15-30mm vs Tamron 17-35mm

With the Canon you get in camera corrections, IS that works together with ibis, and you’re sure it will work perfectly with any Canon rf camera. The size is much smaller if compared with the adapter. And 2 extra mm in the wide end that should be very noticeable.

the Tamron is way cheaper than that depending on the market. I have the Tamron and love it.

I'm tempted to get the RF15-30 if no 3rd party option in the next 2 years.

Currently, I pair R6 with EF20-35L f2.8 or Tamron 17-35.   I brought the Tamron extremely cheap in 2nd shops.(USD250)  Unfortunately, it's not working with my R6 IBIS so I have sent it to Tamron for firmware updates and return it back.

Without IBIS and Canon's in-camera corrections, in good lighting condition, I would say is on par.  AF is slower on Tamron, but more accurate in video mode.

The only downside of using Tamron is required some post-process to make it look nice.  The straight-out RAW/Jpeg colours is grey-ish.  Basically like Sony outputs.

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I expect the RF15-30 work well in static low light, because of the IS.  The only weakness is weather sealing and low light action.  For genral use, I can't see any issues.  Even when compared to e mount Tamron 17-28/Sigma 16-28 f2.8 the IS and in-camera corrections can make it on-par.

I know most people talk shxt on Canon because of the small aperture in their non-L zoom lens.  Yet the only lens I really dislike and sold it off is the RF24-105 non-L.  Everything else is decent to use.

I found a like new second hand Canon EF 16-35/4 L IS cheaper than the RF 15-30.

Much less digital lens correction needed, and better corners. But of course, you still need an adapter, and it's a bigger and heavier combo.

Good luck and good light.

DarrenCZ wrote:

Hi, thanks for your reply, sorry I didn't reply this was my first dp post, and I didn't see any notifications arrive.

How is your feeling on 15-30mm stm 6 months on?

Just got back from a trip to Montreal, where I used only the tamron 17-35mm on a couple of City walkabouts

This year I want to 2 or 3 RF lenses to go native rf and lighten up the load a bit.

Keep thinking of rf16mm and the 24-105mm stm just for weight, and as back up lenses for backpack.

... But 15-30mm also looks useful.

I'm shooting the Tamron on my R5, and I think the results stopped down a little up to 28mm or so are amazing for such an affordable lens.  IBIS works well enough at those wide angle focal lengths. I can also use the lens with the drop in filter adapter.

From what I've seen in reviews the RF 15-30mm is a step down. I would definitely stick with that Tamron if you own it.

Just on the Montreal, trip, I had a great afternoon in the Gosselin store they are so friendly, and for the first time I tried some of the RF L lenses, amazing but expensive.

I loved the focus speed on the 24-105mm L and the 100-500mm, I see them in my future also at some stage.

DarrenCZ wrote:

Hi, thanks for reply.

I feel the same way inclined, so probably the 17-35mm wins out over the 15-30mm stm, the Tamron really is nice.

I would only consider the 15-30mm if you desperately need the best stabilization possible, but the difference won't be huge, and the Tamron is also brighter, so for me it that small advantage of the RF lens doesn't outweigh the downsides. (less good IQ, darker aperture, impossible to use the drop in filter adapter, higher price).

I do still wonder about either the rf16 & rf24 primes for that lightweight native option.

The 16mm is very light weight, but I don't need that focal length permanently on the camera, so for me it would come with some lens changes. It is a nice "just in case" lens to have in your bag though.