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Tamron’s widest zoom ($480, street), this lens belongs to the exclusive SP (Super Performance) line, which traditionally offers stronger resolution, contrast, and flatness of field than the company’s other optics. A digital-only lens, it’s a 16–37mm equivalent on DSLRs with APS-sized sensors.
Two elements of Low Dispersion (LD) and one of high refractive index (HID) glass promise better control of chromatic aberration. It’s slightly faster and has a significantly bigger zoom range than the 11–18mm f/4.5–5.6 it replaces in Tamron’s catalog.
As we went to press, only the Nikon mount was available (with built-in AF motor), but the Canon mount should be available by the time you read this, with Pentax and Sony soon to follow.
HANDS ON: Several ounces heavier and about a quarter-inch longer than its predecessor, the 11–18mm, the lens is average in size and weight for the ultrawide, digitalonly zoom class, and like most of the competition, it’s long enough to block a portion of the output of a built-in flash at closer focusing distances.
Its satin-finish, poly-carb barrel sports a broad, ribbed, and rubberclad zoom ring, plus an amply sized, smooth-turning manual-focus ring. Both are well marked with large, white numerals. The ornamental “SP” ring in a gold color has been slightly enlarged, with larger type, and moved from the outer rim to center barrel. The lensmount is metal.
IN THE LAB: With Excellent-range SQF scores at the three tested focal lengths, the lens promises faultless contrast and resolving powers. Its performance matches that of the Canon 10–22mm, Sigma 10–20mm, and Tamron 11–18mm digital ultrawides.
In DxO Analyzer 3.0.1 tests of distortion control, we found Slight barrel distortion at 10mm (0.26%), 18mm (0.29%), and 24mm (0.24%)—all impressive numbers. They’re noticeable improvements over Tamron’s 11–18mm zoom, which produced barrel distortion in the Very Visible range at 11mm (1.01%). They’re also significantly stronger than most of the competition, except the Canon 10–22mm, which produced barrel distortion that dipped close to the Imperceptible range at 14mm (0.11%), amazing for an ultrawide.
Light falloff left the Tamron’s corners by f/5.6 at 10mm, and there was no discernible vignetting at the other tested focal lengths. Wow! This finding was also stronger than any competing lens that we’ve tested, including Tamron’s 11– 18mm, which produced darkened edges to f/8 at the two tested focal lengths.
Close-up performance was also stellar. Its maximum magnification ratios at the uniform close-focusing distance of approximately 9.4 inches were 1:12.2 at 10mm, 1:6.64 at 18mm, and 1:4.95 at 24mm. Again, much stronger than the lens it replaces, which topped out at a relatively wimpy 1:7.9 at 18mm.
CONCLUSIONS: Able to deliver what you look for in an ultrawide zoom, this lens can handle everything from tight interiors to broad, horizon-spanning landscapes. If you’ve been putting off buying a zoom in this range for fear of the barrel distortion and vignetting that typically mar ultrawide images, give this Tamron a test drive. Likewise, if you want an ultrawide’s ability to contrast large-looming foreground elements with relatively tiny detail in the distance, this lens—with its thrillingly tight 9.4 close focus and category-leading 1:5 magnifying power—won’t disappoint.
Specifications:
10–24mm (10.34–23.60mm tested), f/3.5–4.5 (f/3.50–4.53 tested), 12 elements in 9 groups. Focusing turns 100 degrees clockwise. Zoom ring turns 80 degrees counterclockwise. Focal lengths marked at 10-, 13-, 15-, 18-, 20-, and 24mm.
Diagonal view angle: 108–60 degrees.
Weight: 1.03 lb.
Filter size: 77mm.
Mounts: Canon AF, Nikon AF (Pentax AF and Sony AF coming soon).
Included: Lenshood.
Street price: $480.
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