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Tamron 17-70 vs Fuji 16-80

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GMacF said:
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).
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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.
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The 16-55 a „kit lens“ ?

you are kidding?
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16-80…
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Well,

the 16-80 is not bad, but surely one of the less impressing zoom lenses by Fujifilm, especially at the long FL (80mm) at the borders

As I already wrote before, the xf 16-55 is a very very performant zoom… it was designed for Pros and it is a very reputated lens.

In contrary, the Tamron is not really usable if the sun is not in your back but in front or even sidely positioned… the worst ghosting of all zooms since a decade….
 
Last edited:
That dreadful fringing seems to bother only you and I.
 
pictograph said:
GMacF said:
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?
Click to expand...
16-80…
Click to expand...
Well,

the 16-80 is not bad, but surely one of the less impressing zoom lens by Fujifilm, especially at the long end.

As I already wrote before, the xf 6-55 is a very very performant zoom… it was designed for Pros and it is a very reputated lens.

In contrary, the Tamron is not really usable if the sun is not in your back but in front or even sidely positioned… the worst ghosting of all zooms since a decade….
Click to expand...
I agree. I said above and have said on other posts, I think the 16-80 is an excellent lens for what it is - a broad focal range constant f4 zoom. It has it’s weak points for sure e.g. f4 and ~80mm but otherwise a veritable jack of all trades lens. There’s just no way to justify that sort of price. As part of an X-S10/X-T4 kit, or a good used copy, it can represent tremendous value for money. If you were spending £900+ for a new one you’d be much better off getting the 16-55.
 
pictograph said:
Well,

In contrary, the Tamron is not really usable if the sun is not in your back but in front or even sidely positioned… the worst ghosting of all zooms since a decade….
Click to expand...
I checked, it's not like that at all
 
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marcin255 said:
pictograph said:
Well,

In contrary, the Tamron is not really usable if the sun is not in your back but in front or even sidely positioned… the worst ghosting of all zooms since a decade….
Click to expand...
I checked, it's not like that at all
Click to expand...

just have a look at seriously made reviews which show this weakness …

But I have no problem with you, if you want your eyes keeping closed about that….
 
Does that mean you agree about the fringing or agree only two idiots are bothered by it? (!)
 
a_c_skinner said:
Does that mean you agree about the fringing or agree only two idiots are bothered by it? (!)
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As already more or less clear „between the lines“ in my former postings here I agree with you. The context of my posting was very clear and I am wondering how you could misinterpreted my posting…

I‘d never purchase or recommend the Tamron 17-70.

the 16-55 is the best choice in that segment for the X-System.
 
It is regrettable that such judgments, categorical judgments are made by people who have not touched this glass.
And finally, 17mm 2.8 I'm happy



c78e14ca96d245b0855d55f155fb902d.jpg
 
And finally, I tried to catch a reflection in Fuji and Tamron ...



Tamron



ee62ab2e43d04fd89b9a91abf5abf9e6.jpg

Fuji 16-80





10063a2fe4ce47c0b93ab7b92222460c.jpg
 
That is how I read it, then sticken by doubt.
 
Every lens has its pros and cons - in the case of the Tamron 17-70 from my perspective the pros are the wider range, image stabilsation, and the corner definition at each end of its range which is much better than the copy of the Fuji 16-80 which I had, when it was first introduced. I found the The Tamron is however a bit heavier and a bit longer than the Fuji and as has been said can suffer with more CA wide open than the Fuji. The Op's results match mine, and at the very severe risk of being seriously flamed, I think the Tamron is also a rival to the Fuji 16-55. My own very amateur results suggest this but it will be interesting to see whether any future review makes a detailed and more definitve comparison.

I am prepared to accept the cons for the increased range and better corner definition and so far I am happy with the results. Having said this others are of course free to dissent. One of the joys of photography is finding the equipment which best fits one's individual approach - each to his own!
 
Apologies, but it was a genuine observation after seeing an image posted on here. Lenses are all about the pictures and I couldn't use a lens that fringed like that. So sadly I'll not ever get to the point of an hands on assessment, unless the lens in use is defective, which still seems a plausible explanation for those colour fringes which are really bad in the image posted. I'm intrigued as to why they seem not to be present in other images.
 
a_c_skinner said:
Apologies, but it was a genuine observation after seeing an image posted on here. Lenses are all about the pictures and I couldn't use a lens that fringed like that. So sadly I'll not ever get to the point of an hands on assessment, unless the lens in use is defective, which still seems a plausible explanation for those colour fringes which are really bad in the image posted. I'm intrigued as to why they seem not to be present in other images.
Click to expand...
agreed, the color fringing is really bad. Is it a case of the Tamron not having lens-correction profile in the Fuji's body (yet)?

Would be nice if OP can share the RAFs of the two lenses.

In case anyone not seeing it, the top-right corner is most visible.



81d015a047c84b088157448b94701bfe.jpg
 
5 seconds and after the problem. I prefer 2.8 and sharpness, and I correct such crap in post-production.

0287eaeff64d4403b4c5ca60cdab669f.jpg.png

And lest Fuji is perfect



e350f78399aa4466afe1d5bb75ee8cc3.jpg.png
 
You've got better correction than I did in Affinity. I may need to learn more.
 
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...
And here in NZ
  • Tamron 17-70: NZD $1500
  • Fujifilm 16-80: NZD $1450
  • Fujifilm 16-55: NZD $2000
all include GST (15%)

I find that many lenses have their price based on exchange rates at time of release … and often don’t move with changes to exchange rates …. If the exchange rate favours a reduction in price, there is more likely to be regular cash backs or promos, but not a change in list price. Different manufacturers have different supply models, so there is differences in prices based on these.

With any luck the Sigma 18-50 will be under a grand. For the e mount it is NZD $950, on special currently at NZD $877 including tax
 
Woof, Comments here are as interesting as the comparison! Appreciate the OP taking the time to post the pictures. I’m intrigued by the tamron but more for a potential replacement for the 16-55 on my x-t3....but damn I love my 16-55. Seems almost perfect to me but still might try the 17-70 to satisfy my curiosity. On the other hand, I don’t care who this upsets but the 16-80 is a dog of a lens. Unless I got 3 useless copies, it can’t even compete with the 18-55 I have or the 18-135 I used to have. Will never touch that lens again unless it drops to the $300 range used some day. Again thanks to the OP for posting this, pardon the tough crowd.
 
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