A cracking wide lens that delivers excellent performance in all sorts of conditions, the weather-sealed Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD is a great choice for landscapes, cityscapes and more. Sharpness is excellent across the zoom range, and the lightweight build of the lens makes it a solid choice for travel. Autofocus is accurate and handling is a pleasure – this lens is a success in just about every department.
Pros
+
Sharp throughout the zoom range
+
Weather sealed
+
Lightweight and transportable
Cons
-
Some switches easy to knock
Why you can trust Digital Camera World
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
When launched back in 2008, Tamron’s original 10-24mm lens beat every other APS-C format competitor for outright zoom range. Its successor, the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD, arrived on the scene in 2017, with major enhancements throughout. A new optical line-up includes enhanced aspherical and LD (Low Dispersion) elements. There’s also a new HLD (High/Low toque-modulated Drive) autofocus system and VC (Vibration Compensation) stabilization, both of which were lacking in the original lens.
The HLD autofocus is faster, quieter and more accurate. It also gives a big boost to handling, as the focus no longer rotates during autofocus. Full-time manual override of autofocus is available, for those who like to take precise control at critical moments.
Unlike many similar APS-C lenses, the Tamron is fitted with weather-seals, including a rubber ring around its mount, plus a fluorine coating on the front element to repel moisture and grease, which also aids in easy cleaning. Build quality feels improved compared with the original, making for a sturdy and reliable lens across the board.
(Image credit: Future)
Performance
The HLD autofocus system proved quick and unerringly accurate in our tests, although it’s not as near-silent as most ring-type ultrasonic alternatives, let alone Canon’s STM system. Shooting at close range, the Tamron delivered mediocre results in our lab tests. It was a different story in our ‘real-world’ tests, however, where sharpness proved excellent across the entire image frame, throughout the entire zoom range. Short-zoom barrel distortion at everything other than very close focus settings also becomes minimal.
The modest size and weight of the lens is reflected in its 77mm filter thread, and it comes supplied with a petal-shaped hood for use in ultra-bright light. A little care is needed when operating the lens in order to avoid knocking the AF/MF and VC switches, which are quite large and prominent, but once you get used to this it isn’t an issue.
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners!
His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.
In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.
