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Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD (A037) Review

Dustin Abbott

November 21st, 2018

There have been a variety of high end wide-angle zooms and primes released over the past 4-5 years, but very few in an important demographic – the affordable end of the full frame spectrum.  Tamron is looking to address that with their new 17-35mm F2.8-4 Di OSD lens.  It sports a nicely weather-sealed body in their mid-grade design along with a solid optical performance.  The 17-35mm (A037 is Tamron’s code for the lens, so I’ll refer to it as that mostly in this review) sports a nice size and weight as well, and should definitely be of interest for those with a full-frame camera that are either on a budget or looking for a more compact zoom with a wider maximum aperture than most.   I reviewed it alongside the new Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 VC G2 and discovered that there were a lot of viewers and readers that were very interested in this lens as a budget alternative to some of the first party zoom lenses.  They liked the price, size, and weight of the lens, but wanted to know if it lived up to its potential. That’s what we are here to discover together in this review, so let’s jump in and find out!

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Tamron A037 Build Quality

I would recommend that you watch this video to get a hands-on, interactive look at the build and design of the lens.

The A037 receives what has become Tamron’s standard design for its mid-grade zoom lenses – similar to the build on the 70-210mm F4 and the 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 VC zooms.  There is a similar look to the G2 zooms and SP primes, but the mid-grade zooms substitute engineered plastics for the metal alloys of the G2 zooms.  This helps contribute to the lighter weight of these lenses, but it does result in a less premium feel to them.  

On an encouraging note, though, this lens has not only a rear gasket for moisture resistance, but also has both internal seals along with a fluorine coating on the front element, which adds up to a fairly robust weather sealing.  I think this is particularly important for wide angle lenses that will often be used outdoors.

The 17-35 OSD weights in at 459 grams (about 1 pound), which is slightly lighter than the Canon 17-40mm F4L (500g) or the Canon 16-35mm f/4L IS (615g).  Nikon’s 16-35mm F/4G VR lens weighs in at a heftier 680g.  It’s important to remember that while the Tamron sports a slightly smaller zoom range than any of these, it also has a larger maximum aperture at most focal lengths.  On the wide the maximum aperture of F2.8 lets in twice as much light at the maximum aperture of F4 on the other lenses.  

The A037 is also the most compact lens of the group.  It is 3.29″ (83.6mm) in diameter and 3.65″ (92.5mm) in length.  It employs a common 77mm front filter thread (all four of these wide angle zooms share that filter size).

One area that the Tamron loses is when it comes to maximum magnification/reproduction.  Minimum focus distance is 11″ (27.94mm), which is actually a hair better than the other lenses), but the magnification is 0.20x, a bit behind the 0.23-0.25x figures the other lenses come up with respectively.  When I see that, it makes me think that there is a little focus breathing taking place at close focus distances, and that the lens behaves as one with a shorter focal length at close focus.  This is a fairly unimportant metric on a wide angle lens like this, however.  The 0.20x figure is useful enough to give you some creative options for framing like these:

The lens is not internally zooming; it extends a small amount (4-5mm) when at the 17mm position, though it also extends a small bit (maybe 3mm) when at 35mm.  The fully retracted position is about 26mm.  The amount of extension is actually very small, but you will note a “dipping” in and out as you go through the zoom range.  This makes “zoom creep” essentially a non-issue, because the lens neither extends much nor zooms in a linear direction.  There is no “zoom lock” on the lens, nor is one needed.  The image below shows the maximum extension at 17mm – not much, to be sure.

The zoom ring is closest to the camera and operates smoothly.  It should be noted that both rings rotate in the “Nikon” rather than the “Canon” direction.  I’ll touch more on the behavior of the focus ring in the OSD section below.  There is a single switch located at about the 10 o’clock position that switches between AF and MF.

All in all this lens gets the job done with the build.  It’s not a pro-grade build, but neither is there anything actually wrong with it, either.  It comes with an included, petal-shaped lens hood.  What it doesn’t come with is Tamron’s VC, or vibration compensation, a decision that, frankly, surprised me.

Optimized Silent Drive

Tamron has debuted yet another new focus motor on the A037.  This one is called Optimized Silent Drive (OSD).  This focus motor has both some strengths and weaknesses.  While not completely silent (you can hear a faint scratching noise as the elements move if you listen closely), it is quiet and quick in operation.  I found autofocus confident on my Canon 5D Mark IV test body, quickly locking onto the subject without pulsing.  All focus happens internally without any external changes in length or rotation (no issues with circular polarizers). There’s not really a whole lot to criticize in terms of the autofocus itself, though there are a few other issues.

The first is that OSD (surprisingly) does not offer full time manual override.  There is a lot of drag on the focus ring if you try to use it with AF engaged, which is a clear sign that you would be fighting against the clutch mechanism of the autofocus motor to try to use it that way.  If you turn the AF switch to the MF position, the focus ring goes to the opposite extreme, with almost no resistance at all.  It doesn’t really damped at all, and, while it moves extremely easily, there isn’t enough friction on it to make it particularly useful for precision manual focus.  A Zeiss manual focus ring this is not!

There also isn’t any kind of distance window on the lens.  When I first saw this, I surmised that this was some type of stepping motor, but that isn’t actually the case.  With a stepping motor, input on the focus ring with the lens disconnected or the camera powered off does nothing to move the elements, but that clearly isn’t the case here.  I’m left to conclude that the lack of a distance window is more of a design element, and very likely a cost saving one. 

I essentially think of this focus motor as being a rich man’s version of the older, cheaper micro motors.  It lacks the sophisticated manual focus override of the better USD (UltraSonic Drive) motors, and the manual focus ring lacks essentially any kind of positive tactile feedback, but it also focuses quickly and quietly.  It isn’t buzzy or coarse like those older motors.  The “optimized” part of the name may refer to the behavior in Live View mode or video Servo AF, where the motor seems to make fairly smooth transitions without pulsing or “nervousness”.  It works well in Live View, though focus speed is clearly slower and more “optimized” for gradual, smooth transitions rather than the abrupt ones that work better for traditional focus.  

There’s a number of positive things about this focus motor, but neither am I deceived into thinking that it is a premium focus system.  It may be more practical for modern photography than the older USM motor of, say, the Canon EF 17-40mm F/4L, however, despite that lens’ ability to do full time manual override.

Yes, I did use the Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD lens via adapter on both the brand-new Canon EOS R mirrorless system along with my Sony a7R3 (via the Sigma MC-11 mount converter).  It should be noted that the lens was neither developed for either system nor has Tamron worked at specifically testing and developing for those platforms with the A037, but I was pleasantly surprised in both cases.  On the EOS R the lens essentially performed as well as it did on the 5D Mark IV.  Autofocus was quick, accurate, and image quality was excellent.  I also found that continual AF in video capture was surprisingly good.  Transitions were smooth, and the lens was not “jittery” or pulsing during continuous AF.  I did note with major focus changes that there was some clearly audible focus noises, though smaller changes are essentially silent.  The focal length works pretty well for video work on the EOS R, and the light weight of the lens itself makes it a natural pairing there for stills, too.  You can see some video footage from the combination in the video review, and here’s a few EOS R/EF Adapter/A037 sample photos:

I essentially expected this (at least for stills) on the EOS R, but I was more surprised with the a7R3/MC-11 combination with both new Tamron lenses, where the performance was generally excellent for stills photography.  As a rule, I don’t find that any lenses outside of some Sigma ART series lens do very good in AF-C mode during video with the MC-11, so I didn’t really focus on that.  But for stills photography I was pleasantly surprised, as the lens didn’t really give me any hiccups in either AF-S or AF-C modes.  While I didn’t use it extensively on that platform, I did try the combo for a hike, and I had no observable issues.

So, while this focus motor does not feel like a premium focus system, it gets the job done with little to complain about…unless you need to do manual focus.

Tamron A037 Image Quality

The best way to get a sense of the behavior of this lens is by watching this detailed image quality breakdown video.  It will take you in closer and is a better medium for sharing that information.

In my reviews, I break image quality down under two main headings:  Resolution and Rendering.  Under resolution I deal with things like sharpness, contrast, and show the vignette/distortion characteristics of the lens.  But I recognize that there is more to image quality than just how “sharp” a lens is, so I also break down the rendering, including the color rendition, bokeh quality, coma performance, flare resistance, and ability to control chromatic aberrations.

A037 Resolution

The good news is that this is a very sharp lens across the focal range, and that sharpness is largely accessible at wider apertures.  There essentially two optical shortcomings with the A037:  a fairly heavy vignette (not quite as bad as the Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L III, but definitely worse than the Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 G2) and a pronounced barrel distortion at 17mm in particular.  You can see both on display here, but also the fact that the standard profile in Lightroom does an effective job of correcting for both:

There are two potential things to watch out for despite this.  The first is that if you are a JPEG shooter, this Tamron lens is not compatible with aberration correction on Canon or Nikon bodies, which means that the camera will not clean up the distortion or vignette in camera for JPEGs like it will for first party (Canon or Nikon) lenses.  The second potential issue is with correcting vignette at high ISO values.  There is a risk of introducing noise into the image as a result of lifting corners significantly.  A prime example will be when shooting astrophotography, something the lens is otherwise quite good at.  The comparison below shows how that applying the Lightroom profile on an ISO 6400 night sky image definitely introduces some destructive noise where it has corrected for the vignette:

To be fair, however, I do think the profile overcorrects the vignette in this case, so I would recommend manually backing the vignette correction slider back a bit and allowing for a more natural looking result like this (I have the Lightroom vignette slider at 68, if you’re interested).

At 17mm and F2.8 the lens delivers a very sharp center with good sharpness extending to everywhere save the extreme edges/corners.  The heavy vignette somewhat obscures the edge sharpness, but it is definitely there:

I also saw good evidence of centering, with both edges looking roughly similar.

Stopping down to F4 shows that now even the extreme corners are sharp, something you are definitely NOT going to see with the Canon 17-40mm at F4.  Here are both extreme upper corners, which also shows the good centering performance of the lens:

Stopping down to F5.6 or F8 produces highly detailed landscape images, though some vignette persists through F5.6.  Real world images look great, though:

At 20mm there is still some barrel distortion, though it is reduced by the less extreme focal length.  Vignette continues to be an issue, however.  Resolution (particularly on the edges) is noticeably improved, however, with near peak performance available at F2.8:

I’m also delighted by the fact that the lens is still F2.8.  Some variable aperture zooms hold their larger aperture values very briefly.  The 17-35mm doesn’t hit F4 as the maximum aperture until around 31mm, which is a nice change of pace.  F3.2 arrives around 21mm and F3.5 at roughly 25mm.

Stopping the lens down to F5.6 reduces vignette (though not completely), but if you look past that you can see that the edges are essentially as sharp at F2.8 and they are at F5.6, which is to say excellent:

As expected, real world 20mm results look brilliant:

At 24mm the distortion is gone but the vignette remains.  What is also true is that sharpness profile across the frame is almost perfectly consistent.  The lens is deadly sharp at 24mm F3.2 and compares favorably here with all the more expensive zooms.

You can squeeze a bit more sharpness out it when you stop down to landscape apertures, though what you will mostly see is a lift of the vignette that allows the textures to appear crisper.

As expected, real world shots look great considering the optical performance at 24mm:

At the end of the focal range (35mm), the maximum aperture is only F4, but sharpness remains strong.  There is a very mild amount of pincushion distortion, but enough to make a real world impact.  Vignette is also less pronounced.  There is little difference between center and edge sharpness; both are excellent:

At landscape apertures like F5.6 you have great sharpness across the frame, as the edge crop from this landscape image shows:

It’s not difficult to produce stunning landscape images with this lens.  Here’s one that I did a little processing on:

A037 Rendering

We’ve essentially already detailed the shortcomings of the A037.  The lens delivers very nice color.  Perhaps not the extreme excellence of some Zeiss lenses, but certainly very nice:

The lens does show a little bit of ghosting with the sun at certain positions in the frame, but contrast holds up and I never found the lens’ flare debilitating to the capture of images.

A 17-35mm variable aperture lens is hardly going to be a world champ for producing bokeh, but neither did I see anything off-putting about the defocused areas that I could produce.  Bokeh looks pretty decent:

The Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 G2 does suffer from some lateral chromatic aberrations, but I saw no chromatic aberrations of either the lateral or longitudinal varieties in any of my tests.  You can see no lateral CA in these bare branches against a bright sky:

Another strength of the lens is an extremely low incidence of coma.  Comatic aberrations cause a deformation of distant bright points of light (like stars), causing them to elongate, grow “wings”, or become football shaped.  The A037 actually does an exceptional job with this and shows as low of levels of coma as I’ve seen.  As I mentioned previously, the vignette of the lens is a liability for the lens in shooting the night sky, but coma is definitely not!  Here’s a “nightscape” along with some crops to show the crisp center of frame star points along with extreme upper corner points that still look very good.

This is one distinctive advantage over the F4 lenses, as having twice the light transmission at 17mm makes this a much more interesting option for astrophotography.

All in all, this lens is really solid optically.  I wish it had less vignette, but that’s the compromise of building a more compact lens.  I share a few more random shots below, and you can catch even more by visiting the image gallery here.

Conclusion

The Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 Di OSD is a lens that initially left me wondering, “why?” when I was sent the announcement of its development.  Tamron has been putting their VC (Vibration Compensation) in almost every new lens release, and I was surprised that they would release this lens without it.  I was also surprised that this wasn’t a lens for mirrorless, as Tamron had both full frame and APS-C covered with their 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2 and 10-24mm VC lenses – both of which have been very well received.  A lens without VC made for Sony FE, for example, makes sense (like the 28-75mm F2.8 RXD lens), as does the compact nature of this lens (and I do hope that Tamron develops something similar for Sony where it might be even more compact and could be supported with lens correction profiles in-camera).

But as I thought about it further, this lens began to make more sense.  I began to view it more as a competitor to the lenses I’ve mentioned in this review, and realize that many full frame photographers have few quality options at this price point.  The Canon 17-40mm F/4L is both old and optically outdated at this point, and the 16-35mm F/4 options from Canon and Nikon are considerably more expensive.  The A037 comes to market at a $599 USD MSRP and has the smallest, lightest build while also giving a wider maximum aperture over most of the focal range.  In the future occasional sales will almost certainly bring that price closer to $500, which is a true bargain for the optical performance of this lens.  I don’t love the focus motor, though it gets the job done, and I don’t love the vignette of the A037, but that’s hardly unique to this lens.  I do love the resolution, low coma and chromatic aberrations, and good color rendition.  You get a lot of the performance of the 15-30 G2 in a much less extreme package.  Don’t get me wrong – the 15-30 G2 is the superior lens, but not everyone needs its more extreme strengths and bulk.  If you are looking for a moderately priced, high performing wide angle zoom for your Canon or Nikon DSLR, this lens is well worth a look.  It also works well on the Canon EOS R and (after firmware update) Nikon Z bodies via their respective adapters.

Pros:

  • Very strong sharpness across focal range and image frame
  • Very low levels of coma
  • Larger maximum aperture at most focal lengths than competing zooms
  • Chromatic aberrations well controlled
  • Good color rendition and contrast
  • Nice consumer grade build with thorough weather sealing
  • Lighter weight and more compact than competing lenses
  • Excellent price

Cons:

  • Heavy vignette
  • Some strong barrel distortion at 17mm
  • No full time manual override and lifeless manual focus 
  • No VC

Gear Used:

Purchase the Tamron 17-35mm OSD @ B&H Photo | AmazonAmazon Canada | Amplis Foto (Canada – Use Code AMPLIS52018DA for 5% off) | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
Sony a7R III Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK  | Ebay
Peak Design Slide Lite:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
Sony a6500: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | Ebay
Peak Design Leash Strap:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
BenQ SW271 4K Photo Editing Monitor – B&H Photo  | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X2 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

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Keywords: Tamron 17-35 OSD, A037, Tamron 17-35, Tamron 17-35 Review, Tamron 17-35 OSD Review, Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 Di OSD, Tamron OSD, 17-35, 17-35mm, OSD, F2.8-4, Review, Dustin Abbott, Photography, Video Test, Comparison, Test, Sample Images, Resolution, Chromatic Aberration, Autofocus, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon 5DIV

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

Dustin Abbott

November 14th, 2018

The Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD entered my collection a few months after my review of the lens in February 2015.  It resonated to me as a lens that, while large and heavy, really delivered a fantastic optical performance.  It was also the only wide angle zoom at the time to hit 15mm while having both a wide F2.8 aperture (which lets in twice as much light as the F4 competitors) and an optical image stabilizer (Tamron’s VC, or Vibration Compensation).  Since that point nearly four years ago I’ve pitted it against many other wide angle primes and zooms, and it has always shown well in those comparisons.  It certainly does not win in every metric, but neither has it been completely outclassed by any other wide angle option regardless of price.  I got a hint a few months ago that this new G2 (A041) version was coming to market, and I was excited for the release as the G2 (Second Generation) series have brought minor optical improvements along with vastly improved build, autofocus, and VC (Vibration Compensation) performance. 

The Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 is coded by Tamron as A041, so I’ll utilize that identifier to avoid confusion with the first generation lens, which Tamron identifies as A012.  Tamron’s advantage with the G2 lenses is that they are able to deliver a more polished lens than many competitors since they are on their second generation of stabilized zoom lenses over zoom ranges like 15-30mm or 24-70mm where most lens makers are on their first generation (or not as all).  My observation has been with each of the G2 lenses that the optical improvements are real, but are overshadowed by improvements in other areas like build, autofocus, and the performance of the Vibration Compensation.  As we will see in this review, the same remains true here.  What is indisputable, however, is that the finished product of the A041 is definitely a more polished, mature lens that is easily competitive with the best wide angle zoom lenses on the Canon and Nikon platforms.

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Prefer to watch your reviews?  You can see my detailed video review below, complete with hands-on sample images, video clips, and real-world observations for a real photographer.

Some people have asked me about the “why?” of this lens.  “Do they not have any fresh ideas at Tamron?”  I think this it to miss the point of the 15-30 G2.  Tamron’s bread and butter is their professional zoom lenses which have netted them a lot of critical and commercial success.  It’s easy to see their intent by their marketing materials, which emphasize the completion of the “trinity” of the 15-30, 24-70, and 70-200 F2.8 G2 lenses.  The release of the A041 is about standardizing Tamron’s pro-grade zooms to a common build design, feature set, and performance.  Most reviews agreed that the last generation of Tamron’s pro-grade zooms was competitive optically but sometimes lagged in some of the other metrics like build and autofocus.  The G2 series represents an opportunity for Tamron to leverage their investment in optical development (with some minor improvements and tweaks) by pairing the optics with more modern, competitive lens designs and focus motors.

Another key component is compatibility with Tamron’s Tap In Console, which allows Tamron to future-proof their lenses by being able to roll out firmware updates to users quickly and efficiently while also giving users the ability to both customize and maximize the performance of their lens to their individual needs.  A full autofocus calibration, for example, is a time-consuming process given that you can insert values at three different focus distances for a number of focal lengths.  Once it is done, however, you can be assured of having more accurate autofocus than what was previously possible, as the lens has been optimized for focus at that particular focal length and focus distance.

A041 Autofocus Performance

Tamron has achieved better autofocus performance (noticeably improved focus speed, for one) along with better VC performance by going from a single processing unit in the older lenses to dual processors in the newer lenses.  That allows one processor to be tasked to autofocus and the other to vibration compensation.  The net benefit seems to be more torque for autofocus (better speed) along with more processing power to run focus algorithms (better focus accuracy).  I’ve tested each of the G2 lenses and compared them to the pro-grade Canon lenses and found that the Tamrons could focus as quickly and accurately.  That’s a significant achievement, and the idea from 5-10 years ago that third party lenses were inferior in their focus ability is largely erased in this current generation.  Tamron’s USD (UltraSonic Drive) motors have continued to get more and more refined.

I got consistently good autofocus results during my review.  Out of the box I noted a bit of a front-focus bias at 30mm and distant subjects, but I input an AFMA tweak that easily solved the issue.  The most practical test of this came while shooting an event, and after the focus adjustment I consistently got accurate focus on the speaker.  

I’ve often noted that wide angle lenses put less stress on autofocus systems in terms of accuracy than telephoto lenses as the depth of field is much larger (and thus more forgiving) at wider focal lengths.  What can be an issue for some wide angle lenses is a tendency to pulse back and forth at times.  There was no such issue with the A041.  I used it in a variety of lighting conditions, even in essentially a dark room (proper exposure required a 2 second exposure at ISO 6400!) 

I was able to lock focus more quickly with the A041 via adapter in these lighting conditions than the Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS on the Canon EOS R, which is saying something.  The A041 has a maximum aperture advantage, but it is also a third party lens being used via adapter.  There was a little hunting in that type of condition, but in less extreme situations the lens also locked focus quickly and confidently.

Yes, I did use the Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2 lens via adapter on both the brand-new Canon EOS R mirrorless system along with my Sony a7R3 (via the Sigma MC-11 mount converter).  It should be noted that the lens was neither developed for either system nor has Tamron worked at specifically testing and developing for those platforms with the A041, but I was pleasantly surprised in both cases.  On the EOS R the lens essentially performed natively, and, as I’ll reference in the segment on the VC, I actually was able to get better handheld results due to lower vibration on the mirrorless shutter.  Autofocus was quick, accurate, and image quality was excellent.  I also found that continual AF in video capture was surprisingly good.  Transitions were smooth, and the lens was not “jittery” or pulsing during continuous AF.  It’s a nice pairing there as the wide focal length helps offset the significant crop factor of the EOS R in 4K capture.  You can see some footage from the combination in the video review.  Here’s a few EOS R/EF Adapter/A041 samples:

I essentially expected this (at least for stills) on the EOS R, but I was more surprised with the a7R3/MC-11 combination with both new Tamron lenses, where the performance was generally excellent for stills photography.  As a rule, I don’t find that any lenses outside of some Sigma ART series lens do very good in AF-C mode during video with the MC-11, so I didn’t really focus on that.  But for stills photography I was pleasantly surprised, as the lens didn’t really give me any hiccups in either AF-S or AF-C modes.  While I didn’t use it extensively on that platform, I did try the combo for a hike, and I had no observable issues.

Bottom line is that the dual processor approach of the A041 delivers a better autofocus performance than what the A012 (G1) is capable of.  There’s genuine progress there.

A041 Vibration Compensation (VC) Performance

It is also easy to see the significant improvements to their VC performance.  Each of the G2 lenses has shown smoother performance (quieter VC performance along with smoother transitions on and off).  Some lenses allow you to choose different VC modes as well, and while that is not the case with the A041, you do have the ability to customize the VC performance in three different modes via the Tap In Console.  Mode 1 is the standard balanced profile that attempts to stabilize both the viewfinder and the final result.  Mode 2 emphasizes viewfinder stability and is the preferred mode for handheld video as it keeps vibration compensation on longer.  Mode 3 does little to stabilize the viewfinder but focuses all the processing power on stabilizing the image at capture.  Typically Mode 3 delivers the highest rating of “stops” of compensation.  The 15-30 G2 is the highest rated wide angle zoom stabilizer by CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association of Japan) at a very impressive 4.5 stops (the A012 sported only a 2.5 stop rating by comparison).  Here’s a solid example at 1/6th of a second and 30mm, handheld, without VC on:

If we turn the VC on, however, this is what we get:

An informal conversation with a Tamron insider revealed that the stabilizer is actually even more effective than the rating, but the rating represents the limit of where the testing standard is right now.  They also noted that while the first generation stabilizers could negatively impact optical performance (something I have noted with some products in a few of my reviews), the new generation of VC motors is able to provide stability without an optical cost.  The VC in the A041 functions essentially just as you would desire.  It stabilizes everything well, is utterly silent, and is incredibly smooth in operation.

On a practical level, however, I’ve personally noted that there is a limit to how low of a shutter speed I can personally handhold.  The higher ratings are easier for me to match with telephoto lenses.  For example, I can consistently get good results with Canon or Tamron’s 100-400mm lenses at 400mm and 1/13th second shutter speeds.  That’s five stops of stability.  To achieve the equivalent result, one would have to handhold a 30mm shot for 1 second or a 15mm shot for 2 seconds.  That is much, much harder.  I was able to achieve fairly reliable results at 1/4th second (2 stops) and did get a few usable results at 1 seconds, but not reliably.  Here’s one at 1 second, 15mm:

Even the vibration of the mirror box and the drag of the shutter at slow shutter speeds introduces too much movement for me (or any lens) to reliably overcome.  I got a little better results with the EOS R, as the lack of a mirror meant that the shutter introduces less vibration.  In the previous section on autofocus I shared a photo that I actually handheld for 2 seconds in an essentially dark room (you would have to have had a 2 minute exposure at ISO 100 to achieve a similar result, which tells you how little light was in the room).  I could definitely NOT consistently produce the same result, however.

What is definitely true is that you can stand still and easily handhold video footage (which is far more practical).  When I turned VC off and stood still, the footage shows constant movement, but when I switched the VC on it is as if a giant fist grabs the scene and holds it in place.

So, the VC is excellent for standard applications and can also work well enough to allow for some creative shots with movement or panning.  And frankly, it is the latter that will matter most in real world use of slow shutter speeds.  There’s a reason that tripods exist, and trying to substitute handholding for long shutter speeds is a mistake.  I should note that Canon and Nikon still make you choose between having an F2.8 aperture or having an image stabilizer; Tamron is the only one to give you both on those platforms.

Tamron 15-30 G2 (A041) Build and Design

I would recommend that you check out this video where I thoroughly detail the build and design of the A041 and compare it to the first generation A012 lens:

Tamron has managed to pack in a number of significant improvements to the build and handling of the lens while managing to hold the weight nearly equal.  This is good, as the original was already a bit of a beast, weighing in at 2.43lbs (1100g).  The G2 gains a mere 10 grams, and so it tips the scales at 2.44lbs (1110g).  You are getting a lot for that additional weight, however, as the new lens sports a more robust build (the housing is primarily metal alloys) and expanded weather sealing.  The G2 lenses sport some of the nicest construction of the current zoom lenses, and it is a sign of the times that I say that matter-of-factly about a Tamron lens!  

The physical dimensions are identical to the previous generation lens at 3.87″ (98.4) diameter by 5.71″ (145 mm) in length.  The great news about this is that if you have invested in an after-market filter solution (I use the Fotodiox WonderPana system), it will fit the new lens perfectly, as you can see here:

The bulbous front element makes using traditional filters impossible, though Tamron has added a rear gel filter holder to the lens mount on the A041 (on the Canon EF version, at least):

Gel filters are better than nothing and inexpensive (you can buy them in sheets and cut them to size), but they are rarely the best option optically (this will depend on the quality of filter, of course).  At least Tamron has made efforts to solve a significant issue with the lens, as the inability to use filters have probably been the most common reason cited to me by people that have decided against the 15-30 VC.

Tamron’s new look is sleeker and more modern, with mostly satin-finished anodized metal making up the barrel.  There is some engineered plastics near the front of the lens, as there is a fixed lens hood in position there, and the engineered plastic is probably the more durable option for resisting minor dings or deformations.  There is actually both an inner fixed lens hood along with an outer one, and at the most forward position of travel (actually at 15mm), the two lens hoods provide something akin to a double-walled layer of protection.  At no point does anything protrude past the outer dimensions of the lens.

Tamron has redesigned the switches as well.  There are two of them – an AF/MF switch along with the ON/OFF button for the VC.  I like the new switches because they feel more definite and precise and are also easier to use while wearing gloves (which I do a lot of living in Canada!!)  Some have complained with other G2 lenses of inadvertently hitting them, but I’ve reviewed all the G2 lenses and owned the 70-200 since it’s release and never once had that happen to me.

Also improved is the design of the focus and zoom rings.  The focus ring is closer to the camera, and, while it isn’t particularly wide, it has two features that help its ergonomic performance.  The first is that it is curved outward in the middle, giving it a different tactile feel from the zoom ring and also making it easier to find.  It’s a nice tough.  There is also nice beveled portion of the lens barrel above this, which gives a natural position for the finger to find and keeps one from inadvertently engaging the zoom ring.

The zoom ring has a slightly different ribbed pattern from the A012, is quite wide, and is smoother in operation from the first generation lens.  It still has slightly firm damping, but a bit lighter and better-operating than the A012.  It functions fine, and, like other Tamron lenses, it zooms in the “Nikon” rather than “Canon” direction.

There is a more robust gasket at the lens mount along with a fluorine coating on the front element to help protect against moisture and fingerprints.  More internal seals help the lens achieve a new degree of weather sealing.  The lens cap fits over the fixed lens hood, and, as a result, is bulkier than a typical lens cap.  I find these types of caps a bit of a pain as they don’t fit in a jacket or pants pocket very well.

The copy I reviewed said both “Designed in Japan” and “Made in Japan” on it.

I have one criticism of Tamron’s new finish compared to the older flocked design.  The smooth portions of their lenses in plastic (like lens hoods, for example) are much more prone to bag marking.  I’ve seen it happen quickly even with review copies of lenses, while the A012 I own still looks basically new.  You can see the marks on the lens hood portion of this photo near the front top of the lens.

This criticism aside, the improvements to the autofocus, VC, and build of the lens are real and definite.  This has the fit and finish of a professional-grade lens along with a modern, visually aesthetic look.

A041 Image Quality

First of all, let’s be clear about what is happening with the G2 lenses.  These are not brand new optical formulas; they are optimized versions of the existing optical formulas that have taken the same basic elements and optical formulas while make minor changes to how they interact.  Tamron has further improved performance by employing new and improved coatings.  Here’s what I have observed in all four of the G2 zoom reviews that I’ve done:  the G2 lenses deliver a slightly more consistent performance across the frame.  All of the previous generation Tamron zooms were extremely strong in the center of the frame with some dropoff at the edges of the frame.  The G2 zooms sacrifice a tiny bit of that center performance to achieve a more consistent performance across the the frame.  Each G2 lens has delivered a stronger edge and corner performance when I’ve compared them to the last generation lens.  I would argue that this is most important with the A042, as edge and corner performance on a landscape-oriented lens is deeply important.  The A012 was always competitive in the center of the frame with anything I compared it to, but the corners sometimes lagged behind other competitors.  I think the 15-30 G2 is ready to compete on the edges.

I break down optical performance into two major categories:  Resolution (sharpness, contrast, and longitudinal chromatic aberrations) and Rendering (Color, Bokeh, Flare Resistance, etc…)  For a detailed look at some of the things that I will point to in this review, I recommend that you watch my Image Quality Breakdown video here:

A041 Resolution

The A041 largely inherits the strengths and weaknesses of its predecessors.  If we look at an uncorrected RAW image at 15mm, we will find that there is a moderate amount vignette that is actually much less than competing zooms along with some noticeable barrel distortion.  The barrel distortion is fortunately that of a linear nature and corrects cleanly when the standard profile is applied.

On that note, however, unlike Sigma’s most recent wide angle zoom, the 14-24mm F2.8 ART that I reviewed here, the A041 is not supported by Canon’s Lens Aberration Correction, meaning that JPEG images will not be corrected in camera.  This is one advantage that only Sigma enjoys among third party lenses at the moment on Canon systems.

As we look at an uncorrected image at 15mm from both the A012 and the A041, we can see that center performance is roughly equal, while edge and corner performance favor the G2:

As you can see, it’s not by a huge margin, but it is visible (particularly at higher resolutions than shown here).  Another observation I made when comparing throughout the focal range is that the A041 has slightly better light transmission wide open.  You can see that the center looks a little brighter, and the histogram confirms this by being slightly shifted to the right (higher exposure) when I compare them with equal settings.  I’ve demonstrated this below:

Yes, it is slight, but that does give a little more advantage where one needs the extra light.  Ironically the reverse is true when you stop down to smaller apertures, where if there is any tiny advantage, it goes to the A012.  The point is that where you want better light transmission is at maximum aperture, and, though slight, that’s what the G2 gives you.

The sharpness and resolution advantage persists into smaller apertures.  Here at F5.6, for example, it is easy to see that the A041 is delivering better edge performance.

In an absolute sense, this little bit of edge/corner improvement is enough to make the Tamron competitive with the very best.  I went back and compared the edge performance of the fantastic Sigma 14-24mm F2.8, and, while I don’t have the lens on hand right now, my similar tests when I did that review show that the A041 is roughly equal in sharpness, which is impressive.  When I compared the Irix 15mm F2.4 Blackstone (which I do have on hand), I found the A041 had the advantage at both F2.8 and F5.6 (F2.8 results shown here):

In real world use the Tamron exhibited crisp, detailed results with good color and contrast.  Here’s a full (handheld) image along with crops from across the frame – left to right):

For the sake of brevity, I will cover only the middle of the focal range (20mm) and the end of the focal range (30mm) here.  You can see more focal lengths in the image quality video.  At 20mm both the vignette and distortion are more mild and will cause few issues for anyone.  The difference on the edge at F2.8 is milder, but is still observable at a pixel level.  I do find that the corner/edge performance at F5.6 favors the A041 a little more obviously.

Real world images at 20mm look good as well.

Finally, at 30mm we find some vignette and an exceptionally mild amount of pincushion distortion.  The resolution and contrast in the center looks about the same, but along the edge you can see that the textures are better defined, crisper, and the little bit of veiling on the A012 is improved on the A041.  What we also find, however, is that there is a real advantage along the edges/corners even when the lens is stopped down to F5.6.

All of these improvements are mild, to be sure, but remember that this A012 is the same copy that I’ve been using in comparisons with many other of the very wide angle zooms and primes that I’ve reviewed over the past 3 1/2 years that has done so well in those comparisons.  That mild bit of improvement is enough to make the A041 very competitive with the very best options on Canon and Nikon.  Here’s a real world 30mm landscape image:

One final consideration:  most all of the lenses that the A041 are competing with make one choose between maximum aperture and image stabilization.  We’ve seen that the improved VC of the A041 allows one to get better real world images handheld because the more modern VC unit doesn’t punish image sharpness.  I would say that in an absolute sense I still favor the image punch from the Sigma 14-24 F2.8 ART, but one also makes the trade-off of getting a lens without stabilization.

A041 Rendering

So we’ve seen that Tamron has helped make the A041 even more competitive in terms of resolution and contrast, but are there other improvements as well?  In my series of comparisons, I found little difference between the two generations of Tamron lens when it came to distortion and lateral chromatic aberrations.  Barrel distortion exists at wider apertures, and I do believe that there are better options if your priority is shooting interiors, architecture, or other work requiring straight lines.  The best tool for that kind of job is a tilt/shift lens, though these tend to be very, very expensive.  Good alternatives with low distortion include the Laowa 12mm F2.8 Zero D (manual focus only) or the Sigma 12-24mm F4 ART, which does have autofocus.  The amount of distortion in the 15-30 G2 is roughly similar to that found in Canon’s 16-35mm zooms.

Tamron stated that there is reduced lateral chromatic aberrations due to improved coatings in the A041.  I’m not disputing their claim, but I find in real world use the difference is so minor as to be undetectable in my tests.  So yes, lateral chromatic aberrations (these occur along the edges of the frame as both green and magenta fringing simultaneously and are not improved through stopping a lens down to smaller apertures) are there, but fortunately, as this comparison below shows, Lateral CA is the easiest to fix because it manifests consistently.  Lightroom or ACR’s one-click “Remove Chromatic Aberrations” will clear it up simply and non-destructively.  

So, not necessarily a big deal, but also not really an area of improvement.

Similarly true is the A041’s performance with flare resistance.  In this area I can see some improvement due to improved coatings.  All of the same vulnerabilities that I’m familiar with from years of use of the A012 are there (particularly from the side), but they are somewhat mitigated by the improved coatings.  They are slightly less pronounced, as you can see in the comparison shots below.

Contrast and color rendition has always been a strength for the 15-30 G2.  Often when I’m comparing it to other lenses I note how good the microcontrast is (particularly in the center before, but now extending toward the edges).  Here are a few images that show off this strength for landscape work.

Bokeh is obviously not a top priority in a lens like this, but used at 30mm and f/2.8 the lens produces a 0.20x magnification figure that is useful.  Bokeh doesn’t look bad from the lens:

What’s more important is how the lens deals with coma, a type of distortion that deforms the shapes of distant bright points of light like stars.  The A012 has been a lens that I’ve often recommended for astrophotography work, and the A041 is ever-so-slightly better due to that improved light transmission at F2.8.  It delivers crisp star points and shows little deformation of shapes even near the edge of the frame.  The relatively low vignette helps make this a better choice than many other options, too, as the mild amount of vignette on the A041 can typically be corrected non-destructively (something not as true for the new Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4).

What the Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2 lens delivers is image quality that, while imperfect, has no real fatal flaws.  There is some vignette, some distortion, some flare, and some lateral chromatic aberrations, but none of them are significant enough to be a real deterrent.  On the positive side, the A041 delivers excellent sharpness and contrast, great color rendition, and low amounts of coma.  It’s very good at a lot of things, and not very bad at any of them.  I would recommend that you visit the Lens Image Gallery to see more photos and help draw your own conclusions.

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 owners, and the price point of $1299 USD is extremely competitive when one considers either the Nikon 14-24mm F2.8 G or the Canon 16-35mm F2.8L III.  I think the most compelling alternative is Sigma’s 14-24mm F2.8 ART lens, which, while it lacks stabilization (as do all of these options), offers up a wider focal length and great image quality at an equally compelling price.  If you want both F2.8 and stabilization in a wide angle lens, however, the Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 G2 is the best option available and the G2 version is the best version of the lens.

Pros:

  • Improved, pro-grade build
  • Improved autofocus speed, confidence, and accuracy
  • Outstanding VC system
  • Strong resolution across the zoom range and image frame
  • Great color and contrast
  • Good coma control
  • Relatively low vignette compared to other wide angle lenses

Cons:

  • Large and heavy
  • Cannot use traditional front filters
  • Lateral chromatic aberrations still there
  • Still vulnerable to some flare

 

Gear Used:
Purchase the Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 VC G2 @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amplis Foto (Canada) Use code AMPLIS52018DA to get 5% off | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
Sony a7R III Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK  | Ebay
Peak Design Slide Lite:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
Peak Design Leash Strap:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
BenQ SW271 4K Photo Editing Monitor – B&H Photo  | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X4 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)
Visit Dustin’s Amazon Storefront and see his favorite gear

 

Purchasing your gear through B&H and these links helps fund this website and keeps the articles coming. You can also make a donation here if you would like.  Visit my Amazon page for some of my gear of choice! Thank you for your support.

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Great News! I can now offer a 5% discount on all purchases at Amplis Foto, Canada’s Leading Photographic Supplier. Please enter discount code: AMPLIS52018DA in your cart. It is good for everything in your cart, and is stackable with other coupons, too! It will take 5% off your entire order! Proceeds go towards keeping this site going and providing you with new reviews!

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Keywords: Tamron 15-30 G2, A041, Tamron 15-30mm G2, Tamron 15-30 f2.8 G2, Tamron, SP, G2, 15-30, 15-30mm, 15-30 F2.8, Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2, Tamron 15-30 G2 review, Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 G2 Review, Review, Dustin Abbott, Photography, Video Test, Comparison, Test, Sample Images, Resolution, Chromatic Aberration, Autofocus, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon 5DIV

DISCLAIMER: This article and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD (A037) Image Galleries

Dustin Abbott

October 29th, 2018

There have been a variety of high end wide-angle zooms and primes released over the past 4-5 years, but very few in an important demographic – the affordable end of the full frame spectrum.  Tamron is looking to address that with their new 17-35mm F2.8-4 Di OSD lens.  It sports a nicely weather-sealed body in their mid-grade design along with a solid optical performance.  The 17-35mm (A037 is Tamron’s code for the lens) sports a nice size and weight as well, and should definitely be of interest for those with a full-frame camera that are either on a budget or looking for a more compact zoom with a wider maximum aperture than most.   I’ll be breaking down the design of the lens and its autofocus performance along with a detailed image quality examination in my review, but in the meantime you can check out my hands on breakdown of the build and design below along with checking out the images that I’m taking during the review process.  Stay tuned for more content and coverage of the 17-35mm OSD along with the new Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 VC G2!

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Images of the Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD (A037)

Images taken with the 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD (A037)

Images via Adapter on Sony a7R3 and Canon EOS R

Gear Used:

Purchase the Tamron 17-35mm OSD @ B&H Photo | AmazonAmazon Canada | Amplis Foto (Canada – Use Code AMPLIS52018DA for 5% off) | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
Sony a7R III Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK  | Ebay
Peak Design Slide Lite:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
Sony a6500: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | Ebay
Peak Design Leash Strap:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
BenQ SW271 4K Photo Editing Monitor – B&H Photo  | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X2 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

Purchasing your gear through B&H and these links helps fund this website and keeps the articles coming. You can also make a donation here if you would like.  Visit my Amazon page for some of my gear of choice! Thank you for your support.

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Great News! I can now offer a 5% discount on all purchases at Amplis Foto, Canada’s Leading Photographic Supplier. Please enter discount code: AMPLIS52018DA in your cart. It is good for everything in your cart, and is stackable with other coupons, too! It will take 5% off your entire order! Proceeds go towards keeping this site going and providing you with new reviews!

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Keywords: Tamron 17-35 OSD, A037, Tamron 17-35, Tamron 17-35 Review, Tamron 17-35 OSD Review, Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 Di OSD, Tamron OSD, 17-35, 17-35mm, OSD, F2.8-4, Review, Dustin Abbott, Photography, Video Test, Comparison, Test, Sample Images, Resolution, Chromatic Aberration, Autofocus, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon 5DIV

DISCLAIMER: This article and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

Dustin Abbott

October 26th, 2018

The Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD entered my collection a few months after my review of the lens in February 2015.  It resonated to me as a lens that, while large and heavy, really delivered a fantastic optical performance.  Since that point nearly four years ago I’ve pitted it against many other wide angle primes and zooms, and it has always shown well in those comparisons.  I got a hint a few months ago that this new G2 version was coming to market, and I was excited for the release as the G2 series have brought both optical improvements along with vastly improved build, autofocus, and VC (Vibration Compensation) performance.  The Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (hereafter 15-30mm G2) seems poised to deliver a mature, polished performance than its predecessor in an era where most competing lenses have still not managed to marry Image Stabilization with this wide focal length.  I’ll be breaking down the improvements along with a detailed image quality examination in my review, but in the meantime you can check out my hands on breakdown of the build and design below along with checking out the images that I’m taking during the review process.  Stay tuned for more content and coverage of the 15-30mm G2!

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Images of the Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2

Images taken with the Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 VC G2

 

Gear Used:
Purchase the Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 VC G2 @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amplis Foto (Canada) Use code AMPLIS52018DA to get 5% off | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
Sony a7R III Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK  | Ebay
Peak Design Slide Lite:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
Sony a6500: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | Ebay
Peak Design Leash Strap:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
BenQ SW271 4K Photo Editing Monitor – B&H Photo  | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X2 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

Purchasing your gear through B&H and these links helps fund this website and keeps the articles coming. You can also make a donation here if you would like.  Visit my Amazon page for some of my gear of choice! Thank you for your support.

B&H Logo

Great News! I can now offer a 5% discount on all purchases at Amplis Foto, Canada’s Leading Photographic Supplier. Please enter discount code: AMPLIS52018DA in your cart. It is good for everything in your cart, and is stackable with other coupons, too! It will take 5% off your entire order! Proceeds go towards keeping this site going and providing you with new reviews!

Check me out on:

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Keywords: Tamron 15-30 G2, A041, Tamron 15-30mm G2, Tamron 15-30 f2.8 G2, Tamron, SP, G2, 15-30, 15-30mm, 15-30 F2.8, Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2, Tamron 15-30 G2 review, Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 G2 Review, Review, Dustin Abbott, Photography, Video Test, Comparison, Test, Sample Images, Resolution, Chromatic Aberration, Autofocus, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon 5DIV

DISCLAIMER: This article and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Bokeh Monster

Dustin Abbott

September 17th, 2018

The Bokeh Monster

© 2018 Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott

I recently reviewed a really incredible portrait lens – the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 ART. It’s huge, heavy, and fairly expensive, but what an amazing tool for portrait photographers. Lovely bokeh, amazing sharpness, and (in my tests) great autofocus. I loved using it despite the bulk, and loved the results even more. It truly is (as Sigma calls it) a “bokeh monster”! 

P.S.  My lovely subject is anything but a monster!

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 ART:  Text Review |  Video ReviewImage Gallery

#photodujour #dustinabbott #photography #canon #5DIV #5dmarkiv #sigma #105ART

 

Gear Used:
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG ART:  B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
Peak Design Slide Lite:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK

Peak Design Leash Strap: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
BenQ SW271 4K Photo Editing Monitor – B&H Photo  | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X2 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

Purchasing your gear through B&H and these links helps fund this website and keeps the articles coming. You can also make a donation here if you would like.  Visit my Amazon page for some of my gear of choice! Thank you for your support.

B&H Logo

Great News! I can now offer a 5% discount on all purchases at Amplis Foto, Canada’s Leading Photographic Supplier. Please enter discount code: AMPLIS52018DA in your cart. It is good for everything in your cart, and is stackable with other coupons, too! It will take 5% off your entire order! Proceeds go towards keeping this site going and providing you with new reviews!

Check me out on:

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DISCLAIMER: This article and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

One Night at Parliament

Dustin Abbott

April 17th, 2018

“One Night at Parliament”

 

© 2018 Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott

I liked the moodiness of the original image of this shot of the Peace Tower at Parliament from the eternal flame monument (Ottawa, Canada). I’ve enhanced the moodiness a little further through color and the addition of the moon from another shot. The new Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 ART lens is a magnificent companion for this type of shot – so amazingly sharp! See more here:  | #myOttawa #photodujour #dustinabbott #photography #canon #5dmarkiv #sigma #1424ART

Technical Info | Canon 5D Mark IV + Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 ART

 
Gear Used:
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
Purchase the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 ART @ B&H Photo  | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Ebay  
Peak Design Slide Lite:  Peak Design StoreB&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK

BenQ SW271 4K Photo Editing Monitor – B&H Photo  | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X2 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

Purchasing your gear through B&H and these links helps fund this website and keeps the articles coming. You can also make a donation here if you would like.  Visit my Amazon page for some of my gear of choice! Thank you for your support.

B&H Logo

Great News! I can now offer a 5% discount on all purchases at Amplis Foto, Canada’s Leading Photographic Supplier. Please enter discount code: AMPLIS52018DA in your cart. It is good for everything in your cart, and is stackable with other coupons, too! It will take 5% off your entire order! Proceeds go towards keeping this site going and providing you with new reviews!

Check me out on:

My Patreon:  | Google+: | Facebook: | Twitter: | Flickr: | 500px: | Sign Up for My Newsletter :



DISCLAIMER: This article and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Waiting for Christmas

Dustin Abbott

December 3rd, 2017

Waiting for Christmas

© 2017 Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott

My daughter is always gung-ho for Christmas. She’s been out buying decorations for her room (including the tree shown in the defocused area here) and even has done a “room tour” for her YouTube channel (which you can find here:). So when I asked if she wanted to model for me for a few portrait shots with the new Canon 85mm f/1.4L IS, there was a quick smile and an instantaneous “yes!” I just added a ring light for a one light solution that wouldn’t kill the ambiance of her room, and we got a number of really cute images. Here’s one that’s sober and yet lovely. Processed to taste. You can see more images (including the original) here:  She’s waiting for Christmas, but can hardly wait!

 
Gear Used:
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Ebay
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X2 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

Purchasing your gear through B&H and these links helps fund this website and keeps the articles coming. You can also make a donation here if you would like.  Visit my Amazon page for some of my gear of choice! Thank you for your support.

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Great News! I can now offer a 5% discount on all purchases at Amplis Foto, Canada’s Leading Photographic Supplier. Please enter discount code: AMPLIS52018DA in your cart. It is good for everything in your cart, and is stackable with other coupons, too! It will take 5% off your entire order! Proceeds go towards keeping this site going and providing you with new reviews!

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Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM ART Review

Dustin Abbott

November 21st, 2017

Sigma has done a fairly amazing job of reinventing themselves as a company in the past five years. It can be easy to forget that Sigma was known as a maker of mostly “cheap” lenses not all that long ago, and often their primary claim to fame was delivering a less expensive product than the first parties. That perception began to slightly shift with the delivery of generally quite good EX 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 primes, but of course really accelerated with the release of the ART series. A Sigma ART lens has become synonymous with optical excellence and resolution that is generally at or near the top of the class. And with this new success Sigma has also proved to be more daring than the more conservative first parties. They have embraced optical designs outside the traditional scope, and have really “pushed the envelope” with what is possible in maximum aperture in both primes and zoom lenses. The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM ART is another case in point. At f/1.8, the maximum aperture of the 14mm ART is larger than any competing lens, which makes it a very intriguing option…but it comes at a cost.

As we progress through this review, we will discover that the cost comes both on a monetary level (it isn’t cheap!) and also in its size/weight (largest and heaviest in the class). To the first point: the Sigma ART series was, initially, all priced around the $799-999 mark in the US market. Sigma seemed to studiously avoid breaching the thousand dollar price point until last year. Since that point we have seen a number of the newest ART series lenses at price points well above the thousand dollar mark, including the 50-100mm f/1.8 ART zoom ($1199), 85mm f/1.4 ART ($1199), 24-70mm f/2.8 OS ART ($1299), 135mm f/1.8 ART ($1399), 12-24mm f/4 ART ($1599), and this lens, the 14mm ART, at $1599 USD. Suffice it to say that this particular “glass ceiling” has been shattered, and the 14mm ART is tied with the 12-24mm as the most expensive options in the ART series.  I’ve reviewed all of these lenses, and they are excellent lenses, but I think it is safe to say that the idea of Sigma lenses as “bargains” is past.

The 14mm focal length has a huge range of price points. There is the Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, which can often be had for around $300. There is the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II, which is typically north of $2000, and a host of other options in between. I reviewed the excellent Rokinon SP 14mm f/2.4 earlier this year, which retails for around $1000 (but is manual focus). My point is that this lens must compete on merit, as the price, while cheaper than the most expensive option (Canon), is more than 5x as expensive as the least expensive option.

There are counterarguments to make for the Sigma 14mm ART, however, including the fact that it offers a larger maximum aperture than all alternatives (1 1/3rd stop faster than most, and 2/3rds stop faster than the Rokinon XP and its f/2.4 max aperture). It has autofocus (several alternatives don’t), and it is now weathersealed (the Samyang/Rokinon options do not). It does offer something unique when compared to alternatives, but it is also a fairly expensive lens that will make potential buyers consider the alternatives before placing their order.

But is it worth the money? Read to help make that decision for yourself.

Prefer to watch your reviews? Check out my thorough, interactive video review here:

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Build and Design

The second place that you will “pay” for this lens is in the weight, which is easily at the top of its class. It weighs 2.57lb (1170g), which makes it heavier even than the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART zoom lens I reviewed. The only wide angle option that is heavier is the unique Canon 11-24mm f/4L lens, and it is only a measly 10g heavier (though it’s also $1000+ more expensive). It has a very large glass front element and is quite front heavy. I tried to mount it (paired with a Canon 5D Mark IV) on my Moza Air motorized gimbal for some video, and found that it was nearly impossible to balance due to the odd weight distribution. Pushing the envelope of maximum aperture in this lens comes at the cost of some serious weight.

Then again, the ART series has never been known for being light, and this lens will do nothing to reverse that trend! It isn’t small, either, with a diameter of 3.76” (95.4mm) and a length of nearly 5” (126mm). The lens is fairly narrow at the mount but significantly flares out about halfway down the length to house the extremely large curved front element.

The build is extremely familiar, as I have reviewed the majority of the ART series lenses. It is a mixture of metal and “thermal composite” (engineered plastics) based on a brass bayonet mount. The tactile impression is more metal than plastic, which feels reinforced by the significant heft of the lens. The lens profile is extremely similar to that of the 12-24mm f/4, with the one exception that there is one less ring on the 14 ART (no zoom ring). That lone ring (the manual focus ring) is built into the wide front section of the lens which flows right into the fixed (permanent) lens hood. This is unusual compared to most lenses, but very similar in design to the 12-24 ART. The manual focus ring moves nicely and has a nice, grippy rubberized texture to it.

Sigma’s Global Vision design language has aged well, and the lens is very modern and sleek in a squat, rounded kind of way. It mixes various textures and finishes to keep from being too “monochromatic”. There is one switch on the barrel, an AF/MF switch to allow you to go to manual focus (though full time manual override is available through Sigma’s HSM focus motor). There is a distance window with some hyperfocal markings as well.

The lens notes that it was made in Japan as well as the year of manufacturing (2017). The lens (like other ART series lenses) has a nine-rounded blade aperture iris. It can focus down to 10.63” (27cm), but has an exceptionally low 0.10x magnification figure. If you wanted a wide angle lens that could double as a macro lens, this most definitely isn’t it!

Sigma has begun to incorporate some moisture resistance into its design, which is very welcome in a lens like this. It has a rubber gasket to help with the seal at the bayonet mount, but Sigma’s language says “Dust and Splash-proof mount” and makes no reference to internal seals. Something is better than nothing, but I wouldn’t push this too much.

At the front of the lens you will find a massive curved front element. The glass has some protection on four sides by a fixed petal-shaped lens hood. This is a necessary evil on most lenses 15mm or wider, but it does have a few downsides. The first has to do with the fixed lens hood, which requires the front lens cap to be the large type that slips over the lens hood and is held in place by a combination of friction and suction. I’ve seen no issue with the cap falling off of its own accord, but I do find these types of caps to be a pain because they don’t fit well into a pocket when you pull them off for a quick shot. Even a jacket pocket will be full with this lens cap inside, and you can forget it fitting in most pants pockets.

The second downside is that traditional screw-in filters cannot be used. There will invariably be third party filter makers that will produce adapters for their front filter systems (I use the Fotodiox Pro WonderPana system for the Tamron 15-30 VC). The upside of these type systems is that graduated neutral density filters are very useful for wide angle landscape work, but the downside is that they are big, bulky, and expensive. Fortunately Sigma is working to provide an alternate solution, which comes in the form of the FHR-11 rear filter holder which will mount on the lens mount and allow you to use small rear glass and gel filters. It seems to only be available for the Canon mount lens and only (at the moment) directly from Sigma (I can’t find it at major retailers).

The upside is that Sigma is only charging $36 for it, but you will have to screw it in yourself and provide the filters. Sigma obviously feels the audience for this is small enough to not actually ship the lens with the filter holder included. There are a number of Canon wide angle lenses that have a similar rear filter hold built in.

I have not tested this optional accessory myself, but I am happy to see that Sigma has worked to provide some kind of solution. The lens is also compatible with Sigma’s USB dock (for tweaking autofocus and other features) and is also eligible for Sigma’s mount conversion service if you decide to “jump ship” at some point and move from Canon to Nikon or vice versa.

The lens is only available in Canon, Nikon, and Sigma native mounts, though I did test it on a Sony body with a Sigma MC-11 adapter and, as per usual, the lens actually works quite well there. One serious perk is that Sigma lenses will work in AF-C mode during video capture with the MC-11, which is unlike any other adapted lenses with any of the adapters that I’ve used (Metabones, Vello (x2), etc…)  All is not perfect, here, and you should check out my comments in the Autofocus Performance section below.  

I also tested it with a Vello Accelerator adapter for Sony APS-C eMount, where the lens behaves like a full frame lens in terms of framing and depth of field (the accelerator allows the maximum aperture to be f/1.4). Autofocus (for stills) continued to work fine, and the image quality was quite good.  Here are some interior shots taken with this combination:

All in all the lens feels like a quality piece of kit. It’s expensive, large, and heavy, but feels functional and well made.

Autofocus Performance

I’ve been relieved to see a positive trend for recent Sigma releases in their autofocus accuracy. This has been an area of weakness for many of the Sigma ART lenses in that I’ve seen an unusual amount of focus inconsistencies in my tests and have heard an abnormally high amount of anecdotal reports about focus issues from other photographers. To be fair, I do treat anecdotal reports with a grain of salt, as there are a lot of variables at play, but the sheer volume of them let me know that the problems I saw were systemic. Last year, however, Sigma started increasing the torque on their HSM (Hypersonic Motor) and I personally started seeing better focus accuracy. Lenses like the 85mm f/1.4 ART, 135mm f/1.4 ART, and the 12-24mm f/4 ART (along with the 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary) all proved better than previous ART series lenses in my testing, though with the wide aperture lenses I found better accuracy when using the center points on my Canon 5D Mark IV and avoiding the outer points. So, usable focus accuracy if not exceptional.

I found the 14mm ART needed only minor focus calibration out of the box, and then specifically went out to field test focus accuracy. Now, to be fair, a 14mm lens puts much less stress on the focus system than a 85mm or 135mm lens. At 6 feet, for example, even at the abnormally large maximum aperture of f/1.8, the depth of field with a 14mm lens is over 8 feet. At a 10 foot distance the depth of field jumps to nearly 57 feet. To give you an idea of the difference with, say, the 85mm f/1.4 ART, the depth of field at 6 feet and f/1.4 is only an 1 ½ inches, or less than 4 centimeters. Even at ten feet that depth of field is only 4 inches or slightly under 11 centimeters. The bottom line is that autofocus accuracy is less of an issue with this kind of lens, though it can still be an issue to some degree.

In my field tests I had nothing to be concerned about. The lens focused on what I wanted it to focus on, and I saw one instance of front focus, but mild enough to still be acceptable. And that was shooting at f/1.8; stopping the lens down only further eliminates the chances of missed focus.

Here are a few images and crops from these focus tests.

I’ve never really had an issue with Sigma lenses when it comes to focus speed or noise; the HSM motor focuses quickly and quietly. No concerns there.

I suspect that a lens like, say, the Canon 14mm f/2.8L II is still the better focusing lens, but frankly I doubt that it is going to make much of a difference for most shooters due to the nature of the focal length. I certainly wouldn’t be concerned.

If you happen to be a Sony shooter, using the MC-11 adapter produces good if mixed results (I tested on a Sony a6500). The lens focuses accurately, but is prone to some pulsing before settling on focus. The MC-11 adapter + Sigma lenses is the only adapter combination I’ve yet found that allows for video AF, but just know that the focus motor is not really optimized for this kind of behavior and tends to produce a lot of clicking during Video Servo AF (AF-C) use.

If you own multiple systems and want to utilize the 14mm ART on both systems, then go for it, but I would recommend purchasing a dedicated lens for Sony E Mount if you are a Sony shooter.

Sigma 14mm ART Image Quality

And now we get to the good stuff! Sigma has built a reputation with its ART series for excellent resolution, and the 14mm ART is right up at the top of the heap, out resolving any and all competitors at this focal length. I recommend that you want this video where I break down the resolution performance.

Resolution

The sharpness begins at f/1.8, and while the extreme corners may not yet be tack sharp at f/1.8, a good part of the image circle is. Center resolution is excellent, and, frankly, stopping the lens down will improve contrast a bit and will increase depth of field, but resolution gains will only be minimal in the center 2/3rds of the frame. Check out these crops from across the frame.

There are some lenses that make a significant leap when stopped down just a bit (even a third stop), but I didn’t really notice any difference between f/1.8 and f/2. Stopping on down to f/2.8 gives an uptick in contrast and edge performance looks better in large part to lifting vignette. There is some vignette at f/1.8, but it does significantly improve by f/2.8, which means that it looks better at f/2.8 in terms of vignette) than any wide angle lens from 12-16mm that I’ve used. I do think the sharpness profile extends a little further towards the edge of the frame, but it can be hard to tell what is more resolution and what is just cleared vignette. Here’s a look at crops across the frame.

Starting at f/2.8 I compared the 14mm ART to the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 VC. It ends up being the benchmark for a lot of wide angle lenses because 1) I own it and 2) it is a very good lens. What I found in the comparison is the Sigma is stronger on the edges of the frame, a position it holds even with the two lenses stopped down (though that advantage shrinks somewhat at typically landscape apertures). The Tamron suffers from some lateral chromatic aberrations along the edges of the frame (both green and purple fringing) while the Sigma shows no inclination towards CA at all. In the center portions of the frame the two lenses look pretty similar (which is to say excellent). The Tamron has a bit more micro-contrast and color saturation/accuracy, but it’s not significant. The Sigma is delivering the more consistent image across the frame, and, for landscape purposes, that is significant. Here’s a look at the comparison between the two lenses across the frame at f/5.6.

I came away extremely impressed by the resolution from the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 ART. Not only has Sigma managed to push the envelope in what is possible in maximum aperture at 14mm; they’ve done it while also pushing the envelope in the resolution potential of 14mm. No 14mm (or 15mm) lens that I’m aware resolves as highly as the 14mm ART.  Even at closer focus distances the sharpness is exceptional – take a look at this photo of the cat and the crop from it!

Sigma 14mm ART Coma Performance

Another incredibly important metric for such a lens is the coma performance. The single biggest reason for such a wide aperture at such a wide focal length is the light gathering potential. This lens, with a maximum aperture of f/1.8, has 1 1/3 stops more light gathering potential than an f/2.8 lens. What does this mean in real world shooting? Well, for example, a shot like this I took at f/1.8, 15 second shutter speed, and ISO 1600. At ISO 1600 my 5D Mark IV isn’t breaking a sweat, so there isn’t any visible noise in the image.

At f/2.8, however, I would have to be at ISO 4000, where there is definitely more potential for noise. The exceptional performance of many camera bodies at higher ISO settings makes this less of an issue than in times past, but it’s always better to have more light gathering potential than less. The other upside is that you can keep shutter speeds up, which reduces the risk of movement of the stars.

Comatic aberrations are most often seen when distant points of light become deformed. Rather than being a crisp point of light, they will appear to “grow wings” like an insect or be shaped like a flying saucer. I’ve also seen star points stretch and become more like dashes than periods. The best lenses for astrophotography are those that exhibit minimal amounts of coma, and some of the better options I’ve used include the afore-mentioned Tamron, the Samyang XP 14mm f/2.4, and the Zeiss Distagon 15mm f/2.8. The Sigma jumps out as being even more potentially useful because of the larger maximum aperture, but does it pass the coma test?

The answer is yes, and no. Compared to other Sigma options I’ve personally used, this is one of the better performers. It resolves very high (crisp stars), has relatively low vignette (a huge issue for some competitors), and obviously has better light transmission. But it does show some comatic aberrations. They are reserved mostly for the edges of the frame, but I saw a few “flying insects” there. The nature of the very wide 14mm frame means that they aren’t particularly obvious to most eyes (each star point is pretty small in the frame), but those of you for whom this is an issue you will probably notice it. I’ve seen much worse than the 14mm ART, but I’ve also seen better.

For pure astro work I think the Samyang/Rokinon XP 14mm f/2.4 might still be the better option, though you do give up 2/3rds of a stop of light gathering compared to the Sigma (and autofocus, of course!) I think the Sigma 14mm ART works for astro, but Sigma hasn’t entirely solved the coma issue in any lens of theirs that I’ve seen. By contrast this is something that Samyang has been good at for a while.

My opinion is that the positives outweigh the negatives here, but I would have loved to see just a little less coma from the lens. The lens has exceptional chromatic aberration control; it would have been nice if the comatic aberration control was equally exceptional.

Chromatic Aberration, Distortion, and Flare Resistance

A discussion of the distortion in a wide angle lens is a little complicated, as the very nature of the focal length creates a lot of potential for perspective distortion (or the keystone effect). This is really the primary reason that tilt/shift lenses exist. By moving the lens elements in relation to the sensor it allows one to get all of the lines straight when shooting interiors or architecture. Without that capability, however, you will often get a result where it seems like trees or buildings are “leaning” towards the center of the frame. You can reduce this result by bringing the camera up higher, for example, but this sometimes comes at the cost of a less favorable composition.

But this is not actually distortion in a traditional sense. It is the nature of the focal length, not a flaw in the lens itself.

The actual barrel distortion of the lens is fairly minimal. It does bulge a bit in the center, but in mild amounts and without any kind of complex pattern. The standard profile in Lightroom or ACR handles it all fairly well (see above). I feel like there is a bit more distortion than Sigma’s 12-24mm f/4 ART (which is quite exceptional in this area), but this is another strong performance (and a Sigma strength in my experience).

Despite that bulbous front element the lens also does a very good job of resisting flare when the sun is in the frame. Wide open there is a minimal amount of veiling (lost of contrast) near the epicenter of the sun, but next to no ghosting effects (blobs of color).

Stopped down to f/11 there are some very small ghosting artifacts, but they are minimal and unobtrusive. I was very pleased with this performance, as this is an area that the Tamron can struggle (more from side lighting than direct sun).

Chromatic aberration performance is near perfect, with no visible amount of chromatic aberrations (green or purple fringing) showing up in any of my field tests.  This is an outstanding performance!

Color and Contrast

I noted earlier that I felt the color rendition from the lens was good but not exceptional. Often Zeiss lenses have a unique “look” to images that doesn’t seem to need additional post processing. The Sigma 14mm ART doesn’t quite fall into that category, but there is a good amount of contrast, that, combined with the complete lack of chromatic aberrations, allows images to seem very crisp. I like the look of the images out of the lens, and, with just a little processing, I think they can look exceptional. Take for example this image, shot at f/1.8.

It’s very crisp even at f/1.8, but looks like a little flat because I purposefully underexposed a bit to give me more highlight room in the sky. A little post processing and the image becomes exceptional:

All in all you won’t have a problem producing stunning images with this lens, though if you have never composed with a lens this wide it may require some retooling of your mental approach to composition.

Remember that you will often need a foreground element to fill in space so that your image doesn’t look “empty”.  Here’s a few landscape samples:

I recommend that you check out the Image Galleries to see more sample images from the Sigma 14mm ART.

Conclusion

There are a lot of photographers who have been very excited about this lens, and my time spent with it leaves me to conclude that they have good reason to be. I noted that the lens has some challenges due to its nature (it’s expensive, heavy, and cannot use normal filters), but Sigma deserves some applause here for once again pulling off what no other lens maker has done. They took on the brief of creating an extremely sharp wide angle prime with a record-setting maximum aperture at this focal length and nailed it. The Sigma 14mm ART isn’t perfect, but neither does it have any fatal flaws, either. It’s imperfections (coma, distortion, vignette) are all so mild as to have little true impact on photographers, while its strengths (resolution, flare resistance, lack of chromatic aberrations) should make it appealing to those with high resolution camera systems looking for a landscape lens that can deliver exceptional results. The wide aperture will also appeal to some wedding and event photographers who crave more light gathering (and action stopping!) than what the average lens can provide. I do think the price and weight may discourage some potential buyers, but those for whom these are not major obstacles will undoubtedly be pleased with the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM ART…another unique lens from Sigma in its ART series. 

Pros:

  • Class leading resolution
  • Largest maximum aperture ever at 14mm
  • Excellent flare resistance
  • Extremely good chromatic aberration control
  • Low levels of distortion
  • Effective autofocus system

Cons:

  • Heaviest lens in its class
  • Fairly expensive
  • Not free from coma
  • Bulbous front elements precludes use of traditional filters

Gear Used:
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM ART: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | Ebay
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (5D4): B&H Photo | Amazon.com | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
Sony a6500: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | Ebay
Sigma MC-11 Adapter:  B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X2 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

Purchasing your gear through B&H and these links helps fund this website and keeps the articles coming. You can also make a donation here if you would like. Thank you for your support.

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Great News! I can now offer a 5% discount on all purchases at Amplis Foto, Canada’s Leading Photographic Supplier. Please enter discount code: AMPLIS52018DA in your cart. It is good for everything in your cart, and is stackable with other coupons, too! It will take 5% off your entire order! Proceeds go towards keeping this site going and providing you with new reviews!

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DISCLAIMER: This article and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.