Tamron SP 10 24mm F 3 5 4 5 Di II Review | 54 Data compared

The DPReview evaluation of the Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II lens highlights its exceptionally wide 15-36mm equivalent zoom range for APS-C cameras, alongside excellent distortion control, strong flare resistance, and a compact, lightweight build. While offering high value, the lens has notable drawbacks, including significant corner softness, distinct softness at maximum aperture due to low contrast, and an inconveniently large lens hood.

The Tamron AF 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 SP Di II LD Aspherical IF is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for APS-C format cameras, offering a full-frame equivalent focal range of 15-36mm. Published by Markus Stamm on Photozone / OpticalLimits in October 2009, this updated design replaces an older 11-18mm model to provide a larger zoom range while retaining a highly affordable price tag. In terms of physical build, the lens features a solid plastic body with smooth-operating zoom and focus rings. It exhibits a slight external extension when zooming—reaching its shortest length at 14mm and maximum at 24mm—but the moving tube remains stable with no structural wobbling. The review highlights several specific pros and cons regarding the lens's design and mechanical functionality. On the positive side, it features a non-rotating front element that makes it easy to use polarizers, and its internal autofocus motor ensures full AF compatibility even on entry-level, motor-free Nikon DX DSLR bodies. On the negative side, the autofocus system relies on a classic DC motor rather than a silent wave drive, causing it to generate a noticeable amount...

In a functional review on Medium, photographer Nicco Valenzuela highlights the Tamron SP AF 10–24mm f/3.5–4.5 Di II as an affordable, versatile ultra-wide zoom for APS-C DSLR cameras. Key advantages include minimal barrel distortion for architectural shots, a reliable autofocus system in low-light, and a wide focal range, though it lacks the fast, modern USD motor. Conversely, the review notes significant limitations in optical performance, specifically inconsistent, soft sharpness in the corners and edges of the frame compared to a crisp center. Ultimately, the lens is presented as a budget-friendly option for creative, ultra-wide perspectives rather than clinical, edge-to-edge sharpness.

The Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II LD lens (page 2) offers a functional design featuring a solid build with a metal mount, 406-gram weight, and minimal extension during zooming, which maintains consistent balance on APS-C cameras. The layout includes a large zoom ring and a side-mounted focus switch, creating a reliable, easy-to-handle build that surpasses other, more plasticky, options in its class. Key advantages include the durable construction, comfortable handling, and excellent balance during zoom operations. Conversely, disadvantages involve a notably plain, uninspired aesthetic design and a thick, short footprint that requires large 77mm filters and a wide, space-consuming lens hood, which can complicate storage, according to the evaluation.

The ePHOTOzine review describes the Tamron SP 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II as a budget-friendly, lightweight, and compact ultra-wide-angle lens with a wider zoom range than many rivals. It is highly regarded for its solid build, fast autofocus, and excellent center sharpness, making it a good choice for landscape and interior photography. However, the lens suffers from poor edge and corner resolution when shot wide open, a known quirk of a squeaky zoom ring, and a rotating manual focus ring during autofocus.

The Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD SP AF Aspherical [IF] zoom lens is a versatile, ultra-wide-angle lens designed specifically for APS-C sensor DSLRs, offering a 15-36mm equivalent focal range on Nikon, Sony, and Pentax bodies, and a 16-38.4mm equivalent on Canon bodies. Architecturally, it is compact and lightweight with a solid build, featuring a smooth, rubberized zoom ring and a internal barrel that extends by only 0.4 inches. It features an internal micro-motor that supports autofocus on all compatible bodies, including entry-level Nikon cameras like the D5000. Optically, the complex design incorporates low-dispersion and aspherical glass elements that successfully minimize linear distortion like barrelling and control light fall-off. The primary pros of the lens include its wide 108-degree diagonal field of view, low linear distortion, and responsive autofocus motor that operates with a quiet hum. Image quality is superb across the entire frame at its "optical sweet spots" of f/8 to f/16, particularly within the 10-18mm focal range. Conversely, the cons involve edge softness and reduced sharpness when shooting at its widest apertures, which is especially noticeable between 19mm and...

The Imaging Resource review identifies the Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II LD as a lightweight, robust, and affordable APS-C lens, offering a versatile 16-37mm equivalent focal range suitable for landscapes and interiors. Key strengths include low geometric distortion, good handling, and sharp center images, particularly when stopped down to f/8-f/11. Conversely, the lens displays significant corner softness at wider apertures, noticeable lateral chromatic aberration, and features a loud, slow autofocus motor without image stabilization.

The PhotoReview Australia evaluation of the Tamron SP AF10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II Lens (Model B001) identifies it as a competitively priced, capable ultra-wide-angle lens for APS-C, featuring high central resolution and low vignetting. Key strengths include effective flare control and remarkably low rectilinear distortion, making it ideal for landscapes and architecture. Drawbacks highlighted in the review include significant chromatic aberration (fringing) and noticeable edge softness away from the center. Additionally, the lens possesses a 24 cm minimum focusing distance and exhibits slight, persistent barrel distortion throughout its zoom range.

The Tamron SP AF10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] is a super wide-angle zoom lens designed for DX-format cameras that offers an incredible value for money, acting as a budget-friendly alternative to the twice-as-expensive Nikon equivalent. On the positive side, it features a sturdy and solid build quality, very low distortion (particularly at the 10mm end), excellent performance at 10mm even when shot wide open, and an improved zoom ring rubber. Furthermore, it delivers overall good infrared performance with minimal focus shift and boasts an attractive price point under $500 USD, complete with a 6-year USA warranty if purchased through an authorized dealer. Its minimal distortion makes it a strong candidate for architectural and interior photography. However, the lens comes with several drawbacks, most notably its weaker performance at the 24mm focal length, where the corners and edges are soft unless the lens is stopped down significantly to around f/8. Optical limitations also include noticeable vignetting at 10mm that requires stopping down to f/5.6 to clear, some purple fringing at the frame edges under close focus, and soft onscreen images...