New Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 VC - Good for dark rides/spectromagic?

[sdshutterbug]

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 gets a lot of praise here and elsewhere for it's wide angle and low light performance, and I was seriously considering it instead of a 50 1.4, but then I saw that Tamron is updating their 17-50 f/2.8 and adding VC, and it still costs a lot less than Canon or Nikon's comparable versions. With the added image stabilization, does this lens have the potential to take some good dark ride shots? I like the idea of the added flexibility of zoom range, and although 2.8 isn't terribly fast for lighting challenges such as the Disney dark rides, I would think the VC (along with a cranked up ISO) would correct that. Anyone else considering getting this lens?

[WDWFigment]

Possibly. Whether it's going to work on dark rides depends more on your highest usable ISO rather than it having VC. Even then, you're constrained to the more well lit dark rides (although I did use the Tokina 11-16 on SSE with some success).

Most of the time on dark rides, you won't be using shutter speeds at that focal length to make VC useful. Since VC corrects camera movement, not subject movement, it doesn't really add much to the equation.

All things considered, I wouldn't rely on this as my sole dark ride lens. Maybe after another generation of sensors, or if you had a full frame sensor, but not with currently available crop body sensors.

[Code]

I'm confused.. you have a Sony with in-body stabilization. If you're considering the Tamron 17-50/2.8, you should just save a bunch of cash and get the pre-stablized version. I have it and it is great, and I only paid $335 used. Far and away the most bang for the buck in my camera bag.

As for dark rides.. I've used it a few times on the wide end for the slower, brighter rides, but overall I agree with Tom. Keep in mind that stabilization compensates for you moving the camera, but not the subject moving, nor the fact that you are moving in a ride vehicle.

[sdshutterbug]

I guess I should have mentioned I'm planning on trading in my Sony gear for a Canon kit later this year. Thanks for the advice, both of you....It's so hard to choose an affordable kit when there are so many options!

[Groucho]

I was able to get a few somewhat-decent shots on Splash Mountain with my F2.8 zoom (used because of the weathersealing, I don't have a weathersealed prime... yet!)... for something like Haunted Mansion or PotC, forget about it. :)

F1.4 will bring in four times as much light at F2.8... to get comparable results, you'd need to be moving to a camera that produces comparable levels of noise at two ISO stops higher, which is a pretty tall order - maybe the 12mp full-frame Nikons, but that's probably about it. Remember than even they often struggle in the darker rides.

To give you an idea, I just dug up one of my HM shots - a shot of Little Leota ("hurry back, hurry back...") - F1.4, ISO 6400, and it still had a 1/15th shutter. Even with image stabilization, that's awfully slow (remember you're on a moving platform) and the shot is not a great one by any means. Granted - Little Leota is a a worst case scenario, but IMHO F2.8 zooms just aren't cut out for dark ride photography.

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Why are you going from sony to Canon? Wouldn't it be cheaper to keep the lenses you have and upgrade your body rather than toss all your Sony gear to get Canon? There are pros who shoot Sony.
FWIW, even though I am not a pro, I agree with Groucho. It would have to be a pretty well lit ride like maybe IASW maybe to get usable photos. I struggle to get great photos with the 30mm 1.4 in POTC and HM in DLR, although I've heard the DL versions are darker than the WDW versions....

[sdshutterbug]

Groucho, that's a good point. After what you've all said I've crossed this off my "dark ride" lens list, and probably off my wishlist. DisneySuiteFreak, I'm switching to Canon because I want some features like the HD video and the larger array of lenses (which at Sony I'm sure will grow, but right now it doesn't seem to have enough of the lenses I want at a price I like).

[WDWFigment]

F2.8 zooms just aren't cut out for dark ride photography.

Yet.

Totally agree with everything else you said. In two or three years, I think we'll be there.

For what it's worth, here's a shot I took with the Tokina 11-16 @ f/2.8 in August:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3964471762_08a751c290.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10245245@N07/3964471762/)

[annnewjerz]

Yet.

Totally agree with everything else you said. In two or three years, I think we'll be there.

For what it's worth, here's a shot I took with the Tokina 11-16 @ f/2.8 in August:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3964471762_08a751c290.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10245245@N07/3964471762/)

Tom---just wondering what rides you tried using the 11-16 on. I knew you said Buzz and SSE, but were there any others you had even moderate success on?

[WDWFigment]

Tom---just wondering what rides you tried using the 11-16 on. I knew you said Buzz and SSE, but were there any others you had even moderate success on?

Universe of Energy, Splash Mountain, Hall of Presidents, it's a small world.

I'm going to try Pirates and Haunted Mansion this trip. Doubt I'll have any luck on HM, but what the heck!

[annnewjerz]

Universe of Energy, Splash Mountain, Hall of Presidents, it's a small world.

I'm going to try Pirates and Haunted Mansion this trip. Doubt I'll have any luck on HM, but what the heck!


Good luck, very interested in seeing what you get. I wanted to use iton Small World for a few scenes that I can't ever seem to fit into the frame---glad to see it's doable with the D90 and 11-16. :thumbsup2

[sdshutterbug]

Your shots with the 11-16 are awesome Tom! I would think the UWA would allow a little forgiveness with slow shutter speeds.