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Now reading: Photokina 2018: Hands-on with Tamron's 2nd-gen 15-30mm F2.8 lens 45 comments

Photokina 2018: Hands-on with Tamron's 2nd-gen 15-30mm F2.8 lens

Published Sep 26, 2018 | Dan Bracaglia

Open wide: Tamron's 15-30mm F2.8 G2

Tamron has updated their SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD full-frame lens and we got a chance to check out version 2 as this year's Photokina. It handles essentially the same as its predecessor but there are some cosmetic changes. The design now matches that of the SP 24-70mm F2.8 and SP 70-200 F2.8 - specifically the grey bit by the base is new and the switches on the side have been redesigned.

Aside from cosmetic changes, a list of improvements under the hood make the 15-30mm F2.8 version 2 all the more appealing, including: dual processors for faster AF and better stabilization, fresh coatings to reduce flare and a new aspherical element.

It is available in both Canon EF and Nikon F mounts - the Nikon mount just began shipping, Canon mount ships October 12th. The list price is $1299.

Tags: lens-news, hands-on, lenses, photokina-2018, tamron

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Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD G2

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Shutterbug1947

I own the original version of this 15-30mm lens and love it. Tamron is producing some great glass at half the cost of the Camera Manufacturers. Can't go wrong with Tamron.

3 weeks agopermalink

tripbeetle

I was seriously considering buying this lens, having seen all the rave reviews. (I couldn't find one review that recommended the Nikon 14-24 f2.8 over this lens.) I was especially interested is this, the new, improved G2.

So, I was in the local camera store last night trying both this Tamron 15-30 G2 alongside the above Nikkor on my D850.

The Nikon was clearly better! This was very odd, considering all the hype, from what I consider reputable reviewers, about the Tamron. I asked the guy if they had another copy of the Tamron. They did, so I tried that as well. It was decidedly better than the copy I'd just tried, but still no better than the Nikon. In fact, it was worse, because even with VR turned on, the Tamron images were no clearer at slow shutter speeds than the Nikon, which has no VR.

Maybe the store's Tamrons are both bad apples (one decidedly worse than the other). But if that's the case, I don't feel like gambling on getting a better copy when the Nikon is already superior.

3 weeks agopermalink

jubilatu

that's a crazy lens ! i almost bought the first version, but black friday landed the nikkor 16-35 in my bag instead...

3 weeks agopermalink

Timur Born

Does it or does it not introduce noise banding on camera sensors like other Tamron lenses do during focus motor operation?

3 weeks ago*permalink

bokehmon22

I bought Sigma 14-24 .8 Art. I had the Tamron 15-30 and it was a great lens. Definitely would love to have the rear filter

4 weeks ago*permalink

Eden_808

Does anyone know if they'll make a Sony E mount version?

4 weeks agopermalink

sirhawkeye64

Waiting to see the comparisons between this 15-30 and the original. (Too bad I just bought mine in January of this year, and they don't hold their resale value too well.)

4 weeks agopermalink

syberman7

Available in the now redundant EF and F mounts. Good timing. Haha.

No don't be a trout and go for the hook. Just a halfway pertinent joke.

Especially since the new R mount and Z mount are particularly suited to new more efficient wide-angle lens designs, yet this lens has to get by with the old design limitations.

4 weeks ago*permalink

Goodmeme

Well, I can't resist biting. All this talk of mirrorless as being more efficient annoys me too much to resist.

Sure there may be some advantages. But there are also disadvantages with mirrorless, and always will be.

Wide angle performance on slrs is fine, and many wide lenses can manage remarkable sharpness wide open, even in zooms.

It seems there is a mirrorless religion...

3 weeks agopermalink

padam19

While that's true, this wide-angle zoom territory where significant size and weight savings can be applied (especially if it also relies on sensor stabilisation). This is a great lens, but it is big and heavy(and you put it on a bigger camera), there is no way around that, almost like the EF 11-24mm f/4 which is a lot wider, so I can sort of more forgiving for that (although the Sony 12-24mm f/4 is way smaller).
After releasing the 28-70mm f/2.8 FE, Tamron will probably develop a wide-angle mirrorless zoom lens as well.

Tamron also released the 17-35mm f/2.8-4 in DSLR mounts, which is a lot smaller and lighter, that's nice, but it is just not nearly as sharp as this G2 and no IS or constant aperture, like with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4.

3 weeks ago*permalink

Goodmeme

I see what you mean now. Same quality with lower weight would be nice. I use primes these days mainly so I can enjoy one lens on the camera and maybe one in my pocket. The ones I use are much lighter and nicer to use than my 24-70L. So I can see the advantage of mirrorless there. But with the 5d series, I don't (usually) have to worry about battery life, and I have never enjoyed evf photography...

I'd rather get a 16-35 f4 IS than insist on f2.8 zoom and have to change systems. For now I'm making do with a 20mm f2.8 prime and that is plenty lightweight.

I'll be interested to see what Canon offer in terms of ultra wide for their RF mount. I'd be interested what they could do with a lightweight f5.6 ultra-wide zoom for RF, as the evf wouldn't be any darker would it, and the low light focusing is very good apparently?...

But I would have been more excited by a new EF 20mm f2.8 IS USM.

3 weeks agopermalink

padam19

In the Sony latest cameras battery life is basically not a problem at all anymore. Canon sticks to the LP-E6N which still works reasonably well, not at 5D levels of longevity obviously, still a lot better than those older mirrorless cameras.

AF has been improved, but the lens speed still plays an important part in the sensitivity, it always opens up for focusing. EVF is supposed to be the best so far both in CaNikon's offerings.

The first wide-angle lens most likely to be released is an RF 16-28mm f/2.8 (no IS?), maybe it will weigh not more than 500g like that Tamron 17-35mm (just a pure guess) but at least it will be optically much better and smaller.
Nikon will be offering f/1.8 primes in all kinds of focal lengths for their systems and also a quite compact 14-30mm f/4 zoom lens.

Canon's EF 16-35mm f/4 IS weighs the same as their EF 16-35mm f/2.8 II lens, so not that much savings there on that SLR front (although the version III is heavier still).
They will get there eventually.

3 weeks agopermalink

Goodmeme

I hadn't realised there is only 25g difference between the Canon f2.8 II and f4 IS. Still, at around 600g neither of them are back-breakers.

My EF 20mm f2.8 USM is 405g and I would just love an IS version with 9 blades for sunstars and better coatings to reduce flare. The version I have is one of Canon's oldest lenses, and Nikon recently developed a fast and fairly small 20mm that performs to modern standards. Still, used correctly the EF 20mm field curvature produces very sharp corners with normal ultra-wide shots, i.e. very close foreground, it's just a shame about the flare and no 18 point sunstars.

Unless an ultra-wide zoom goes to at least 35mm, I don't see the point of
zoom really, as I would still have to carry a 35/50 for more normal shots. 28mm equiv. is far too wide for me most of the time so any 16-28 zoom would have to be prime-small to justify a place in my coat pocket.

3 weeks ago*permalink

padam19

The lens that that we will likely to see is an EF 20mm f/1.4 L lens (it does already exist in Cinema form with manual focus)
Developing slower, cheaper, more compact lenses is not a priority, I guess they wouldn't make that much profit on them, they haven't made a real update on the EF 50mm lenses for many many years.
For the RF mount it might be zooms first, primes second.

3 weeks agopermalink

Goodmeme

I guess so, especially as they now have RF to work on.

But they are still making the 20mm f2.8, and it is not that cheap new. A minor update would be nice. I feel the same way about the 50 1.4. If they made the 20 2.8 IS and 50 1.4 IS they would have modernised all of the un-excellent non-L primes AFAIK. Two new non-L primes is not much to ask from the leading system... :)

The 50 is ridiculously overdue, as the only recent alternative is the 1.8 with STM focus rather than USM. I personally don't like that lens, I dislike the rendering for some reason, and the old 1.4 is nicer rendering but still only micro-usm and renowned for being easy to break...

3 weeks ago*permalink

kobakokh

Great news for ultra-wide shooters. I had version 1 few weeks and it was amazing lens, very sharp edge-to-edge and very nice image quality... This will be even better and also in normal price. Great job, Tamron! Customers will be happy...

4 weeks agopermalink

tinzi1

Did Tamron mention why they choose to leave out filter holder ability on the Nikon version?

4 weeks agopermalink

Deliverator

"There's no way to put a threaded filter on it but the Canon version has a rear filter holder that can accept gels. The Nikon does not due to the F mount's flange distance."

4 weeks agopermalink

BlueBomberTurbo

So, the mount diameter WASN'T the problem? ;)

4 weeks agopermalink

tinzi1

Thanks. too bad.

4 weeks agopermalink

vscd

@BlueBomberTurbo
But it seems a small Focalflange is a problem ;)

3 weeks agopermalink

matthew saville

It almost looks like they had a mole leaking sneak peeks at Canon's RF mount design, with that grey bit at the mount point. Very similar looking, I find it hard to believe it's just a total fluke.

Whatever the case, I hope they're hurrying up with reverse-engineering the RF communication protocols... Might be tough with the new "command ring" situation, though. Or I suppose people could just buy it in EF mount and get the adapter. Hopefully that's a seamless experience too.

4 weeks ago*permalink

SkySpades

Considering Tamron has used this design for about 2 years, I high doubt anyone was sneaking a peak at the RF mount design.

4 weeks agopermalink

matthew saville

Well, maybe it was Canon that liked the look of the Tamron! Who knows. But you better believe the R&D for this camera was going on years ago, so if Tamron rushed and Canon took its time, you never know...

4 weeks agopermalink

SkySpades

Just realized my misspelling in my first reply...peek*

4 weeks agopermalink

weisman

Great, but how is it in the corners? I use a Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 and it's pretty bad in the corners even at f5.6.

4 weeks agopermalink

SkySpades

Given the optical formula is basically the same as the first version which is excellent in the corners, I would expect this one to be as well.

4 weeks agopermalink

kobakokh

I have Nikon 17-35/2.8. You are right - corners are bad, Tamron 15-30 is one and only ultra-wide zoom with really corrected and sharp corners, You can read also many reviews, but I used it few weeks and its a great lens, even sharper then Canon 16-35/4IS. Not very comfort in use because of front element, but this is for get really great image quality and this job Tamron doing great.

4 weeks agopermalink

Scorehound_ca

I've had version 1 of this lens (15-30) and is was an astounding piece of glass. Sharp, hardly any distortion, excellent quality. I only sold it because I needed to use filters and couldn't afford the filter system this would require.

4 weeks agopermalink

jackspra

Nice design.Sample gallery of current version was real good.

4 weeks agopermalink

CuriousB

But will it be compatible with the FTZ adapter for the Z mount. There's already reports that neither the 24-70 G2 or 70-200 G2 will autofocus with the FTZ. Has Tamron mentioned anything about working on firmware updates?

4 weeks agopermalink

dpjoe1

And: When is Tamron going to release ER and Z versions with better balancing, less awkward looks, and superior performance. They will go there sooner or later, sooner is better for business and customers.

4 weeks ago*permalink

FuhTeng

No word from Tamron, no, but I'm certain they are. They can't possibly be dumb enough to have their head in the sand with Z-mount like they did with Nikon 1.

4 weeks agopermalink

MurrayJudy

dpjoe1 - Compatibility with the FTZ adapter is hopefully a simple firmware update. But a native Z or ER lens from Tamron or other third-parties is an all-new optical design for a new mount. I'd be surprised to see that in 2019.

4 weeks agopermalink

FuhTeng

I agree Murray - Sony owns part of Tamron and it's taken what, 5 years to get the first FE Tamron lens?

4 weeks agopermalink

BlueBomberTurbo

@FuhTeng

"They can't possibly be dumb enough to have their head in the sand with Z-mount like they did with Nikon 1."

I think you have it backwards. Nikon is the one that's been causing third party compatibility issues for the past few decades.

4 weeks agopermalink

Wladislaw

I wonder it the lens is much better than the older version which I own and bought for $799. That one is a stellar optic that I preferred over the Nikon 14-24mm.

4 weeks agopermalink

FuhTeng

I really doubt it. Not much in the update to improve resolution but perhaps contrast. My original 15-30 doesn't need auto focus fine tune (yay for enormous depth of field!) and it's already weather sealed, which were the two big drivers to get me to purchase the G2 150-600.

4 weeks agopermalink

weihaowang

"a new aspherical element" is mentioned in this report on page 1. I suppose it should produce some improvement in resolution.

4 weeks agopermalink

stevo23

Good looking lenses on the outside - Tamron has come a long way.

Interesting to think about the idea that quite soon, F and EF may no longer be the primary play when coming out with new lenses. Not that they're going away, but I think all the buzz will be around Z, R and E. And maybe even SL. Lot's of work ahead for Tamron!

4 weeks ago*permalink

daqk

So ... no Sony Alpha mount ... why not FE mount? the 12-24F4 costs an arm today.

4 weeks ago*permalink

M Chambers

My guess is an E mount will be coming shortly. Often times Sony is simply not mentioned in these press releases.

4 weeks agopermalink

FuhTeng

If I shot E I'd be hoping for a whole new design rather than this big beast with a built in adapter. You know, Tamron 28-75 style not E-mount Sigma Art style.

4 weeks agopermalink

daehnomel

I second the call for an A-mount version of this. I own the first version and would love to get a hold of this and all “G2” lenses!

4 weeks agopermalink

Kalin

Doesn't Sony own a part of Tamron? And yet, no Alpha mount. Not a good look :(

4 weeks agopermalink

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Tamron SP 15-30 F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 for Nikon	$1,299.00	Shop now
Tamron SP 15-30 F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 for Canon	$1,299.00	Shop now
Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens for Nikon F w/Advanced Photo and Travel Bundle	$1,299.00	Shop now
Tamron (6AVE) Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens for Canon EF + Professional Accessories Combo International Version	$1,272.39	Shop now
Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens for Nikon F (International Model)	$1,199.99	Shop now


Photokina 2018: hands-on with the Leica S3 Oct 12, 2018	Tamron introduces 2nd-generation 15-30mm F2.8 full-frame lens for Canon and Nikon Aug 31, 2018	Meyer Optik Görlitz's parent company is insolvent, backers won't get lenses or money returned Oct 18, 2018	Tamron issues warning about Nikon Z7 compatibility Oct 5, 2018


Storm's-a-comin by R C from Rain	Sunday Skaters by Domenick Creaco from Parklife

Photokina 2018: Hands-on with Tamron's 2nd-gen 15-30mm F2.8 lens

Open wide: Tamron's 15-30mm F2.8 G2

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