Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 VC

[arthurking83]

DPR and Lensrental have both uploaded some test results of this lens.

Lens looks very good to be honest.

Some interesting findings, but I think in the overall scheme of things probably not super important if making a decision on whether the Tamron is the lens to go with or not ...

DPR's finding indicate that field flatness is better controlled on the Tamron vs the Nikon(obviously at more shallow DOF aperture values.

OTOH, if you look at Lensrental's MTF chart fort the two, it would seem that (theoretically) the Nikon would be the better lens in this respect.


The comments(and images) made on DPR about the Tamron's stated focal length at the wide end are a little disappointing .. in that the lens appears to be more of a 16mm focal length than 15mm.

Would have been nice to be as wide as possible, which of course you can always zoom in a bit if that's too wide for 'ya.
For me, this actually wouldn't be an issue tho .. I have the Sigma 12-24mm for going wide.

Going on these test results .. I'd say as do DPR .. this is certainly one of those lenses with a very high consideration rating.
And so, even tho I already have a super UWA lens(the Siggy) .. this one is definitely a lens I'll have soon enough too.

The VC is one of those must have features(which of course neither Nikon, nor Canon have in their equivalent lenses) for when it comes in handy in specific situations.

[Dug]

It would have been worth considering before I got my Canon 16-35L f4 IS, but I didn't know it was coming even though there was info on it out at the time.
The 15mm would have been of more interest to me than f2.8 (sound like it's not 15 though), but if I got f2.8 for the same price it would be hard to say no.

I'm rapped with the Canon, they have finally stepped it up in the ultra wide performance, so no real regrets.

[I @ M]

This lens sounds excellent for any portrait photographer, IS/VR, great optics, perfect focal lengths, F/2.8 and well priced, what more could you want.


Anybody that relegates wide angles to landscape / astro / interior architectural shots is thinking too much inside the box.

[RJD]

I held off buying a wide for my full frame as I was waiting for this lens to come out. I was particularly after the f2.8 for night shots and I had reservations about the ones already available. The Tamron is one large, heavy lens! I haven't had a decent chance to play with it yet, but I have taken a few shots to experiment. I really need to do more with it at night to work out the best settings for it. It does a phenomenal job at sucking up light, but the few night shots I have taken have a distinct magenta cast - especially evident in the clouds. More playing required. I also want to play with it a bit in the garden as it will focus as close as 28cm and I think could be interesting for isolating flowers from others around. One point though, the Australian price for the lens is $1599.

Here are a few of my experiments - purely for illustrative purposes only, they are not great examples and have not been processed properly.

15mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/2000


15mm, f11, ISO 100, 1/60


15mm, f2.8, ISO 200, 30 seconds


15mm, f2.8, ISO 200, 30 seconds

[torro]

Thanks for posting. Like the photos.