Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Review (best bang for buck ultra-wide zoom)

Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8

Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 at ag glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Three LD and Three Aspherical Elements
  • AX, eBAND, BBAR, and Fluorine Coatings
  • Ultrasonic Silent Drive Autofocus Motor
  • VC Image Stabilization
  • Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Rear Drop-In Gel Filter Holder
  • Compatible with TAP-in Console

The Phoblographer posted their full review of the Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Canon Mount).

From the conclusion:

Likes

– Fast maximum aperture

– Excellent image quality

– Versatile ultra-wide angle focal range

– Moisture resistance

Dislikes

– Not compatible with conventional lens filters

– Big and heavy

Although US$1,299 is certainly not an inconsequential sum of money, the Tamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2 is one of the best bang for your buck when it comes to ultra-wide angle zooms currently available on the market. While Tamron’s original 15-30mm f2.8 was an impressive lens in its own right, the addition of moisture resistance along with enhanced vibration compensation and improved lens coatings are certainly welcomed improvements. We just wish Tamron would put the lens on a diet so that it was less cumbersome to use, but that would probably require that they bend the laws of physics. With that said, we’d still recommend this lens to anyone that’s in the market for a versatile ultra-wide angle zoom lens.

The Phoblographer’s review comes with a huge set of sample pictures and analyses all optical aspects of the lens.

Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Deal: Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD – $899 (reg. $1199, limited time)

Tamron SP 15-30mm

Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 22
  • XGM and LD Glass Elements
  • Vibration Compensation
  • eBAND and BBAR Coatings
  • Fluorine Coating on Front Element
  • Ultrasonic Silent Drive AF System
  • Built-In Lens Hood
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • SILKYPIX Developer Studio Software

For limited time B&H Photo has the Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD lens (Canon mount) on sale at $899. Compare at $1,199. Free shipping.

Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2 (A041) Review (D. Abbott)

Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2 (A041)

Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2 (A041) at a glance:

  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Three LD and Three Aspherical Elements
  • AX, eBAND, BBAR, and Fluorine Coatings
  • Ultrasonic Silent Drive Autofocus Motor
  • VC Image Stabilization
  • Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Rear Drop-In Gel Filter Holder
  • Compatible with TAP-in Console

Dustin Abbott reviewed he Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2 (A041) lens. He used the Tamron SP 15-30mm on a Canon EOS R and a Sony a7R III via adapter.

From his conclusion:

Perhaps the single biggest challenge for the Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC USD G2 (A041) lens is that there isn’t anything particularly wrong with the lens that it replaces.  There are some real advantages to the A041, from the build, weather sealing, and Tap In compatibility to the improvements to the autofocus and Vibration Compensation systems.  The image quality improvement, while mild, helps make the lens even more competitive.  But all of these improvements are evolutionary rather than revolutionary, which results in many existing A012 owners not feeling particularly motivated to upgrade.  But perhaps the A041 is less for them and more for those who don’t yet own a wide angle lens and are considering the merits of the available options on the market.  There is no question that the 15-30 G2 is one of the most attractive wide angle options out there for Canon and Nikon owner […]

Dustin’s review comes with a lot of insights and sample photos. If you prefer a video review, it’s below:

Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2 (A041):

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Officially Announced

Tamron Sp 15-30mm

Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Three LD and Three Aspherical Elements
  • AX, eBAND, BBAR, and Fluorine Coatings
  • Ultrasonic Silent Drive Autofocus Motor
  • VC Image Stabilization
  • Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Rear Drop-In Gel Filter Holder
  • Compatible with TAP-in Console

The Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 sells for $1,299, pre-orders are open at Adorama and B&H Photo. Shipping is expected around mid October 2018.

Press release:

New advanced, super high-quality, fast, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens

SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A041)

August 31, 2018, Saitama, Japan–Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of a new high-speed ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, the SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A041), for full-frame DSLR cameras.

With a well-established reputation for ultra-high-quality wide-angle zoom lenses with its Model A012, Tamron carries on the tradition of high optical performance with the new SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A041). By incorporating an XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded Aspherical) lens element, as well as multiple LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements, the distortion and lateral chromatic aberrations so common in wide-angle shooting have been greatly minimized. Furthermore, a newly developed AX (Anti-reflection eXpand) Coating has been applied to reduce ghosting and flare more thoroughly than ever before. The optical performance in this high-speed F/2.8 ultra-wide-angle zoom lens with a focal length starting at 15mm is outstanding. In addition, the built-in Dual MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) enables vastly improved AF speed and precision, and image stabilization. This is a next-generation super high-quality, high-speed ultra-wide-angle zoom lens with first-rate optics and a wide range of features that serve to revitalize the shooting experience. With the release of this model, three* of Tamron’s high-speed F/2.8 zoom lens with VC (Vibration Compensation) are now G2 (Generation 2).

PRODUCT NAME: SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A041)

DATE OF LAUNCH

  • The Nikon mount model: September 21, 2018
  • The Canon mount model: October 12, 2018
Click here to open the rest of the article

Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 images and product brochure

Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8

Thanks to Nokishita, two images and the product brochure of the upcoming Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens found their way to the web.

  • Lens construction: 13 groups and 18 pieces
  • Shortest focusing distance: 0.28 m
  • Maximum magnification: 1: 5
  • Size: φ 98.4 mm × 145 mm (for Canon) · 142.5 mm (for Nikon)
  • Weight: 1110 g (for Canon) · 1100 g (for Nikon)
  • 4.5 steps image stabilization 
  • Mount: Canon/Nikon
  • Adopts newly developed AX (Anti-reflection eXpand) coating
  • Rear filter holder for Canon only
  • TAP in Console compatible

This is the new version (G2) of the Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD. Announcement soon.

Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.canonwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/SP1530-3.pdf”]

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III vs Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 VC video comparison

Ef 16-35mm F/2.8L III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 22
  • Three Aspherical & Two UD Elements
  • Subwavelength & Air Sphere Coatings
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Internal Focus; Full-Time MF Override
  • Fluorine Coating on Exposed Elements
  • Dust- and Water-Resistant Construction
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Interesting lens comparison by reviewer and photographer Dustin Abbott. Dustin compares the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III with the Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 VC, a lens that costs half the Canon. Is the Canon worth two times the price of the Tamron?

Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8

Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 22
  • XGM and LD Glass Elements
  • Vibration Compensation
  • eBAND and BBAR Coatings
  • Fluorine Coating on Front Element
  • Ultrasonic Silent Drive AF System
  • Built-In Lens Hood
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • SILKYPIX Developer Studio Software