On this post, I’ll be doing the Tamron 10-24 review, Tamron’s newest wide angle lens.
This lens is an update to the horrible Tamron 11-18mm lens. I bought mine, a Canon mount, from B&H Photo. They also have it for Nikon, Pentax and Sony mount.
It has more zoom range, wider aperture and slightly better build quality.
But how about optical performance?
It’s also slightly better, but I still wouldn’t recommend this lens for you. The updates only make this lens the 2nd worst Tamron lens ever.
Why?
In terms of sharpness, this is an OK lens. However, it has serious issue with distortion, vignetting and especially, chromatic aberration. All this issue are visible and will show up in every picture.
All in all, this lens is very disappointing. I’d recommend you avoid this lens and wait for a better alternative from Tamron.
Feel free to read my full Tamron 10-24 review below if you want to see the test result in detail.
Specs • Performance • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Tamron 10-24 Review – Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Tamron SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF)
Focal Length Markings:
10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 18mm, 20mm and 24mm
Features:
SP – Better build quality compared to standard Tamron lens.
AF – Autofocus. The lens can automatically focus on your subject.
Di-II – You can’t use this lens with a full frame or film camera.
LD – Low Dispersion Glass to reduce chromatic aberration at the telephoto end.
Aspherical – To minimize the lens’ aberration and distortion.
IF – Internal Focusing. Lens will not change dimension during autofocus. Front element will not rotate, so you can use a polarizing filter with no problems.
Full Technical Specs (from Tamron’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 9 / 12 |
| Angle of View | 108°-60° |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.24m (9.4″) |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
| Weight | 406g (14.3oz.) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | ø83.2mm x 86.5mm (3.1in x 3.9in) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:5.1 (at f=24mm, MFD:0.24m) |
| Available for | Canon, Nikon (with Built in Motor), Pentax and Sony |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Tamron 10-24 Review – Sharpness
Center sharpness is good in general, but nothing special. Border sharpness has some issue especially on 10mm f/3.5 and 24mm f/4.5.
Overall the sharpness is OK, but really nothing special to rave about. The optimal aperture is f/8.
Below is the sharpness test result of this Tamron 10-24 review.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 10mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 14mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 18mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 24mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 10mm | Good | Great | Great | Great |
| 14mm | Good | Great | Great | Great |
| 18mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| 24mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
Distortion is an issue with this lens. It’s visible on all focal length. See my grid distortion test below for proof.
Vignetting
Vignetting is also an issue with this lens. It’s visible on all focal length at any aperture. See my vignetting test below.
Chromatic Aberration
This is the deal breaker. This lens has one of the worst chromatic aberration control. Chromatic aberration is visible on any focal length at any aperture. The worst one is on 10mm f/3.5.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 10mm | Very High | Very High | Very High | High |
| 14mm | High | High | High | Very High |
| 18mm | High | High | High | High |
| 24mm | High | Low | Low | High |
Stopping down will help just a little bit. However, post processing removal of chromatic aberration can be difficult and time consuming for this lens.
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
High quality plastics, better than the 11-18mm. Made in Japan.
Zoom Ring
Zoom ring is smooth and easy to rotate.
Focusing
Focus ring operate smoothly. Autofocus speed is OK, but it’s not very accurate.
For Nikon user: This lens has a built in Motor, which means it can be used for cameras with no internal focusing such as Nikon D40
Tamron 10-24mm Compatibility
Can only be used for cropped sensor DSLR. You cannot use this lens for a full frame DSLR (such as Nikon D3
Conclusions
Back to: Menu • Introduction
This lens is certainly an improvement from the old 11-18mm. However, based on my test both in lab and in field, the performance is just a slight improvement from the 11-18mm.
Although better than the 11-18mm, chromatic aberration, vignetting and distortion are still an issue. To summarize, below is my conclusion:
Drawbacks
- Distortion is an issue
- Vignetting is an issue
- Chromatic aberration is an issue
- Expensive
Positives
- Better build quality compared to 11-18mm
- Slightly better optical quality compared to 11-18mm
Good For
Nothing. Here are your alternatives:
If you’re using Canon, get the Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 EF-S USM (Amazon
If you’re using Nikon DSLR, get the Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DX AF-S (Amazon
For Pentax DSLR users, get the Pentax 12-24mm f/4 DA (Amazon
If you’re using Sony, you currently has no better options. My suggestion is to wait until either Tamron or Sony launches a better wide angle lens.
Not So Good For
Everything. See the alternatives above.
What Others Are Saying…
by “J. Koppell”
Quality build, more distortion than expected. Using this lens with a 40D, I was underwhelmed with the results and will return it and try with the Sigma…
Click here to read the full review
by “Pedro G. Grance”
Useful focal range but it’s not very sharp. I use it with a Rebel XTI (400D) and a complementation of a 24-105L. I like it, construction is good, distortion very well controlled, cromatic aberrations is just ok, sharpness is just ok on the center but regular to bad on the corners, even at f5.6, f8 or f16…
Click here to read the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II from B&H Photo (best price online):
If B&H Photo doesn’t have it in stock, try Amazon (Canon
Do check out the related lens review below for more options.
Hope this Tamron 10-24 review has helped you and I really hope Tamron will release a better wide angle lens in the future.
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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