Tamron 24, 35 & 70-180mm 2.8s: An Apology; a Story

#tamron #sony squarespace #patreon

Follow us on social media:

In all cases, thanks so much for being part of our YouTube community and supporting what we do.

Gear Used to Make This Video:

FULL EDIT SUITE

[JB_Hobbies]

My issue with the Tamron primes is that they just don’t offer much that Tamron’s excellent 28-75 doesn’t already offer. even size isn’t much of an advantage for them because that zoom is pretty small already. Tamron should have swung for f/2 or 1.8 on those primes.

[gabrielherrmann]

Anyone else just honestly get restorative properties from these videos? I had a bad day and I just turned on this video and it made me feel so much better

[Kelkschiz]

Thanks for the lovely video. Good to listen to your voice again. Really interested in getting the 70-180mm.

[JosephFerricags]

Hi Hugh,

Another great and thought provoking deliberation, thank you.

There is one aspect of the recent Tamron telephoto Zooms that have affected me personally that I wanted to share, maybe for consideration in future videos.

First of all I'm old and probably not an influential demographic for marketing purposes, I'm semi professional, migrating from a successful corporate role to a passion in my retirement.

I invested in Sony FE a couple of years ago, finally getting back to a format that I like, nothing more intellectual than that. I like the aesthetic as do my sponsors. My favorite, film camerawas my Nikon FM2 - built like a tank.

However, recently the lenses produced by Sony, while excellent, are very heavy and (very) expensive. I was concerned by this and started to look at alternative systems, like Olympus M4/3. I bought a EM1 MKii, a 12 -40mm f2.8 and a 40-150mm f2.8. This system was technically brilliant - but I didn't get the aesthetic - this is purely my view but I didn't get the immersion in the image (I am not sure I can explain that properly).

Then Tamron released their 'Holy Trinity' zoom lenses and the M4/3 benefits have almost disappeared. My A7Rii plus Tamron 17-28, 28-75 and 70-180mm weighs almost the same as the M4/3 equivalent, so that argument disappears. In addition to this, the cost difference, at the f2.8 level, becomes negligible - OK, maybe lessened.

I've sold my M4/3 kit and I am back on my original track, making the most of 35mm full frame, the format I love - I cannot afford Medium Format.

I believe (what do I know) that this cost and weight element of the Tamron Lenses, plus that they have excellent image quality (What do I know), shifts the agenda in the photography ecosystem.

Do you agree?

[chuckthurmond]

Thank you for this. I'm a 50-something and my dislike of Tamron and Sigma has been based on experience from years ago. I had little money and those lenses were more affordable, but they were cheap, in price and quality. Now I'm really wanting some of these lenses, especially the Sigma 45mm 2.8. Thank you for opening my eyes, in this and in previous videos.

[wesfoto_vegas]

Always, or almost, the best story telling for a camera related channel. Yes, I'm a pixel peaker, but I always appreciate the well thought out views, and the reasoning behind the more ephemeral qualities of gear selection. Keep up the great work.

[logtothebase]

I think the Tamron focal length compromise for size and price, has implications for the use case. 70 200 2.8 are big expensive kit. You gona pack it for a specific job, other wise it stays at home. The Tamron can be on you bag anyhow it might even go on holiday, particularly at the price.

[QuicksilverSG]

I still have a pair of Vivitar Series One short telephoto primes. They were the most sensuous boat anchors I've ever peered through, and still have that hardcore metal & glass appeal. I also had a Soligor 100mm f2, one of the fastest soft focus lenses ever.

[Rebelgtp]

I do have to say sir that you initially gave me a mini heart attack when you said the you gave up my mind immediately went to you were ending the channel and I almost missed what came after it lol. Secondly you also gave me a chuckle as I actually have a Soligor lens bought new by my father that I inherited along with his Nikon FE many years ago. This was actually the combo that I first learned to shoot with (he did not want me to scratch the Nikkor 50mm 1.4). That camera and lens carry many happy memories for me and they have a place of honor with all my gear. I may not use them as much as I should but they will never leave me. So thank you for the reminder of something that while may not be my best lens it holds a special place in my heart.

[forneverarrow]

Another lovely video Hugh! It gives me the chance to share with you some thoughts about Tamron. I’m used Canon DSLR’s for years, mostly entry/mid range models because I am not a pro photographer and I can’t spent much for gear… though not a beginner or “amateur” (photography is part of my life, just doesn’t provide my bread). I was always thinking about third party lenses as a “shame” to put them on my camera, with lacking AF, bad color rendition and non existent sharpness… not to mention build quality. I used Canon’s kit lenses for years (18-55 f4-5, 6 STM) and EF 50 f1.8 STM. After pandemic kicks in I passed in a state of mind of change. I wanted a new perspective! Since I was shooting landscapes most of my life my previous goal was an ultra wide L series lens and maybe a better camera body (though not full frame… I am not worthy of such a camera yet). That changed. I wanted to experiment with telephoto focal lengths so a friend (pro photographer) urged me to buy a cheap Tamron 18-200mm f/3, 5-6, 3 just for the testing, before I spent big money for a quality telephoto. Initially I was reluctant but for 269€ I said “ok, let’s try”.

That changed my mindset! The lens is by far superior over any Canon kit lens in sharpness i used before, the AF works just fine, it’s weather sealed, has a lens hood in the box and, fun fact, it has a nice focus ring with hard stops that is usable (unlike STM). After months of using this lens I found my photography vastly improved in many ways and I was already dedicated to the telephoto end. Suddenly my old EOS 4000D had an accident and I moved to the much better EOS 800D, where the limitations of the lens started to get visible. Long story short, I decided to buy the EF 70-200L f/4 IS II, which I had a chance to test on my camera from a good friend. The results was amazing, I was freaked out from the quality etc… and from the price as well! And then, again, the Tamron… I found an 70-210 f/4 used, nearly in brand new condition in original box for 320€ (!!!), half the price for a brand new 70-210 or a used Canon 70-200L. And then, the revelation! Amazing build quality (on par with Canon), excellent AF and IS and two particular aspects that blew my mind: 1) excellent and consistent sharpness across the frame (not surprising for such a lens and given the crop factor) and 2) the color rendition is substantially better than the Canon’s own 70-200L. Now I spend almost no time in color panel on Lightroom whereas it was my constant pain before (on Canon and Tamron 18-200 alike).

So, I think that the gap is already closed between first and third party lenses, at least in the entry and mid range segments… obviously, Tamron and Sigma can’t compete in the high end primes or 600mm+ L lenses that costs the same as a new city car!

[ffjim]

Catching up on this late but enjoyed hearing your take on the primes, it was a pity the 20mm was not there for this comparison.

I did use Tamron back with the FL mount, the 35-70, 80-210 zooms because that's what I could afford, with a few second user canon primes because the quality and speed were better.

I am definitely tempted by memories of the Canon primes (but everything was better in the 80's!) so the Tamron primes look good now. Now that I am retired I have Sony G zooms (love them) but I still remember how fun it was to shoot with a 24 and a 35 only for a whole day and I seldom I failed to find a composition with only these choices. It may have been that film costs meant I was more careful with shots!

I will see what Santa brings in the new year sales! Thanks again

[kenspo]

The 17-28, 28-75 and 70-180 is my workhorse trinity. Same filtersize on all 3 makes it even better 👍🏻 good video again as always!

[champagnesumo]

Tamron’s Nikon F mount offerings (specifically the 35mm 1.4 & 1.8) are really good in my humble opinion.

[homesickphotographycomau]

Vivatar 70-210mm f4, 5 5, 6 Marco was my first canon lens i ever had came with Canon T70... Had it for 20 years. Sold it last week, I hope the one who brought enjoy it as much i did. Hard to give up something, when it was your first. Gave my Canon FTQL fl50mm1.8( like in your on the vid) To my little sister for her first SLR. by chance today gave my friend for his birthday, My other Canon FTB fd 50mm f1, 8. He was so happy. Your first camera and gear is very special time for someone.

[BrentODell]

Interesting to mention the X-T4/50-140 combo in this discussion. I recently switched from Fujifilm to Sony, and I can say that the Fuji lenses are EXCELLENT. The look, feel, build quality, etc. are all excellent. One of the reason I switched was better high iso noise performance and more mp(I went with an A7Riii).

Another reason was that(surprisingly) the A7Riii and the Sigma 100-400 DG DN combo(I like to shoot wildlife) is lighter, smaller, and CHEAPER than the X-T4 and 100-400 Fuji lens. The Sigma is 1/3 stop slower, and doesn't have the same effective reach given the difference in crop, but I still find I'm getting more photos I like with this combo, even with what should be one of Sony's least impressive cameras in terms of auto-focus.

I have nothing but love for Fuji(and the Olympus gear I used before), but I'm happy with Sony, especially with all the excellent third-party lenses available.

[CamsCampbell]

Lordy, I could watch your talking all day long. Your style really makes me smile. And that lighting - how are you doing that? It's exquisite!

[agylub]

I have been using a Tamron 24-70 f2.8 for 10(?) years in F mount. Brilliant. Just upgraded to the G2 version. Even better. Heretic warning. Better than the Nikon24-70.

[jayford]

Dang it, been thinking of evaluating replacing my 135L with the modern Sony. Not displeased with anything so much as the Sony seems to up a little on the color, and a lot on sharpness. Hate to be looking back with nostalgia after, though.

[Bill-NM]

Thank you Hugh. You have a wonderful way of getting essense, across. Cheers.

[sstteevveenn]

I’m hoping for a 200mm+ Tamron zoom lens for shooting outdoor sports. I can’t imagine they’d keep it at f2.8. If they can keep an affordable price, I’d be ok with smaller apertures.