Tamron 20-40mm surprised me.. (vs Sony 20-70mm)

In this video we compare the Sony 20-70mm F4 and the Tamron 20-40mm F2.8

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[adaster]

I started out with a 24-70 F2.8 and it was too heavy. So I switched to dueling primes, a 35mm and a 85mm both F1.8 so I can shoot in really dark places like subways which is something I do a lot. And I love this setup, its fast to switch and its only 2 lenses. But sometimes I just want to go wider. But F4 is too dark and lacks good DOF, so the 20-40 Tamron fits perfectly replace my 35mm. I can still shoot 35mm all I want but when I want to go wider, its so easy. 40mm on the upper range is pretty close to 50mm which is nice. I will never need any focal length between 40 and my 85 so it works perfectly.

[JoeMustang]

I rarely need the 20-40 but it pairs nicely with the 35-150 so that is what I bought. My starting point was the 35-150 and I often need f/2.8, so the Tamron works for me. Great to have all of these options, and I may get more Sony lenses if I pass the Tamrons off to my nephew some day. Until then, I'm happy.

[robertconrad]

the difference in active steadyshot was much larger than I thought it would be, this saddens me.

[RockyColaFizz]

Glad more people are talking about the Active Stabilization difference between Sony and 3rd party lenses. It’s a big deal for many situations.

[RobbyHuang]

Huh, in my experience I always thought my Sigma 28-70 didn't work very well with active stabilization, but I just thought that was because it was at 28mm. Didn't realize it was a third party lens thing!

[grzegorzmeder]

Than you for your honest opinion on active stabilization with 3rd party lenses. This is the reason why I returned tamron 20-40. For handheld video sony lenses are just in another ligue. Maybe this is the reason why some people are complaining on Sony stabilization. It is good. But not with sigma or tamron.

[Josh_Sattin]

Can we get a 20-50mm F2.8? That would be sweet. Thanks for the video Chris!

[KeAiFu]

I am using the Tamron 20-40/2.8 on the 7RIII and can crop easily to 60/4.2 and combine it with the 70-180/2.8 on the A7IV. Very vertasile set up.

[ElijahTichborne]

I had no idea that active stabilisation works better with sony. Is it just with the new sony lens? Or all sony lens?

[grzegorzmeder]

Why "don't buy one on these'?

[HoomanBhr]

F2.8 is a big deal. For more boke and better low light. Actually the main reason I use mirrorless camera instead of phone is because of bokeh and better low light so Why should I spend on a F4 lens. I think the best option is 24_70 Gmii but it's pretty expensive and also sigma 24_70 which is pretty big and heavy. hard choice

[chryseass.]

I'm just watching, Chris because I already have bought the Tamron. Nice to see that I am not missing out on IQ according to your tests. The Tamron is perfect for my need to have a small, light, fast lens that makes a perfect companion for Tamron's 28-200 on the a7C for travelling and uses the same 67mm filters. Btw, Tamron lenses may seem plain but they are built like a tank and look as good as new years later. I have already used the USB port on the Tamron 20-40 f2.8 to do some customization; it's a great feature. Curiously, I have never used an AF/MF switch on any of my Sony lenses because I have that feature programmed to the center button on all my camera bodies for consistency and ease of use. The price difference in Canada is substantial between these lenses which, of course is another deciding factor.. There is quite a difference in the sizes of these two lenses which was also a determinant for me. Good video!

[KevinFedde]

Great comparison, I'm loving my Sony 20-70 so far for outdoor adventure videos (I've used it for one video so far) and it was GREAT. I was using my 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II before that and its a HUGE difference in weight from that lens. Might be my favorite lens at this point.

[NikoBols]

I really like to get the Sony 20-70mm even though I already own the Tamron 20-40, but after seeing the price here in the Philippines, I think I'm going to wait a couple of months and see if the price goes down 😜 Great comparison Chris!

[HappeningPhotos]

The 20-40 is a much better indoor event lens, especially paired with a 35-150. I plan to replace my 17-28 with one soon.

[benldr]

I've always had this thought that it isn't 100% fair to compare focus performance of a f2.8 lens to an f4 lens because the depth of field is more shallow. Just a thought. Maybe it would work just as well at f4?

[Thejoeymireles]

I’m just a sucker for faster lenses, but agree that 20-70 is just more useful on all levels.

[HobbiesHire]

Great job on the video Chris! Thanks for making it.

[ValentinA-nxwm]

would be interesting to see a crop from the tamron to 70mm to see if its useable. Furthermore the 20mm on the sony look wider becuase its not corrected at all and I really could see it on the vertical lines and as meantioned in the video with the vignetting. I think that for the price the tamron offers actually more. 50mm would be superb but I think its a nice lens

[bondgabebond]

To the photo nut, everything said is easy to understand. For the novice, they have no idea what is going on and are happy to get a good picture. Overall, it seems the Tamron is a great short zoom lens with 2.8 aperture. The Sony looks great and more suited for outdoor use where the 4.0 aperture will not be a problem. I'm happy with the 24-105 4.0 with OSS. On the A7R3, it's a pair made in heaven, very pinpoint sharp.