The BEST ZOOM Lens EVER?! TAMRON 35-150 f2-2.8 REVIEW
TLDRIn this review, Jared Polin explores the capabilities of Tamron's 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens, highlighting its impressive range and versatility. He tests the lens in various scenarios, including a low-light concert and outdoor shots, praising its performance and image quality. Despite its hefty weight and high price tag, Polin considers the lens a strong contender for photographers seeking a single, high-quality zoom option that can replace multiple lenses.
Takeaways
- 🌟 The Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens offers an impressive zoom range, combining multiple focal lengths into one versatile package.
- 💡 Despite its variable aperture, the lens maintains a fast f2 to 2.8 aperture throughout most of its range, providing excellent low light performance and depth of field control.
- 📷 The lens's weight (2.57 pounds or 1165 grams) is a trade-off for the extensive range and performance, making it a 'thinker' of a lens for photographers to consider.
- 🎵 Jared Polin tested the lens at a Rival Sons concert, noting the challenge of low light conditions and the lens's ability to deliver sharp, well-exposed images.
- 👦 In addition to concert photography, the lens performed well in outdoor scenarios with children, showcasing its adaptability in various lighting situations.
- 🔄 The lens features a tight zoom ring, preventing lens creep, but requiring more torque to operate compared to some other lenses.
- 🔧 Customizable buttons on the lens allow for specific functions to be programmed, such as rack focusing for video work, offering versatility for different shooting styles.
- 🔒 A lock switch is present, though its utility is questioned, as the lens does not easily shift or creep.
- 💻 The lens includes a built-in USB dock for firmware updates, enhancing its long-term compatibility and functionality with Sony E-mount cameras.
- 🏃 The VXD motor provides quick and accurate autofocus, comparable to Sony's own linear motors, improving the performance of third-party lenses.
- 💸 At $1,899, the lens is a significant investment, but it replaces the need for multiple lenses, making it a valuable addition for photographers seeking versatility and quality.
Q & A
What is the focal length range of the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens?
-The Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens has a focal length range from 35mm to 150mm.
What is special about the aperture range of this lens?
-The lens has a unique aperture range of f2 to 2.8, which is unusual for a variable aperture lens of this range.
What type of events did the reviewer photograph with this lens?
-The reviewer photographed a Rival Sons concert and children playing outside on an overcast day.
How much does the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens weigh?
-The lens weighs 2.57 pounds or 1165 grams.
What is the function of the custom switches on the lens?
-The custom switches allow users to set different function buttons on the lens for specific tasks, such as rack focusing during video shooting.
Does the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens have image stabilization?
-No, the lens does not have built-in image stabilization, as it is a trade-off for the lens's size and price.
What is the minimum aperture of the lens at its longest focal length?
-At the longest focal length of 150mm, the minimum aperture of the lens is f2.8.
What is the reviewer's opinion on the lens's performance in low light conditions?
-The reviewer found the lens to perform well in low light conditions, managing to capture images at high ISO settings and recovering details in post-processing.
How does the lens compare to other lenses in terms of separation and background blur?
-The lens offers better separation and background blur compared to other kit lenses due to its larger aperture range, which helps to isolate subjects more effectively.
What is the price of the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens?
-The lens is priced at $1,800.
Would the reviewer recommend this lens for someone starting out in photography?
-The reviewer suggests that if someone can afford the price, this lens would be a good option for beginners due to its versatility and range.
Outlines
📸 Introduction and Tamron Lens Overview
The paragraph begins with an introduction to a free guide for capturing motion in low light situations and an announcement of a review for Tamron's 35 to 150 f2 to 2.8 lens. The reviewer, Jared Polin, shares his initial thoughts on the lens being a potential great addition to his bag due to its unique range and aperture capabilities. He discusses the trade-offs between quality, weight, and price, and sets the stage for the detailed review by mentioning the types of photography he has done with the lens, including a concert with challenging lighting conditions and outdoor shots of children.
🔎 Lens Features and Customization
In this paragraph, the focus is on the physical features and customization options of the Tamron lens. The reviewer discusses the lens's weight, the trade-off of having multiple lenses replaced by this single lens, and the inclusion of an 82mm filter thread. He also talks about the lens hood, the zoom ring, and the custom switches on the lens that allow for setting specific functions for video or photography. The lack of image stabilization is mentioned, and the reviewer explains the purpose of the custom switches, which can be programmed for different functions based on the photographer's preference.
🎵 Concert Photography Experience
The reviewer shares his experience using the Tamron lens for concert photography, specifically at a Rival Sons concert. He details the challenges of the low light environment and how the lens performed, highlighting the sharpness, colors, and tones captured in the images. The paragraph also includes a discussion on the lens's autofocus capabilities, comparing it to other third-party lenses, and how it held up during the concert. The reviewer also touches on the importance of having a fast aperture for isolating subjects and creating a professional look in photographs.
🌳 Outdoor Photography and Versatility
This paragraph focuses on the reviewer's outdoor photography experience with the Tamron lens, capturing images of children in a park on an overcast day. The versatility of the lens is emphasized, as it allows for a wide range of focal lengths from 35 to 150mm. The reviewer discusses the lens's performance in terms of focus, color reproduction, and depth of field, and how it compares to other lenses in terms of achieving separation and professional quality in images. The paragraph also includes a brief mention of the lens's bokeh blades and the benefits of having a variable aperture lens.
💸 Conclusion and Personal Verdict
In the final paragraph, the reviewer concludes his thoughts on the Tamron lens. Despite its high price point, he believes the lens offers great value by replacing multiple lenses in a photographer's bag. He discusses the lens's suitability for various photography scenarios, such as weddings and travel, and its potential to replace a set of prime lenses for some photographers. The reviewer also shares his personal decision to purchase the lens for his own use, highlighting its range, aperture, and performance as key factors in his decision. The paragraph ends with a recommendation for beginners considering this lens as a starting point, and the reviewer shares his final verdict on the lens's overall performance and value.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8
💡variable aperture
💡lens hood
💡filter thread
💡zoom ring
💡VXD motor
💡image stabilization
💡custom switch
💡firmware
💡lightroom presets
Highlights
The Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens offers an unprecedented zoom range, combining multiple focal lengths into one versatile package.
The lens is designed for E-mount systems and is compatible with a variety of Sony cameras, including the A7 III, A7C, and the A1.
Despite its large range, the lens maintains a consistent maximum aperture of f2 to 2.8, which is rare for variable aperture lenses.
The lens's weight and size are considerable, but the trade-off for such a wide range and fast aperture is deemed acceptable.
Customizable buttons on the lens allow for specific functions to be assigned, such as rack focusing for video work.
The lens does not include image stabilization, a decision made to keep the lens size and price in check.
The lens features a tight zoom ring, preventing lens creep but requiring more torque to operate.
An 82mm filter thread allows for a variety of filters to be used, and step-down rings can adapt it for smaller filters.
The lens performed well in low light conditions during a concert photography scenario, capturing sharp images with excellent color and tone.
Outdoor photography demonstrated the lens's ability to isolate subjects with a beautiful bokeh, even at 35mm.
The lens's variable aperture was explained, noting that it starts at f2 at 35mm and gradually changes to f2.8 at 150mm.
The lens's fast aperture allows for lower ISO settings, improving image quality in challenging lighting conditions.
The lens passed a wind tunnel test, demonstrating its resistance to movement even when running.
The reviewer, Jared Polin, expresses his intention to purchase the lens for his personal use, highlighting its appeal for travel and versatility.
The lens is praised for its ability to replace multiple lenses in a photographer's bag, offering a compelling solution for those seeking convenience and quality.
The lens's price is acknowledged as a significant factor, but its value is recognized in the breadth of applications and image quality it offers.
The review suggests that the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens could be an excellent starting point for new photographers due to its wide range and aperture.
The lens's performance in both concert and outdoor scenarios showcases its adaptability for various photography environments.
