Mission distraction.
After some back and forth I decided to trade the precious for the new kid on the block Tamron tele zoom once I figured out that this way I could score a wide lens to complete a one brand zoom lens trinity since the precious still had considerable value.
While I was looking forward to a proper lens trinity I have not had a good track record warming up to wide zoom lenses.
Fujifilm 10-24mm was good but not enough to convince me to stay with Fuji the first, second, and maybe third time I tried…
Liked the Samsung 12-24mm but Samsung ditched its customers…

Liked the Tamron 10-24mm but not enough to keep it…

Really liked the Sigma 8-16mm on Pentax but moved on to mirrorless…
Lastly I tried out the Sony G 12-24mm f/4…
Thought that lens would do it for me. But I would rather a faster f/2.8 lens that was smaller and lighter and I would happily give up some range on the wide end. The only other wide f/2.8 zoom lenses at that time were the Sigma and Sony options. But both were larger, heavier, and more expensive than I wanted.
I was interested in the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 since it was released, but I really wanted Tamron to release a tele f/2.8 zoom. So with that I settled on an adapted legacy wide prime that I shared with one of my film cameras.
Meets my needs for a wide lens, but very much a one trick pony.
I have had a chance to try out the Tamron wide zoom. My wife and I needed a break from life’s proceedings so we got out and I took a brief stroll around UNC’s Bell Tower.
After a quick spin I am very impressed. Combine that with my expectations after the 28-75mm f/2.8 and I am confident that this is a winner.
Bokeh is not typically a wide lens selling point but what is available is pleasing to the eye.
Great colors.
Wide enough for my purposes.
Good close focus.
Here is how close the lenses are.
Sharp.
Stop it down and it does this.
Does this too.
And this.
Well done once again Tamron. Here is an ongoing album. Really looking forward to spending some time with the 70-180mm f/2.8 once it arrives.
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