Think i could get all 3:

Tamron AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 SP Di II LD (IF) Lens for Canon

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Canon Mount

Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM for Canon Digital and Film SLR Cameras

£1227 all in from.. well.. they are probably dodgy imports but through a UK seller so cant be that big an issue?

You can order them through the states if you want, Ill get them shipped to my house. Youll probably save 200 quid.

thats fine, and in all probability everything will be absolutely fine, all Im saying is that if you walk into J. Smith and Sons Olde Time Legit Camera Shope and buy a Tamron lens, and then old Mr Smith has a heart attack and the company folds, you can still access warranty service by going direct to Tamron.

Is the saving worth the risk? it may well be, but thats the question you need to answer for yourself.

In the above mentioned front/back focusing issue.

Would this issue not be obvious from day one? if its DOA its far easier to sort than months down the line.

Quote from: Mongoose

In the above mentioned front/back focusing issue.

Would this issue not be obvious from day one? if its DOA its far easier to sort than months down the line.

yes, some of the lenses (very small percentage) are badly calibrated and the focusing is inaccurate, but if you get one of these itll be pretty clear if you do some test shots because itll always focus either just in front or just behind the subject.

it does seem to be one of those problems where a very few lenses actually have the issue, and then every fool who thinks a new lens will transform him into David Bailey assumes that his lens MUST be faulty when in reality the problem is behind camera, not attached to the front of it.

F it!

I have ordered all 3... fingers crossed they make it here ok and are fine.

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/497/Tamron-SP-17-50mm-F2-8-XR-Di-II-LD-Aspherical--IF----Canon-Fit.html

£20 more but full Tamron UK 5 year warrenty plus SRS are a dream come true to deal with.