[seachunk2]

I just received this lens earlier in the week and haven't had a chance to really use it.
It's my first Tamron and I'm impressed with the 6 year warranty figuring any company that's willing to stand behind their product for that long has to be pretty confident. The reviews I've come across are mixed and it seems that the Sigma 10-20mm 4-5.6 does better. When I look at reviews on Amazon I'll see over 200 for the Sigma PK mount but only one for the Tamron PK, so it seems that those seeking a wide angle choose the Sigma way over the Tamron. When I search this forum I'll find a thread with both lenses but the Sigma has 3 pages of posts since last December and the Tamron has only 5 posts. The lens was reviewed 34 times in this forum's lens review section with a 9.09 average rating while the Tamron isn't listed at all.
So, this picture doesn't give me much confidence in my choice. I plan to take some pictures. To my untrained eye I'll probably think the lens is OK but I'm concerned that I might be disappointed later on as my skills develop. I have about 20 days to return the Tamron and the Sigma will cost another $75 if I go for an exchange. Also, the Sigma comes with only a one year warranty.
So if you were to buy a wide angle in this price range ($350-$450) would it be the Tamron 10-24 or Sigma 10-20 4-5.6 or some other?

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Last edited by seachunk2; 11-13-2010 at 05:30 AM.

[forensicscientist]

I went with the Tamron. I rented the Sigma a few years back. While I was happy with the sharpness, the color renditions just didn't make me happy. Colors just seemed a bit "muted" for my taste. Thus, I chose the Tamron and am much happier.

Since then, I had the opportunity to play with a 2nd Sigma and found the same thing as my first experience. Both are good lenses...the Sigma is probably abit sharper on the edges...but the color rendition is different between the 2.

Go shoot some pics and see how you like it..

[tomwil]

I think once word of Tamron's rebate gets around, bringing the Tamron about $100 cheaper than the Sigma, more people will start buying it and posting more about it.

[lesmore49]

I thought about both the Tamron and the Sigma lenses you mention. In the end I bought neither.

I bought a Pentax 12-24mm...2 mm less, I know...but the ratings were the best.

I'm very happy with my purchase....but that's me....other's may want the extra 2 mm of width.

[Jewelltrail]

I chose the Sigma 10-20 for my UWA--I am delighted with that choice. Tamron's main problem with the UWA market is that they got into the game relatively late and still lag as a result. If the 10-24 Tammy was available when I made my choice, I would have given it serious consideration.

[seachunk2]

That's true Tomwil. I went with the Tamron because of the 6 warranty and the $100 rebate. The best price I can find right now is $75 higher for the Sigma.
I'll be in Manhattan by 5 PM tonight and I'll put the Tamron to work. Hopefully it proves itself to be a keeper.

[pacerr]

I had both in hand side-by-side for three weeks and eventually chose the Tamron. The top 4mm and the fact I just like how the Tammy renders compared to the Sigma decided the issue. Although I think the Sigma might have a VERY slight edge in pure sharpness, it wasn't apparent in MY real world applications, especially from 14mm up where I tend to use them both. Above 16mm I still prefer my DA 16-45.

I'd be pleased to have either lens. Given the choice after practical use I chose the Tamron and am quite happy with the choice.

H2

[Squier]

I had the pleasure of owning and using the Tam 10-24 before i bought my Pentax, and i was really pleased with its performance. I can certainly recommend it to anyone.

These were shot with the 10-24, and allowing for my own average amateur talents, I think the Tam takes a great shot

[Biro]

I'm another one who went with the Pentax 12-24. But the God's honest truth is, I have seen fabulous photos taken with all three lenses. The Tamron normally runs about the same price as the Sigma. But if they were offering a $100 rebate at the time I was in the market, I would have taken a serious look at the Tamron. That and a 6-year warranty might have added up to the deal I couldn't refuse.

Yes, it's true: The Pentax tests the best. But all three lenses have their own strengths and weaknesses. One buys an UWA lens for the UWA. And the Tamron is known for being nice and sharp at 10mm. Yes, it can get a bit soft as you zoom in from there, but you can get around most of that by stopping down a bit.

Clearly both the Pentax and Sigma have legions of happy users. Not so much the Tamron. But I think that's because they got a much later start and many newer photographers tend to play follow the leader. After all... they don't want to buy the "wrong" lens.

Have you seen these reviews yet?

http://www.*************/lensreviews/tamron_10-24_3p5-5p6_n15/

Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II LD SP AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com!

I say go and and shoot with your lens. If you're happy with the results, I say keep it. After all, you will have paid less than $400 for it. The Pentax is about $700. For that kind of price differential, I could forgive a few flaws.

[Squier]

Good words Biro.

I think most people would be happy buying any of those 3 candidates

[XATN3q]

I did have a chance to test both of these lenses few months ago, I will find the pictures and post them here for you to compare. My first comment for these 2: the tamron is brighter (with same same aperture ) but the sigma is sharper

[seachunk2]

As I read the posts here, I'm getting more confident that I made a good choice with the Tamron.
I visited Manhattan last weekend and shot some pictures with it but they came out only so-so because of my own limitations- not the lens or the Kx (I used my wife's Kx instead of the K7 becasue for the iso). Anyway, not for the purposes of critiquing the Tamron but to show you how cool it was in the Big Apple last weekend, I'll include a few shots (not sure how to post full size- they are coming up as thumbnails-I'll edit once I know).

[XATN3q]

first 2 are tamron 10-24 @ 10mm/f3.5 resized and center cropped,


second 2 are Sigma 10-20 @ 10mm /f4 resized and center cropped,









I don't know how to proper manage the attachements so I have to stretch to 2 posts (Moderator if you can, please merge my replies in to 1, thank you )

[XATN3q]

first 2 are Tamron 10-24 @ 20mm(19something )/ f 4.5 resized and cropped

second 2 are sigma 10-20 @ 20mm/f 5.6 resized and cropped

[DanielT74]

Why didn't you compare them at the same apertures? would've been fairer, right?