The Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 was announced earlier this year–aimed at landscape, real estate and architectural photographers, this lens represent’s the company’s attempt to take on the likes of the Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L and the Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 G. For the past couple of years, Tamron has been putting out incredible lenses that have impressed us over and over again. At first sight, we were impressed with the size of this one–it’s huge!
With 9 aperture blades, 18 elements in 13 groups, and a front element so large you can’t use a filter, there is bound to be lots that pro photographers will love about it.
Tech Specs
Specs taken from the B&H Photo listing of the lens.
| Focal Length | 15 – 30mm Comparable 35mm Equivalent on APS-C Format Focal Length: 24 – 48 mm |
| Aperture | Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility | 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor |
| Angle of View | 110° 32′ – 71° 35′ APS-C Picture Angle: 85° 51′ – 49° 53′ |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 11″ (.28 m) |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:5 |
| Elements/Groups | 18/13 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9, Rounded |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | None |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.87 x 5.71″ (98.4 x 145 mm) |
| Packaging Info | |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 3.35 lb |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 9.4 x 7.0 x 5.1″ |
Ergonomics
The Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 is a large lens. In fact it’s probably the largest wide angle lens that we’ve tested. This is due to the wide angle zoom range and constant f2.8 aperture. We start our tour with this lens’s front element–which has a permanently attached lens hood to protect it from evildoers.
The lens cap goes over the entire hood–which is very typical of wide angle lenses like this. You’ll want to keep it around for sure.
The lens’s body is comprised mostly of plastic–but tough plastic with texture for better grip. When you look at the top, what you’ll mostly find is the distance scale along with the manual focus ring and the zooming ring.
Go to the side and you’ll spot the lens controls for vibration compensation and autofocus/manual focus. If you’re shooting on a tripod, remember to take off the VC.
Build Quality
The Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD takes the cake when it comes to being beefy. While it doesn’t feature weather sealing, the lens is pretty much Campbell’s chunky beef soup when it comes to beefiness. It’s large but not overly large to be cumbersome in the hands. What we really like is the large zooming ring that makes zooming very simple.
Ease of Use
Most photographers will probably set this lens to autofocus then point, shoot and enjoy. There is no real use in manually focusing this lens considering how quickly and accurately it seems to focus. Part of this is due to the depth of field on something this wide.
Autofocus
The autofocus on this lens is quick–and we totally expect that. With the Canon 6D it’s not only quick but very accurate. Photographers using a lens like this will be satiated with the results–then again they’ll also just be happy if the entire scene is in focus.
Image Quality
So far, we’re quite happy with just how sharp the images are but even more so, we’re happier with how good the colors are. Indeed, we didn’t have to do very much to these files to make them look great and they’re mostly untouched.
First Impressions
So far, we really like the Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 lens, but we’re not a fan of its size. It’s big on an already big DSLR, but the fact that it also has the potential of replacing so many other lenses also gives it a lot of promise.
Stay tuned for our full review.