Tamron currently has some Mail-in rebates offered on pretty much all of their lenses. One particular lens that might be of interest is Tamron's 17-50mm F/2.8 with VC (image stabilization). A much cheaper alternative if you compare to the equivalent range of Canon's 17-55mm IS which runs just over $1100 dollars. Correct me if i'm wrong, but I don't think Nikon even offers a lens in this range, with this aperture, that has Image Stabilization. Extremely helpful for those who shoot mostly video to minimize that rolling shutter / jello effect (especially on some early Nikon DSLRs). You can find more Tamron lens rebate information following the link (click here)
Tamron Lens Rebates Canon Nikon.
Travis Wears
This is my primary lens for photo/video and has been for the last 2 years. It's an excellent lens, has a super usable range and looks great. No complaints here.
Dan Abrams
I don't know about the 17-50, but I just bought tamrons 70-300 vc and it's a great bargain. Easily beats canons non-L's in the same category, which are more expensive. And there's a rebate on.
One of my other two lenses (the third is a leica summicron 50mm f2 which makes everything else I own look and feel like shit), is the canon 17-55, and I have to say, it's better optically than almost all of Canons L glass in all sizes (except prime, of course). Build quality is just ok. I don't know how good the tamron is, but the canon in this range is superb.
Zack
just a heads up, the VC model is know to be a bit softer than the non-VC model. The Canon is the sharpest of them all, and for good reason, it has L quality glass in it, but you get what you pay for...
Paul Lewis
I have the non-vc version... if you're shooting with a tripod or some other support, you don't really need the VC. If you're doing events or something it would be a good idea to get it though.
Emm
Post author@Eirik - Whoa, careful. There's another version out there 'without' VC (vibration compensation a.k.a image stabilization). This lower model version without VC is the cheaper. Look for the VC model.
Eirik
The Tamron 17-50 is only 380$ on ebay!