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Archive 2022 · Which lens would you get today?

JVan_02
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Which lens would you get today?

As per title. Started looking at images from the Tamronator after the announcement of the 20-40 2.8... and I realized that the 35-150 might be my second favorite 35mm of f2 or brighter behind the GM... and that range!

However, it truly is a tremendous lens. Assuming you could get over or ignore the temptation to view yourself as a clown carrying a light-proof box... what would you get if you had to get one today and why? Very curious on the room temperature for this one.

Aug 26, 2022 at 01:09 AM

j4nu
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Which lens would you get today?

This will be a bloodbath

...
For me, they are completely different:
* 35GM - compact and light (well, at least for me - I don't see any benefit of too small lenses and the GM is just about right), I use it because it allows me to have my favorite focal length with large aperture with me at all times
* 35-150 - versatility, as I can have my favorite 35mm and all the way up to an actual "tele" look (not barely scratching the itch like with 70mm), all at reasonably fast apertures. If we break down the 35-70mm range, there are actual quite a few "prime" focal lengths I like there and find different from each other: 35, 40, 50, 65 (I blame CV

).

As you said, there is something in rendering of the Tamron, that makes its images interesting. AF is actually faster than the GM I think... Surprisingly, I don't run into issues with a rather mediocre MFD of the Tamron, but this is another strong point of the GM, as it retains sharpness perfectly.
In short, I choose the GM when I feel like shooting a prime (you know, make the scene work in the given focal length) and don't want to be bothered with camera & lens size. I take the Tamron when I feel more "creative" and want to have different "looks" at hand. It does come with a size & weight penalty, but it's fairly well balanced so it was my most used lens during a recent vacation trip.

Edit: I'll vote for the Tamron as, if I recall correctly, you already have Batis 40 and 40G

.

Edited on Aug 26, 2022 at 02:20 AM · View previous versions

Aug 26, 2022 at 01:16 AM

liggy
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Which lens would you get today?

Lol.. easy choice. I already have the 35GM and Tamron 17-28

The other thing is that the 35-150 is really tempting but too heavy/bulky to replace the 28-200 as an all in one travel lens option.

Aug 26, 2022 at 01:18 AM

Kalainen
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Which lens would you get today?

Jim, I can't resist to say that if I remember correctly, I think I mentioned the 35GM to you at some point when you were searching for replacement for the Batis 40. It is your destiny, it's useless to resist...

Aug 26, 2022 at 01:41 AM

ruthenium
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Which lens would you get today?

I own both Tamron 35-150 and Sony 35GM, and I have been using the zoom 99% of the time since Nov 2021. I do use the 35 mm end of the zoom often; in fact, so much that it made me a 35 mm shooter. As a result, I am increasingly interested in acquiring a compact light 35mm full-frame camera to complement A1 with the heavier and bulkier lenses (Tamron 35-150 and Sony 200-600 G). I like this idea better than using A1 + 35 mm GM. I would have already purchased Sony DSC-RX1R II if I hadn't thought that this 7-years old camera might be upgraded to a mark III version in the near future.

Aug 26, 2022 at 01:50 AM

1bwana1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Which lens would you get today?

35 GM. F2 is not f1.4. The Tamron is a nice zoom, convenient, with good image quality. The 35 f/1.2 GM is an amazing
special lens, the best of it class in any system. For me the choice is easy

Aug 26, 2022 at 01:59 AM

JVan_02
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Which lens would you get today?

Kalainen wrote:
Jim, I can't resist to say that if I remember correctly, I think I mentioned the 35GM to you at some point when you were searching for replacement for the Batis 40. It is your destiny, it's useless to resist...

I don't know who mentioned it first, really

I've had my eye on it for a long time, and I've been waiting for every subsequent 35-40mm release since to dethrone it, but here we are.

The closest I've come is the 40 G—which while not as sensational as the 35 GM or Sony's absolute pinnacle of glass is much better at being an eminently reliable, excellently performing lens cap

I think everyone should have one.

The GM is competing with the Tamron here on a lens for dedicated shooting outings. Considering how well the Tamron performs throughout the range I think we can call IQ a tie even though if we're just considering 35mm the GM is the clear winner. Versatility vs can I even be arsed to bring this bazooka is where the Tamron is on trial here

Aug 26, 2022 at 02:03 AM

Alan Parker
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Which lens would you get today?

JVan_02 wrote:
I've had my eye on it for a long time, and I've been waiting for every subsequent 35-40mm release since to dethrone it, but here we are.

I feel like a lot of Batis 40 owners feel like this, myself included

I just got mine on such a bargain that trying to upgrade to the GM is too big of a step.

Aug 26, 2022 at 02:17 AM

itai195
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Which lens would you get today?

Wait you’re saying you would only have one 35mm? Is that allowed?

Edited on Aug 26, 2022 at 01:06 PM · View previous versions

Aug 26, 2022 at 02:26 AM

JVan_02
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Which lens would you get today?

Alan Parker wrote:
I feel like a lot of Batis 40 owners feel like this, myself included

I just got mine on such a bargain that trying to upgrade to the GM is too big of a step.

I keep going back and forth on selling the 40. On the one hand, I can whip it out every once in a while and the color reproduction, global and fine contrast, and just that hint of SA at f=2.5 remain gorgeous to my eyes.

On the other... man, I can't believe how much work I used to have to put in keeping track of my kiddo on my 7 III

. The 40 G is a huge breath of fresh air in this regard. Also, the fact that it isn't usable at f=2 throughout the range continues to grind my gears a little considering how gorgeous it is at 2.5.

Well, Tamron recently filed a patent for a 35 1.8. If they were the ones who designed the 40 CF anyway, maybe we can actually have it done right this time

Aug 26, 2022 at 02:32 AM

j4nu
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Which lens would you get today?

I think the important thing here, as you're coming from Batis 40, is that there will not be an order of magnitude IQ improvement when you switch to 35GM.
Yes, it will be a bit sharper with more reliable AF and a slimmed down form factor, just don't expect to turn "ok" photos into "wow" photos just by switching the lens

...

Aug 26, 2022 at 02:50 AM

JVan_02
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Which lens would you get today?

j4nu wrote:
I think the important thing here, as you're coming from Batis 40, is that there will not be an order of magnitude IQ improvement when you switch to 35GM.
Yes, it will be a bit sharper with more reliable AF and a slimmed down form factor, just don't expect to turn "ok" photos into "wow" photos just by switching the lens

...

I mean yeah. We're all collectively insane here on these boards imo.

Great lenses don't make great photos, they just give great photos that little extra kick. The biggest reason I'd want to switch would be the increase in reliability, and the reason the 35 1.8 FE is a non-option is because of the slight decrease in IQ even though it's probably by far the most reliable option for getting the shot in a svelte form factor, even over my lovely 40 G.

Aug 26, 2022 at 02:56 AM

j4nu
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Which lens would you get today?

Yes, you're right. AF accuracy in low-light would actually be a significant improvement over the Batis.

Aug 26, 2022 at 03:24 AM

Juha Kannisto
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Which lens would you get today?

I don't have either lens but if I was to get one, it would be the 35/1.4 GM, just because it's reasonably sized and not too heavy and I think I would enjoy using it. I like smaller and lighter cameras and lenses in general and I would never use a 1,165g zoom regularly.

I already have Sigma 35/2 DG DN, Sony Zeiss 35/1.4, CV 35/1.2 & 1.4 & 2.0 and a number of adapted 35mm lenses (Kistar 35/1.4 C/Y, MS-Optics 35/1.3 in M, Pentax K 35/3.5 and Minolta MD W.Rokkor 35/1.8) and an RX1R though, so there's not much room for another 35mm lens. Also a few zooms that cover 35mm.

I quite like my Sony Zeiss 35/1.4, especially at wide apertures at close range, so I haven't been tempted to swap it out for the GM.

Aug 26, 2022 at 03:29 AM

ftllens
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Which lens would you get today?

im on the other side, im used to 1-2kg primes so the tamron is reasonable to me lol

i had the 35gm, but actually preferred tamron's 35 1.4 sp and the cv 35 1.2 iii over it, so i sold it.

tamron like 10 primes in one, so that would be my choice

Aug 26, 2022 at 05:52 AM

crow high
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Which lens would you get today?

ftllens wrote:
im on the other side, im used to 1-2kg primes so the tamron is reasonable to me lol

i had the 35gm, but actually preferred tamron's 35 1.4 sp and the cv 35 1.2 iii over it, so i sold it.

tamron like 10 primes in one, so that would be my choice

You know Sigma primes tend to be very light.

Aug 26, 2022 at 05:58 AM

chad hites
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Which lens would you get today?

I actually have both. I owned and LOVED the 35 GM before I bought the Tamron. The thing that is amazing about the Tamron is it’s well documented sharpeners from 35 all the way to 150. It is just so versatile! To have f2 on the wide end is a bonus. I joke with one of my Canon shooting friends and call the Tamron a unicorn lens because it really can do almost anything.

That being said, it IS NOT a 35 1.4. To my eye there is just something special about the photos I get from it. If I had the Tamron first I don’t think I would spend they money on the 35 GM but I am really glad I had it first!

Aug 26, 2022 at 06:13 AM

InFocus2014
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Which lens would you get today?

My GM 35mm might just be the best optical performer I have ever shot (although my GM 50mm f1.2 rivals it), but I probably use the 35mm f2 of the 35-150mm more; and, my Sigma 35mm f1.2 puts the greatest smile on my face, when reviewing my shots. As much as I love my GM 35mm, it seems to spend a lot of time in my lens cabinet.

As a note I seem to shoot 35mm less since acquiring the GM 50mm f1.2 - my new favorite lens.

Aug 26, 2022 at 06:17 AM

ramesesthe2nd
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Which lens would you get today?

I voted for Tamron 35-150. I have both lenses and I literally haven’t used GM even once since I purchased the Tamron. That being said, if I didn’t have 35 GM I would be constantly thinking about buying a high quality 35mm prime, so I am glad I got it. 35mm is my favorite focal length.

35 GM is one of the best lenses for Sony. Before 35 GM I always had multiple 35mm lenses as no single lens did everything I was looking for in a lens. Bigma was my favorite lens, but unfortunately it was too big and bulky for a prime lens. Other 35s were more manageable in size and weight, but didn’t have rendering and IQ of Bigma. IMO, 35 GM combined all the good things from all other 35mm lenses in one without compromising much in any category. Now 35 GM is the only 35mm prime I own and I don’t often get GAS for a different 35.

Aug 26, 2022 at 07:12 AM

chez
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Which lens would you get today?

Easy choice, the difference in weight and aperture makes it a no brainer, the GM. The 35-150 is a great event lens, but I really cannot see myself traveling with such a huge lens.

Aug 26, 2022 at 07:36 AM

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