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

Tamron’s up-market wide-angle zoom for full-frame cameras is the latest to get the G2 treatment – we give it a full test

Digital Camera World Verdict

Overall, the G2 edition of Tamron’s wide zoom is a worthwhile upgrade over the original, and its optical stabilization is useful for low-light handheld shooting. However, Sigma’s 14-24mm f/2.8 Art lens has the edge for image quality.

Pros

  • +

    Impressive centre sharpness

  • +

    Great build quality

Cons

  • -

    Lacklustre sharpness in corners and edges

  • -

    Noticeable barrel distortion at 15mm

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Reinforcing its reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality lenses that can rival own-brand optics, Tamron launched its 15-30mm wide-angle zoom four years ago. More recently, we’ve seen some highly impressive ‘G2’ (second-generation) lenses that ramp up build quality, handling and performance. These include the pro-grade 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms. Now it’s the turn of the 15-30mm lens to get a G2 makeover.

The original Tamron 15-30mm lens grabbed the headlines with its combination of a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture rating, along with a built-in optical stabilizer. The latter was courtesy of Tamron’s proprietary and highly effective VC (Vibration Compensation) system.

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.