Can anyone tell me about the Tamron SP AF 14mm f/2.8 Lens

Moni

I searched the forum but couldn't find any relevant posts about the Tamron SP AF 14mm f/2.8 ASL IF Wide Angle Lens.
I saw one review that complained about chromatic abberration.

Anyone have one?
Is this a good lens?
Is it worth it if I can get it for about 1/2 price?

Thanks!

ziggy53

PhotoDo rates the lens as 2.5 out of 4. MTF charts, only one measure that I don't rely on, indicates that, at f2.8, the lens lacks contrast. The rather strange MTF curves could be caused by CA, but you would have to know if the CA is the correctable sort or not to know the total impact in your workflow.

http://www.photodo.com/product_502.html

Sample images:

http://www.pbase.com/carpents/eq_t14f28
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/tamron/sp_af_14_28

PhotoZone tested one in the Pentax mount and was not overly impressed (I suspect the review you already found):

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_14_28_pentax/index.htm

Another review, a bit more positive (still noting the large CAs):

http://www.momentcorp.com/review/tamron14mm.html

I guess I would pass on this lens unless I got a "really" good price.

Moni

ziggy53 wrote:

PhotoDo rates the lens as 2.5 out of 4. MTF charts, only one measure that I don't rely on, indicates that, at f2.8, the lens lacks contrast. The rather strange MTF curves could be caused by CA, but you would have to know if the CA is the correctable sort or not to know the total impact in your workflow.

http://www.photodo.com/product_502.html

Sample images:

http://www.pbase.com/carpents/eq_t14f28
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/tamron/sp_af_14_28

PhotoZone tested one in the Pentax mount and was not overly impressed (I suspect the review you already found):

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_14_28_pentax/index.htm

Another review, a bit more positive (still noting the large CAs):

http://www.momentcorp.com/review/tamron14mm.html

I guess I would pass on this lens unless I got a "really" good price.

Thanks!
I have now bookmarked these sites so I can find them the next time I need a review.
The lack of contrast at f2.8 might be a problem since this is why I'm getting this lens...wide angle with wide aperture.
It looks like the CA is a problem when you stop down to f11 or so.

The price is quite good and from a source that will take it back if it sucks.
I'll let you know what I decide.

Manfr3d

Moni wrote:

I searched the forum but couldn't find any relevant posts about the Tamron SP AF 14mm f/2.8 ASL IF Wide Angle Lens.
I saw one review that complained about chromatic abberration.

Anyone have one?
Is this a good lens?
Is it worth it if I can get it for about 1/2 price?

Thanks!

I'd need to stop down big time to get decent
results with this lens. So much that you'd
be off cheaper buying a Sigma 15-30/3.5-4.5 or
12-24mm/4-5.6 (both full frame).