Today will be gear announcement overload thanks to Photokina. Next up is Tamron, who announced a new 15-30mm F/2.8 lDi VC USD lens for full frame cameras.
Yesterday, I mentioned the rumor that this lens was coming and sure enough, here we have it. This new Tamron 15-30mm is a beast, not just in that it is a full frame F/2.8 wide angle, but it is actually pretty hefty in the weight department. Weighing in at 38.8 oz, the lens weighs more than the Nikon 14-24mm.
The lens comes with a built in hood, which is nice -in my opinion – because it’s one less accessory you have to lug around and lose. As far as optical design goes, the lens is comprised of 18 elements in 13 groupings that produces a field of view of 110° 32’–71°35′ (for full frame format) and 85°51’–49°53′ (for APS-C format), with an 11 inch minimum focus distance.
Tamron 15-30mm F/2.8 Specs
- Focal Length: 15-30mm
- Maximum Aperture: F/2.8
- Lens Construction: 18 Elements in 13 Groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 11 inches
- Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:5
- Maximum Diameter: 98.4mm
- Length: 5.7in (5.6in for Nikon Version)
- Weight: 38.8 oz.
- Diaphragm Blades: 9
- Minimum Aperture: F/22
- Compatible Mounts: Canon, Nikon, Sony
Overall, I feel like this looks like a good option just based on the specs. We will have to wait and see as far as the price and availability. But this looks promising from Tamron, stay tuned and we will update you about the pricing, availability and pre-ordering options once that information is made available.
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What are your thoughts on this new Tamron lens? Does the weight turn you off at all? Leave a comment below!
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Given Tamron’s reputation, this lens should be aggressively priced, definitely lower than any near equivalent Canon , Nikon or Sony offering and probably any Sigma or Tokina offering too. Tokina has an old 16-28/2.8 tank on the market for around $650. Given this is a new lens, it will probably come out more than that but drop after 6 months to similar levels. My guess would be $799-899 when announced
wondering how it holds up against the EF16-35 F/4 in terms of price and quality.
699 may be?
Man I want to know how much this will be!
I’m hoping that it will be around $600
I highly doubt it will be that low. I expect it to be more around $1000.
Probably more closer to $1000, or even $1200+, considering Tamron’s 24-70 and 70-200 vc are $1200-$1300, I’d say the latter is highly likely.
However, do expect to be able to find them on sale off and on for $100-200 off, I think. I dunno, Anthony what does Tamron usually do in terms of rebates? I’ve never paid much attention to them as they haven’t impressed me in the ultra-wide landscape lens arena yet…
How is the built in lens hood nice? At what point does someone become so lazy that having a permanently attached lens hood on a LANDSCAPE lens that prevents any use of creative filters is a good thing? If I actually had the option of using my Lee Filter system with this lens it would be on my list but without that option its a non starter from the start. I was worried that I’d regret my Canon 16-35mm F4 IS purchase already, thankfully that isn’t the case, no matter how good this lens turns out to be.
Filters are not a big deal to me, I don’t use them regularly (though I probably should), so for me (and people like me) not being able to use some filters isn’t a big issue. I can definitely see that for people who use lots of filters this could be a non-starter.
I agree with Shawn, having an awesome ultrawide lens and not being able to use an ND filter on it is a drag.
The lens element seems to be larger bulbous at the front so the filter is there to protect it.
You can still use filters as people do so on the nikon 14-24 f2.8
If Lee creates an adapter as they did for the Nikon 14-24 it won’t be a problem.
I don’t think I like the built-in lens hood. It won’t deter me from purchasing it, if I wanted to, but just…I don’t like it.
It looks like the lens has a protruding front element and the lens hood is essential protection.
I’ll admit, I don’t either. I do a lot of motion-blur photography, and having easy access to ~10-stop NDs is really a must. And I can’t exactly bring a Wonderpana system on all my backpacking trips, though I really wish I could. It’s just not very practical.
Especially considering this lens “only” gives me 15mm, and not 14. I’d be much better off with the Nikon / Canon 16-35mm f/4’s, if I were a landscape shooter who usually shot stopped down and needed easy access to various types of filters. Such a lens really makes no sense unless you MUST have both f/2.8 and stabilization. In which case, I’d rather lug around the (in comparison) featherweight Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, anyways…
The only thing missing is pricing.. which to be honest will be the key here.