The 15–30 mm f/2.8 Di VC USD lens is the latest offering by Tamron and is a very good one. This ultra-wide, full-frame lens is exactly what you need to get a good full-view image. It claims to be unique in some ways and stands apart from competition. Let’s look at the features in detail to understand the unique features this lens has to offer. Let’s take a look at the unique features that this lens has to offer.
Why the fuss?
Getting straight down to business, what makes this lens unique and a must-have? A three-word answer would be the focal length, aperture, and image stabilization. The Tamron 15–30 mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens is making heads turn with its f/2.8 aperture range, ultra-wide focal length of 15–30 mm, and image stabilization. In the field of ultra-wide–angle, full-frame-compatible zoom lens, it is the only one that gives you a larger aperture than f/4, and the only lens that has image stabilization in the full-frame 35-mm image circle. This simply means that with this aperture range, when compared to other f/4 max aperture lenses, it allows up to twice as much light to reach the sensor.
Build quality
The body of the lens is plastic and relatively smooth after a significant diameter increase just forward of the lens mount. The diameter increase is in the middle of the focus ring. There’s another increase at the transition into the zoom ring. At the built-in lens hood, the diameter increases once more, but it’s comfortable to hold the lens. The switches are conveniently located, so they’re not hard to find..
Image quality
The image quality is very good. The corner-frame image quality that the lens delivers, especially at longer focus distances, is excellent. There’s strong barrel distortion at the wide end, but this isn’t unusual. The distortion is negligible at about 20 mm. All in all, it gives a good-quality image, just like is expected of any good ultra-wide, full-frame lens.
Price
Coming to the price of the lens, it is of medium value. It certainly doesn’t come cheap, but it provides very good value for the amount of money. Rebates that are offered are generally in the range of 15–30, and since the lens is priced at 30% and 40% less, respectively, when compared with similar Canon and Nikon f/2.8 lenses, it is a good buy. The Tamron 15–30 mm f/2.8 Di VC USD lens offers strong competition against lenses from big companies like Canon and Nikon. Yet, it has held its own in the business. With good image quality and versatility in features, it is a great investment.