Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di USD A-mount lens review by QuietOC
 QuietOC#44289 date: May-17-2019 | |
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| sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Canon EF 28 F1.8 USM Sigma 28 F1.8 HS & EX DG Sony FE 28 F2 Minolta MD & AF 28 F2 Minolta MC 28 F2.5 Canon EF 28 F2.8 IS USM Minolta/Sony AF 28 F2.8 Neewer 28 F2.8 Sony 28-75 F2.8 SAM Sigma 30 F1.4 DC DN C & EX DC Sigma 30 F2.8 DN Art Sony DT 30 F2.8 Macro SAM Neewer 32 F1.6 Zeiss Touit 32 F1.8 Neewer 35 F1.2 Fotasy 35 F1.6 APS-C Kaxinda 35 F1.7 Sony FE 35 F1.8 Rokinon 35 F1.8 Sony E 35 F1.8 OSS Sony DT 35 F1.8 SAM Minolta MD 35 F1.8 Yongnuo EF 35 F2 7Artisans 35 F2 Minolta AF 35 F2 & RS Tamron 35 F2.8 OSD Rokinon AF 35 F2.8 Sony FE 35 F2.8 Sonnar Minolta 40 F1.7 Konica AR 40 F1.8 Sony FE 40 F2.5 G Canon EF 40 F2.8 STM Pentax-M 40 F2.8 Pentax-DA 40 F2.8 XS Pentax-FA 43 F1.9 Limited |
| price paid: | 312 USD (used) |
| positive: | Sharpness and contrast wide-open Wide soft rubber focus grip Focus distance encoder works Minimal coma and vignette Moisture-resistant Always available MF |
| negative: | Size and weight Unit focusing? Slow USD AF Missing VC Alloy veneer No Lens Compensation Pre-2011 AF |
| comment: | I found this listed on eBay not long after I sold the sister SP 45mm F1.8 USD lens for a similar amount. I've been looking for a faster 35mm for my A7II, and the reviews made this lens sound better than the 45mm. Tamron has held the retail price steady $599 at since it was first available in May 2016 while the 45mm has often been on sale for $200 less. "MADE IN JAPAN" It is a bit larger than the Sony Distagon 24mm F2 SSM but not quite as heavy. The plastic petal hood is not flocked. Unlike the Tamron 45 mm and 85 mm primes the front element extends for focusing. The rear element also moves in the same direction. This lens focuses faster than the SP 85/1.8 and 45/1.8 primes. It doesn't support the A-mount updates Sony introduced with A77 in 2011. Of course none of the other 35 mm lenses in the system support them either. Sony cameras did gain Lens Compensation support for the old Sony 35mm primes. The optical stabilized versions of this lens makes sense for cameras without in-body stabilization. I am not seeing the benefit of the removed optical stabilization (VC) except for one less switch on the lens. Tamron is also eschewing optical stabilization with their FE offerings. Meanwhile Sigma is offering dual stabilization for their SLR lenses adapted via the MC-11 adapter. This lens shares the filter thread diameter (67 mm) and hood bayonet with 45/1.8 and 85/1.8 primes. It uses the same HF021 petal hood as the 45mm. All of Tamron's FE lenses also use this filter diameter as well as do some with Sony brands. |
rating summary
- total reviews: 3
- sharpness: 4.50
- color: 5.00
- build: 5.00
- distortion: 4.33
- flare control: 4.00
- overall: 4.57