p.1 #1 · Tamron 12-20mm Z First Impressions/Image Thread
So I was lucky enough to find a Tamron 12-20 f/2.8 Z and will be putting it through the paces on a shoot tomorrow. There are a lot of first reaction videos and I'm not going to try to compete with that or give a comprehensive reaction here. At first blush, here are my thoughts, and a handful of shots taken in historic Annapolis this AM.
Feels good in the hand. Solid but not as hefty or substantial as I might have been expecting. Not a criticism, just an observation.
Controls feel quality, with a score of buttons and switches. "Clicky" control ring has a particularly nice feel/feedback, with just enough stiffness to know it's moving but not in any way hindering. Spot on.
The zoom ring is a bit farther from the camera body than I would expect. I'll learn. With my one-time outing, though, I found my hand going to either the lens body or the control ring instead of the Zoom I had been expecting.
Flare was well controlled.
12mm is seriously wide. I have a 14 rectilinear and a 16 fisheye and this is REALLY wide. I can't wait to put this through the full paces.
Below are a handful of images. I did minimal work in post (no lens correction or distortion correction). Straightening, cropping, color, exposure correction. I did not touch vignetting. These are processed from RAW. If someone wants a few JPG from camera I'm happy to do that. Shot on a Z9.
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens12mmf/2.81/3200s160 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens12mmf/2.81/1600s160 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens20mmf/4.01/1000s160 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens13mmf/14.01/125s160 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens12mmf/11.01/250s160 ISO-0.3 EV
p.1 #3 · Tamron 12-20mm Z First Impressions/Image Thread
Thanks for sharing. I particularly like the effect you achieved in your first photo. Looks like a fun lens to try and no doubt it has its niche, even if I can’t imagine using it often.
p.1 #4 · Tamron 12-20mm Z First Impressions/Image Thread
Agree that it is a niche lens. I can see it very useful for interiors, travel, architectural, and anything that is trying to pull in bigger context. Much of what I shoot is at the local university - band program and performing arts. Will post another set of proper shots beyond this initial sample. It performed admirably and let me get some images that otherwise would have been very different in tone.
p.1 #5 · Tamron 12-20mm Z First Impressions/Image Thread
Here is a third set taken at an NCAA football game, more sports-marketing oriented. These are processed and in some cases cropped. That said, no heavy post processing and no distortion correction applied (none was needed).
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens14mmf/3.21/400s640 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens20mmf/6.31/125s1250 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens12mmf/3.51/1250s5000 ISO-1.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens20mmf/9.01/320s5000 ISO-1.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens12mmf/7.11/80s3200 ISO0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 A084 Z lens12mmf/2.81/1000s2000 ISO-1.0 EV
p.1 #6 · Tamron 12-20mm Z First Impressions/Image Thread
Krubin wrote:
Here is a third set taken at an NCAA football game, more sports-marketing oriented. These are processed and in some cases cropped. That said, no heavy post processing and no distortion correction applied (none was needed).
p.1 #8 · Tamron 12-20mm Z First Impressions/Image Thread
I shoot a fair bit of ultra wide, using a Loawa 10-18 4.5, DOF is not really a WA need. would have preferred 400 cheaper and F4, keeps 1800 or so is a bit rich for my tastes.
p.1 #9 · Tamron 12-20mm Z First Impressions/Image Thread
You get the impression makers are only now exploring just how good they can make UWAs on short flange mounts. Extraordinary presence, almost its own style. These are all great, thank you.
p.1 #11 · Tamron 12-20mm Z First Impressions/Image Thread
Thx for the kind words! I was trying to post a few images that would show off both the artistic and technical aspects of the lens. The wide end gives some extreme reach, and while it is absolutely a niche/role player in the bag, when you have the need having the tool is invaluable.
