TAMRON 10-24mm f/3.54.5 DI II VC HLD

A big zoom range and fancy features make this a versatile landscape zoom

Built for APS-C format DSLRS, it has an ‘effective’ range of 16-38.4mm in fullframe terms. Naturally, there’s quite a lot of overlap with a standard zoom lens but a plus point for landscape shooting is that you won’t need to swap between lenses so often.

Building on the feature set of Tamron’s original 10-24mm lens, this edition adds a raft of enhancements. A new HLD (High/low torque-modulated Drive) AF system replaces the basic electric motor-based unit of the original. It’s faster, quieter and more accurate, and improves handling as the focus ring no longer rotates during AF. Another major handling upgrade is that the new lens features VC (Vibration Compensation), whereas the previous lens lacked image stabilization.

Build quality is good for an APS-C lens and the build comes with weather-seals and a fluorine coating on the front element, to repel moisture and greasy fingerprints. Optical highlights include enhanced aspherical and LD (Low Dispersion) elements. There’s also compatibility with Tamron’s optional TAP-IN Console for fine-tuning and firmware updates.

Performance

Due to the size of test charts, lab-tests for ultra-wide-angle lenses need to be carried out at very close range. Results for the Tamron proved lacklustre, but it was a different story in our real-world tests. The lens delivered excellent sharpness at all zoom settings, along with minimal colour fringing and distortions.