Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]

I've been itching to get my Canon EF-S 18-55MM f/3.5-5.6 II replaced for the past few months, but I was being lazy to drop by camera shops to survey and of course purchasing the iPhone causes some delay as well.

Getting a Canon lens is pretty much out of my budget especially for fast lenses, so I shortlisted a few 3rd party lenses instead;

1. Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]
2. Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO
3. Tokina AT-X 16-50mm F2.8 PRO DX

I went over to YL Camera Service at Pudu Plaza this afternoon to check out some used Canon L lenses that caught my attention via ShutterAsia forum and recommendation by Peter Tan, the Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L USM (RM2.9K-RM3.1K) and Canon EF 16-35MM F/2.8L USM(RM2.9K). I thought I'll be getting those L lenses, but somehow I just don't feel good about buying 2nd hand lenses, although 3 months warranty is given by YL Camera Service, and they worked pretty well when I tested them.

So I settled for a Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] at RM1580 (inclusive of HOYA UV(N)HMC Filter) instead, But I'm hold back from buying any Tele lenses at the moment.

Taken with Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]

Taken with Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II

So far I can only say I love it's faster focusing speed and bokeh compared to Canon EF-S 18-55MM f/3.5-5.6 II.