Nikon & Tamron 10-24mm back to back review by Matthew Patternoster

Nikon 10-24mm 3.5-4.5
The Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED is Nikon's newest ultra wide zoom for Nikon DX cameras. When we tested this lens we used a Nikon D3 set to DX format due to the lenses being DX and then later the new Nikon D5000 being an all DX camera. The first thing that I noticed about using this lens was just how wide it really is. After using this new lens you will find the extra 2mm very handy.

As far as quality of the lenses everything works perfectly on every DX digital Nikon or an FX camera set to DX. But if it is the finer details that you are wondering about, then here goes. The focus is easy, just grab the ring at any time for instant manual focus override, and if you do, you get back to autofocus as soon as you tap the shutter button. The Nikon 10-24mm is sharp, even wide-open. F/16 was found to be the sweet spot for this lens from 10mm right through to 24mm for edge to edge sharpness and little to no fringing.

Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DiII LD
This lens shares some specifications with the Nikon 10-24mm such as they have the same maximum aperture and the same focal length. So how is the Tamron 10-24mm compared to the Nikon 10-24mm? We tested the Tamron 10-24mm lenses on the same camera as we tested the Nikon 10-24mm, the Nikon D3 in DX mode and again on the all the Nikon D5000 (a DX camera).

The Tamron 10-24mm performs optimally when stopped down – indicative of a lens ideal for landscape photography when taking advantage of a deep depth of field. Some fringing was evident however as with any lens, lens position to subject and lighting type and source needs to be taken into account to optimize results in addition to the overall contrast of the subject being photographed. As with the Nikon lens the sweet spot for the Tamron lens was found to be at f16 across all focal lengths with good edge to edge sharpness. Users need to be wary of a drop off in edge sharpness when wide apertures are used on lenses of this focal length (both the Nikon and Tamron) – due to the design and focal lengths involved.

Verdict:
Nikon owners (or potential owners) you’re lucky enough to have a choice! If not and want an easy to handle, wide-range ultra wide zoom that can work on every model of camera, go ahead and get the Tamron 10-24mm lens.


Report compiled by Matt Paternoster*
Photographic equipmetn supplied by Photographic Wholesalers

* Matt is young but very enthusiastic photographer who do did this review as part of his work experience for a school project