Have used a zoom lens so good for two weddings now that I wrote a post where I called the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Goldilens after the first wedding and another post to double down on that claim after the second wedding. A name I did not make up. Credit goes to Keith Prime. A very accurate description.
For that first wedding, I brought a menagerie of gear with me to the wedding site in a cart. A cart that I had to then keep watch over while also getting around to shoot. Inevitably I had to leave it relatively unattended until the DJ offered to keep watch over it along with his equipment. A common occurrence I now understand. I learned from that second to last wedding. The next time around it went mostly unused once again. The difference was that I learned a little from the last time and left most of my gear in the vehicle. But that is also not the best of ideas nowadays, since a vehicle is not some sort of theft proof vault. The reason I could leave so much gear behind both times? The majority of the photos were taken with the 35-150mm. At first, I had thought I would pair the 35-150mm with the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8.
But both times I barely used the 17-28mm. I present to you the only 17-28mm f/2.8 photo in my portfolio from the second wedding mentioned.
Took this while I was waiting for the groomsmen. I like the photo. But it was not an essential shot for the day.
So back to the 35-150mm f/2-2.8.
It did everything well. In both cases, I was using it for things that would usually scream fast prime. A couple of examples are below.
And of course it was also great for the normal zoom stuff like the outside wedding photos.
I was blown away once again by how versatile this lens is. Whatever the task it came through. So when a friend asked that I capture images for his Pastoral Anniversary, I said sure. Had been a while since I had made use of the 35-150mm f/2-2.8. Admittedly I did bring a smaller bit of kit along with, but I did not even need to bring that. They sat unused as the 35-150mm stole the show once again. Here are some shots from the event.
There it is. Once again the lens did everything asked of it. The focus was fast and accurate. It tracked perfectly. Now I did use another camera and lens that day.
Last time I said that it is always good to have options. But I have changed my mind. Instead of as an option next time, I will bring gear just in case as backup. And that is it. All I really need is this lens, a recent Sony body, and a V1 flash and that would be it. Those three pieces will easily get me through whatever is thrown my way.
And I have not even touched upon the many great features of this lens.
- Weather Resistance
- AF Hold Button
- AF/MF Switch
- USB-C Firmware and Configuration Support by Computer of Mobile App
- Custom Switch
- Zoom Lock Switch
Truth be told I made use of nearly none of those features above. Left it at my standard settings and that was it. Glad to have those features but this would be a solid lens choice without them. I see there is another similarly spec’d lens being released from a different manufacturer. Seems they cloned the Tamron and reduced the price. Said another way they pulled a Tamron on Tamron. I am sure it is a great lens also, but I will be holding on to the Tamron. As much as I like Rokinon/Samyang prime lenses, of which presently have none largely due to the Tamron 35-150mm, they have not been in the FE zoom game for long. Given that their first FE zoom offering seems to have some quality control issues, if B&H reviews are to be believed, and if I were in the market I might hold off on a purchase to make sure there are no issues with their 35-150mm. It may be fine. I just think if I had to have a lens at this spec today I would spend the extra cash on the Tamron. Have had mone now for quite a while and it has yet to put a foot wrong.
I say again that this is far from the most expensive Sony FE lens on the market. But it is sizing up to be the most valuable one so far. I guess that makes it the new precious by default.
Well done Tamron.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 