Wide angle lens issues (need help!)

[ram5]

Hi All,

First off, I'm a beginner (so please take it easy on me ) but I'm fortunate enough to have some pretty decent equipment.

I'm attaching two photos. Both taken with a D200. One is taken with a Tamron 20-40mm, 2.7-3.5 lens. The second taken with a Nikon 35-70mm, constant 2.8 lens.

While I'm very happy with photos I take with the Nikkon, I much less happy with those I take with the Tamron. Pictures with the Tamron lens just look washed out without sufficient contrast as you'll easily be able to tell from the attached. Is this just a function of the lens or the lens/camera combo or am I just doing something wrong?

Any help would be much appreciated. I basically need a wide-angle that performs as well as my 35-70.

Thanks much!
ram5

DSC_0053_2.jpg
Tamron
shutter: 1/640
f3.3
34mm

DSC_0054_2.jpg
Nikon
shutter: 1/1500
f2.8
35mm