23/03/2026 5:50 am
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Which Tamron lens is actually the best for landscape stuff on a Nikon D850? Im totally torn between the 15-30mm f/2.8 G2 and the 17-35mm f/2.8-4 and its driving me nuts. I have a trip to the Dolomites coming up in two weeks and I still havent bought anything yet. The 15-30 is super sharp but its freaking heavy and I dont know if I want to lug that thing up a mountain all day. On the other hand the 17-35 is way lighter and fits my $600 budget better but will I regret not having that extra 2mm? I need to order something by Friday or it wont get here in time...
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11
23/03/2026 6:15 am
Regarding what #1 said about the Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di OSD not being sharp, I totally agree. I really wanted to love that lens for travel because of the weight, but unfortunately it just doesnt cut it on a D850.
- Corner smearing is pretty bad for high-res landscapes.
- Flare control is weak compared to the G2.
- Just find a used Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD. Its heavy, but the glass is way better for those mountain shots.
10
23/03/2026 5:50 am
Unfortunately, the Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di OSD wasnt as sharp as expected on high-res sensors.
- Get the Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2
- Corner resolution is significantly better.
3
23/03/2026 6:55 am
I saw your post yesterday and wanted to chime in before your Friday deadline. If you're heading to the Dolomites, you might want to consider the hidden costs of the Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2. I carried a similar heavy kit through the Swiss Alps last year and my back was screaming after day three, but those 45 megapixels on the D850 really punish average glass. Be careful with that budget tho... the 15-30mm has that massive bulbous front element which means you cant use standard screw-on filters. Youll need a specialized 150mm filter system which can easily double your spending. If you can stretch the budget or find one used, the image quality is worth the weight. Quick tip: Buy a dedicated lens pouch like the Think Tank Photo Lens Case Duo 30 for your belt to shift the weight off your neck during hikes. Also, check for used copies to stay closer to your $600 limit.
