Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 DI VC USD £930/$1200
Large in aperture but relatively small in price
This wide-angle zoom goes head-to-head with the top-flight Canon 16-35mm on test. Both have a ‘fast’ f/2.8 constantaperture design and very durable build quality, complete with weather seals and fluorine coatings. The Tamron has a slightly more modest overall zoom range but a marginally wider maximum viewing angle.
A major plus point of the Tamron is that it’s the only full-frame compatible lens in the whole group to feature stabilization. Coupled with the f/2.8 aperture rating, it’s especially potent for handheld shooting in dark conditions.
Noticeably heavier than the Canon 16-35mm, the Tamron is also no lightweight when it comes to optical prowess. An XGM (expanded Glass Moulded Aspherical) element and several LD (Low Dispersion) elements are combined with two types of nano-structure coatings.
Performance
Centre-sharpness isn’t quite as fabulous as the Canon 16-35mm lens when shooting wide-open at f/2.8, but there’s precious little to choose between the two lenses at f/4 and narrower apertures. Towards the edges and corners of the frame, the Tamron actually beats the Canon for sharpness at most zoom and aperture settings. Colour fringing is better controlled than in the Canon lens at the short end of the zoom range, where the amount of barrel distortion is very similar. The Tamron is a great performer and excellent value for money.