Oops... I missed that. Thanks. I forgot that DPR evaluated it... must've gotten used to the fact that DPR doesn't do lens reviews anymore.
It is just a very good lens... Beats the Nikkor in certain areas. The Canon 11-24mm is a very good lens too. At 11mm it measures a bet less, but if you actually correct the CA (not "hide" it) you regain sharpness at 11mm too.
Basically 3 great lenses, the Canon the best with handling light, and possibly the sharpest, the Tamron the most affordable. And dropping any of them is not a great idea.
With this kind of front element, one should be careful. Though my 16-35 has in past suffered a fall that left it unscathed on the outside but caused strong decentering inside. Go figure.
I only saw Matt Granger's review but I have to say that there are some areas where the Tamron is definitely better.
For example, I can vouch that lens flare is a big problem on the Nikon.
However, there are two things (three actually) that will make the Nikon a keeper for me.
1. 14mm is wider than 15mm
There is a big difference between 14mm and 16mm. I have the 16-35mm f4 which I use quite a bit because it can take filters. Sure, I can get an adapter for the 14-24 but the costs are ridiculous. 15mm may not be a big difference to 14mm for a lot of people but that extra 1mm is what you are paying for.
2. The 14-24mm Nikon has worked flawlessly for me in some pretty hard conditions. I have used it in mid winter where it was left for 2 hour+ time-lapse stuff. Would the Tamron work over a number of cold winters? Maybe, maybe not.
3. I buy most my stuff second hand. I paid 1200€ for the 14-24mm, so that is about the same cost of a new Tamron.
If I didn't already have the Nikon I would seriously think about getting the Tamron, though.
Both nice photos, Studor13.
Stupid me! Didn't recognize the moon. Nonetheless, great picture. Also, good job in retouching the flares. It's really not so easy to get an ultra wide with well damped flare, and the Zeiss 21 or 15 are the closest to my desire how it should look like. And far away from my budget :unsure:
If I see Tamron's flares, I don't think to have a reason for changing my wide-angle boat.