Photography News issue 25

Photography News Issue 25 absolutephoto.com

Advertisement feature

Lens overview Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VCUSD Whether your interest is architecture, landscapes or people, a wide- angle zoom is worth its weight in gold, especially if it’s a high-spec model with a constant f/2.8 aperture like this one from Tamron

Specs

Price

£849

Format Full-frame and APS-C Mount Canon, Nikon, Sony Construction

18 elements in 13 groups Special lens elements XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded) aspherical and LD (low dispersion) lens elements Coatings BBAR and eBAND coatings, fluorine coating on the front element to repel water and dust Filter size Not applicable Aperture range f/2.8-22 Diaphragm 9 blades Internal focus Yes, using Tamron USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) Manual focus Yes Minimumfocus 28cm Focus limiter No Maximummagnification 1:5 Distance scale Yes, feet and metres Depth-of-field scale No Image stabiliser Yes, Tamron’s VC system Tripod collar No Lens hood Integrated flower shaped hood

Weather sealed Moisture-resistant Dimensions (dxl) 98.4x145mm (Canon) Weight 1100g Contact tamron.co.uk

Wide-angle lenses are immensely useful whatever your photographic interests and having a quality one available in your bag is totally worthwhile to ensure you make the most of great photo opportunities. The Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 is a leading light among wide-angle zooms and its focal length range covers not just the popular settings of 24mm and 28mm, but at the short end goes as wide as 15mm. It’s perfect when you want really visually dynamic foregrounds or to shoot in tightly confined spaces. Such a great focal length range is immensely useful and that is enhanced further because it comes in combination with an impressive f/2.8 maximum aperture, which is constant throughout the range. When light levels are low, mounting the camera and lens on a tripod gives you total freedom when it comes to aperture choice and depth-of- field. On the occasions when a tripod is not a practical option, this lens features Tamron’s innovative VC (Vibration Compensation) technology. Unlike like some camera shake reduction systems that only work in horizontal or vertical axes, Tamron uses a tri-axial system where the VC lens group works in conjunction with three pairs of driving coils and low-friction ball bearings to automatically compensate for any movement detected by the sensors and enable shake reduction in every plane. The VC system can give up to a 4EV benefit. This means it is possible to shoot at 1/8sec and get shots as sharp as if you had taken them at 1/125sec. Of course, lots of variables come into play here – such as weather conditions and the user’s ability to hold a camera still – and it’s possible to get successful, shake-free handheld shots at even slower shutter speeds. While it doesn’t mean that the VC system can replace a solid camera support, it does mean you can get sharp pictures in low- light situations handheld and that is a massive benefit. VC is just one of several key Tamron technologies embraced by this lens. The advanced 18 lens element design gives corner-to-corner sharpness even when used at its maximum setting and that high level of performance has been made possible by the use of several LD (low dispersion) elements and a XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded) aspherical element designed to control lens aberrations and enhance image quality.

With such a wide view, flare is a potential risk but Tamron’s exclusive coatings minimise that threat. There’s eBAND (Extended Bandwith and Angular Dependency) and BBAR (Broad BandAnti-Reflection) coatings to help deliver exceptionally clear images, completely free of lens flare and ghosting. The bulbous front lens element means that a protection filter can’t physically be fitted but Tamron has fluorine-coated that element’s surface to repel water and dust. This coating also helps to make smudge removal easier, too. Finally, the lens features Tamron’s USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) motor for responsive, accurate and silent autofocusing. The high torque motor together with the short throw of the internal focusing mechanism means autofocus is achieved very rapidly. In addition, the smooth manual focusing barrel can be adjusted at any time should the camera be struggling to achieve precise autofocus. With photographers constantly striving to achieve images with a difference, this Tamron ultra-wide zoom has the potential to deliver outstanding-quality images with a difference thanks to its very wide setting, but its range also means that it’s ideal for general use, too. Above Tamron’s SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD is capable of exceptional performance evenwhen used at its maximum f/2.8 aperture. This interior shot of Chester Cathedral was taken at the 17mm setting tomake themost of the interior andwas exposed at 10secs at f/11 and ISO 100 on a tripod-mounted full-frame DSLR.

The advanced 18 lens element design gives corner-to-corner sharpness