Love all three lenses and coming from Nikon DSLR, I am loving the smaller form factor. That brings me to my main point. Tamron 28-75 is awesome. I am not shooting charts to assess its weaknesses and strengths, but for general purpose family, walk around type of zoom lens, it is a great lens and I find its IQ quite nice. That being said, I find it less balanced (front heavy) and more bulky than my two primes. I also enjoy prime lenses more than zooms. It's just make this hobby more enjoyable IMO.
I am wondering if it might be better for me to get 35mm f/1.8 for its lightweight and compact size and return Tamron 28-75 (still in the return window). I read/watched a bunch of reviews on 35mm and it seems to be a good lens with bad corner performance and strong fringing issues, but I understand there is no such thing as a perfect lens. It seems like Tamron is a better lens in terms of IQ and more versatility.
Has anyone used both lenses and can give me your first hand experience and thoughts? I might get used to Tamron's weight in a bit; I really like it. If I had budget I would get both and try it myself, but unfortunately that's not the case.
I really liked the Tamron. Its a very, very good lens. I got really bothered by the bokeh as it got really nervous and busy for me. It was distracting. But, that is largely a matter of what you are shooting, the aperture, and the background. I do a lot of woodsy sort of things here in Colorado, and it was not nice on the evergreens. But, if it works for you and what you do, I would keep it. A zoom is just really handy to have. If you go out with the 35/1.8, the temptation is then to bring along another lens. Or two. Then you have lost the advantage of size. Myself, I would probably go for the 24-105/4 as that is my sweet spot. But the 28-75/2.8 might be the best jack of all trades lens for any system right now. It is bright, inexpensive (relatively), compact, with a very nice (but isn't 24mm) range.
I also came from Nikon DSLR then moved to Sony. I can only say that I enjoy a small 20/35/85 combo. If you replace your zoom by a prime, you have to be OK to miss shots sometimes. For me it's not really a problem as I am not a pro and if I miss a shot, well I walk a bit more to find another one.
Not sure about the Tamron vs Sony technical details, but the Sony is a pretty great size/optical quality compromise. Happy hunting!
35mm 1.8 would be perfect gap (and semi-macro applications, though you could di-opter the 85 batis for that). 40 batis would be alternative if you prefer that FL as well.
Well I think you should go for it! I go out with my 35mm all of the time. I enjoy the heck out of it! Many times it's all I need when I'm with my family. I used to use a 24-70/2.8 with Nikon and I don't miss that brick at all.
Surfnsun wrote:
Well I think you should go for it! I go out with my 35mm all of the time. I enjoy the heck out of it! Many times it's all I need when I'm with my family. I used to use a 24-70/2.8 with Nikon and I don't miss that brick at all.
Funny that you mentioned Nikon 24-70/2.8. I had that lens too and it stayed on my camera 80% of the time. It is one of the main reason I opted for mid range zoom and I picked Tamron.
I know I am calling Tamron heavy compared to my lightweight primes, but it is only 60% of the weight of the Nikon 24-70/2.8.
The best part of the 35mm seems to be its weight, but I feel like IQ wise it will be a downgrade from Tamron.
TheEmrys wrote:
...If you go out with the 35/1.8, the temptation is then to bring along another lens. Or two. Then you have lost the advantage of size...
Thank you for your comment and I think you have a solid point. I am assuming that 35mm focal length and "zoom with your feet" approach will meet 80 to 90 precent of my needs. I have to pull my old LR catalog to see the actual data, but I think most of my shots are between 24mm to 55mm range. My mind says to keep Tamron.
If you prefer light & compact, you might also sell the Tamron and trade in the A7III for a A7rIII (or even better rIV, if the budget allows). The 20mm 1.8 on a riii or rIV with their cropping power makes the 35 obsolete.
p.1 #10 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
I'm not sure where you get the bad corner performance issues from with the 35/1.8 as for it's price bracket I find it to be an excellent performer in this respect. It may not have GM performance wide open but it's pretty good across the frame and as you say you don't shoot charts I don't think you will have an issue with this. I don't find mine to have fringing issues to an extent that I can't deal with it on most occasions in pp. It is small and light with a custom button and MF/AF switch, all in all I find it to be a great little lens
p.1 #11 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
Viramati wrote:
I'm not sure where you get the bad corner performance issues from with the 35/1.8 as for it's price bracket I find it to be an excellent performer in this respect. It may not have GM performance wide open but it's pretty good across the frame and as you say you don't shoot charts I don't think you will have an issue with this. I don't find mine to have fringing issues to an extent that I can't deal with it on most occasions in pp. It is small and light with a custom button and MF/AF switch, all in all I find it to be a great little lens...Show more →
Agree. Sharpness has not been the concern with this lens. It really is a nice lens. The only issue I have with it is I mentally compare it to the RX1rii and 24GM lenses I had and the way they rendered. I just wish it had the same look those do. My small prime kit of the 20mm 1.8, 35mm 1.8, and 75mm 1.8 has been working out great though.
p.1 #12 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
I'm an 18/35/85 prime shooter and the FE35 1.8 lives on my camera 90% of the time. I don't feel the need for zoom except for future telephoto like 100-400 or >600m. I really enjoy shooting with small primes with Sony. FE35 is my current favorite.
If you feel like keeping your mid range zoom, you can just get Samyang 35mm f2.8. It's heck of a tiny lens and perfect for smallest FF setup walk around. Got mine used 160USD, can't go wrong with the price.
p.1 #13 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
jp.gomez wrote:
I'm an 18/35/85 prime shooter and the FE35 1.8 lives on my camera 90% of the time. I don't feel the need for zoom except for future telephoto like 100-400 or >600m. I really enjoy shooting with small primes with Sony. FE35 is my current favorite.
If you feel like keeping your mid range zoom, you can just get Samyang 35mm f2.8. It's heck of a tiny lens and perfect for smallest FF setup walk around. Got mine used 160USD, can't go wrong with the price.
It is a good suggestion, but please don't suggest keeping the zoom and getting yet another lens. I have little self control when it comes down to buying camera lenses (and cool toys). I will end up with both and that will only make my kit bigger, not smaller.
p.1 #14 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
Thank you for your comment and I think you have a solid point. I am assuming that 35mm focal length and "zoom with your feet" approach will meet 80 to 90 precent of my needs. I have to pull my old LR catalog to see the actual data, but I think most of my shots are between 24mm to 55mm range. My mind says to keep Tamron.
For what it's worth I had this 35 and the SY85 and the Tamron, and the Tamron ended up collecting dust. While the Tamron is an excellent zoom, in my opinion the rendering of the 35/1.8FE was superior. Sharper across the frame (my copy is sharper than my 55/1.8ZA, which was a prior baseline for excellent sharpness), much faster to focus and tracking was much better especially in low light. Rendering, to me, had more of that 3D pop. Corners are definitely at least as sharp as the Tamron at that focal length from my experience, not sure where that criticism comes from.
Really the only major downside was the occasional ugly bokeh at mid distances, but 95% of the time it was much better than the Tamron's bokeh. I imagine you might run into some 'ugly' bokeh with the 35 if you are taking a portrait with those alpine trees in the background and sun filtering through. In those rare cases where it is noticeable and you really need the picture, it is an easy fix to apply blur in post. But maybe you can already do this with the Tamron.
Also, CA was the other problem with this lens, but I have to say as a yardstick the 55/1.8ZA is horrendous by comparison for CA. I figured they would be about the same in this area, but nope. I don't recall noticing CA from the Tamron very often.
Both are great lenses - I found the Tamron to look slightly more 'filmic' and the FE35 to be more 'clean and sharp' documentary style. But again, from someone who has used both, I strongly preferred the FE35 despite its flaws. The Tamron felt just a tiny bit flat by comparison. I also didn't 'need' the zoom. Maybe you do if you are hiking and such for the versatility. If I never had the FE35 I would probably have been happy with just the Tamron.
Can you rent it and decide that way? Just bring that lens only for a hike or whatever, not having the option of using the zoom and see how you feel. Take some challenging shots etc.
p.1 #15 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
It is a good suggestion, but please don't suggest keeping the zoom and getting yet another lens. I have little self control when it comes down to buying camera lenses (and cool toys). I will end up with both and that will only make my kit bigger, not smaller.
Maybe another option is to get FE35 while you still have Tamron return window and find out for yourself which one to keep.
Good luck!
p.1 #16 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
I ended up keeping the Tamron. It's just super convenient to have zoom around with small kids. For now i got Samyang 35 2.8 to have both my small setup and my zoom.
Samyang is super small and crazy cheap, so I bit the bullet. If I ended up using Samyang all the time and don't touch my zoom much, I will sell both and get Sony 35.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and your help.
p.1 #17 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
I commented on this that yes 35 can replace Tamron easily. I will add that if you are going for 35, think about a 50 also, maybe cheaper 50/1.8 will do. I find that having a 35/50 will work in any situation. 50 is also a good portrait lens.
In my opinion, if there is one autofocus prime that makes Sony system shine, it is 55 ZA, especially if you like lightweight gear.
p.1 #18 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
nandadevieast wrote:
I commented on this that yes 35 can replace Tamron easily. I will add that if you are going for 35, think about a 50 also, maybe cheaper 50/1.8 will do. I find that having a 35/50 will work in any situation. 50 is also a good portrait lens.
In my opinion, if there is one autofocus prime that makes Sony system shine, it is 55 ZA, especially if you like lightweight gear.
So 20, 35, 55 will be my pick.
50mm was my most used lens on Nikon, but it was always a little too tight for indoor pictures and that's why I am looking at 35mm focal length now instead of 55. I did buy Batis 85 as my portait / short telephoto lens, so I am going to skip 55 until my GAS kicks in again.
20, 35, 85 is the kit I want, but as a father of two young kids, I also want the convenience of having a zoom lens.
p.1 #19 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
50mm was my most used lens on Nikon, but it was always a little too tight for indoor pictures and that's why I am looking at 35mm focal length now instead of 55. I did buy Batis 85 as my portait / short telephoto lens, so I am going to skip 55 until my GAS kicks in again.
20, 35, 85 is the kit I want, but as a father of two young kids, I also want the convenience of having a zoom lens.
The tiny Samyang is also very nice if you get a good copy. I had this also and sold it when I got the 35/1.8. Really a nice lens due to size, only issue I had was flare resistance and needed something faster (f/1.8). You will be fine with your setup. The only issue will be darker/indoor shots in more close quarters where you might like the faster prime lens and the 85 is just too long.
p.1 #20 · Sony FE 35 f/1.8 to replace Tamron 28-75
Can't quite comment on the IQ of Samyang, as I have not transferred the files to my computer yet, but what a total joy it is to use this lens. Small, light and a perfect match for A7III body IMO.
I just love small primes and I believe this is the smallest FF lens for the Sony system. I truly am enjoying this one a lot.
