For years I have been going to weddings or other events with multiple lenses in my bag, which has been a huge strain on my back! Not anymore, as I have finally purchased a lens that has been on my wish list and the results are amazing! Can you guess what it is?
I’m sure many of you can guess exactly which lens this is and if you guessed correctly then Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lensYou’re right.
We’re almost two years since this lens was first announced, so I’m late to the game on this great option, but since it first launched, it’s been at the top of my wish list. I’ve lost count of the number of reviews I’ve read or watched, and have had to weigh up this model against its competition, Samyang 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens.
Ultimately, I went with the Tamron over the cheaper Samyang and I have no regrets. I have not used the Samyang so I can’t compare the two lenses, but since I have used more Tamron products in the past I decided this one would be a better fit for me.
flexible
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens is its incredible versatility, especially considering the fast aperture. Whether you want to shoot wide-angle at 35mm or telephoto at 150mm, the options are there and it performs very well across the entire focal range.
The benefits of versatility at weddings are unparalleled. During the ceremony, I can stand almost anywhere in the room and capture a variety of images from different angles. This makes my life so much easier, especially when previously I might have had to switch between 3 different lenses throughout the day.
Of course, you could have two camera bodies with different lenses each, but that would add weight and could be inconvenient.
Having this lens in my camera bag reduces the need to carry multiple lenses like a prime lens. Of course, with a prime lens you can get sharper quality or brighter apertures below f/2.0, which is of course great, but this lens is no slouch anywhere you take it.
Weight
While this lens has all the good points, the most common complaint and one of the only complaints I’ve seen is the weight. The lens weighs 2.6 lb / 1,165 g, so it’s not light, but for me, I really like the weight.
Tamron fits neatly on top of me Sony a7 IV The body and weight of the lens make it comfortable to hold. To be fair, I am a large guy and I go to the gym 3-4 times a week to lift weights, so that might give me an advantage over some other users. However, I am sure that for many of you, the weight of this lens is not a big deal.
This lens is very well built, especially when compared to Tamron’s lighter lenses like the 28-75mm and 70-180mm (those are also well built, but the 35-150mm is terrible!).
Yes, this lens is quite heavy, but the excellent performance makes up for any difficulties here.
Efficiency
For the focal length and wide aperture range this lens offers, performance across the range is really great. As you continue to zoom in to the 150mm range, the bokeh and sharpness continue to impress me. I have seen some early reviews mention slow focusing speeds, however I have not encountered any such issues with autofocus performance.
Using the rear focus button, I always found my subject quickly and reliably, even when shooting from a distance with a backlit bride and groom.
With the 35mm at f/2.0, and then going up to f/2.8 in the focal range, you can easily replace a 35mm f/1.8 prime lens with one or two longer f/2.8 lenses. The lens barrel will extend when zoomed, so be careful if using the lens on a tripod, gimbal, etc., however, it hasn’t extended to the point where it’s been a problem for me.
This lens suffers from vignetting across the entire focal range, however, it can be easily corrected in post-processing and to be honest, I quite like the vignetting in some images.
The lens has a few custom buttons, a lock switch where you can lock the lens extension at 35mm, an AF/MF switch, and a custom switch. Most of these features are now common on mirrorless lenses and are always handy when needed.
Summary
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens The 35-150mm has to be one of my all-time favorite lenses, and I’ve bought and sold quite a few over the years. Up until last year, I had the Tamron trio of 17-28mm, 28-75mm, and 70-180mm lenses, and I was very happy with all of them, but the 35-150mm seemed like a big step up from carrying those three lenses.
By owning this lens, I miss out on some of the range at the wider and more telephoto ends of the Tamron trio, and that’s not a huge deal. Eventually, I’ll look for something in the 16-35mm range again just for larger group shots, etc., but until then, Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens very capable and i can stand a little distance!
What I like
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Flexibility: The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens is incredibly versatile, allowing me to shoot wide at 35mm or telephoto at 150mm with ease. This versatility is especially beneficial at events like weddings, where I can shoot a variety of images from multiple angles without constantly changing lenses.
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Construction quality:The lens is very well built, feels solid and durable. Compared to other Tamron lenses like the 28-75mm and 70-180mm, the 35-150mm stands out as being extremely solid.
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Efficiency: The lens performs great throughout the focal range. Bokeh and sharpness remain impressive, even at 150mm. While some reviews mention slow focusing speeds, I had no issues with the autofocus, finding subjects reliably and quickly.
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Aperture range: With an aperture range of f/2.0 at 35mm to f/2.8 at 150mm, this lens can replace many prime lenses. The wide aperture allows for excellent depth of field control and low-light performance.
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Appease:Despite being heavy, this lens balances well on my Sony a7 IV body.
What I don’t like
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Weight: The lens is quite heavy at 2.6 lb / 1,165 g. While I personally don’t mind the weight, it could be a significant drawback for other photographers, especially those who prefer lighter gear.
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Vignetting: The lens suffers from some vignetting across the entire focal range. While this can easily be corrected in post-processing, it’s worth keeping in mind, especially if you prefer minimal editing.
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Expand the lens: The lens barrel extends when zooming, which can be an issue when using the lens on a tripod, gimbal, or other stabilizing device. While it didn’t cause any problems for me, it’s worth noting for those who regularly use such devices.
The only question I really ask myself is why didn’t I buy this lens sooner?! I know why, I was broke (British slang for out of money!). However, if I could have bought it sooner, I definitely would have. At a retail price of around $1,800, it’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and if it lightens the load in your backpack by eliminating some other lenses, then I’m all for it.
