Verdict

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 an exceptionally short 12mm starting focal length. The lens is designed for full-frame Nikon Z and Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras and costs 1799 EUR / 1799 USD / 1529 GBP for the Z-mount version – which makes it Tamron’s most expensive lens to date.

And Tamron did not skimp on features: The lens is fully weather-sealed, has a separate aperture and focus ring, and offers a uniquely comprehensive set of controls, many of them customizable. AF is powered by a very quiet voice coil drive and achieves a maximum magnification of 1:5.1 – 1:6.6 which is quite nice but results in extremely short working distances of 10cm or less.

Sharpness of the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 depends on the shooting distance: at distances of up to a few meters the lens is very sharp in the APS-C/DX image circle but pretty soft outside at 12mm focal length. Zooming in improves acuity of the FF/FX-corner markedly. At distances near infinity the lens shows good to very good sharpness across the full frame at 12mm but softens visibly outside the center when zooming in. LoCA and Coma of the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 is well controlled and the lens is free of veiling glare and flare but occasionally shows ghosts when the sun is shining into the lens at an oblique angle.

What’s not to like, apart from the need for a specialized filter holder if you want to use graduated or polarizing filters? Well, AF consistency is one issue, as autofocus produced outliers in around 10% of shots on my copy. Close-up shots at 12mm are very soft outside the center and need a lot of stopping down to expand the area of good resolution. Better to shoot close-ups at 20mm focal length. Just take the strong focus shift into account and focus at the actual aperture.

Let’s put this into perspective and have a closer look at how the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 compares to other zoom lenses.

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

Compared to Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM

The FE 12-24mm f2.8 delivers excellent quality results – but at a price of 2789 EUR / 3248 USD / 2645 GBP. It has the advantage of very good focus consistency, a smoother Bokeh, and goes up to 24mm focal length. But it also needs a specialized filter holder when using graduated or polarizing filters. So if you want the best optical performance (and can afford it) get the Sony. Otherwise the Tamron is a viable alternative.

For more details see my Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Compared to Sony FE 12-24mm f4 G

Sony’s FE 12-24mm f4G delivers comparable optical performance to the Tamron but is one stop slower. Priced at 1349 EUR / 2298 USD / 1299 GBP it’s much more affordable than its bigger sibling and offers the same very good focus consistency plus 24mm focal length at the long end. It also needs a specialized filter holder when using any type of filters.

For more details see my Sony FE 12-24mm f4 G review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Compared to Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S

At 1850 EUR / 1997 USD / 1959 GBP the Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S is not that much more expensive than the Tamron. Its optical qualities are very good and it has the advantage that you can use standard filters – albeit at a humongous size of 112mm. The lens has very good focus consistency and reaches 24mm focal length at the long end – but only starts at 14mm, resulting in an eight degrees narrower angle of view. Which might be the decisive factor: If you need the widest possible view, the Tamron would be the preferred choice. Otherwise the Nikon offers slightly better optics and a more reliable autofocus – a feature which should not be underestimated.

For more details see my Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Compared to Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S

The Nikon Z 14-30mm f4.0 S has two deficits which might well be decisive factors: The Nikon starts only at 14mm and is one stop less bright than the Tamron. But its zoom range reaches up to 30mm which makes it a more versatile lens, its optical qualities are very good, and it has the advantage that you can use standard 82mm filters. The lens has very good focus consistency and at 1059 EUR / 1097 USD / 999 GBP is substantially cheaper too. So, if you want the widest possible view combined with a bright f2.8 focal ratio get the Tamron. Otherwise the Z-Nikkor is an affordable, small, light, and versatile alternative.

For more details see my Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S review where the lens came Recommended.

Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 final verdict

The Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 is a fully featured ultra-wide-angle zoom lens with a constant bright aperture in a compact, lightweight design. The lens is weather-sealed and offers a uniquely comprehensive set of customizable controls. AF is silent and very fast but suffers from outliers in around 10% of shots on my copy. The lens delivers useful close-focus capabilities once you stop down quite a bit. Its only drawback: You need a specialized filter holder if you want to use graduated or polarizing filters. Optically the Tamron 12-20mm f2.8 has well controlled loCA, coma, flare/glare, and in general is sharp to very sharp in the APS-C/DX image circle. But the lens is pretty soft outside at 12mm focal length and closer distances. At longer distances the lens is very sharp across the full frame at 12mm but becomes gradually softer outside the center towards the long end. Considering the not insubstantial asking price this precludes a higher rating but overall, I still can recommend Tamron’s latest zoom lens.

Good points:

• Mostly good to very good resolution in the APS-C/DX image circle.
• Pretty good resistance against flare, (veiling) glare, and ghosting.
• Fast and quiet AF operation with very little focus breathing.
• Little field-curvature at normal distances.
• Vignetting and distortions well corrected (through lens profile).
• Useful maximum magnification.
• Extensive weather sealing against moisture and dust.
• Rear filter holder for gel filters.
• Uniquely comprehensive set of customizable controls.

Bad points:

• Becomes softer towards the long end.
• Close-up shots are very soft outside the center at 12mm.
• AF produces 10% outliers.
• Needs specialized holder for graduated or polarizing filters
• Lens shows some focus shift.
• Relatively expensive.

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!