Tamron 17-70 vs Pentax 12-24

kamisu · 06-05-2016, 02:53 PM

Hello,

I could not find any direct comparison between these two lenses in the 17-24 mm range.

Is image quality of Pentax 12-24 considerably better than Tamron 17-50 in the 17-24 mm range at f/5.6 - f/11?

Thanks.

Fauxton · 06-05-2016, 04:13 PM

Have a look at Photozone. You would be comparing a test done at 10 MP on a Pentax K10D to a 16MP Nikon 7000. So its iffy territory as not only are the cameras different, they are different makes and resolution. Okay with that out of the way the resolution figures for the 12-24 test can be scaled up roughly by adding 4000 LWPH and then compared with the Nikon. The 12-24 is quite consistent across the frame. The 17-50 at f4 at 17mm and up wouldn't be as even - its would likely be sharper in the center and just as good at the extremes. That is what the rough info would be leading me to believe. But you would need to mount the lenses and try yourself. And I'm guessing you have a K5.

Its very difficult to compare lens across cameras. However I wouldn't think the lenses you mention are directly comparable in function. The reason for buying the 12-24 is particularly for the wide end. If its mounted on your camera and you want to take a picture between 17-24 there wouldn't be much to be gained from switching the lens to the Tamron. Unless you needed the 2.8 or you intended to take more pictures calling for the extra range of the Tamron.

I have the Tamron and I also have the Sigma 10-20. When I use the Sigma its because of something specific I need the wide angle. Most of the time the 17-50 is mounted as my GP lens. The Sigma 10-20 is not as good optically as the Pentax - but its half the price, a bit wider. Here in Canada the Sigma has a 7 year warranty as opposed to the 2 year Pentax warranty.

mlatour · 06-05-2016, 04:16 PM

From what I remember of my DA 12-24mm f4, it performed much better at the wider end (12-16mm)
than in the 20-24mm range where it just wasn't as sharp.

The Tamron 17-50mm is a sharp lens, if you can find a good copy and, if the internals don't loosen up over time.

dstar · 06-05-2016, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by mlatour

From what I remember of my DA 12-24mm f4, it performed much better at the wider end (12-16mm)
than in the 20-24mm range where it just wasn't as sharp.

The Tamron 17-50mm is a sharp lens, if you can find a good copy and, if the internals don't loosen up over time.

Try sigma 17-70 very sharp very rich color

**clackers** · 06-05-2016, 04:48 PM

I have the Tamron 17-50, Kamisu, and it's a very good lens.

But I'd expect the Pentax 12-24 to be better in that range, it's a 2x zoom instead of 3x and the designers have had to make less compromises.

kamisu · 06-05-2016, 05:24 PM

Thanks all for the replies. I have K5 and also the Tamron 17-50. It is a very good lens but I was wondering if IQ is considerably better with Pentax 12-24, as 17 mm is wide enough for me.

npc · 06-06-2016, 02:38 AM

I used to have them both (the Tamron is now gone). Both are very good lenses and I've never compared them directly but my "feeling" is that generally the Pentax is somewhat sharper and maybe little beter colors in the overlapping range. However, if I have the Tamron on the camera and the Pentax in the bag - I would not bother swapping lenses if I don't really need to go wider than 17.

Igor123 · 06-06-2016, 03:36 AM

I don't know anything about the tamron, but I have the 12-24. I know the question was about f5.6-11, and although i seldom go above f6, for me the 12-24 seems almost like "a stack of primes", superb performance throughout the range, not perfect, but quite close (on a K5).

reeftool · 06-06-2016, 05:36 AM

I have heard good things about both lenses but a direct comparison of the two lenses is not something you will likely see simply because the focal length range only overlaps slightly on the long end of one and the shortest end of the other. It would be far easier to give reasons for owning both. If 17mm isn't wide enough, the Tamron is useless and if you need longer than 24mm, the 12-24 won't be very useful either although it is a very good, sharp lens and it is possible to crop a 50mm view.

06-05-2016, 02:53 PM	#1
kamisu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 130	Tamron 17-70 vs Pentax 12-24 Hello, I could not find any direct comparison between these two lenses in the 17-24 mm range. Is image quality of Pentax 12-24 considerably better than Tamron 17-50 in the 17-24 mm range at f/5.6 - f/11? Thanks.

06-05-2016, 04:13 PM	#2
Fauxton Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 100	Pentax 12-24 vs Tamron 17-50 Have a look at Photozone. You would be comparing a test done at 10 MP on a Pentax K10D to a 16MP Nikon 7000. So its iffy territory as not only are the cameras different, they are different makes and resolution. Okay with that out of the way the resolution figures for the 12-24 test can be scaled up roughly by adding 4000 LWPH and then compared with the Nikon. The 12-24 is quite consistent across the frame. The 17-50 at f4 at 17mm and up wouldn't be as even - its would likely be sharper in the center and just as good at the extremes. That is what the rough info would be leading me to believe. But you would need to mount the lenses and try yourself. And I'm guessing you have a K5. Its very difficult to compare lens across cameras. However I wouldn't think the lenses you mention are directly comparable in function. The reason for buying the 12-24 is particularly for the wide end. If its mounted on your camera and you want to take a picture between 17-24 there wouldn't be much to be gained from switching the lens to the Tamron. Unless you needed the 2.8 or you intended to take more pictures calling for the extra range of the Tamron. I have the Tamron and I also have the Sigma 10-20. When I use the Sigma its because of something specific I need the wide angle. Most of the time the 17-50 is mounted as my GP lens. The Sigma 10-20 is not as good optically as the Pentax - but its half the price, a bit wider. Here in Canada the Sigma has a 7 year warranty as opposed to the 2 year Pentax warranty.

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06-05-2016, 04:16 PM	#3
mlatour Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 197	From what I remember of my DA 12-24mm f4, it performed much better at the wider end (12-16mm) than in the 20-24mm range where it just wasn't as sharp. The Tamron 17-50mm is a sharp lens, if you can find a good copy and, if the internals don't loosen up over time.

06-05-2016, 04:30 PM	#4
dstar Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 475	Originally posted by mlatour From what I remember of my DA 12-24mm f4, it performed much better at the wider end (12-16mm) than in the 20-24mm range where it just wasn't as sharp. The Tamron 17-50mm is a sharp lens, if you can find a good copy and, if the internals don't loosen up over time. Try sigma 17-70 very sharp very rich color

06-05-2016, 04:48 PM	#5
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	I have the Tamron 17-50, Kamisu, and it's a very good lens. But I'd expect the Pentax 12-24 to be better in that range, it's a 2x zoom instead of 3x and the designers have had to make less compromises.

06-05-2016, 05:24 PM	#6
kamisu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 130 Original Poster	Thanks all for the replies. I have K5 and also the Tamron 17-50. It is a very good lens but I was wondering if IQ is considerably better with Pentax 12-24, as 17 mm is wide enough for me.

06-06-2016, 02:38 AM	#7
npc Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 313	I used to have them both (the Tamron is now gone). Both are very good lenses and I've never compared them directly but my "feeling" is that generally the Pentax is somewhat sharper and maybe little beter colors in the overlapping range. However, if I have the Tamron on the camera and the Pentax in the bag - I would not bother swapping lenses if I don't really need to go wider than 17.

06-06-2016, 03:36 AM	#8
Igor123 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 183	I don't know anything about the tamron, but I have the 12-24. I know the question was about f5.6-11, and although i seldom go above f6, for me the 12-24 seems almost like "a stack of primes", superb performance throughout the range, not perfect, but quite close (on a K5).

06-06-2016, 05:36 AM	#9
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I have heard good things about both lenses but a direct comparison of the two lenses is not something you will likely see simply because the focal length range only overlaps slightly on the long end of one and the shortest end of the other. It would be far easier to give reasons for owning both. If 17mm isn't wide enough, the Tamron is useless and if you need longer than 24mm, the 12-24 won't be very useful either although it is a very good, sharp lens and it is possible to crop a 50mm view.