Di II: Lenses are designed for exclusive use on digital cameras
with smaller-size imagers and inherit all of the benefits of our Di
products. These lenses are not designed for conventional cameras and
digital cameras with image sensors larger than 24mm x 16mm.
This new super wide-angle zoom lens, designed for exclusive use with
digital SLR cameras using a sensor smaller than full frame, provides
the extended Focal length covering 17mm (when converted to 35mm format)
that is desired by today's advanced and pro photographers using digital
SLRs. The lens features an entirely new optical system designed for
optimal performance with digital SLR cameras.
Di II: Lenses are designed for exclusive use on digital cameras with smaller-size imagers and inherit all of the benefits of our Di products. These lenses are not designed for conventional cameras and digital cameras with image sensors larger than 24mm x 16mm.
This new super wide-angle zoom lens, designed for exclusive use with digital SLR cameras using a sensor smaller than full frame, provides the extended focal length covering 17mm (when converted to 35mm format) that is desired by today's advanced and pro photographers using digital SLRs. The lens features an entirely new optical system designed for optimal performance with digital SLR cameras.
While vacationing in San Fransisco, I realized that I needed a wide angle lens pretty desperately.
I checked at four or five touristy camera shops (they all seemed kind of shady - the kind that want you to only pay cash). Finally, I found a shop near the fishermans wharf that had a tamron lens (everyone else only had sigma). I took the plunge and bought it for $529 thinking that I was probably over spending by a hundred bucks or so. (Turns out I got a pretty good deal)
Over the next 8 days the lens worked flawlessly! Wide enough to capture what I wanted: Alcatraz, the redwood forest, the golden gate and bay area bridges as well as the city skyline and wharf. I shot over 3,000 images, 1/2 to 2/3 of them with this lens. Every one of them was sharp. There is a slight fisheye effect (Barrel Distortion) at the 11mm end - but that was expected. The autofocus was as fast as any lens I own. You could buy a better lens but it would cost alot (alot, alot, alot) more than this great lens!
I would recommend this lens for consideration to anyone looking for a wide angle lens. I would also recommend a haze or uv filter - as the lens is so large at the end that it can catch alot more debris and dust than a normal lens. Also, use the lens hood - it saved my lens from a couple of dings and scrapes ( It also helped with solar flare but I had to use my hand frequently to block the sun - that's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5)
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Not bad, could be better, Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
2.8
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
4.0
Pros: It's really cool what you can do with this lens. The special effects at close range are very intriguing, and for capturing landscapes, home interiors, etc. it really does the job well. For that reason, it's very handy to have. Cons: On my Canon 30D, the lens is not quite as sharp as my kit lens (28-135mm). It's not bad, especially on a tripod, but it could be better. I also get some purple fringes on back-lit edges. There seems to be a lot of Contrast, making it hard to get the right exposure - pictures tend to be very overexposed and underexposed in a single shot. These problems can be remedied with software, and the ability to do what it does makes up for the disadvantages somewhat, but you do notice the quality difference.
All in all, I like using the lens. I'm glad I have it because of what I can do with it. Make no mistake, the quality isn't as good as my Canon lens, and if I had a higher budget, I might try something else.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
I like it, Saturday, 02 February 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I'm not sure how I would rate the value if I had to pay the normal retail price for this lens, but I got a used one for $350 and I consider it a terrific value. Get consistently good shots with it, even at 11mm using a polarizer -- much less Vignetting than I expected. The lens is really small and light for something of this sort.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Tamron 11-18, Friday, 10 November 2006
Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
4.0
I did a lot of research prior to buying this lens....comparing it to other wide angles etc. It got good ratings and I agree. I use it with my Canon 20D and it performs well. Pics are clean with no major noticable abberations. You can get a somewhat cool "fisheye" effect at the low end without having to buy an expensive fisheye lens. Use a lens hood because there is the potential for a lot of flare typical for this lens class. For the pro-sumer like me....it does the job at a lower price than it's competitors. Amazon was fine.....best price with no problems with shipping etc/.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
So-so performance from an (relatively) expensive l, Thursday, 12 October 2006
Overall rating (weighted)
2.8
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
3.0
I've been playing with this lens attached to my EOS 400D for couple of weeks now and I'm affraid it's not living up to my expectations, or it's relatively high price. Out of all the third party contenders (Tamron, Sigma & Tokina), this one is the most expensive, about $100 more than Tokina, yet it has the most limited zoom range, but most importantly, it's way too soft. Maybe I just have a bad copy, but in that case, for the price the QC should be better. At 18mm, it's marginally better than the 18-55 Canon kit lens, but then again, I don't need it for 18mm. Color rendition is OK and with some post-processing it makes acceptable 8x10 prints, but I just can't get over the price difference, so I'm returning it and trying my luck with Tokina 12-24...
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A Good Wide Angle Lens, Sunday, 03 July 2005
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
This lens seems to perform well and I have attached it to a Rebel 350 XT. Pictures so far look great. Really wide angle, possibly more than I really need, but it's fun to have. I am sure that a Canon lens is better, but would cost 2 to 3 times as much. The only problem I have had so far is at the widest angle indoors, the lens will cause a shadow when you use the flash on the camera.