I have come to the conclusion that the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens is one the biggest lens bargains out there. I'm not sure if there is anything else that comes close to the money it costs (bar primes).
I was on the fence when I first got it. No image stabiliser, and so small and light for a constant f2.8. Couldn't have been more wrong. I have got a very sharp copy, the zoom is excellent and has a lock switch too.
If you are after a constant f2.8 on a budget, then look no further. IQ may not be quite as good as the Nikon version, but you would have to pixel peep or be printing pretty bloody big to notice. Plus the Nikon is 3-4 times the price and twice as heavy. Also it does not have VR either.
Its now now become my standard lens, shooting anything from action to portraits and safe in the knowledge that the lens has 5 year warranty. Also is has a small filter size so the filter from my old 16-85vr fits straight on.
Talking about the 16-85vr, the Tamron is about the same size and weight.
Anyway, will stop the ramble!