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qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:16 PM

I promised I would post a comparison of the Sigma and Tamron ultra-wides, so here it is..

I started out purchasing the Tamron 10-24, due to its cheaper price after rebate, and test results stating the Tamron had better center sharpness. The drawbacks were soft corners, but reviewers such as dpreview stated that this would not be noticeable in every day pictures. The first Tamron lens I received exhibited extreme softness in the corners, and so I sent it back for a replacement. I also purchased the Sigma at that time, and decided to send back the one I liked least.

From an aesthetic standpoint, I personally like the way the Sigma looks. It also comes with a really nice soft padded case. The Tamron looks a little cheaper. The Tamron also has a much wider hood, which is sort of annoying when trying to fit it in your camera bag.

Which one is better? The short answer is..... The Sigma by a landslide. The second Tamron lens also had the extreme corner softness. I'll let you decide based on the series of shots below.

First set is the Sigma, at 4.0, 5.6, 8.0, 11 for each series, followed by the Tamron at 3.5, 4.5, 5.6, 8 and 11.

Side by side:

Attached Images

qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:19 PM

1st set

qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:21 PM

2nd series

qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:23 PM

3rd series

Attached Images

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View Picture EXIF

qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:25 PM

1st series

qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:28 PM

2nd series

qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:30 PM

3rd series

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

Last edited by qtopplings; 02-13-2012 at 03:43 PM.

qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:32 PM

It is clear that the Tamron has pretty awful softness in the corners, all the way up to f8 and finally good at f11. The Sigma is mostly good in the corners at all f-stops. Center sharpness? I can't really tell which is better. The Tamron shots as is are unusable, so the Tammy is going back to Amazon.

The Sigma is well worth the extra $100.

**Ash** · 01-03-2011, 03:32 PM

I'm surprised at the corner softness, but it appears skewed towards the upper left of the frame.
Not even by f/8 is this softness corrected.
Perhaps you have a decentered copy?
The Tamron is rated very well for an UWA lens.

qtopplings · 01-03-2011, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by Ash

I'm surprised at the corner softness, but it appears skewed towards the upper left of the frame.
Not even by f/8 is this softness corrected.
Perhaps you have a decentered copy?
The Tamron is rated very well for an UWA lens.

Well, this is my second copy of the Tamron. The first was bad in the lower corners, this one is bad in the upper and lower corners. I'm over playing lens roulette

Ubuntu_user · 01-03-2011, 03:51 PM

Wow! Thanks for this comparison.

Kryosphinx · 01-03-2011, 04:26 PM

Amazing, those Tamron corners/edges are AWFUL!!

It almost looks like it's got a toy lens/lensbaby thing going on...

**Ash** · 01-03-2011, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by qtopplings

Well, this is my second copy of the Tamron. The first was bad in the lower corners, this one is bad in the upper and lower corners. I'm over playing lens roulette

You'll have to go to your third to have a chance for a fair comparison.

Pentaxor · 01-03-2011, 05:39 PM

with that kinda awful degree of softness coming from the Tamron, I would not hesitate to state that the kitlens kills it.

**Ash** · 01-03-2011, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

with that kinda awful degree of softness coming from the Tamron, I would not hesitate to state that the kitlens kills it.

Very funny.
Who knows the QC issues of this lens, but I'm sure it's well worth getting a good copy, given its versatility.

01-03-2011, 03:16 PM	#1
qtopplings Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marin, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282	Sigma 10-20 vs Tamron 10-24, a shootout I promised I would post a comparison of the Sigma and Tamron ultra-wides, so here it is.. I started out purchasing the Tamron 10-24, due to its cheaper price after rebate, and test results stating the Tamron had better center sharpness. The drawbacks were soft corners, but reviewers such as dpreview stated that this would not be noticeable in every day pictures. The first Tamron lens I received exhibited extreme softness in the corners, and so I sent it back for a replacement. I also purchased the Sigma at that time, and decided to send back the one I liked least. From an aesthetic standpoint, I personally like the way the Sigma looks. It also comes with a really nice soft padded case. The Tamron looks a little cheaper. The Tamron also has a much wider hood, which is sort of annoying when trying to fit it in your camera bag. Which one is better? The short answer is..... The Sigma by a landslide. The second Tamron lens also had the extreme corner softness. I'll let you decide based on the series of shots below. First set is the Sigma, at 4.0, 5.6, 8.0, 11 for each series, followed by the Tamron at 3.5, 4.5, 5.6, 8 and 11. Side by side: Attached Images

01-03-2011, 03:21 PM	#3
qtopplings Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marin, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	Sigma 10-20 2nd series Attached Images

01-03-2011, 03:28 PM	#6
qtopplings Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marin, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	Tamron 10-24 2nd series Attached Images

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01-03-2011, 03:32 PM	#8
qtopplings Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marin, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	It is clear that the Tamron has pretty awful softness in the corners, all the way up to f8 and finally good at f11. The Sigma is mostly good in the corners at all f-stops. Center sharpness? I can't really tell which is better. The Tamron shots as is are unusable, so the Tammy is going back to Amazon. The Sigma is well worth the extra $100.

01-03-2011, 03:32 PM	#9
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I'm surprised at the corner softness, but it appears skewed towards the upper left of the frame. Not even by f/8 is this softness corrected. Perhaps you have a decentered copy? The Tamron is rated very well for an UWA lens.

01-03-2011, 03:38 PM	#10
qtopplings Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marin, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ash I'm surprised at the corner softness, but it appears skewed towards the upper left of the frame. Not even by f/8 is this softness corrected. Perhaps you have a decentered copy? The Tamron is rated very well for an UWA lens. Well, this is my second copy of the Tamron. The first was bad in the lower corners, this one is bad in the upper and lower corners. I'm over playing lens roulette

01-03-2011, 03:51 PM	#11
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Wow! Thanks for this comparison.

01-03-2011, 04:26 PM	#12
Kryosphinx Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 129	Amazing, those Tamron corners/edges are AWFUL!! It almost looks like it's got a toy lens/lensbaby thing going on...

01-03-2011, 04:28 PM	#13
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by qtopplings Well, this is my second copy of the Tamron. The first was bad in the lower corners, this one is bad in the upper and lower corners. I'm over playing lens roulette You'll have to go to your third to have a chance for a fair comparison.

01-03-2011, 05:39 PM	#14
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	with that kinda awful degree of softness coming from the Tamron, I would not hesitate to state that the kitlens kills it.

01-03-2011, 05:55 PM	#15
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by Pentaxor with that kinda awful degree of softness coming from the Tamron, I would not hesitate to state that the kitlens kills it. Very funny. Who knows the QC issues of this lens, but I'm sure it's well worth getting a good copy, given its versatility.

Sigma 10-20 vs Tamron 10-24, a shootout

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