Tamron 17-70 vs Fuji 16-80

RustyRus · Jul 16, 2022

There is no aperture ring on the Tamron...I don't care how sharp the thing is.

My thoughts

GMacF · Jul 16, 2022

ZapperVT said:
GMacF said:

I think even the most ardent fans of the 16-80 (and I include myself in that) would concede it is not terribly sharp at f4.

As someone else pointed out, the 16-55 is a better comparison. The Tamron and the 16-80 share nothing bar a broadly similar focal range. They are in totally different price brackets and dimensions & weight are quite a bit apart.

Click to expand...

Huh?

Fuji 16-55: $1199 / 655g

£979

ZapperVT said:
Fuji 16-80: $799 / 440g

£699 - but generally can be found much cheaper from people breaking kits (~£475)

ZapperVT said:
Tamron 17-70: $799 / 525g

£829 -which is equivalent to $980! Quite frankly I don’t know what Tamron were smoking when they set the regional pricing structure for this lens.

ZapperVT said:
The Tamron is exactly the same price as the 16-80 (in USD) while the 16-55 is $400 more. It is closer in weight to the 16-80 than the 16-55: 85g more than the 16-80, 130g less than the 16-55.

My reasoning is based on UK pricing.

ZapperVT said:
ZapperVT said:

However, if these lenses must be compared at least do it at f5.6.

Click to expand...

Well, no. The reason to buy an f/2.8 lens is so you can use it at f/2.8. Most lenses are tolerably good at f/5.6, but many aren't so good wide open.

trnglina · Jul 16, 2022

Since my camera's front and back dials are broken, a lens without an aperture ring is literally unusable

dan the man p · Jul 16, 2022

GMacF said:
I think even the most ardent fans of the 16-80 (and I include myself in that) would concede it is not terribly sharp at f4.

As someone else pointed out, the 16-55 is a better comparison. The Tamron and the 16-80 share nothing bar a broadly similar focal range. They are in totally different price brackets and dimensions & weight are quite a bit apart.

However, if these lenses must be compared at least do it at f5.6.

They're exactly the same price, actually, in the US anyway.

Edit: I see this has been discussed already. Ignore.

Erik Baumgartner · Jul 16, 2022

GMacF said:
ZapperVT said:

GMacF said:

I think even the most ardent fans of the 16-80 (and I include myself in that) would concede it is not terribly sharp at f4.

As someone else pointed out, the 16-55 is a better comparison. The Tamron and the 16-80 share nothing bar a broadly similar focal range. They are in totally different price brackets and dimensions & weight are quite a bit apart.

Click to expand...

Huh?

Fuji 16-55: $1199 / 655g

Click to expand...

£979

GMacF said:

Fuji 16-80: $799 / 440g

Click to expand...

£699 - but generally can be found much cheaper from people breaking kits (~£475)

GMacF said:

Tamron 17-70: $799 / 525g

Click to expand...

£829

GMacF said:

The Tamron is exactly the same price as the 16-80 (in USD) while the 16-55 is $400 more. It is closer in weight to the 16-80 than the 16-55: 85g more than the 16-80, 130g less than the 16-55.

Click to expand...

My reasoning is based on UK pricing.

Good deals on the 16-55 aren’t especially hard to come by in the U.S.A., I bought mine for $900 delivered.

GMacF said:
GMacF said:

GMacF said:

However, if these lenses must be compared at least do it at f5.6.

Click to expand...

Well, no. The reason to buy an f/2.8 lens is so you can use it at f/2.8. Most lenses are tolerably good at f/5.6, but many aren't so good wide open.

Click to expand...

Absolutely, I use my 16-55 at f/2.8 all the time (and it performs superbly). I’m sure the Tamron is a very nice lens, but the missing aperture ring and the fringing aren’t making me want to ditch the 16-55 anytime soon.

Gaze · Jul 16, 2022

RustyRus said:
There is no aperture ring on the Tamron...I don't care how sharp the thing is.

My thoughts

RustyRus — I agree!! Your comment made me laugh. My Fuji 16-80 is glued to my Xt4 with no regrets.

Kaoticphoto · Jul 16, 2022

the photos in the lower window looks sharper

pictograph · Jul 16, 2022

So - the only logical conclusion is:

Instead of purchasing the xf 16-80 better purchase the xf 16-55 - a very pro-Zoom.

cheers

Erik Baumgartner · Jul 16, 2022

marcin255 said:
This is not "TEST", this is my comparison, I bought a Tamron and took some photos on the way from the store. Another 16-80 vs Tamron, because I have one, or actually I had it, because it goes on sale. Fuji in the corners has fallen disgracefully, I know we praise what we have and what we have is the best is it so objective? No nerves with greetings.

People get defensive when their lenses don’t fare well in comparisons. The 16-80’s IQ varies quite a bit from copy to copy, some are very good, some not so much, people who have good ones will argue endlessly with those with crummy ones, usually without considering that they could both be right.

Heinz · Jul 16, 2022

marcin255 said:
Fuji 16 F4

Tamron 17 F2,8

Tamron 17 F4

Honestly they look all horrible to me. The foliage is full of artifacts. Whre did you focus? I guess with C1 the 16-80 images would look better than the tamron with ARC

--
Heinz
http://flickr.com/photos/55025133@N02
http://500px.com/hejakma

Erik Baumgartner · Jul 16, 2022

marcin255 said:
35mm Fuji 5.6

Tamron 35 5.6

In my opinion, Fuji recedes at 35, but it's not as drastic as at 16-17mm

The Fuji is more competitive here, IMO, Notable warmer rendering again too.

marcin255 · Jul 16, 2022

Erik Baumgartner said:
The Fuji is more competitive here, IMO, Notable warmer rendering again too.

Definitely not, the Tamron is sharper and sharper, and as for the colors, you can improve it in post-production

RobertMachin · Jul 17, 2022

MiroLx said:
ZapperVT said:

Craig268 said:

pictograph said:

For me the Fuji seems to have the much better and natural colors, the Tamron too much greenish touch.

for me this „test“ is very biased towards the Tamron and for me it seems much fairer to compare the Tamron with the xf 16-55 since the 16-80 is not the best choice of the existing zooms at all if sharpness is your first priority.

Interesting that the TO did not mention the extremely disturbing ghosting of the Tamron which is well documented by others.

for me personally this „test“ is just irrelevant for deeper evaluation for those who are about to make a decision for a purchase, especially since the „test“ shows just one single scene…

cheers

Click to expand...

Exactly, off the cuff tests aren't statistically significant because of small sample size and lack of control.

Click to expand...

Every lens test published is invalid by those standards. Except those from LensRentals, who have a sample size of 10, and custom calibrated measurement apparatus.

Click to expand...

I do not get these negative comments. Looks like comparing lenses at this forum is dangerous job...

Any post that implies that Fuji is not at the top of the game is a risky move on this forum....

Flying Fijian · Jul 17, 2022

RobertMachin said:
MiroLx said:

ZapperVT said:

Craig268 said:

pictograph said:

For me the Fuji seems to have the much better and natural colors, the Tamron too much greenish touch.

for me this „test“ is very biased towards the Tamron and for me it seems much fairer to compare the Tamron with the xf 16-55 since the 16-80 is not the best choice of the existing zooms at all if sharpness is your first priority.

Interesting that the TO did not mention the extremely disturbing ghosting of the Tamron which is well documented by others.

for me personally this „test“ is just irrelevant for deeper evaluation for those who are about to make a decision for a purchase, especially since the „test“ shows just one single scene…

cheers

Click to expand...

Exactly, off the cuff tests aren't statistically significant because of small sample size and lack of control.

Click to expand...

Every lens test published is invalid by those standards. Except those from LensRentals, who have a sample size of 10, and custom calibrated measurement apparatus.

Click to expand...

I do not get these negative comments. Looks like comparing lenses at this forum is dangerous job...

Click to expand...

Any post that implies that Fuji is not at the top of the game is a risky move on this forum....

GMacF · Jul 17, 2022

Flying Fijian said:
RobertMachin said:

MiroLx said:

ZapperVT said:

Craig268 said:

pictograph said:

For me the Fuji seems to have the much better and natural colors, the Tamron too much greenish touch.

for me this „test“ is very biased towards the Tamron and for me it seems much fairer to compare the Tamron with the xf 16-55 since the 16-80 is not the best choice of the existing zooms at all if sharpness is your first priority.

Interesting that the TO did not mention the extremely disturbing ghosting of the Tamron which is well documented by others.

for me personally this „test“ is just irrelevant for deeper evaluation for those who are about to make a decision for a purchase, especially since the „test“ shows just one single scene…

cheers

Click to expand...

Exactly, off the cuff tests aren't statistically significant because of small sample size and lack of control.

Click to expand...

Every lens test published is invalid by those standards. Except those from LensRentals, who have a sample size of 10, and custom calibrated measurement apparatus.

Click to expand...

I do not get these negative comments. Looks like comparing lenses at this forum is dangerous job...

Click to expand...

Any post that implies that Fuji is not at the top of the game is a risky move on this forum....

Click to expand...

The Tamron seems like a nice lens but they seemed to have priced it a bit too high imo. In Australia it's selling for around $1300. The Fuji 16-55 has been out a long time and can easily be picked used up for $900. I got a mint one a while ago and I can't see myself getting the Tamron. The 16-55 has been growing on me...certainly can't complain about it's quality. The 16-80mm is even cheaper making the Tamron a poor value.

Hopefully the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 is priced much lower than this.

Tamron still cheaper in Oz than UK - based on UK price it works out at $1450 AUS!
Again, just crazy.

And similarly, a mint 16-55 can be picked up here for around £500-£550. So how Tamron plan to sell their lens here is beyond me.

sluggy_warrior · Jul 17, 2022

Heinz said:
Honestly they look all horrible to me. The foliage is full of artifacts. Whre did you focus? I guess with C1 the 16-80 images would look better than the tamron with ARC

The 18-135 is way better!

I kid, I kid! The point is, this is a straight head-to-head direct comparison between the two lenses. Of course IQ can be improved in post.

andrerav · Jul 17, 2022

Interesting results, thank you very much @marcin255. I checked the prices for the lenses discussed above here in Norway:

Tamron 17-70: 9999 NOK
Fujifilm 16-80: 10989 NOK
Fujifilm 16-55: 12989 NOK

These prices are tax/VAT included.

Looking at the price history, it seems the 16-55 had a price hike very recently. It was competitive price-wise before that. I suspect that we may see a 15-25% price reduction on the Tamron over the coming 1-1.5 years based on the price history for the E-mount version (depending on supply/demand/inflation).

GMacF · Jul 17, 2022

andrerav said:
Interesting results, thank you very much @marcin255. I checked the prices for the lenses discussed above here in Norway:

Tamron 17-70: 9999 NOK

Fujifilm 16-80: 10989 NOK

Fujifilm 16-55: 12989 NOK

These prices are tax/VAT included.

Looking at the price history, it seems the 16-55 had a price hike very recently. It was competitive price-wise before that. I suspect that we may see a 15-25% price reduction on the Tamron over the coming 1-1.5 years based on the price history for the E-mount version (depending on supply/demand/inflation).

Yeah those prices seem very high. Oddly, the Tamron is actually on par with the UK price but the two XF lenses are crazy expensive in comparison. Can’t believe they are asking >£900 equivalent for what is essentially a kit lens.

pictograph · Jul 17, 2022

GMacF said:
andrerav said:

Interesting results, thank you very much @marcin255. I checked the prices for the lenses discussed above here in Norway:

Tamron 17-70: 9999 NOK

Fujifilm 16-80: 10989 NOK

Fujifilm 16-55: 12989 NOK

These prices are tax/VAT included.

Looking at the price history, it seems the 16-55 had a price hike very recently. It was competitive price-wise before that. I suspect that we may see a 15-25% price reduction on the Tamron over the coming 1-1.5 years based on the price history for the E-mount version (depending on supply/demand/inflation).

Click to expand...

Yeah those prices seem very high. Oddly, the Tamron is actually on par with the UK price but the two XF lenses are crazy expensive in comparison. Can’t believe they are asking >£900 equivalent for what is essentially a kit lens.

The 16-55 a „kit lens“ ?

you are kidding?

GMacF · Jul 17, 2022

pictograph said:
GMacF said:

andrerav said:

Interesting results, thank you very much @marcin255. I checked the prices for the lenses discussed above here in Norway:

Tamron 17-70: 9999 NOK

Fujifilm 16-80: 10989 NOK

Fujifilm 16-55: 12989 NOK

These prices are tax/VAT included.

Looking at the price history, it seems the 16-55 had a price hike very recently. It was competitive price-wise before that. I suspect that we may see a 15-25% price reduction on the Tamron over the coming 1-1.5 years based on the price history for the E-mount version (depending on supply/demand/inflation).

Click to expand...

Yeah those prices seem very high. Oddly, the Tamron is actually on par with the UK price but the two XF lenses are crazy expensive in comparison. Can’t believe they are asking >£900 equivalent for what is essentially a kit lens.

Click to expand...

The 16-55 a „kit lens“ ?

you are kidding?

16-80…

Tamron 17-70 vs Fuji 16-80

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