention that the sigma is even better than canon's stalwart 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens at a fraction of the cost . . . I know you use sony so it wouldnt make a difference if I did :whistle:
 
bwana said:
Sorry - I'm definitely not going to mention that the sigma is even better than canon's stalwart 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens at a fraction of the cost . . . I know you use sony so it wouldnt make a difference if I did :whistle:
Click to expand...

Haha ... Sony has it's own 28-75mm lens - but I'll see on Saturday when I go Orms and hopefully get to play with both.

Hmm .. I wonder if I can make it to Cape Town and back during an "extended" lunch later ... *mutters.to.self .... "I must behave"*
 
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