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Video: Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD Field Test

Published Apr 14, 2015 | dpreview staff

Tamron claims that its new SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD offers prime lens quality across its focal length range, paired with a fast maximum aperture and - uniquely in its class - optical vibration compensation. We've been impressed by how this wideangle zoom performs in our studio, but that's only half the story. Our latest video field test follows DPReview Deputy / Technical Editor Rishi Sanyal as he uses the Tamron 15-30mm to shoot architecture, cityscapes and waterfalls.

Click here to view a gallery of sample images from this shoot

Falls Creek Falls, Carson WA. Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD lens shot at 25mm focal length on a Nikon D810. Exposure info: 1/15s | F8 | ISO 64. Converted from Raw to taste. Additionally, 11 images were averaged in Photoshop to simulate a ~3/4s exposure, since a neutral density filter could not be used on this lens. Visit our dedicated Samples Gallery for more photos from our video review of this lens, and grab some representative Raw samples from the gallery below.

Representative Raw samples:

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Tamron A012E SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD Ultra-Wide-Angle Zoom Lens for Canon EF Camera - International Version (No Warranty) In stock Usually ships in 4-5 business days	$906.41 »
Tamron A012N SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD Ultra-Wide-Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon FX Camera - International Version (No Warranty) In stock Usually ships in 4-5 business days	$890.30 »
Tamron SP AFA012C700 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Wide-Angle Lens for Canon EF Cameras In stock Usually ships in 24 hours	$1,199.00 »
Tamron AFA012N-700 SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Wide-Angle Lens for Nikon F(FX) Cameras In stock Usually ships in 24 hours	$1,199.00 »
Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens (Canon EF) - International Version (No Warranty) White Box Bulk Packaging In stock Usually ships in 24 hours	$901.99 »
Tamron 15-30MM F/2.8 DI VC USD CANON, A012E In stock Usually ships in 1-3 weeks	$2,415.00 »

Comments

Total comments: 96

You take some gorgeous pictures.

0 upvotes

Thank you DPR for a very useful and interesting video about both the lens, city- and landscape.

0 upvotes

just for fun, did somebody test this tammy against old sigma 15-30, which be be surprisingly good, if you get good sample? i have one and i would be interested to see how does compare with field curvature, corner sharpness etc.

1 upvote

Beautiful

1 upvote

Thanks, nice & useful.

1 upvote

Oh my God! cBeautiful views!!!!!!!!!

1 upvote

Please observe: First link of the Representative Raw samples is a 404 - broken link.

1 upvote

Sorry about that. Fixed now.

1 upvote

Thanks :)

1 upvote

if I did not already own the 14-24 i'd probably consider the tamron to be a worthy challenger.
BTW for those who want wide angle lenses that do accept standard filters, Zeiss is an option, just sayin'..
I own a 21mm 2.8 Zeiss, no regrets at all, it's an outstanding lense for landscape work. Zeiss's own engineers consider it to be on par optically with their more expensive lenses under the Otus name.

2 upvotes

Nikon's is slimmer and fit in the bag easier than the Tammy.

Have to reconfigure the pads in my bag to fit this beast.
You should be perfectly happy with the Nikon unless you need VC.[which is hardly ever unless you're like me and shoot in dimly lit public aquariums]

1 upvote

So much order envy!
Sometimes something better comes along and you just have to swallow it and think about your next choice.
Mine was pretty easy, I had a Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II. It was o.k. and did the job. My clients were happy enough, but after selling it, it was just a $200 jump to get this beauty. Believe the hype, it is an awesome lens. I has also sold a 21mm CZ Distagon (original Contax/Yashica version), at a big loss. The point is, at the time I bought it Canon and Nikon had no wide angles that came close. To match the IQ I would have needed to go to medium format. It paid for itself while I had it. There will always be a better one. Sometimes you catch the wave, sometimes you don't. Truly bad lenses are getting rarer these days.

1 upvote

When you done the Astro part did you use the Nikon D810 or the Nikon D810A

Hence the black tape over the model number
Honesty Please !

1 upvote

D810.

1 upvote

Great video and as an owner of the lens, I agree with this review.

1 upvote

thanks guys ... these videos are a cut above ... for their aesthetic, insight, and lack of hype

what a pleasant, effective way to have a look at new photography gear ... (even though I've fortunately had a 14-24 for quite some time)

hope you keep it going

7 upvotes

After watching the D750 field test in the Seattle Museum of Flight and now this I am very impressed - at how both of you review products and the level of care you put into making a quality video. Thanks so much. Very informative and enjoyable. Please keep it up!

6 upvotes

Thanks that's very kind of you and your appreciation makes our efforts worth it!

2 upvotes

Absolutely agree. This is a great writeup with great illustrative images.

1 upvote

I agree. I have been inspired to grab my D750 and my Tamron 15-30 for some street and city shots. Great videos, keep them coming.

1 upvote

@Barney @Rishi
The Tamron 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 VCs have a problem where AF fine tune (at least on Nikon models) recognises both as the same lens.
I.e. if you make AF fine tune adjustments to the 24-70 they will be applied to the 70-200 (or vice versa).
Are you able to confirm how the 15-30 behaves in this respect?
Tnx

1 upvote

Interesting - we don't have those lenses in front of us to check but we'll certainly look at it.

1 upvote

Cheers Barney

1 upvote

I wonder how this lens would fare with the new Canon 5D 50 megapixel cameras..

1 upvote

I just received my TAMRON 15-30 150mm filter system today,

high-end form NISI

soft GND 0.9
HARD GND 0.9

TOTAL COST AROUND $500 us dollar half the price of the lens.

But it deserved to have one for landscape and high contrast of sky and land!

0 upvotes

Excellent review, though no comparing.

0 upvotes

Can we qualify uniquely in its class for stabilization? Nikon and canon both offer wide zooms with VC. Do you mean being 1mm shorter than Nikon/Canon lenses or the fact its a 2.8 zoom?given it stretches out to 30mm, i think its more like the nikon 16-35 than the nikon 14-24. Just wkndering where the destinctions are coming in?

1 upvote

F2.8 compared to F4.

1 upvote

I just Rented the Tamron 15-30mm 2.8VC for 10 days. I was not impressed with it as much as others. Here are the known issues.

While the front of the Tamron is weathered sealed.the back is not. A potential problem of moisture and dirty could easily rendered the Lens useless quickly. When you have the lens off.you can actually see the electronics of this lens. And A mishap of water and dirt could damage the lens.

When the lens was delivered to me...The Lens was on 15mm..but would not focused. Stayed out of focused. Not until I started moving around the lens..manually. Then it snapped into Auto Focus.

Picture Quality? I was not impressed. While yes..it took a good picture with my Nikon D810.mostly centered. the other areas where not as sharp as Granger..others have said. While I did like the VC..and it would helpful on this lens.if you were held holding it.

I would Highly Suggest to others, Rent First. Then decided. And this might be chalked up to...I might of gotten a Bad Copy!

Edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Thanks for telling people you likely got a bad copy.

So...?

Edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

Doesn't sound like mine at all. I think you are are wrong re weather sealing too...

1 upvote

look on the back of your lens....Then at 15mm and at 30mm...tells us what you see? Please. I will find the link that shows what I am discussing.

http://www.slrlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/tamron-15-30mm-2.8-review-initial-impression-6.jpg

Edited 4 times; latest 4 minutes since posting

1 upvote

I just took a look to see if you had seen something I missed. I don't see that. Sorry. I just see a sealed lens with a gasket around the mount.

1 upvote

http://www.slrlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/tamron-15-30mm-2.8-review-initial-impression-6.jpg

here u go..i guess your lens out smarted you.

1 upvote

you might got a Bad Copy

0 upvotes

Oh I see - but why do you think the exposed electronics have anything to do with weather sealing? They are inside the gasket when mounted. If you look at the equivalent section of the 14-24 all you have is a baffle which is hardly impermeable.

1 upvote

Because it is NOT weather sealed. Dust and Moisture would play havoc with it...AND others who have reviewed it...say the same thing. While the front element is weather sealed...just saying.

0 upvotes

Is this lens an early prototype or from production?

0 upvotes

I think got a decent copy, comparing with the 24-70, it looks really much better at 24-30mm just at one glance. Looks much crisper.

Don't know about Nikon's 14-24 though. Most reviews say they're almost identical except at the edges.

I bought it on impulse after a personal recommendation from a fellow shopper. Shop let me test it and I was impressed.

0 upvotes

Even though I have tried not to buy more lens for Nikon b/c I plan to buy a smaller crop frame body + couple of new (zoom) lens for travel light, but this UA zoom seems attempting.

0 upvotes

This segment is very confusing for all the tempting gear. I still want the 20 f1.8 and 35 1.4 from Sigma. >.<

0 upvotes

I like Sigma than Nikon, and actually I have not bought Nikon lens for yeas. I do not know TAMRON very well.

BTW: "this UA zoom" should be read as "this UW zoom" in my post above.

0 upvotes

A bad copy is as bad as a bad lense for some markets.
Some markets (Australia, I assume others) it's very hard to exchange, so if you get a bad copy you're more or less stuck with it.

Re weather sealing, I'm pretty sure I can see the electronics on either the 24-70 or 70-200 too. But I don't think it matters.
With weather sealing, I don't expect the lens to be proetect during a changeover. While that would be nice it's kinda unreasonable.

2 upvotes

The rear elements of many lenses retract into the body when zooming. When any lens is detached from a body it will always be vulnerable to dust and moisture. It is good practice to change lenses in a clean environment where possible, but always cap both the lens and body (or swap lenses) as soon as possible. I would be much more concerned about contaminating the sensor and, if your camera is a reflex type, the mirror and focusing screen.

I have this lens and there is a good seal on the mount. Also, the image quality of my lens is outstanding, not just in sharpness but in contrast and resistance to flare. It is a significant upgrade from my Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II and many other Wide angle lenses I have owned in several formats. I have only seen a few prime lenses that are in the same league. I know there are others, which I don't own, but not many.

I suspect that if you are not immediately impressed with the image quality of this lens, the one you have is probably faulty.

2 upvotes

Thank you DP

1 upvote

Good pictures and great video work. I didn't have the audio on when I watched it (noisy crowds around so I wouldn't have heard anything anyway) and I think that's how I'll leave it because the angles, editing, and framing would need a soundtrack to do it justice rather than people talking. Images from the natural areas of Washington are like shooting fish in a barrel and they certainly caught my attention since the lens itself isn't on my personal list.

Edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Why is the Nikon logo and D810 tag taped over? Are you guys reviewing some unreleased camera? Also, you have a 36mp FF DSLR in the Pacific northwest forest but no photo of bigfoot? Why is it that only people using a 80s' camcorder can capture bigfoot? Haha

Good lens and good review. Tamron should make one for the alpha-mount.

1 upvote

It's not about the camera. It's a lens field test. It's pretty obvious which camera it is we're using ;)

1 upvote

Barney, did you test this shipping sample against the earlier optimized prototype which was used against the Nikon 14-24mm? if so were the test results consistent?

1 upvote

Same lens - and what makes you think that it has been 'optimized'?

1 upvote

i "think" it was optimized because prototypes are typically one-offed and fine tuned. unless you meant something other than prototype. it was then handed over to you by Tamron to review.

the reason a production sample might differ is because it's mass manufactured and tolerances might deviate. i have no idea if the Nikon was optimized before testing, but as you didn't disclose it i'm assuming not.

1 upvote

We were given an early production sample, not a prototype. We're almost never allowed to analyze results from prototype products (for obvious reasons). And in my decade of reviewing photographic hardware, I've never seen any evidence of 'optimizing' review samples.

Edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

ok, i see "prototype" is now gone. thanks for clearing that up.

0 upvotes

The only time (unless my memory is seriously failing) we've ever written about the 15-30mm in prototype form is from Photokina last year when we handled a non-final beta sample. That was just a hands-on piece from a tradeshow. No samples or analysis.

0 upvotes

Yeah, I definitely didn't call the lens we used for the review we published some weeks back a 'prototype'.

0 upvotes

so ... in the video you stated you got "quite excited ever since tamron showed you the prototype" — so maybe my mind is the one that's messing up as that's clearly several layers removed from what i was referring to above.

if that was my mistake then i apologize for wasting your time. great article, video, and an impressive lens. :)

0 upvotes

I'd really like to see some stress on how low of a shutter speed one can go with this lens. 1/8th burst is easy for a 17-40mm non-stabilized lens. How about 1 or 2 second exposures?

1 upvote

Around 1/5sec at 15mm on a 36MP body, while crouching on a cold day was about as good as we could manage. But on a lower-resolution body (or if you don't mind down-rezzing the files) I'm sure you could get away with slower speeds.

3 upvotes

And for a higher hit-rate, more like 1/8s, but we did get some shots down to 1/4s. Of course it depends on your subject and a number of other factors.

1/8s on a 17-40mm non-stabilized wouldn't yield that many hits on a high-res (36MP, no AA filter) body...

1 upvote

I'm really enjoying these videos. It doesn't hurt that Rishi is plain mean behind that viewfinder, too.

Although Barney... rolled up trouser legs are an offense against everything that fair and just in this world. Immediately vaporizes any accent-derived cultural goodwill that might otherwise accrue. Just sayin'.

Other than that... kudos. Oh, and third part manufacturers? Start working on a filter holder for this puppy, please.

3 upvotes

Late growth spurt.

5 upvotes

Everyone's a critic. ^^ Would love to get that lense if I could only decide which FF to buy with all the approaching new camera releases in the next month..
Ready to upgrade.. no clear path ^^

Edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I love what these third party manufacturers are doing, that means I no longer need to choose my camera based on what kind of lenses a camera manufacturer produces.

Edited 36 seconds after posting

5 upvotes

I agree, I have the 3 Tamrons. 15-30, 24-70, and 70-200. The only reason I buy my Nikkor lenses is for the primes.

1 upvote

Excellent work, gentlemen!

1 upvote

Wonderful and insightful review. Entertaining, but serious enough. Very nice photography.

2 upvotes

Couldn´t have said it better.

1 upvote

I had a feeling that Barney was British. Some of his responses to other posts definitely had a thick layer of sarcasm. I am British, so found it rather refreshing vs. the deliberately inoffensive responses that the American moderators on websites usually give.

I live in the states so have had to reign my sarcasm in otherwise people think I am just being mean.

Back to the lens... it looks nice but I don't think I will ever get one as it has a ridiculous front element like the Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8. I think you also said in the other review that it wasn't a true Nikon 15mm so my 16-35mm f/4 is probably just as wide and can easily take an ND filter. I am planning to get a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 for astro as that is the only reason I would need a fast, wide lens. Good on Tamron for keeping innovating, though. I think that quality of Tokina's 11-16mm f/2.8 and Sigma's art line has really redefined what 3rd party lens makes think they can achieve.

Edited 21 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

"I live in the states so have had to reign my sarcasm in otherwise people think I am just being mean."
As a sarcastic curmudgeon, myself, trust them --sometimes they are right. 8^)
A better reason to tone down the sarcasm is multi-culturalism, especially on sites like this. Sarcasm does nothing to increase understanding when people don't understand what you mean.

1 upvote

This is the best video I've seen from this site - Seattle is surrounded by great scenery and lots of photographic gems. Good to see you exploring them to get a real-world perspective on the gear.

8 upvotes

I've been very, very impressed with this lens since I received it. Defintely optically superior to the Nikon 14-24 in the range they overlap.

0 upvotes

I am fascinated by numbers...Looking at your comment history it looks like you own more lenses than loads of us combined. Impressive collection indeed.... Are you in lens rental business by any chance?

0 upvotes

Excellent hands on review. Camping plus hiking and photography = dream job!

1 upvote

Very nice lens by Tamron...very nice scenes as well

0 upvotes

I like we are finally getting IS / VR / VC on wide angle lenses.

I remember people saying it wasn't needed, yet when you take video with a wide angle with good IS, it looks like it's being shot on a tripod.

1 upvote

Thanks for the video!

Not meant too seriously, but the advantage of the vibration control was specifically mentioned in one scene where the camera was put firmly on a bridge handrail and another scene where the camera was on a tripod. Just two cases of the video image not entirely fitting to the spoken words. ;)

Edited 10 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

It's an amazing lens. The size an weight is its achilles,
Very nice video review. Awesome locations.

2 upvotes

I like a big heavy lens while i am shooting. I use a Nikon D810 plus Battery Grip..and I found it while heavy...weighted just right.

1 upvote

I will eventually get used to carrying it as with the 70-200 but add them all together, can really sap stamina.

However, it's still my favorite lens at the moment.

I'm now waiting for a D750XD810 model to materialize. All the good stuff ;)

1 upvote

For those of us that prefer to read, what's the conclusion?

1 upvote

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/4651324149/tamron-15-30-f2-8-vs-nikon-14-24-f2-8-shootout

6 upvotes

Thank you!

2 upvotes

Great work on the landscapes Rishi.

I use a Sigma 8-16 on my crop backcountry landscape camera and find that it is still possible to use a 100mmx100mm Lee Polarizing filter handheld over the front of the lens. It can be moved around for several shots and then blended in Photoshop to get an overall effect over the whole image when shooting at 8mm.

I wish I had a British accent for doing videos. My American/Canadian accent sucks in comparison. :)

Overall a very well-done video, guys. I'm really impressed.

Edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

What camera did you use to shoot the video? Very nice.

0 upvotes

As with the other recent field tests, we're using a Sony a7S 4K system.

0 upvotes

Hey DPR dudes.

As a fellow PACNW'r - mind telling where the wonderful waterfall shots were taken? Part of the video looks like the Talapus / Ollalie Lake area, but I couldn't be sure.

EDIT: Nevermind, I see you mentioned it during the intro to the waterfall section.

Edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Nice stuff Barney and Rishi, keep making these awesome videos. It feels so good that Tamron is coming up with these fantastic lenses. I am loving my Tamron 24-70, wish they could come up with this one a little wider, 12-24 :) with VC! that's probably a bit too much :p

1 upvote

Rishi throws down with the latest set of sample images! He is the human! Can anyone on staff even hope to come close to his awesome artistry with color, composition, subject, and execution?

Edited 17 seconds after posting

5 upvotes

Btw, your check's in the mail. ;)

14 upvotes

Barney, do you have any thoughts or reasons why Tamron refuses to give a choice to Sony users on VC?

0 upvotes

I should imagine as with all things of this nature that it's a cost/benefit question. Specifically, the projection of too much of the former and not enough of the latter to make it feasible.

2 upvotes

Good to see a video review. I wish you can get rid of all the scores and recommendation and simply do a video review of products on real use.

0 upvotes

I vote for the direct opposite of this!

I don't want to watch a 10 minute video review for a product (among myriads) that might not even be worth considering. I'd rather skim a review. See if it's got a good score, and then go back and read the full review if it's of interest.

2 upvotes

Lucky for you, you can have both.

We did a 'short' review of the lens a while back. Though we didn't score it.

4 upvotes

Nice video, I enjoyed watching it. Which Nikon did you use?

1 upvote

Thanks - we wanted to use the current flagship high-res full frame, which right now is the D810.

4 upvotes

Total comments: 96

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Prepare to be impressed: Tamron 15-30 F2.8 vs. Nikon 14-24 F2.8 Mar 5, 2015	Tamron USA announces fourth travel-themed photo contest Apr 3, 2015	Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD real-world sample gallery posted Feb 25, 2015	Field Test: Canon PowerShot G5 X on the Olympic Peninsula Mar 15, 2016

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