Tamron 11-18mm Di Lens Sample Shots @ PMA 2005

I visited the Tamron stand today and took a few shots with the new Tamron 11-18mm digital SLR lens that has just been announced (Tamron SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) to give it its full name - very catchy). I already own the Tamron 28-75mm Di lens, using it on my Canon EOS 10D DSLR for the last 12 months. The Tamron 11-18mm has the same good build-quality as the 28-75mm Di lens.

Yesterday I tried out the Sigma 10-20mm lens - the Tamron and Sigma both felt very well made, although the Tamron is a little more compact. The Tamron 11-18mm lens is equivalent to a focal length of 17-28mm, compared to the Sigma’s 16-32mm, so there isn’t too much to choose between them in that respect. Focusing wasn’t a problem for either lens despite the dim lighting conditions inside the PMA show hall. Price for the new Tamron 11-18mm lens is $599, with Sigma expected to announce the price of their 10-20mm lens in the next few weeks.

I’m not able to provide the full-sized samples, but here are some shots to show you the angle of view that digital SLR users will be able to get. On my 10D, the first shot is equivalent to 17.5mm and the second to 28mm wide.

Published: Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Reader Comments

1. That Tamron lens looks just like a Sigma!

   Ray at 07:08pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2005

2. Darn it! PMA fatigue is setting in...

   Mark Goldstein at 07:19pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2005

3. Mark
   
   You seem to go through all the lenses of interest for us, the 10D users without EF-S capability and without 350D/20D upgrading intentions....
   
   Did you also have the chance to look at the Tokina 12-24/4 lens? The constant f4 makes this one into a kind of a favorite. Well at the end image quality comparison will tell...
   
   Thanks for all your effort,
   Philippe

   Philippe at 09:13pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2005

4. The Tamron looks a bit less rectalinear than the Sigma 12-24 at both ends. Of course, that's based on a very small sample but I have been impressed by the Sigma ever since I bought it in June. The Sigma 10-20 samples also look flatter. I'd be interested in your comments on a larger sized images once you get the chance to look at them more critically Mark.
   
   regards

   MIke Parker at 10:39pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2005

5. Mark:
   I´m a little confused. It´s a 11-22 or a 11-18 lens?. Everywhere i saw it´s a 11-18 lens (in fact in your article you used 11-18 at the full name).

   Guillermo Freige at 02:04am on Thursday, February 24, 2005

6. It's a 11-22mm lens
   
   Unfortunately Tokina didn't have a stand at the show.

   Mark Goldstein at 03:20pm on Thursday, February 24, 2005

7. Mark:
   The picture you posted is clearly a 18mm one, not a 22mm one. But it also seems to be the same picture than the one taken with the 18-200 at 18. So, I´m still confused

   Guillermo Freige at 10:46pm on Thursday, February 24, 2005

8. I´m not confused anymore. I saw a picture from the lens in DPReview PMA coverage, and it showed clearly a 11-18 range in the zoom ring. So, sorry Mark, but it´s an 11-18

   Guillermo Freige at 11:46pm on Thursday, February 24, 2005

9. It's definitely 11-18mm - my sleep-deprived mistake

   Mark Goldstein at 03:19pm on Tuesday, March 01, 2005

10. Anybody seen any other shots with the Tamron 11-18? Would like to look at some samples, this seems like a pretty interesting lens that would cover all my wide angle needs.

    Paul at 01:56pm on Thursday, May 19, 2005