Intro

The Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 (model A084) is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens offering an interesting combination of a bright and constant f2.8 focal ratio and a very short 12mm focal length at the wide end. It’s Tamron’s widest lens so far, the next widest being their 16-30mm f2.8 G2 (model A064). The lens is designed for full-frame Nikon Z and Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras and already available in both mounts.

The Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 is made in Vietnam and costs 1799 EUR (incl. 19% VAT) / 1799 USD / 1529 GBP for the Z-mount version and 100 EUR/USD less for the E-mount version. And Tamron did not skimp on features: The new lens is fully weather-sealed and has a separate focus ring plus the biggest number of different control buttons and switches which I’ve ever seen on a lens. And many of them can be customized via Tamron’s lens utility TLU and the USB-C connector on the lens.

To find out all about Tamron’s newest lens I tested it thoroughly on a Nikon Z8 and had a very close look at its optical qualities – using pixel shift shooting which quadruples the resolution of the camera to 180MP.

Facts and features

Let’s compare the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 to the Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM, Sony FE 12-24mm f4 G, Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S, and Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S. As usual I’ve rated the features with a [+] (or [++]), when it’s better than average or even state of the art, a [0] if it’s standard or just average, and [-] if there’s a disadvantage. Weight and size of the Tamron is listed for the Z-mount version which is 2mm longer and 15g heavier than the E-mount version.

Size (diameter x length): The Tamron and both Sony lenses have a built-in lens hood and don’t change their length when zooming – although the inner barrel of the lenses moves (see below). The Tamron is 90 x 121mm (3.5 x 4.8in.), the Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM is 98 x 137mm, the FE 12-24mm f4 G is 87 x 117mm, the Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S is 89 x 125mm + 18mm lens hood. The Z 14-30mm f4 S is 89 x 85mm + 25mm lens hood in its collapsed state. Extended it reaches a maximum total length of 139mm (incl. lens hood). [0]

Moving inner barrel of Tamron 12-20mm f2.8

Weight: 582g (20.5oz). The Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM is 847g, the FE 12-24mm f4 G is 563g. The Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S is 650g + 35g lens hood, the Z 14-30mm f4 S is 479g + 18g lens hood. [+]

Optics: 17 elements in 12 groups including 4 special dispersion and 4 aspherical elements. The other lenses in this comparison have optical formulas of similar complexity. [+]

Minimum object distance is 0.17m (0.56ft.) at 12mm focal length and 0.24m (0.79ft.) at 20mm zoom position. Maximum magnification is 1:5.1 at 12mm and 1:6.6 at 20mm. This results in a working distance of only 7cm at the short end and 10cm at the long end. At 20mm focal length a magnification of 1:10 is achieved at 0.30m. The Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM achieves its maximum magnification of 1:6.7 at 24mm focal length and 12cm working distance, the FE 12-24mm f4 G reaches 1:7.0 at 24mm focal length and 15cm working distance. The Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S achieves its maximum magnification of 1:5.8 at 24mm focal length and 10cm working distance, the Z 14-30mm f4 S reaches 1:5.1 at 30mm focal length and 12cm working distance. [0]

Filter-thread: Neither the Tamron nor the Sony lenses offer a filter-thread – their bulbous front elements prevent that. So you need to get some non-standard mounting system and a new set of filters. Or use a gel filters in a rear filter holder of the Tamron (see below) and the Sony 12-24mm f2.8 GM. Keep in mind though that polarizers and graduated filters cannot be used in the rear filter holder. The Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S also has a rear filter holder for gels but also offers a special lens hood with a huge 112mm filter thread. The Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S accepts 82mm filters. [-]

Image stabilization: None of the lenses in this comparison offers optical stabilization. They solely rely on the body-based stabilization in modern mirrorless full-frame cameras. [0]

Autofocus: All lenses in this comparison offer autofocus with built-in focus drive. The Tamron has a voice coil drive “VXD”. Manual-focus override is by simply turning the dedicated focus ring. The focus ring has the usual variable gearing which allows for very precise manual focus when turned slowly. You can reverse the focus ring direction and switch to linear response with different settings for focus throw in camera or via Tamron’s lens utility “TLU”. The Tamron also supports special functions like (Fast) Hybrid AF and Eye AF. [+]

All lenses in this comparison cover full frame sensors or can equally be used on a cropped APS-C/DX sensor. The angle of view of the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 becomes equivalent to a 18-30mm zoom lens on a cropped sensor. [+]

Lens cap of Tamron 12-20mm f2.8

Price: The Tamron is listed for 1799 EUR (incl. 19% VAT) / 1799 USD / 1529 GBP for the Z-mount version and 1699 EUR / 1699 USD / 1449 GBP for the E-mount version. The Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM currently goes for 2789 EUR / 3248 USD / 2645 GBP, the FE 12-24mm f4 G is at 1349 EUR / 2298 USD / 1299 GBP. The Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S currently sells for 1850 EUR / 1997 USD / 1959 GBP, the Z 14-30mm f4 S is at 1059 EUR / 1097 USD / 999 GBP. [0]

Accessories: The Tamron comes with a flimsy lens cloth (just like the Z-Nikkors) while the Sony lenses come with a padded pouch (but no strap). [0]

Aperture ring and other control elements: Only the E-mount version of the Tamron has a dedicated aperture ring. The Z-mount version of the Tamron and both Z-Nikkors have a multi-function control ring which operates the aperture by default (resp. focus on the Z 14-30mm f4 S) but can be configured to control exposure compensation or ISO sensitivity – or simply switched off. The Tamron even has a dedicated Iris/Control Lock Switch, so there’s no need to dig into the camera menu, and their control/aperture ring can be clicked or de-clicked. Every lens is this comparison (except for the Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S) also has a focus set button which can be assigned other functions in camera. On the Tamron there is even a second button to make operation easier in portrait orientation. Some of the button functions can be set from the camera but for others you need Tamron’s Lens Utility (TLU) and connect the lens to a computer or smartphone via USB-C cable or the new Tamron-Link TL-01. This is also the way to update the firmware of the Tamron. But there is even more: Besides the ubiquitous AF/MF switch the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 also sports a Custom Switch with three positions for customizing lens functions, an MF Lock Switch to prevent accidental focus shift, and a Zoom Lock Switch which can be engaged at the short and the long end and quickly disengaged by simply rotating the zoom ring. This is the largest set of control features I’ve ever seen on any lens I’ve tested so far. [++]

Lens profile: All lenses in this comparison come with an integrated lens profile vignette-, CA-, and distortion-compensation which can be controlled from the camera. Vignette control offers the usual options of High, Normal, Low and Off. Diffraction compensation and Auto distortion control can be activated or deactivated (except distortion control on the Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S). [+]

Sealing: All lenses in this comparison have a rubber grommet at the lens-mount plus further special weather-sealing throughout the construction. The Tamron 12-20 also has fluorine coating on the front lens to repel water, dust, and dirt and should make for easier cleaning. That’s the same with the Z-Nikkors and the Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM. [+]

At a score of 1[-]/5[0]/8[+] the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 is a well featured design – albeit at a relatively high price for a third party lens. It is relatively small and light, fully weather sealed, has a constant f2.8 focal ratio, starts at 12mm focal length, and offers a uniquely comprehensive set of controls. Its major limitations are the need for a specialized filter holder if you want to use graduated or polarizing filters, and that the long end only reaches 20mm instead of 24mm.

Two ultra-wide angle zoom lenses

Above: Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S, Tamron 12-20mm f2.8

Coverage

The Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 has a relatively limited 1.7x zoom-range which covers an angle of view from 122 degrees to 95 degrees (diagonally). The Z-Nikkors start at 114 degrees (14mm focal length). On the long end 24mm narrows the angle of view to 84 degrees, 30mm even further to 72 degrees. See below how the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 compares to the other lenses (Distortion control set to On):

Above: Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 coverage on a full-frame camera at 12mm (left) and 20mm (right); click image for 4k version

Above: Sony 12-24mm f2.8 GM coverage on Sony A7R II (FF) body at 12mm (left) and 24mm (right); click image for 4k version

Above: Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S coverage on a full-frame camera at 14mm (left) and 24mm (right); click image for 4k version

Above: Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S coverage on a full-frame camera at 14mm (left) and 30mm (right); click image for 4k version

The differences in angle of view at 12mm vs. 14mm seem minimal but cannot always be compensated for by stepping back especially in landscape or interior shots. At the long end differences between 20mm, 24mm and 30mm are more visible but can always be compensated by cropping, albeit at a loss of resolution: cropping a 45MP shot at 20mm to match the angle of view to a shot at 24mm reduces resolution by 31% to 31MP, cropping to 30mm equivalent sheds 56% of pixels and reduces resolution to 20MP. Which might still be enough for the intended purpose.

Focus and zoom

Focus accuracy and repeatability is critical to consistently produce sharp shots. Consistency (the accuracy of focus on the same subject after repeated focus-acquisition) of the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 is not the best at the long end (95.5% measured with Reikan FoCal). There were two strong and three mild outliers over a series of 40 shots on the well lit and contrasty focus test target. AF consistency of the alternatives from Sony and Nikon were around 99% with no outliers at all.

On a Nikon Z8 and at 20mm focal length the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 focuses at around 0.13 sec from infinity to 0.30m (1:10 magnification) which is very fast. Another consequence of the new drive technology: When powered down the focus group(s) inside the lens can move freely which leads to a low clunking sound when you shake the lens. But that’s the same with every other voice coil driven lens I tested so far.

The zoom ring has a throw of 65 degrees and a 15mm wide rubber surface with a good grip. Rotation is of medium stiffness and the lens shows no zoom creep. The focus ring is 13mm wide and is located at the front. It also has a rubberized surface, moves smoothly, and can easily be operated even with your pinky.

In photo mode AF-operation is inaudible from the outside. If you record video with the built-in microphone the AF-drive and operation of the zoom ring is quiet – until you hit the limits of the zoom range with a slight “tock”. Operating any of the switches on the lens can be heard as is operating the aperture ring in clicked mode.

As you pull focus, you’ll notice almost no focus breathing: The image became 0.4% more magnified when I adjusted focus from infinity to 0.30m at 20mm or 12mm focal length.

I also tested whether Tamron’s zoom lens allows you to change the focal length without altering its focus. This characteristic is called parfocal. I focused the lens at 20mm and then slowly zoomed back checking focus on the way. The Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 kept its focus perfectly over the complete zoom-range. But the nodal point of the lens shifted a little. So if you want to shoot perfectly stitched panoramas you’ll have to adjust the position of the camera relative to the rotational axis a bit depending on focal length.

Next check out my quality results!

Check prices or buy the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 (model A084) in the USA from B&H or Adorama. Buy it in the UK from WEX, or in Europe at Calumet.de. Buy used gear from MPB. Sell your used gear to MPB. Or why not treat yourself to a copy of my In Camera book, an official Cameralabs T-shirt or mug, or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!