Verdict

With the G2 version of their ultra-wide angle zoom Tamron updated the optical formula of the lens to broaden the zoom-range by 14% from 17-28mm to 16-30mm. They also made the focus drive very fast, and added a focus set button plus USB-C port to make the lens configurable via computer and Tamron’s Lens Utility. Optically the Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 turned out to be a very good performer: Its sharpness is good to very good across the full-frame sensor between 16mm and 24mm, shows practically no loCA, focus shift, or coma. And it has very good resistance against flare, (veiling) glare, and ghosting, letting you shoot confidently under adverse contra-light situations. Close-up performance is usable – if you can live with the very short working distance. The lens shows very little focus breathing and keeps its focus perfectly while zooming. It also comes in a small and light body with Sony E-mount or Nikon Z-mount, has full weather sealing, and a very reasonable price.

What’s not to like? Well, the lens is less sharp than its predecessor (and other lenses) in the APS-C/DX image circle and becomes especially soft at 30mm f2.8. Bokeh can produce double-contours in the foreground and doughnut-shaped highlights in the background at 30mm f2.8 – but otherwise is pretty good for an ultra-wide angle zoom lens. And autofocus sometimes misses when the lens is used in the range of 24-30mm focal length. Is there an issue with the wide end starting at 16mm and not 14mm? That’s for you to decide. I found the 16mm plenty wide and didn’t miss the additional 7 degrees wider view of 14mm focal length.

Let’s put this into perspective and have a closer look at how the Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 compares to some alternatives.

Two ultra-wide zoom lenses

Above: Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 (left), Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S (right)

Compared to Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III

The Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III still has its merits: In my tests it was sharper in the APS-C image-circle at every focal length than the 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 – even in close-up shooting. Color aberrations and coma of both lenses are on a comparable level. But the new G2 lens has a vastly faster autofocus and Tamron also improved on the (already good) coating which further reduces flare, (veiling) glare, and ghosting. Plus they extended the zoom-range a bit and added a focus set button, USB-C port, and a Z-mount version. But Sony Alpha users might still ponder whether to get (or keep) the older version!

For more details see my Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III review where the lens came Recommended.

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

Nikon’s professional ultra-wide zoom lens has a 7 degrees wider angle of view at the short end but misses 20% reach at the long end over the Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2. Optically the Z-Nikkor is superior to the Tamron G2 in almost every aspect – but then it is also more than twice as expensive. And the Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S is larger and 45%/213g heavier than the Tamron G2. Deciding between both lenses probably boils down to image quality versus price, size, and weight. Regarding focal length/zoom range I wouldn’t overrate the differences – unless you absolutely need 14mm at the wide end.

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 S and the Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 are pretty comparable in size, weight, focus speed, and optical performance. But the Z-Nikkor is around 30-50% more expensive and its focal ratio of f4 is one stop slower than the Tamron G2 which results in a clearly less attractive Bokeh. The Z-Nikkor also misses out on the focus set button which together with the USB-C port makes the Tamron G2 vastly more configurable. All-in-all I’d recommend getting the Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 over the Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S – unless you absolutely need 14mm at the wide end.

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

Compared to Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM II

I only tested the predecessor of the FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM II. But from the MTF-charts and other reviews it’s safe to assume that Sony improved optical performance of their professional ultra-wide angle zoom. This should make the Sony superior to the Tamron G2 in practically every aspect – at a price: The Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM II is 2.5x more expensive than the Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 – and also a bit larger and heavier. But at 35mm the Sony also has a 17% longer reach and probably the better Bokeh at the long end. So, deciding between both lenses boils down mainly to image quality versus price.

Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 final verdict

Tamron equipped their new 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 with an improved zoom-range, made the focus drive very fast, and added a focus set button plus USB-C port. Its sharpness is good to very good across the full-frame sensor between 16mm and 24mm and it also shows practically no loCA, focus shift, or coma, and has very good resistance against flare, (veiling) glare, and ghosting. Close-up performance is usable – if you can live with the very short working distance, and the lens shows very little focus breathing plus keeps its focus perfectly while zooming. It also comes in a small and light body with Sony E-mount or Nikon Z-mount, has full weather sealing, and a very reasonable price.

But the Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 is less sharp than its predecessor (and other lenses) in the APS-C/DX image circle and becomes especially soft at 30mm f2.8. And Bokeh (although otherwise pretty good for an ultra-wide angle zoom) can produce double-contours in the foreground and doughnut-shaped highlights in the background at 30mm f2.8.

Still I can recommend the lens based on its overall feature set and price/performance ratio.

Good points:

• Good to very good sharpness across the full-frame sensor between 16mm and 24mm.
• Very fast AF operation and very low focus breathing.
• Very good resistance against flare, (veiling) glare, and ghosting.
• Practically no longitudinal colour aberrations or purple fringing.
• Distortions are well corrected through lens-profile.
• Lens is parfocal.
• Compact and lightweight.
• Weather sealing, focus set button, USB-C port, Tamron Lens Utility.
• Good price/performance ratio.

Bad points:

• Performance in the center and especially at 30mm f2.8 is relatively soft.
• Close-up shots could be sharper towards the corners.
• Bokeh at 30mm f2.8 can produce double-contours and doughnut-shaped highlights.
• Strong vignetting at the short end even with lens-profile.

Check prices on the Tamron 16-30mm f2.8 Di III G2 at B&H, Adorama, WEX UK or Calumet.de. Buy used gear from MPB. Sell your used gear to MPB. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book, an official Cameralabs T-shirt or mug, or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!