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In the glory days of full frame digital reflex cameras an f/2.8 fixed focal length model with the focal range starting from 16-17 mm and ending at 30-35 mm was the typical ultra wide angle zoom aimed at professional photojournalists.

In this class of equipment Tamron has found their own way and even introduced some modifications. First they offered the zoom SP AF 17-35 mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical (IF), a model that was far handier and lightweight than typical fixed focal f/2.8 instruments. In 2014 they approached the topic from the other side by presenting the SP 15-30 mm f/2.8 Di VC USD, not only with fixed focus but also a shorter focal length, ensuring you an angle of view of as much as 110.5 degrees. Of course you had to pay for it with a weight amouting to 1100 grams, and a big front element that is also significantly convex, making it impossible to attach classic filters.

Tamron didn't forget about people preferring smaller physical dimensions of their lenses and in 2018 they showed a completely new version of the 17-35 mm f/2.8-4 model. It featured not only a new, improved optical construction but also an ultrasonic autofocus motor. After a while they also launched the Tamron SP 15-30 mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2, but here the changes, compared to the first version of the lens, were merely cosmetic.

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The following chart presents a comparison of properties of all the lenses, described above.

The era of full frame mirrorless cameras meant a new deal in this segment. In June 2019 Tamron launched the 17-28 mm f/2.8 Di III RXD model. Compared to the reflex camera 15-30 mm lens they limited the focal range and it allowed to offer a shapely instrument, weighing just 420 grams, allowing you to use front 67 mm filters. Still the rival companies were active as well: in June 2022 Sigma showed just slightly bigger and heavier C 16-28 mm f/2.8 DG DN lens, offering you a wider angle of view.

Practically at the same time, in August 2022, Tamron decided to launch the 20-40 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD model, a very well-put-together instrument even though it didn't provide wider angles than 100 degrees.

Even a more effective answer of Tamron was shown in July 2025, when they announced the launch of the 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. The G2 symbol might be misleading a bit because Tamron didn't feature any 16-30 mm instrument earlier; it relates to the 17-28 mm lens. The new launch means that the Tamron features better parameters than the Sigma: it remains 10 grams lighter, a tad slimmer, and just over one milimeter longer. At the same time the price of both these lenses remains very similar. The new Tamron was launched with a price tag of $930 but now you can find shops where it can be bought slightly cheaper; the typical price of the Sigma amounts to $990.

Courtesy of the Focus Nordic company, the Tamron distributor for Poland, we got one specimen of the new lens very fast and now we can publish the results of its full test in the following chapters – enjoy your lecture!